Quote of the Week

Death comes when memories of the past supersede the vision for the future

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME?

·      G-R-O-W-T-H

G- GO- TO A BIBLE –BELIVING BAPTIST CHURCH– Hebrews 10:25

R- READ– YOUR BIBLE DAILY- I Peter 2:2; Acts 17:11

O- OBEY- CHRIST AND BAPTIZED – Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41

W-WITNESS- TO OTHERS OF CHRIST- Acts 1:8; John 4:28,29

T-THANK –GOD DAILY IN PRAYER - Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7

H-HONOR – GOD WITH THE TITHE- Malachi 3:10; I Corinthians 16:2

WISDOM IN THE WORD: 49

Proverbs 6:1- My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

 2.  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

 3.  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

 4.  Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

 5.  Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

At this time of year there is a real danger of overextending our financial resources, or being caught up in the season causing us to act in an irresponsible way that could lead to poverty. The verses are not telling us to refrain from being generous, but to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the cost of every unwise commitment we make. We should always act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.

Quote of the Week

“The outward appearance of success does not always indicate faith, and the outward appearance of failure does not always indicate that faith is lacking"

PASSING IT ON

“It’s All About Attitude”

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 15:1 A Soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The study of great coaches and leaders will sometimes reveal men of immense sharp and acerbic personalities (men such as Bobby Knight , Vince Lombardi, and Richard Nixon ) I have always thought , however , that the coaches or my mentors that made the most impact on me to be ones who were at times more kind and positive.

Once I read an article about John Wooden the great basketball coach of UCLA , the question was  asked  “What is the most important trait for a leader?” His answer was quite surprising. He said “He must be a good listener, Having a kind listening sprit allows one to mentor and instruct far mote thoroughly than if one was to be overly reactive caustic or cruel.”

In Proverbs, the greatest book of wisdom ever written Solomon wrote, “The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning” The instructor needs to remember that the tongue is a little member that can cause a great fire or bring vast encouragement. In the words of the great philosopher Mary Poppins “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” We need to be experts at looking for and commending the good.

Oftentimes an instructor can spot an offender committing the most minor of grievance at a distance of 400 yards. He will draw down on him like a bow hunter ready for the immediate kill on the first day of deer season. Equally, if the instructor will have the same amount of attention directed towards those who are doing right, attitudes would without doubt be affected. In short the Golden Rule will help us as we strive remember to treat others the way we would kike to be treated.

WHAT DOES SALVATION MEAN FOR ME?

I.                   WHAT I WAS :

A.    I was spiritually dead –Ephesians 2:1

B.     I was condemned already-John 3:18

C.    I was headed for the lake of fired-Revelations 20:15

D.    I was lost –Luke 19:10

II.               WHAT GOD PROMISE ME

A.    The gift of eternal life -Romans 6:23

B.     The forgiveness of sins – Colossians 1:14

C.    The joy of Jesus Christ –John 15:11

D.    The peace of God –Philippians 4:7

III.           WHAT I DID

A.    I Called upon the name of the Lord-Romans 10:13

B.     I Believed in my heart-Romans 10:9

C.    I received Him –John 1:12

D.    I repented of my sins  -Acts 17:30

IV.            WHAT GOD DID

A.    Washed me from my sins-Revelation 1:5

B.     Recorded my name in the Lambs book of life –Revelations 21:27

C.    Accepted me in the beloved –Ephesians 1:6

D.    Made me a new creature –II Corinthians 5:17

WISDOM IN THE WORD :48

Proverbs 31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5.      Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Drunkenness has corrupted so many in our world today, even in our churches the battle rages over the use of alcohol. The bible makes it abundantly clear it is inexcusable for a national leader to be swayed by any form of a mind altering substance. Alcohol clouds the mind and the facts are it can lead to injustice and poor decisions. As leaders in our homes, our jobs, our communities and our churches the bible makes it clear those who will make wise judgments and truly lead in a godly manner will not drink strong wine, whiskey, beer, or coolers ….