I don't know how it is with you today, but for me, it feels like Friday. And since it feels like Friday, I figured it was best to go ahead and write my obligatory end of the week post. So here goes:
We've had another great week at EFBC. It was wonderful to see Dalton Epps baptized this past Sunday! That makes nine baptisms in the last two months! Praise God for what He is doing! It was also exciting to see a great Wednesday night crowd here again last night (even though it was really on Tuesday). God is working in so many different areas in our church that I'm finding myself daily in awe of His power and presence.
As you're gearing up for the long holiday weekend, let me encourage you to not forget about coming together as the church this Sunday to worship our Lord together. I'm really excited about continuing our ongoing series on Frequently Asked Questions. This past Sunday, we asked and answered the following:
-Does it matter which version of the Bible I use?
-If I was baptized as an infant, do I need to be re-baptized?
-How can a loving God send anybody to hell?
-Is suicide the unforgivable sin?
This Sunday, I'm planning on answering as many of the following questions as time permits:
-If I'm already saved, why should I keep coming to church?
-Has God predestined some people to hell?
-Does the Bible teach that divorced men can't be deacons?
-Is Christianity really any different than other religions?
-Why are so many Christians against gambling?
-What does the Bible say about capital punishment?
If all goes according to my plans, I'm going to do one more installment of the random frequently asked questions on December 6. Then I'll close out this series on December 13 with a special message on frequently asked questions about Christmas. It should be fun (at least it has been so far). Don't forget, these messages are available online at www.eulaton.org. Just click on Online Sermons to access them.
A scripture for you to keep in mind during this Thanksgiving weekend:
Psalm 100:4-5 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (NKJ)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope everyone will remember that giving thanks should be a part of our lives daily, not just on a Thursday in late November. And I hope everyone will plan on being at our worship services this Sunday morning as we lift high the name of Jesus!
Enjoy the turkey! Enjoy the Iron Bowl! Enjoy the shopping (if that's possible)! But when Sunday rolls around, come meet with us as we worship the King of kings and Lord of lords! You might overeat this weekend. Your team may lose this weekend. You might spend way too much money this weekend. But take heart, because Jesus is alive, He's working all around us, and the best is yet to come!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
It Keeps Getting Better And Better
Good morning everyone! Hope your Friday is off to a great start. My day has already started off well after attending a prayer meeting at Wellborn High School with Mr. Carter and several other staff members. God is up to something HUGE in our church, in our community, and yes, even at our school. Get ready, because what's coming is going to be, I believe, amazing beyond our wildest dreams.
How do I know that? Because people are praying, a lot of people! And I believe Satan is shaking in his shoes just thinking about what God is about to unleash on this community. And that's why we need to keep praying, because our adversary is not happy about what's going on around here. He's going to attack full throttle, so we'd better make sure we've put on the full armor of God.
I'm really looking forward to this Sunday at EFBC (as usual), and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this weekend. We're going to continue our Frequently Asked Questions series. Last week, we tackled four more questions:
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
-Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians?
After some of the "controversial" topics we've covered, you might think that this week we'd try to take it easy and back off on the tough questions; and you'd be wrong. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we can answer:
-Does it matter which version of the Bible I use?
-If I was baptized as an infant, do I need to be re-baptized?
-How can a loving God send anybody to hell?
-Is suicide the unforgivable sin?
-If I'm already saved, why should I keep coming to church?
-Has God predestined some people to hell?
-Does the Bible teach that divorced men can't be deacons?
We'll take them one at a time and see how many we can answer this week. So far I've only been able to squeeze in four questions in each of the first three messages. You may be wondering why I'm even bothering to publish seven questions every week. Well, I look at it like this: if we only get through four of seven questions this week, the other three are like previews of coming attractions. I'm hoping I can whet your appetite for more!
Let's pack this place out on Sunday! Let's be praying for, investing in, and inviting others. Let's come expecting God to show up in a BIG way! Remember Psalm 63:1-2: O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. (NKJ)
I said earlier that I believe what God has in store for us will be amazing beyond our wildest dreams, and there's a couple of verses that keep coming to my mind. They're found in Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Are you ready? I'm blown away more and more everyday as I see God at work all around us, and I can't wait to see what's next. It just keeps getting better and better, but the best is yet to come!
How do I know that? Because people are praying, a lot of people! And I believe Satan is shaking in his shoes just thinking about what God is about to unleash on this community. And that's why we need to keep praying, because our adversary is not happy about what's going on around here. He's going to attack full throttle, so we'd better make sure we've put on the full armor of God.
I'm really looking forward to this Sunday at EFBC (as usual), and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this weekend. We're going to continue our Frequently Asked Questions series. Last week, we tackled four more questions:
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
-Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians?
After some of the "controversial" topics we've covered, you might think that this week we'd try to take it easy and back off on the tough questions; and you'd be wrong. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we can answer:
-Does it matter which version of the Bible I use?
-If I was baptized as an infant, do I need to be re-baptized?
-How can a loving God send anybody to hell?
-Is suicide the unforgivable sin?
-If I'm already saved, why should I keep coming to church?
-Has God predestined some people to hell?
-Does the Bible teach that divorced men can't be deacons?
We'll take them one at a time and see how many we can answer this week. So far I've only been able to squeeze in four questions in each of the first three messages. You may be wondering why I'm even bothering to publish seven questions every week. Well, I look at it like this: if we only get through four of seven questions this week, the other three are like previews of coming attractions. I'm hoping I can whet your appetite for more!
Let's pack this place out on Sunday! Let's be praying for, investing in, and inviting others. Let's come expecting God to show up in a BIG way! Remember Psalm 63:1-2: O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. (NKJ)
I said earlier that I believe what God has in store for us will be amazing beyond our wildest dreams, and there's a couple of verses that keep coming to my mind. They're found in Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Are you ready? I'm blown away more and more everyday as I see God at work all around us, and I can't wait to see what's next. It just keeps getting better and better, but the best is yet to come!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What's Next For EFBC?
I'm continually being blown away by what God is doing at Eulaton First Baptist, and I can't wait to see what He's got in store for us next! Wasn't last Sunday awesome? Wasn't it great to see Logan, Tanner, Sarah, Morgan, Michael and Mason baptized? Wasn't it also wonderful to welcome Lindsey Wiley into our church family? I left here Sunday with my head in the clouds and my heart full of joy.
Speaking of how God's working at EFBC, have you been here on Wednesday nights lately to see what He's doing? People are coming, lots of people, especially young people. And they're being fed; both physically and spiritually. God's up to something BIG, and I'm just excited that He's allowed me to be a part of it. I hope you are, too!
I also hope you've been enjoying our current series entitled Frequently Asked Questions. We're covering a broad range of topics, and it's been fun (at least for me, anyway). This past Sunday we looked at the following questions:
-Is tithing a New Testament practice?
-Does God hear the prayers of non-Christians?
-What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
-How were people saved in the Old Testament?
Don't forget, if you miss a message and would like to hear it, you can go to www.eulaton.org and click on Online Sermons. Sermons are usually uploaded to the web by noon on Mondays. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we have time to answer:
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
-Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians?
-Does it matter which version of the Bible I use?
-If I was baptized as an infant, do I need to be re-baptized?
-How can a loving God send anybody to hell?
We may get through all seven; we may not. If not, we'll just pick up next week where we leave off this week. I'm incredibly excited about this series, and about this Sunday. I realize that some of the topics we cover may be a bit controversial, and I realize that there may be some things that we're not going to see eye to eye on. But like I said Sunday: that's OK! As long as we agree on the truth that Jesus is the only way to God, we can agree to disagree on a lot of other stuff.
I hope you're planning on being here Sunday. I hope you're inviting others to come, as well. Remember to be investing in the lives of others, and inviting them to hear the message of the Gospel. This sermon series has such a broad appeal that it's the perfect time to be inviting your friends and family members. Feel free to forward this web address on to others. I want to see our building packed out this Sunday!
God is working! He's doing great and wonderful things in our midst! But as good as it's been, it's nothing compared to what He's got in store for us next. And that is why I keep saying that the best is yet to come!
Speaking of how God's working at EFBC, have you been here on Wednesday nights lately to see what He's doing? People are coming, lots of people, especially young people. And they're being fed; both physically and spiritually. God's up to something BIG, and I'm just excited that He's allowed me to be a part of it. I hope you are, too!
I also hope you've been enjoying our current series entitled Frequently Asked Questions. We're covering a broad range of topics, and it's been fun (at least for me, anyway). This past Sunday we looked at the following questions:
-Is tithing a New Testament practice?
-Does God hear the prayers of non-Christians?
-What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
-How were people saved in the Old Testament?
Don't forget, if you miss a message and would like to hear it, you can go to www.eulaton.org and click on Online Sermons. Sermons are usually uploaded to the web by noon on Mondays. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we have time to answer:
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
-Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians?
-Does it matter which version of the Bible I use?
-If I was baptized as an infant, do I need to be re-baptized?
-How can a loving God send anybody to hell?
We may get through all seven; we may not. If not, we'll just pick up next week where we leave off this week. I'm incredibly excited about this series, and about this Sunday. I realize that some of the topics we cover may be a bit controversial, and I realize that there may be some things that we're not going to see eye to eye on. But like I said Sunday: that's OK! As long as we agree on the truth that Jesus is the only way to God, we can agree to disagree on a lot of other stuff.
I hope you're planning on being here Sunday. I hope you're inviting others to come, as well. Remember to be investing in the lives of others, and inviting them to hear the message of the Gospel. This sermon series has such a broad appeal that it's the perfect time to be inviting your friends and family members. Feel free to forward this web address on to others. I want to see our building packed out this Sunday!
God is working! He's doing great and wonderful things in our midst! But as good as it's been, it's nothing compared to what He's got in store for us next. And that is why I keep saying that the best is yet to come!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Another Big Day Sunday!
As I write this, we are just forty-eight hours and nineteen minutes away from Sunday morning's worship service. Is anybody other than me excited about what God's going to do at Eulaton this weekend? I'm incredibly excited because this Sunday we're going to be baptizing several (not sure how many yet) new believers! That will NEVER get old. In fact, like I told everyone Sunday, I hope we wear that baptismal pool out from overuse!
I'm also excited about continuing our new message series entitled Frequently Asked Questions. Last Sunday we only got through four questions, so we're going to pick up this week where we left off. If you missed this past Sunday's message, we answered the following questions:
-Is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Halloween?
-What about the people who've never heard about Jesus?
-Can a person lose their salvation?
-Is it biblical to speak in tongues?
If you'd like to hear that message, you can always go to http://www.eulaton.org/ and click on Online Sermons. Most every message from this past year is archived there. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we can tackle:
-Is tithing a New Testament practice?
-Does God hear the prayers of non-Christians?
-What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
-How were people saved in the Old Testament?
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
Once again, I don't know if we'll get through all of those questions or not. We're just going to take them one at a time and see where God leads with each one. These messages may seem a bit odd to those who've been attending church for a long time because they are so disjointed. I believe, however, that for the person who's new to the church experience, this series is a breath of fresh air.
How many people, if we're honest, haven't asked one or more of these questions in their lifetimes? What new believer or seeker wouldn't want to have a list of the most frequently asked questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity answered in rapid-fire succession, regardless of how random they may be? Didn't Jesus sometimes preach this way?
Answering those questions leads me to the unmistakable conclusion that this is a series that is incredibly beneficial. And that's why I want to encourage you again this week to invite friends and family to come. They've got questions; we've got answers. Let them know about this informative series that we're doing at EFBC.
Eulaton, get ready for the ride of your lives because Jesus is alive, His Spirit is at work in our midst, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
I'm also excited about continuing our new message series entitled Frequently Asked Questions. Last Sunday we only got through four questions, so we're going to pick up this week where we left off. If you missed this past Sunday's message, we answered the following questions:
-Is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Halloween?
-What about the people who've never heard about Jesus?
-Can a person lose their salvation?
-Is it biblical to speak in tongues?
If you'd like to hear that message, you can always go to http://www.eulaton.org/ and click on Online Sermons. Most every message from this past year is archived there. This Sunday, we're going to see how many of the following questions we can tackle:
-Is tithing a New Testament practice?
-Does God hear the prayers of non-Christians?
-What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
-How were people saved in the Old Testament?
-Why don't Baptists allow women to be pastors?
-Where did Cain get his wife?
-Did God create evil?
Once again, I don't know if we'll get through all of those questions or not. We're just going to take them one at a time and see where God leads with each one. These messages may seem a bit odd to those who've been attending church for a long time because they are so disjointed. I believe, however, that for the person who's new to the church experience, this series is a breath of fresh air.
How many people, if we're honest, haven't asked one or more of these questions in their lifetimes? What new believer or seeker wouldn't want to have a list of the most frequently asked questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity answered in rapid-fire succession, regardless of how random they may be? Didn't Jesus sometimes preach this way?
Answering those questions leads me to the unmistakable conclusion that this is a series that is incredibly beneficial. And that's why I want to encourage you again this week to invite friends and family to come. They've got questions; we've got answers. Let them know about this informative series that we're doing at EFBC.
Eulaton, get ready for the ride of your lives because Jesus is alive, His Spirit is at work in our midst, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
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