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Bible Baptist Church

Bradenton, Florida

From My Heart

July 2009 - Posts

  • From My Heart Aug 2, 2009

     Revival is still possible here in our nation and around the world.  I not only believe it; I am trying to promote it.  This week I had the wonderful opportunity to present to a group of pastors on the subject of “Excellence in Ministry” at the Sword of the Lord National Conference in North Carolina.  How exciting to still see men of God who want to do this very best for God and see Him work in their churches.  My heart was encouraged and stirred at what God is doing and wants to do.  These are great days and the church still works!
     Recently I read a poem by Evangelist John R. Van Gelderen that says quite a bit about remembering what God can do.

    When faith gives way to unbelief
    And focus shifts from God to man; 
    When all seems hopeless for the cause;
    Remember God’s reviving plan. 

    When compromise invades the church
    And darkness hovers o’er the land;
    When Satan seems to mock the truth,
    Remember God’s reviving hand.

    Look unto Jesus, Healer still,
    Let faith be built, let hope ignite;
    God still delivers those who will
    Remember God’s reviving might. 

    Remember now the works of God,
    The greater works that He has done;
    Remember now His mighty acts,
    The victories that He has won.

     Do it again Lord!

  • From My Heart July 26,2009

     Let me remind you to register your child or grandchild for the Bible Baptist Baseball Camp coming up in just one week.  Today is the day to get him or her registered.  Things are coming together for a great week.  Special guest instructors will be here as well as our own people.  Many of you have commented about how great the field looks.  Almost all of what you see has been donated to us and has saved the church thousands of dollars.  A big thank you to all who have donated and labored in the field.  Be in prayer for this great week.

     This past Thursday I flew to Cincinnati, Ohio  to preach at First Baptist Church located in Milford.  First Baptist Church is the church home for Master’s Club Ministries and Bearing Precious Seed, a Bible publisher.  Both of these ministries have been a source of blessing for both myself and our church.  It was a privilege to preach there and to be with Pastor Bill Duttry.  How wonderful to see other exciting independent Baptist churches doing a great work for God!

     Tonight Dr. David Gibbs, III will be with us to preach for us.  Over the next few weeks we will have a few of my close friends come and help us celebrate this wonderful new sanctuary God has given us.  David has been with us in the past and is such a good friend.  I know he will be a blessing to you today.

     Breaking news!  I want to wish my wonderful wife a “Happy Birthday” today.  I cannot say enough how much I love her and thank God for her.

  • From My Heart July 19, 2009

     

                     This past week the staff and I did something that we have not done since I have been here.  Early in the year I told them that I wanted to have us all go to a Spiritual Leadership Conference.  Although it was mandatory for them to go, they were truly excited.  We left the church at 4:30 AM last Monday and arrived back on Thursday night.  We had a great time hearing the preaching, attending workshops and meeting as a staff.  The preoccupation of the building has been so precedent over the last 18 months that I wanted us to be recharged about reaching people for Christ and growing believers in their Christian life.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support for myself and the staff.  It is our goal and prayer to use this new facility to accomplish our purpose for Bible Baptist Church.
     

     

    Ezekiel 22:30-31 says, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.  Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.”  God is still looking for a man or woman that will take a stand for Him in these days.  The gap must be filled.  The saddest words are given at the end of that verse, “but I found none.”  God looked, but no man would stand.  God looked, but no man would follow and obey.  How tragic that God needed, yet no man would respond.  God still calls  today.  I know that He so wants to pour His spirit out on those who will stand for Him.  Will you “stand in the gap?” 
  • From My Heart July 12, 2009

     

        “Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:  That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there, to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.”  II Chronicles 6:19 & 20

     Solomon’s prayer to the Lord on that day Israel dedicated the temple to the Lord takes the words right out of my mouth.  This new building that we have here at Bible Baptist Church is the Lord’s house.  May His name always be praised.  May His Word always be preached.  May Jesus always be glorified in all we say and do.

     Thank you for being with us on this special day.  Almost five years ago, God began to lay on my heart the need for us to launch out and build a new auditorium—so here it is!  Our people have prayed, worked and given so faithfully, however, it was God that gave the increase.  Let me thank some very special people:

    • Chris Johnson and Mark Card - Wendemen Construction
    • Alan Anderson - Architect
    • John Camden - Mechanical Engineer
    • Lynn Townsend - Civil Engineer
    • Brian Snell - Structural Engineer
    • Beverly Burdette - Landscape Engineer
        

    A big thank you goes to the many workers and sub contractors who have worked so hard on this project.  So many of our own people have given of their own labors in this construction, of which I am so grateful.

     Finally, “Lord, thank you for causing Your face to shine on Bible Baptist Church.  You have blessed us indeed.  Without you, we are nothing.  This is Your place for Your people.  We love You and to You belongs all the glory.”

     

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