NT Chronological

We are united as a church reading together the New Testament chronologically from the One Version Bible App.  What a blessing as so many dear saints share with me their love for the stories of Jesus!
We began the Acts of the Apostles last week and are reading about the early church.  It is so encouraging to read of these believers laying aside their own selves for the sake of others.
We are currently in a WATCH AND PRAY series at First Baptist Camden on Sunday mornings focusing on prayer. As I read ACTS 9 and 10 over the weekend, it struck me how the early believers were attentive and obedient to the spoken word of God.  I long for a prayer life that allows me to hear God's voice that I may obey as the Apostles Paul and Aeneas.  Cornelius was a man seeking after God and God honored his devotion, alms and prayers.  God directed him to send for Peter--a divine appointment was made and Peter also obeyed the voice of God, so that this Gentile and his household and friends would hear the gospel and be saved.  Nothing excites me more than stories like these.  I am convinced that when God's people seek Him like these early believers did, we too will hear God speak. We will go in obedience where He sends us. We too will see those who are far from God draw near to Him, believe in Him, be baptized and will be forever changed! I anxiously await days like these that lay just before us!
Coach/Pastor John

Watch and Pray

     Have you ever been worried about something? Have you ever just had a lot on your mind and feel really stressed? I resonate with a few who shared with me this week that we tend to exert much effort to alleviate our situation before we realize that prayer is a needed first response.  I can remember walks with God when passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:33-34, and Philippians 4:6-7 came to mind and by the time I had prayed, right perspective was given, clarity and insight was provided and peace of mind replaced worry. 

     You may have had this experience before too.  You lost your keys, a needed document or something important and your search has left you defeated, condemning (I’m so stupid!) and frustrated.  Then you think to pray and God answers.  Some might look at that calling it petty or insignificant, assuming that God doesn’t care about little details of our lives. Our passage today instructs us to cast all our anxieties on God because He cares for us.  God has helped me numerous times in what some may call little, but the heart of the matter is relationship.  Am I so close to God that I can ask Him to help me with the mammoth crises of life as well as the minuscule ones?

     Lastly, I think it is valuable for us to remember the prayer requests of Paul.  He usually asked for boldness and courage to proclaim the gospel and for receptive hearts.  Jesus instructed three New Testament writers to “Watch and Pray.” Each later would extend this command to all believers.  Our prayer as we gather to worship God, and His Son Jesus, is that by the power of His Holy Spirit we all might be changed.  Change our hearts O God!

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Pastor John

    

All Access

     “All Access” is a blessing that communicates privilege, favor recognition.  It tells us that we get in.  We need not worry about anything.  We have clearance.  Recently, someone handed me a season pass.  It meant that I could attend any game or athletic event.  It cost me nothing but gained me much.  I once received a key from a friend.  “This key is to every gate.”  It gave me access to enjoy certain privileges that were unavailable to me before.  When I was in high school a friend gave our family back stage passes to the Grand Ole Opry.  We walked back there where only a few could go and rub shoulders with the stars.  Whispering Bill Anderson walked up to me and Paul and said, “Here, do you want to take a picture with me?”

    

     Do you realize what Jesus did for you and me?  He gave us an ALL ACCESS pass.  Because of Jesus’ death on the cross Jesus guaranteed certain promises.  He secured the forgiveness of sins.  He removed the separation from God we experience because of our sin. He removed the sting of death and guaranteed eternal life in heaven for those who repent of sin and trust in Him for salvation. He promised abundant life here on the earth.  In spite of loss, hardship and death, Jesus has said to us that our ALL ACCESS pass lets us find joy in all of life because of a wonderful hope…this is not our final destination.  His resurrection gives us a certain hope that we are known by the Father.  We have so many blessings to enjoy!  This ALL ACCESS pass gives us the assurance of entrance.  We can enter into God’s presence in prayer.  We can seek Him and know Him.  We can commune with God in conversation.  We can hear from God in His Word and through His Spirit. What promises!

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Coach/Pastor John

    

Annie Armstrong Day 8

Pray for Kevin Ezell, North American Mission Board (NAMB) President

Annie Armstrong Day 7

Pray for Luis and Beatriz Soto in West Valley, Utah

Annie Armstrong Day 6

Pray for Muche and Diamone Ukegbu in Miami, Florida

Annie Armstrong Day 5

Pray for the Chinese Church Planter in Western US

Annie Armstrong Day 4

Pray for Rob and Lisa Warren in Madison,, Wisconsin

Annie Armstrong Day 3

Pray for Philip and Jummai Nache in Minneapolis Minnesota

Annie Armstrong DAY 1 and 2

Pray for gospel conversations with those you encounter today!
Pray for Jorge and Rebeca Santiago in Comerio, Puerto Rico.

Slow to Speak

     Do you think Jesus measured twice before he cut in his father’s carpentry shop?  That’s a principle Tina’s dad taught me that is a common rule among carpenters.  “Measure twice…cut once.”  Among a gathering of men, we discussed the meaning of “When I was a child I spoke like a child…but when I became a man I put my childish ways behind me” I Cor. 13:11.  One noted James’ words “be quick to hear and slow to speak” meaning measure wisely your words. Would you agree we all need a measure of caution with our words?

     One morning I awoke to read these words “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level; then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters will overflow the secret place” Isaiah 28:17. The Lord is just and righteous.  His words are precise, balanced and true. Paul wrote that God’s word “is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.  The Lord’s Word cuts deeply and with accuracy to the needs of a body’s heart and soul.  Our body!

     Let us be wise carpenters with our words.  Let us measure twice before we speak.  Let us listen and be quick to hear.  Let us be slow to put words to a thought. 

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Coach/Pastor John

    

March Link

Hello First Family,

I have been amused by a very small sign on Highway 97.  It is a very simple white, 5X8 card with an arrow pointing into the Edgewood community.  That’s all. I have yet to turn in order to investigate.  It gives some direction I guess.  “Turn Left.” It poses for me some real imperatives concerning direction.  Direction is vitally important to all of us in every aspect of our lives.  A child needs direction to learn and grow in each environment.  Students are encouraged at increasingly younger ages to nail down their career path.  Couples are wise to agree to the direction of their lives merged together by agreeing to a plan so that they grow in their marriage together.

To stand and point in a direction is to fall short.  I am sure I am not the only driver coming into Camden to ignore the sign.  I dismiss it as an old sign for runners in a road race.  I disregard it as a sign placed by someone having a yard sale many Saturdays past.  Just a sign with an arrow leaves me satisfied with driving past unaffected and unmoved.

We have charted a course for First Baptist Camden.  God has brought together a team that loves you and is gifted in so many unique ways.  We have a common passion for reaching this community.  God has given the team a love for one another that has been cemented in our work and fellowship together, and we marvel that He has accomplished this in such a brief time together. 

We have charted our course with four points on the compass lending us direction.  To the North we are reminded that our ship must be strong and its people trained, equipped and impassioned.  Our North heading values a church family that loves and serves one another with an equal eye to the other.  We live beyond ourselves.  Our Bible study, our fellowship, our small groups, and our ministry is not just to and for ourselves, but we exist also for those who have yet to hear of Christ Jesus.  We encourage you to join a Discipleship Group, a Sunday school class or a ministry group today.

Our South heading is the community of Camden and beyond.  We realize that It’s Not About Me (INAM).  We exist for something bigger than ourselves.  This reminds us that Jesus spoke more about the kingdom than He did about the church.  When Jesus heard Peter’s faith statement He proclaimed that on such faith He would build His church.  His marching commands to the church is about adding to the Kingdom of God.  We often sum Matthew 28:19-20 up with “Go and make disciples.” We want each member to adopt that same INAM mentality as we think of FBC and our surrounding community. There is a plethora of opportunities to serve our community through FBC ministries.  Ask us today!

Our West heading reminds us that we intend to sail this ship with humility and cooperation.  We exist in cooperation with other churches and with the KBA—Kershaw Baptist Association.  Whenever possible we want to encourage other churches and pastors.  We want to lead in many areas but with our eyes always alert to how we can be a help to all churches regardless of denomination.  An opportunity this month is to join KBA at the Cup March 30.  We have been asked to volunteer at the Cup 8:30-Noon to assist in parking.  We have promised to bring 20 volunteers to fulfill two of our objectives both in this community and among sister churches.  Please communicate to any of our staff so we can coordinate your helping with that event.  I will be giving the invocation at the Cup that morning.  What an opportunity we have to be a flagship church in our community and state this month!

Our East heading is not a new one.  Our church has a rich history of living on mission for Christ in the world.  We just received our Machachi team back from Ecuador.  Another team and I are planning now for the next trip July 9-17.  I am anxious to meet our brothers and sisters in Machachi.  We have another team heading to Central Asia March 7 to help our workers there.  Your role for now is to pray for these teams.  We prayerfully support eleven mission teams serving around the world as well as the thousands we support through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  Ask God when He would have you to go.  Then be willing to say as Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me.” 

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Pastor John