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Bible Baptist Church

Bradenton, Florida

From My Heart

March 2009 - Posts

  • From My Heart April 5, 2009

    I trust you are excited about being in God’s house.  Great things happen when God’s Word goes forth in its power and might.  You may have noticed that my family and I are not here today.  As a matter of fact, we are about 5300 miles from here.  This week I am preaching for Missionary Paul Sock in Warsaw, Poland.  We left earlier this week and along the way spent a day with Missionary John Anderson in London.  Please pray for our trip that God will use us to encourage believers and deliver the gospel.  I am excited that my whole family can be with me.  We will give you a report on the trip following our return.  Lord willing, we will return home later this week and anticipate a wonderful Easter Sunday.  Please invite friends and family to be with you next week.  People will be looking for a church to attend on this Sunday.
     Next Sunday is our “Sound the Gospel” offering which is set aside to pay for our new sound system for the new auditorium.  I presented this need to our church family during our Stewardship Banquets.  We are praying that the Lord will give us over $50,000 that day for this need.  It means sacrifice, but the blessings will be well worth it.  Let’s pull together and meet this need for the sake of sounding the Gospel to all who so desperately need it.  Thank you in advance for all that you will do.
     Remember that our God is mighty and strong.  He knows your every need, problem and trial.  Go to Him in prayer, faith and obedience.  What a honor to call Him “Father.”  May God bless you today.

     

    Posted Mar 30 2009, 11:24 AM by sgray128 with no comments

  • From My Heart Mar 29, 2009


    Thank you for such a great response to the Stewardship Banquets last week.  Each evening there was an air of excitement and expectancy from our church family.  These were memorable nights for our church.  Speaking of memorable items, let me share with you a report from our Missions Conference.  This year our Faith Promise Commitment to reaching the world for Christ is $158,870.  This is the largest amount ever committed  in the history of our church.  As we give to missions, we will show the Lord our commitment to His plan.
     I am disturbed at the way  people today attempt to redefine words so as to make themselves seem better or prove that there are no absolutes.  In 1945 George Orwell wrote a book entitled Animal Farm.  One of the characters in the book was a pig by the name of “Squealer” (fitting name).  Squealer would arbitrarily redefine words so that they would mean what he wanted them to mean.  Orwell explained that Squealer “could turn black into white” in order to get the other animals to accept his message.
     Here are some words that should never be defined apart from the Word of God:
    “Sin” - any act, word, or thought that separates us from God.
    “Hell” - a literal place where those who die without Christ spend eternity.
    “Heaven” - God’s eternal home prepared for His children who are saved.
    “Salvation” - Forgiveness of sins only through Jesus Christ as you place your trust in Him.  It is a gift of God.
    “Bible” - Holy, inspired, inerrant Word of God.
    “Church” - God’s local body of believers whom He is using to share His story of love and grace.

    Posted Mar 29 2009, 04:53 PM by sgray128 with no comments

  • From My Heart Mar 22, 2009


     
     Tomorrow night is our first night of our Stewardship Banquets for 2009.  Just a reminder that there are four nights  from which to choose: (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).  Each night will begin with a wonderful meal followed by a program of testimony and rejoicing over the great things God has done.  After the program we will take a tour of the new building and answer all your questions.  Each night will be the same meal and program, so just pick the night which is best for you.  Be sure to get your free tickets today.
     
     God has so blessed us and when He lays something on your heart, be obedient and do it.  The heart that is giving is a joyful heart.  God always expects us to be good stewards of all He has given us.  May God bless you today.

     

    Posted Mar 25 2009, 04:46 PM by sgray128 with no comments

  • From My Heart Mar 15, 2009

    Zechariah 2:8 says, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”  Notice that last phrase again, “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”  This is a statement about the people of God, Israel.  Israel is “the apple of his eye.”  The picture is of a man and woman deeply in love with one another.  They look at each other face to face and eye to eye.  The gaze is so deep that they can see their own reflection in the pupils of the other person.
     God has loved His people Israel so strongly even knowing the world would have a hate for His people which is fueled by the devil.  Through it all God has loved and cared for His people.  The psalmist says to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  We are praying for the return of the Lord when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Israel as a nation has blinded itself to the gospel of Christ and the fact that He is the Messiah.  Jewish people can and are being saved, however they are presently set aside and this is “the times of the Gentiles.”  One day the antichrist will come after Israel during the tribulation and God will revenge them at the battle of Armageddon.
     God’s promise, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee” still holds true today.  God is not finished with Israel yet.  Keep praying for the nation of Israel.  Encourage our national leaders to keep a strong alliance and support of Israel.  While you are praying for Israel, be sure to pray for our nation.  Pray for our leaders.  Even when we do not agree with liberal and unbiblical policies, pray for our leaders.  This is what God expects from His people.  May God bless you.

    Posted Mar 15 2009, 04:05 PM by sgray128 with no comments

  • From My Heart Mar 8, 2009

     We have truly had a great Missions Conference this week.  My heart has been touched over and over by our missionaries and pastors here with us.  It has been just like a worldwide trip to open our eyes to what God is doing globally.  Be sure to thank each of our guests for being here and sharing his burden with us.
     Today we will also make our Faith Promise commitment to the Lord.  Faith Promise Missions giving is a way of supporting worldwide evangelism. It is an amount over and above the tithe you give to the local church.  As a believer, you ask the Lord how much you should give to missions over the next year.  You then commit by faith to give that amount to the Faith Promise program here at Bible Baptist Church and trust the Lord by faith to provide that amount for you.  This gives the Lord an opportunity to work in our lives to bring about greater support for missionaries.
     Notice a few things that God teaches us in II Corinthians 8 and 9 concerning Faith Promise:
    It is more than one can afford.  (8:2-4)
    It always follows personal commitment to the Lord.  (8:5)
    It is optional, but also is a test of love.  (8:8)
    It is previously promised.  (9:5)
    It is personally purposed.  (9:7)
    It is given cheerfully.  (9:7)
    It is provided by God.  (9:8)
    It results in all glory to God.  (9:15)
     I have personally been involved in Faith Promise for many years.  How thrilling to know that God has used my family and I to reach around the world with the good news of salvation.  Each one of us can have a part.  Will you trust the Lord in the area of Faith Promise Missions Giving? 
     May God bless you.

    Posted Mar 09 2009, 09:52 AM by sgray128 with no comments
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