First Connect

Friday, February 3

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Most sports enthusiasts are excited about the football game this Sunday night between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Many of our Sunday School classes have planned fellowships around the Super Bowl so it should be a great Sunday evening for building relationships. If you are going to a Sunday School party fellowship this would be a great opportunity to invite someone to go with you. Use it as an outreach. Maybe there is someone new to your class and they might not take the initiative to go on their own but if you invite them to go with you, they might just do it. Be intentional in building those relationships this weekend.

I am curious as to the number of people that are pulling for the Giants and the number of people that are pulling for the Patriots. Most of us would certainly rather see the Titans playing one of them. Since it is an “all northeast” Super Bowl I wonder if that will hurt the national appeal of the game. I doubt it. My guess is that it will be just like always and that televisions across America and around the world will be tuned to Indianapolis, Indiana for about four hours Sunday evening.

Whatever your plans call for this weekend don’t miss Bible Study and Worship Sunday morning at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. God is up to something. There is a new wind blowing. If we come expecting God to speak to our hearts, He will! Let’s come prayerful and expectant and gather in His name to worship Him this Sunday morning. As always, worship and Bible Study are offered at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00.

We will begin our study in the book of 1 Corinthians this Sunday morning. Paul begins the letter to the Corinthians with some words that should really grab our attention. He calls us “saints.” I don’t know how many times I have heard someone say “I am no saint.” Well, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you are! We will see what else Paul has to say to us in that passage Sunday morning.

Here is a word from the Word: (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)

“Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, and our brother Sosthenes: To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord-theirs and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God for you because of God's grace given to you in Christ Jesus, that by Him you were made rich in everything-in all speaking and all knowledge- as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend. I’ll see you Sunday!

Bruce

Thursday, February 2

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I wish you could have seen all the teenagers here last night. The chapel is getting full as the High School students continue to bring friends to the midweek worship. A group of adults were out last night grilling hundreds of hot dogs for the kids to enjoy after their worship service. Brandon is going to use the first Wednesday night of every month to have an outreach focus and he will follow that with a fellowship time for the kids. You can put that on your calendar to pray for the Student Ministry (pray for them every week but especially on the first Wednesday of every month). Good things continue to happen in the Middle School area, too. We have a great group of kids and they are supported by a wonderful group of adults who gather around them every week to encourage them and help them as they grow to be more like Jesus. Brandon, Jeff, Melissa, and all of the volunteers are making a difference!

It's always fun to wander through the Children's Ministry area on Wednesday nights. Mark Hayman, Denise Patton, and all the crew just do an incredible job with music and missions. The children are happy to be there and they seem to genuinely enjoy Wednesday nights. I know I do.

Today is Ground Hog Day. I don't know what 'Punxsutawney Phil' saw up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania but I know that 'Hendersonville Harry' saw his shadow without any doubt. The sun was shining nice and bright this morning. So, can you imagine six more weeks of this terrible winter that we have been enduring. It's going to be horrible. Lows are going to continue to dip all the way down into the 40's and the highs will probably not get out of the upper 60's for the next few weeks. Well, we will just have to suffer through this record winter for a few more weeks. The truth is that I am not looking to a Ground Hog for information about the future. I am looking to the Lord.

Here is a word from the Word: (Psalm 121)

"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever."

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, February 1

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I went to the Living Sent Awards Banquet and Fundraising event last night. Jerry Moll, a church member, leads this marketplace ministry. The concept is simple. This is a group of businessmen and women who are committed to taking the gospel and the Christian life from the church on Sunday to the marketplace on Monday. Their desire is to help equip people in the business community to live out their faith. I go to their monthly meetings and I am constantly encouraged by the testimonies of men and women who are determined to take a stand in the marketplace for Christ. The meeting last night was outstanding. The group is growing. The future is bright for Living Sent Ministries.

Our staff met this morning, as we do every Wednesday morning, and we prayed for many of you. In the course of 2012 every family in our church and every member of every family will be prayed for by name. In addition, we are making every effort to call every family in our church week by week to find out how we can pray for you specifically. We have had a number of people who have e-mailed or called back to tell us how their prayers were answered. Prayer really does make a difference. It is the key.

Remember the Mission Expo this Sunday morning. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will last until 12:00 p.m. Take some time before, or after, you finish your Sunday School and worship service time and walk through and see all the mission opportunities available through First Baptist Church. Many Sunday School classes are going to take a part of their class time to walk through the exhibit area. It would certainly be worth your time.

Adult choir and orchestra, children's choirs, children's missions, The Timothy Initiative, Student Worship, and the Pastor's Bible Study class will all meet tonight. I love Wednesday nights at FBCH. Don't let the rain keep you away. I hope to see you tonight.

Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 20:17-38)

"Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: 'You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time- serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews- and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable, or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 'And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace. 'And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone's blood, for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And men from among yourselves will rise up with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears. 'And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs, and for those who were with me. In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 'After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. And embracing Paul, they kissed him, grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.'"

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, January 31

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This past Saturday a group of teenage girls met with their moms and some other interested ladies to make tote bags for the Dominican Republic mission trip in March. We had material that had been donated for the project and we just needed people who could sew. (By the way, someone donated three sewing machines to the group to use on their 'sew days' for missions). Melissa Payne (our Girls Ministry Associate) promoted a mother/daughter project for missions. There were moms and daughters and grandmothers and even a few women who acted as surrogate mothers. Different people were here sewing from 8:00 until 3:00 and at the end of the day they had made 150 tote bags. There were about 25 - 30 women and girls who worked on this mission project. Paula Kingsbury oversees this 'Sewing for the Nations' ministry and if you are interested in helping you can contact her in the church office (pkingsbury@fbchtn.org).

We have groups right now that are getting ready to go to the Dominican Republic and to Alaska in the next few weeks. Going on mission is not just a matter of showing up on the day of departure with your suitcase. They meet together, pray together, plan together and seek the Lord's direction a long time before they ever get on an airplane. There is a real sense of excitement about our mission opportunities. A couple stopped me Sunday morning and said "are all the spots taken for the Alaska mission trip? We really want to go!"

You can learn about all of the upcoming mission opportunities as well as all of the on-going mission projects/ministries that we support this Sunday. Our annual Mission Expo will be in the Fellowship Hall A all morning this coming Sunday. Take some time during some part of the day to walk through the booths and displays and learn as much as you can about our mission opportunities for 2012. You will be encouraged and blessed to know that your church is involved in so many different efforts of taking the Gospel to the nations. You will also be challenged to get involved!

Here is a word from the Word: (Revelation 22:6-21)

"Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must quickly take place.' 'Look, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic words of this book.' I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' He also said to me, 'Don't seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy.' 'Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 'Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. 'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.' Both the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' Anyone who hears should say, 'Come!' And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. He who testifies about these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen."

Have a great Tuesday!

Bruce

Monday, January 30

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We finished up the "Intentional" series yesterday. Through the month of January we focused on being Intentional in our Living, Giving, Praying, Relationships, and our Mission. It has been a good way to start the New Year and we have really been blessed in our corporate worship. We will turn our attention to the book of 1 Corinthians beginning this Sunday morning.

The Chili Cook-Off fellowship last night was great fun. We are a family and last night we did what families do. We shared a meal. We prayed together. We laughed together. We played together. There were probably some tall tales told and some good natured ribbing taking place. The kids had a great time down on the inflatables in the Family Ministry Center. It was just a fun evening together as a church family.

This coming Sunday night, a lot of our Sunday School classes will get together for Super Bowl fellowships. That is a little different because it is generally just for small Sunday School/Bible Study groups. The Fellowship last night was church wide so we had people of all ages. That made it very special. We have several more planned throughout the year. I appreciate Barry Payne and his team cooking all that good food. I appreciate all of you who brought a pot of your own homemade chili. And, I appreciate Jeff Lake, Teresa Friedman and the entire Family Ministry team for putting it all together down in the Family Ministry area and the Fellowship Hall. It was a fun night.

Here is a word from the Word as you begin your new work week: (John 15:9-17)

"As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commands and remain in His love. "I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. This is what I command you: love one another."

Have a great Monday!

Bruce

Friday, January 27

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations today to Richard and Nancy Jenkins on their 50^th Wedding anniversary. They have served in almost every imaginable position since they joined this church 49 years ago. Almost all of their married life has been spent right here at First Baptist. And today is also Nancy’s birthday. I will tell you that this is their 50^th wedding anniversary. I won’t dare tell you what number birthday it is! Happy Anniversary, Richard and Nancy! And happy birthday, Nancy!

We not only have many mission groups that go out from our church throughout the year, we also have individuals in our church that go with other groups to do mission projects. Ken and Kathy Wyatt have been on a medical mission trip all this week with another church from the area. Cathy Hill is leaving Saturday for Kenya, Africa to work with the wives of the pastors of the area churches. She will be co-teaching with a friend from Mississippi. Pray for Ken and Kathy as they finish their work and pray for Cathy as she leaves to go to Africa.

This Sunday we will finish our five week “Intentional” series. We have looked at Intentional Living, Intentional Giving, Intentional Praying and Intentional Relationships. We will finish up this Sunday with Intentional Mission. There are a number of different ways to go with this thought. We are on mission as a body of Christ. Our purpose is to take the Gospel to the Nations. And, of course, it begins at home. The world around us is our mission field. We are going to consider a passage from the book of Colossians as we consider our mission as the body of Christ this Sunday.

Here is a word from the Word: (Colossians 4:7-14 and 3:17)

“Tychicus, a loved brother, a faithful servant, and a fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and so that he may encourage your hearts. He is with Onesimus, a faithful and loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas' cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. Luke, the loved physician, and Demas greet you.”

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

It’s going to be a great weekend. I hope to see you Sunday morning in one of our worship services and one of our Bible Study classes at First Baptist, Hendersonville!

Bruce

Thursday, January 26

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Don't forget the church fellowship Sunday night. We are calling it a "Chili Cook-off." If you have a favorite chili recipe make a pot of it and bring it. But, even if you don't bring chili don't worry about it. Barry is making enough for everyone. Just come on and enjoy the fun. A lot of blow-up games will be in the gym for the children. Some people will sit around and play dominos or cards. And some folks will just sit around and talk. We'll all wear name tags and try to get to know each other a little better. That's a part of being the church....the body of Christ. We are a family. So, don't miss it. The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. and will last until about 8:00 p.m.

I have been so encouraged by the response of people that have come to the information meetings for the various mission trips that are up coming this year. The rooms have been filled every single time with people who have a heart to be a part of taking the gospel to the nations. We will have a lot of people praying, giving, and going this year.

On February 5th we will have a Mission Expo in Fellowship Hall A. Over 45 mission vendors and mission ministries will be represented. We work with many of these groups and support many more of them. You will certainly want to plan some time during your day on February 5th to walk through the Fellowship Hall and learn all you can about missions. The children's Sunday School classes are going to walk through and get their "passport" stamped by the different ministry areas.

Speaking of passports; if you think you have an interest in taking a mission trip we will have someone here that day to take your picture. By getting your photograph and then attaching it to the proper application you can go ahead and secure a passport so that when the Lord calls you to be involved in missions you'll be ready. If you already have a passport it might be time to renew it. Check the expiration date and if it is close to renewal time plan to have your new photograph made at the Missions Expo. Contact Mark Satterfield's office (msatterfield@fbchtn.org) if you have any questions.

Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 13:1-12)

"In the local church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to.' Then, after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off. Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed God's message in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear God's message. But Elymas, the sorcerer, which is how his name is translated, opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul-also called Paul-filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer and said, 'You son of the Devil, full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of all righteousness! Won't you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? Now, look! The Lord's hand is against you: you are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.' Suddenly a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, seeing what happened, believed and was astonished at the teaching about the Lord."

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, January 25

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It appears that the repair to the boiler is working and that we will be able to continue without having to purchase a new expensive piece of equipment right now. Of course, it will eventually need to be replaced but it is nice to have avoided it for now.

Our prayer initiative is really making a wonderful difference in our staff. Every week we call about 70-80 families in our church and ask them how we can pray for them specifically. Then, on Wednesday mornings we spend a large part of our weekly staff meeting sharing those requests, calling those names before the Lord, and praying. It is encouraging to us as a ministry team and I believe it will make a difference in our church. Sunday School classes are taking up the challenge and doing the same thing for their classes! Prayer is the key.

If you do not make it a part of your weekly routine to be a part of what happens here at FBC Hendersonville, let me invite you to do so. Wednesday's are wonderful around here. Many gather in the Fellowship Hall for a meal beginning at 4:45. Then there are various ministry events taking place all over the church. The Timothy Initiative (our Discipleship process) meets in the Weekley Building. Preschool ministries are offered for families with young children. Children's choir and mission organizations provide a great opportunity for the grade school children. And, some 400 teenagers (or more) gather for their worship. The Middle School meets down in the Underground (underneath the Family Ministry Center) and the High School meets in the Chapel area. And then I meet with a great group of people for the Pastor's Bible Study and prayer meeting. We meet in Fellowship Hall B (the large side) at 7:00 p.m. every week. We are studying the book of Acts.

The adult choir and orchestra also rehearse on Wednesday evenings to prepare to lead us in worship on Sunday mornings. Some of you need to be a part of the music ministry of our church. There is an open invitation for you to come and be a part of it. The choir rehearsal room and the orchestra rehearsal room are both located on the second floor behind the worship center. If you have been blessed with the ability to sing let me encourage you to use that talent on Sundays in helping lead our congregation in worship.

Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 20:5-31)

"These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days. On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on speaking. When he was overcome by sleep he fell down from the third story, and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, threw himself on him, embraced him, and said, 'Don't be alarmed, for his life is in him!' After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, he conversed a considerable time until dawn. Then he left. They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. Then we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, from there intending to take Paul on board. For these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so he would not have to spend time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost. Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time-serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews-and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable, or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace. 'And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone's blood, for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And men from among yourselves will rise up with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.'"

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, January 24

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Chili Cook-Off is this Sunday night from 6:00-8:00. It is going to be a lot of fun. We will have all the inflatables in the Family Ministry Center for the children. Also the children’s play area and the rock climbing wall will be open. It’s a great atmosphere for them.

We will also have a great time in the Fellowship Hall area as we share a meal around homemade chili. If you have a special recipe and would like to enter your chili into the competition, submit your application (available in the FMC) by Wednesday, January 25, or just call Jeff Lake at the Family Ministry Center (824-6184) or e-mail him at jlake@fbchtn.org. You don’t have to enter your chili in the competition. Just bring a pot of chili and we’ll all enjoy it! It is a great way to get to know people and to spend some time in fellowship. (Bring a deck of cards and I’ll let you beat me in a game of Spades or Rook!) The more we fellowship, the more we get to know each other. The more we get to know each other the more we function as the body of Christ. Don’t miss it!

One of our two boilers was not working Sunday. We had enough heat from the other one because it was not a particularly cold day. I am praying (join me!) that they will be able to fix this boiler without us having to purchase a new one. A new piece of equipment would cost between $75,000 and $100,000. I am praying that they can get this one running again!

Here is a word from the Word: (Philippians 2:1-4)

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Have a great Tuesday!

Bruce

Monday, January 23

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

What a great weekend at First Baptist! The Men's Wild Game dinner Saturday night was really, really something to behold. The food and fellowship was great. I don't think I saw a green vegetable anywhere in the building. It would have been shot on sight! It was just meat, meat, and more meat. What a man's dinner! Thanks to all the men that donated duck, geese, deer, buffalo, fish, watusi, and many other unusual animals.

Then we moved over into the Worship Center to listen to Joe White share the gospel with the 1,000 men that gathered. Joe played college football at SMU and then coached at Texas A&M before changing the direction of his life toward Christian camps for kids. Joe and his wife began Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri and through the years they have ministered to tens of thousands of kids. There are young people from our church at Kanakuk right now and there will be more there this summer. Joe shared a message on the power of the cross in a dramatic presentation. To say it was powerful would be an understatement. Over 250 men responded with fresh commitments at the end of the message.

The blessing just continued into Sunday. We had a great morning of worship and the Lord visiting us with His presence. There is an energy and an excitement that is building in our fellowship. Maybe it is just me, but it seems as though we come to worship expecting something good to happen. And, God never disappoints. It was a great day.

One of the new ministries that have really caught on in our Young Adult ministry area is in Home Groups. Mark Satterfield (young adult pastor) has really encouraged our Young Adult Bible Study classes to take advantage of opportunities to be together outside of the hustle and bustle of the Sunday morning routine. Childcare is provided for the families at the church and we currently have six home groups meeting every Sunday night. Joy and I went to the Home Group of the Chad Ashman/Chad Hutton Sunday School class last night. I didn't really count but there must have been 25-30 people in this particular Home Group. They shared a meal together. They enjoyed the typical fellowship time with the men watching the football game and the women in the kitchen. And then they came together, turned the television off and had a time of sharing and praying. I would encourage every Sunday School class to consider opportunities such as this outside of the regular Sunday morning routine. It provides people an opportunity to really get to know each other and to share on a more personal level than during the Bible Study time. Joy and I enjoyed getting to know all of these young adults more personally. It was time well spent!

Here is a word from the Word: (1 John 4:13-19)

"This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given to us from His Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God-God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us."

Have a great Monday!

Bruce

Friday, January 20

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Let me take one more opportunity to remind you of the Men’s Wild Game Banquet Saturday night. The meal sold out quickly but there are still tickets available for the program in the Worship Center. You will be blown away by this presentation. Joe White has made this presentation all across America and I am thrilled that he is going to present it here to our men. I have no doubts that there will be many men who will become followers of Jesus Christ Saturday night and many others who will recommit their lives to Christ. Don’t miss this opportunity. Call the church office for more information.

And, as an additional bonus Joe has offered to meet with parents at 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon in the Student Ministry area underneath the Family Ministry Center. Joe is an expert dealing with teenagers. He has run a Christian camp for many, many years. He has written 19 books on the subject. He has spoke to teenagers all across America. There is no cost for an opportunity to dialogue with this expert. No reservations are necessary. Just show up in the underground at 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

This Sunday we are in week four of our five week “Intentional” series. This week we focus on Intentional Relationships and I will be using 1 John 4:7-12 as the scriptural reference. It’s a great passage and it should really challenge all of us. Let’s be intentional about being at church Sunday morning. Let’s be intentional about bringing someone with us. Let’s be intentional about our prayerful dependence and our worship. It should be a great morning!

Here is a word from the Word: (1 John 4:7-12)

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.”

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! I hope to see you Sunday.

Bruce

Thursday, January 19

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

More and more I am convinced that we are on the verge of something special at FBC Hendersonville. There is a new air of anticipation and excitement. There is a genuine dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a commitment to prayer. There is a holy dissatisfaction with the way things are but rather a desire to have them the way they could be. I know you are praying with me for God to move among us in a powerful way.

I wish you could see/hear/experience the energy and enthusiasm that fills the body of Christ every Wednesday. There is really something exciting happening with our Student Ministry. Both the Middle School and the High School have a great spirit among them. Pray for our teenagers! And, the children's area is always a hopping place on Wednesday night. I love being around those kids. From the preschool ministry to the oldest in our church...something good is happening!

There was a great response to the recent meeting concerning mission trips to Kenya this summer. The room was full of people who have expressed an interest in this project. There is a meeting this Sunday for folks who are interested in a mission trip to Alaska this June. Contact Mark Satterfield (msatterfield@fbchtn.org) for more information on these or any other mission projects.

By the way, we will be having a Missions Expo on Sunday, February 5th. There will be over 40 displays scattered throughout the Fellowship Hall with mission opportunities of all types. By walking through the display area you will learn about many mission opportunities as well as many ministries that First Baptist Church already supports. Plan some time in your morning to walk through the display area on February 5th.

Here is a word from the Word: (Matthew 28:16-20)

"The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, January 18

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Our staff gathered to pray together this morning. We prayed for many of you. We are praying for every member of our church during the 2012 calendar year. We are praying for many of you today because of that. But, there are many other pressing prayer needs around us. Whatever burdens of life you are carrying; just remember...someone is praying for you!

The Men's Wild Game banquet is this Saturday. The meal sold out weeks ago but it is still possible for men to come to the worship center for the speaker and program. This is going to be incredible. Joe White is going to be the speaker and Joe has spoken to hundreds of thousands of men all over America. I have heard the presentation that he is going to make here Saturday night and you do not want to miss it. If you have a friend that does not know the Lord you should do everything in your power to get them here Saturday night. Call the office for information on tickets to the program in the Worship Center.

Joe is also an expert on working with teenagers. He has agreed to meet with any interested parents Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the Underground (Student Ministry area underneath the Family Ministry Center). If you have teens, or if you will have teens in the next few years this would be a great opportunity for you to dialogue with a man who has spent his life working with kids. It would certainly be worth your time and effort.

We will gather tonight for our midweek activities. We have children's music, Student Ministry worship, the Timothy Initiative, Adult choir and orchestra, a fellowship meal and the Pastor's Bible Study all taking place tonight. I hope you will come and join us.

We will be studying in Acts 20 tonight in the Pastor's Bible Study. Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 20:1-16)

"After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying good-bye, departed to go to Macedonia. And when he had passed through those areas and exhorted them at length, he came to Greece and stayed three months. When he was about to set sail for Syria, a plot was devised against him by the Jews, so a decision was made to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days. On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on speaking. When he was overcome by sleep he fell down from the third story, and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, threw himself on him, embraced him, and said, "Don't be alarmed, for his life is in him!" After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, he conversed a considerable time until dawn. Then he left. They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. Then we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, from there intending to take Paul on board. For these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so he would not have to spend time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost."

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, January 17

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Tim Coffee is one of our volunteer coordinators for our "Room in the Inn Ministry" this year. He sent me an e-mail yesterday with an interesting note. This is what he said, "I was having a conversation with some of the men Sunday night. They told me they preferred to come to First Baptist Hendersonville. I asked them why, I expected to hear the usual the food is better, the beds are better etc, but the reason they said this was and I quote. 'You guys talk with us, you make us feel important. You sit and take time to get to know us. Many of the other churches treat us like second class citizens.' That is a great testimony to the spirit of those Sunday School classes that have made "Room in the Inn" a reality this year. I even had a picture sent to me from Sunday night where the Sunday School class had taken their young children to the "Room in the Inn." The picture showed the children interacting with the homeless men and engaging in conversations with them. The men love being treated as people and it is teaching the children a great lesson about compassion, mercy, and ministry. That is a great ministry that is happening here every Sunday night and Monday morning.

I was blessed to spend some time last night with a group of Deacons that met just to pray for our church and our community. There was no business meeting. It wasn't even the regular time for the monthly meeting. There was no agenda. It was just a time to come together and pray. That is what Deacons do! They minister. They love. They pray. They serve. I am honored to serve with these men and it was a blessing to hear their hearts and their cry out to the Lord on behalf of our church, our city, our state, and our nation!

I am amazed every week at the ministry that I see happening all around our community by our church members. And, it is not just ministry through our church. It IS that, but it is more than that. I see people volunteering at the hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. I see people delivering Meals on Wheels or working with the Boy Scouts. I see people volunteering with a civic organization or some function within our city. I see people volunteering at schools. I see people going to visit people in jails. I see people bringing food to the homeless and washing their clothes and giving them a sack lunch for work the next day. I see people going downtown to serve at the Rescue Mission. I see people working through the Backpack ministry of our church or volunteering to make dresses to send to needy children in Africa. And, that is not to mention the hundreds and hundreds of hours that are volunteered every week to make our Sunday School ministry, Music Ministry, Children's Ministry and Student Ministry happen. That does not take in to account the hours that are spent in the Intercessory Prayer Room or working on Disaster Relief or some mission project through Global Impact Missions. Thank you for all that you do to make this a better place to live. Thank you for all that you do to bring the love of Jesus Christ and the message of forgiveness and redemption to people right here where we live. And, thank you for all that you do to take the Gospel to the Nations. I am so thankful to be a part of a church like the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Here is a word from the Word: (Matthew 25:31-40)

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'"

Have a great Tuesday! Find someone to love and encourage in the name of Jesus today!

Bruce

Monday, January 16

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Room in the Inn ministry is going very well this year. The coordinators of this ministry have told me that the Sunday School classes have really stepped up their efforts to bring hot meals for Sunday night and a sack lunch for the men to take to work with them on Monday morning when they are taken back to Nashville. We do have a request from you. With the most serious period of cold weather over the next few weeks most of these men could use any winter clothing that you might have available. If you have extra men's heavy coats, gloves, sweaters, socks, sweatshirts that you no longer use they could certainly be put to use by these men through Room at the Inn. They could also use thermal underwear but, of course, that would need to be new. You could drop these items off any Sunday evening beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Hearthside Room. Room in the Inn will operate through March.

As you know the Men's Wild Game Dinner is this Saturday. The meal sold out several weeks ago but there are still some tickets available for the actual presentation in the Worship Center. Over 1,000 men will gather to hear the gospel presented by Joe White. Since 1976 Joe (and his wife Debbie Jo) have owned and operated Kanakuk Kamp in Missouri. Joe played football at SMU and then he coached at Texas A & M and the University of Missouri before opening this Christian camp. He has written 19 books and speaks across the country. James Dobson, of Focus on the Family, said "Joe White knows more about teenagers than any person in North America."

Here is a great opportunity for parents of teenagers (or parents of even younger children). Joe has agreed to have a parent 'round table discussion' Saturday afternoon at 3:00. The meeting will be in the Underground (Student Ministry area underneath the Family Ministry Center). This is not for the teenagers; this is for the parents of teenagers or those who will soon be parents of teens. If you would like to hear from an expert and get information that will help you with your parenting skills, this meeting is for you! Don't miss it.

Here is a word from the Word: (Deuteronomy 6:1-9)

"This is the command-the statutes and ordinances-the Lord your God has instructed [me] to teach you, so that you may follow [them] in the land you are about to enter and possess. [Do this] so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all His statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow [them], so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey. 'Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.'"

Have a great Monday!

Bruce

Friday, January 13

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I had a wonderful visit yesterday with one of our members named John Kolemba. John came by the office for a little while yesterday and I had a chance to just sit and visit with him. He is an amazing man. He is 91 years old. He volunteered for service with the US Navy during World War II. He was turned down because the physician detected a heart murmur. He walked right next door (in the same building) and volunteered for the US Army. Within an hour of being turned down he was accepted and became a part of the war effort. He was sent to Nashville where he began flight training. He became a pilot on a B-24 bomber and served in the European Theatre based out of Italy. He flew over 30 bombing missions during his career. I think I could have sat and listened to him all morning as he talked about the different ways that God had guided him, protected him, and blessed him through the years. We have a lot of very interesting folks in our community and in our church but, in my mind, John Kolemba is a real American hero!

This Sunday morning I will be preaching from Colossians 4:2-4 as we continue our series called "Intentional." This Sunday the message is on Intentional Praying. I am seeing a lot more emphasis on prayer throughout our church. Our staff has made the commitment to pray for every family and every member of our church by name during the 2012 calendar year. Sunday School classes are taking the challenge of becoming more dependent on prayer. It is not uncommon for people to come to the altar during every worship service and just spend time praying. Prayer groups are active all throughout our church. Our Deacons have had prayer gatherings recently where they do not gather for any reason other than to pray. No meeting, no agenda, just prayer. More and more this is becoming a house of prayer!

Here is a word from the Word: (Colossians 4:2-4)

"Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah-for which I am in prison - so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak."

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend. I hope to see you Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville!

Bruce

Thursday, January 12

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Student Ministry had an incredible gathering of young people and their parents last night in the worship center. It is truly a new day in our Student Ministry. There is an energy and excitement among the students and their parents. Pray for Brandon James (High School), Jeff Henry (Middle School), Melissa Payne (girls associate), Jonathan Bruner (High School intern), Daniel Rogers (Middle School intern), and Kerren Anderson (Ministry Assistant) as they lead this Student Ministry week by week. It was a great kickoff to a new year!

I have the opportunity to go to Davidson Academy this morning and lead a chapel service for the younger kids. I think I will be speaking to Grades 1-6. I always enjoy these opportunities.

I will be meeting tonight and tomorrow morning with the Vision 2021 team of the Tennessee Baptist State Convention. This group has been meeting for over a year now working on recommendations for the future of Tennessee Baptists. It is a great group of men and women from all three divisions of Tennessee. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve with these folks and I would appreciate your prayers for us as we meet tonight and tomorrow morning.

Here is a word from the Word: (Genesis 1)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and He called the darkness "night." Evening came, and then morning: the first day. Then God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." Evening came, and then morning: the second day. Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land "earth," and He called the gathering of the water "seas." And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Evening came, and then morning: the third day. Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years. They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights-the greater light to have dominion over the day and the lesser light to have dominion over the night-as well as the stars. God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, to dominate the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Evening came, and then morning: the fourth day. Then God said, "Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. [He also created] every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So God blessed them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came, and then morning: the fifth day. Then God said, "Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth." So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." God also said, "Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth-everything having the breath of life in it. [I have given] every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came, and then morning: the sixth day.

Have a great day!

Bruce

Wednesday, January 11

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to two of our students who were recently named "Golfer of the Year" for Sumner County. Abbie Gregory, daughter of Ted and Dawn Gregory is an outstanding golfer at Beech High School. After a tremendous season for her golf team, Abbie was named Female Golfer of the Year for Sumner County. Since Abbie is only a junior she has one more season before determining where she will spend her college years.

Carson Jacobs has had a tremendous golf career at Hendersonville High School. After leading Hendersonville to two consecutive Tennessee State Golf championships Carson was named as the Male Golfer of the Year for Sumner County. Carson is going to be a part of the golf team at Vanderbilt next year.

Abbie and Carson are not only great golfers, they are great people and I congratulate them on their accomplishments! Way to go, Abbie and Carson!

The Timothy Initiative resumes tonight at 6:00 PM. It is not too late for you to get involved. For a list of classes and to register click here or call the church office for more information. Most classes will last for six weeks and then there will be another round of six week classes. One class lasts for an entire 13 week semester.

Hundreds and hundreds of children, teenagers, and adults will gather tonight to share a meal, fellowship, and study as we gather for our midweek services. The Pastor's Bible Study and Prayer Time meets in Fellowship Hall B at 7:00. We will finish up the 19th chapter of Acts tonight. I hope to see you here.

Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 19:23-41)

"During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: 'Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost the whole province of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods! So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin-the very one whom the whole province of Asia and the world adore.' When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' So the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions. Though Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going into the amphitheater. Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Then some of the crowd gave Alexander advice when the Jews pushed him to the front. So motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a united cry went up from all of them for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' However, when the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, 'Men of Ephesus! What man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess. So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you want something else, it must be decided in a legal assembly. In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disorderly gathering.' After saying this, he dismissed the assembly."

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, January 10

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Roll Tide! Alabama brings home a 14th National Championship. It was a fun trip to New Orleans and great to see family and many, many friends at the game. It was a good football game and, of course, I was glad to see the Crimson Tide win it. I am headed back to Hendersonville smiling all the way.

On a more serious note, don't forget that tomorrow night (Wednesday) is when The Timothy Initiative resumes for the Spring Semester. Most classes last six weeks (two sessions of six week classes are offered). There is one class that lasts the full twelve weeks. All classes are taught in the Weekley Building on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 until 8:00. To register online click here or call the church office if you have any questions.

Parents, remember that you are invited to attend the Student Worship service tomorrow night in the Worship Center. Brandon James (our new Senior High Pastor) is having a joint worship opportunity with the Middle School and High School students. They normally meet in separate locations. This worship service will be from 6:30 until 8:00 PM and all parents of our Students are encouraged to attend.

Here is a word from the Word: (Ephesians 2:1-10)

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and by nature we were children under wrath, as the others were also. But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved! He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace in [His] kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."

Have a great Tuesday!

Bruce

Monday, January 9

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We were so blessed to have Dr. R.T. Kendall share from God's word with us yesterday. Dr. Kendall is a good friend to me and it is always an honor to have him preach at our church. His schedule is very busy and I appreciate Him giving us two Sundays in 2012. He will be preaching again on April 29th.

I have slipped away for the day. You might not have heard but there is a little football game going on in New Orleans tonight and I am going to be there to watch it. We have the opportunity to be there with our two sons and our daughter-in-law and we decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I'll be back home tomorrow. Win or lose, it should be a great football game. LSU outlasted Alabama during the regular season but I am hoping that the Tide will roll tonight. Either team could win. It should be a good one. We'll eat some gumbo and crawdads and enjoy the game either way (okay...I lied...I'll only enjoy it if we win!)

Here is a great ministry opportunity for your Sunday School class. Our Upward basketball program touches well over 300 children, plus their friends and families every week. It is not unusual for over 1,500 people to come through the Family Ministry Center on a normal Upward Saturday morning.

Our Upward Leadership Team is attempting to get more volunteers involved in this ministry and one of the ways to do this is to have volunteer scoreboard operators. We have four basketball games going on at a time, each with their own clock and scoreboard. Obviously, we need four volunteers for each game. No prior experience is necessary. A knowledge of basketball is not even a requirement. You can be trained on the spot. Games begin at 8:00 AM and end at 1:00 PM (give or take 15 minutes). The first games begin this Saturday, January 14th. The games run for eight weeks. A larger Sunday School class might commit to supply the score board operators for all five sessions (8:00 - 1:00). Call Ronnie Bass at 812-2166 for more information or to volunteer to help with this ministry!

Here is a word from the Word: (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

"There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace."

Have a great Monday! Roll Tide, Roll!

Bruce

Friday, January 6

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This should be a great weekend. We have really had some incredible weather so far. I like winter weather, personally, but it has been nice not to have those threats of closing our regular events because of snow or ice. There are still plenty of opportunities for winter to sneak up on us but it has certainly been a mild one so far.

Dr. R.T. Kendall will be preaching in all three services Sunday and will continue the “Intentional” series. You do not want to miss the opportunity to hear Dr. Kendall preach. People all over the world are blessed by his books and by his speaking ministry. We are honored to have him here in our community and as a part of our church family. I am looking forward to hearing him Sunday morning. Invite someone to come with you. Let’s have a great crowd!

Bible Study is so very, very important. If you have become lax in your attendance of your Bible Study class this would be a great time to get re-connected. Don’t just come attend the worship service Sunday. Come and be a part of a Bible Study class, too. They meet at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00.

You might know someone that would be interested in knowing that we have a new DivorceCare class beginning this Sunday morning. The class will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Weekley Bldg, Room 1111 (first floor, across from the elevators). The class is open for anyone who is separated, recently divorced or has been divorced for several years and may just want some additional help/support for moving forward in their life. The session starting this Sunday will last for 13 weeks with a new topic each week so a person can start at any time. Examples of topics range from "What's Happening to Me", "Facing My Anger," "New Relationships," "Financial Survival" and more. Diane and Michael Gray facilitate the sessions. For more information, call 447-1374.

Here is a word from the Word: (Malachi 3:8-12)

"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!" You ask: "How do we rob You?" "[By not making the payments] of 10 percent and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you-the whole nation-are [still] robbing Me. Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way," says the Lord of Hosts. "See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren," says the Lord of Hosts. "Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land," says the Lord of Hosts.

Have a great Friday. I hope to see you Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville!

Bruce

Thursday, January 5

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Don't forget that we have the great honor this Sunday of having Dr. R.T. Kendall fill the pulpit for us. I am going to be here but I asked Dr. Kendall a few months ago if he could preach here at First Baptist a couple of times in 2012. He is going to preach this Sunday and he is going to preach a Sunday in April. Dr. Kendall speaks all over the world. He might be in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, all over North America. He travels the world. As you know, he was the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, England prior to his retirement. He is the author of some 55 books. It would be a shame for us to have him right here in our midst and not have the opportunity to hear him. I am going to be here sitting on the front pew in all three services and soaking up every word. I hope you will be in your place, too!

It was great to see things back to normal last night. The children were back in their music and missions classes. The Student ministry was off and running for the New Year. Brandon James is now in place and leading the High School ministry. Remember, next Wednesday (January 11) Brandon, Jeff, and the Student Ministry team will be leading a joint worship service for all Middle School and High School students in the Worship Center. They are asking parents to come and join in that worship event, as well. It should be a great evening. Pray for our student ministry!

Are you being intentional in your living this week? We are followers of Jesus Christ. That simple fact should impact the way we think, the way we act, the way we talk, the way we treat people and the way we respond when we face trouble. We must be intentional.

Here is a word from the Word: (Philippians 4:1-9)

"So then, in this way, my dearly loved brothers, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you."

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, January 4

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This morning I am saying "Thank you, Lord" and "Halleluiah!" I am so happy and thankful to tell you that we finished the year in a wonderful way as people faithfully gave to the Lord's work through First Baptist Church. Our projections for the end of the year giving were about $8.8 million. Our original budget was for $9 million but the projections never indicated that we would be able to reach that amount. I am so happy to tell you that as of yesterday afternoon (this could still change a little bit after the mail runs today) we had received $8,989,444 in tithes and offerings for the year. Not only did we go almost $190,000 over our projections but we almost reached the original budget amount. Thank you so very much for your generous, gracious, and cheerful support of God's work through First Baptist Church.

Our church staff (ministers and ministry assistants) began the process this week of praying for every family/individual in our church by name through 2012. This week about 75 family units were called and told that this morning we would be praying for them and asking them how we could pray for them specifically. It was good to listen as the families that I called shared what was on their heart and minds and the burdens of their lives. It was good to tell them that this morning at about 8:15 that fifty people would be praying over those requests specifically and by name. Prayer is the key. If we don't pray, we do not have power. We are seeking to unleash the power of heaven on our church and our community. We genuinely believe that prayer will make the difference. I had an e-mail yesterday from a lady in our church who said that she was blown away when someone from the church called her and asked how we could pray for her and her family. She had been carrying a burden for weeks and she said that as soon as she shared it with the staff member and hung up the phone she just burst into tears so thankful that someone else was going to help her carry the burden. Wow! What a privilege it is to carry everything to Him in prayer!

Tonight we will resume all mid-week activities at First Baptist Church. The Timothy Initiative is having a preview night where you can come and learn about the different Discipleship groups/classes that will be meeting for the next several months. Most of these classes last for six weeks. Then you will be able to take a second class for another six weeks. There are a few classes that meet for twelve weeks. If we are serious about being a church of disciples who, in turn, make disciples we must have a process. The Timothy Initiative is our process of Discipleship here at First Baptist Church. Get involved!

I will be resuming the Pastor's Bible Study class tonight at 7:00. We are continuing in our study of the book of Acts. We are in the 19th chapter in the middle of the third missionary journey. I'd love to have you come and be a part of our study.

Here is a word from the Word: (Acts 19:17-41)

"This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value, and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver. In this way the Lord's message flourished and prevailed. When these events were over, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. 'After I've been there,' he said, 'I must see Rome as well!' So after sending two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed in the province of Asia for a while. During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: 'Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost the whole province of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods! So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin-the very one whom the whole province of Asia and the world adore.' When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' So the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions. Though Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going into the amphitheater. Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Then some of the crowd gave Alexander advice when the Jews pushed him to the front. So motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a united cry went up from all of them for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' However, when the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, 'Men of Ephesus! What man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess. So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you want something else, it must be decided in a legal assembly. In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disorderly gathering.' After saying this, he dismissed the assembly."

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, January 3

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The holidays have played havoc with everyone's routine. I don't want to be in a rut but, at the same time, a routine can be a helpful part of life. I am glad to see things get back to normal this morning. I hope your Christmas and New Year's holidays were good ones. With the holidays falling on Sunday it was a little different this year, but it was good. We had a good day Sunday. We knew that attendance would be off because it was New Year's Day but we didn't want to miss our Bible Study classes two weeks in a row. We had 2,040 in worship Sunday. Not bad for New Year's day.

I don't know if I mentioned attendance on Christmas weekend. We had two packed houses in the Christmas Eve services. There were between 3,700 and 4,000 people in those two services and then we had 1,280 on Christmas morning. We had almost 5,000 people worship during the Saturday and Sunday services Christmas weekend. We are talking about adding another Christmas Eve service next year. They have both been totally packed for several years and there is really no room to grow. We are thinking about adding an 11:00 PM service next year and seeing what the response would be.

I believe we had a strong finish to 2011 financially. I will pass those numbers along to you as soon as we have all of the final figures.

We welcomed Brandon, Nikki, and Avery James to our church this past Sunday. Brandon will be serving as our High School pastor and will also give leadership to the Student Ministry team. I am delighted to have Brandon back at First Baptist and I am praying that great things are in store for our Student Ministry.

We have a group of about 15 college students that are in Atlanta this week at a college event called "Passion." Some of the nation's greatest speakers and musicians are ministering to this group of 40,000 young adults. They meet every year between college semesters and it is always a great experience. Pray for our young adults as they experience the worship and then as they return home Thursday.

This is a great time to begin the spiritual discipline of reading the Bible every day. Many people make it a regular practice to read the Bible thru in one year. There are One Year Bibles that you can purchase and there are free on-line programs that will help you accomplish that goal. While it is certainly a worthy goal I am more interested in just seeing people read the Bible every day. I don't know that it is so much a matter of the quantity that you read as it is that you read it, understand it, and apply it to your life. Read the Bible. Read the Bible every day. Read the Bible today. Trust it. Believe it. Live it. Through God's Word He will change your life for all eternity.

Here is a word from the Word: (Psalm 1)

"How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin."

Have a great Tuesday!

Bruce

Thursday, December 29

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The end of one year and the beginning of a new year provides an opportunity for evaluation. Businesses often take a year-end inventory. Employee evaluations are not unusual. We look over our financial situation and often make adjustments. It also provides us with the opportunity to make some significant spiritual evaluations of our lives.

With the beginning of a new year, people often make a commitment to exercise more faithfully. I would encourage you to determine to have more spiritual exercise in 2012. There are many tools available to help you read the Bible every day and to pray more regularly. You could purchase a 'Read the Bible' through version, or you could use one of the on-line tools that are available.

If you have an end-of-the-year financial contribution that you want to make to the church, it must be received or post marked by December 31st. For your convenience we will have someone in the office until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday morning I will begin a short series called 'Intentional.' This Sunday is on Intentional Living and I will be using a passage out of Romans 12. We will have all three services Sunday morning and all Sunday School hours, as well. I hope you will join us.

Here is a word from the Word:

"Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality."

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, December 28

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I trust you had a wonderful Christmas and that it was happy and joyous. The office was closed on Monday, but it has re-opened for the week. There are still many people traveling for the holidays but if you need something here at church there is someone here to help you.

We will not have our midweek activities tonight, but they will resume on January 4th. We will have all of our regular morning services this Sunday, January 1st. What a great way to begin 2012 by being in a Bible Study class and a worship service. I hope that you will join us.

Remember that all contributions for the 2011 year must be received or postmarked no later than December 31, 2011. The office will be open thru Friday for your convenience. And if you need to give it to someone on Saturday, I am sure we can arrange that! I am praying that we will finish 2011 with a flourish and turn the page on a new year with great optimism and enthusiasm.

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Friday, December 23

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I remember being excited about this day when I was a child because it was Christmas Eve 'eve' (the day before Christmas Eve). I remind myself regularly that it is important to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. Jesus said that unless we welcome the Kingdom of God like a child we will never enter it. (Mark 10:15) I love to be around children all of the time but they are especially fun to be with during this time of the year.

For me the celebration of Christmas is not just what happens on December 25th. It is really what happens throughout the month of December. It is all of the Christmas programs at church and the special music of the season that we sing and hear day after day. It is the Christmas parties that every Sunday School class has throughout the month. It is being with family and friends and remembering that God loved us so much that He came looking for us! It is just amazing. God loves us! He loves you. He loves me. And he left heaven to come to earth for one purpose. To live His life so that He could die on a cross to pay the price for our sin so that we might be forgiven and saved. Incredible!

We will gather twice tomorrow (Christmas Eve) to worship. We have services at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. We will sing. We will pray. We will take the Lord's Supper. We will not only remember His birth but we will remember His death, burial and resurrection. If you have company with you, bring them! Don't worry about how you are dressed. Just come and worship with us!

We will also gather on Christmas Day at 9:45 a.m. We are not having any Sunday School classes but we are going to sing the songs of the season and share from God's word as we remember His wonderful love for us. We say that "Jesus is the reason for the season." We can demonstrate that we really mean it by taking time on Christmas morning to gather as a body of Christ and worship Him! I hope you will join us.

Here is a word from the Word: (Luke 2:1-40)

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the inn. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.' Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named JESUS-the name given by the angel before He was conceived. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation. You have prepared [it] in the presence of all peoples - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: 'Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed- and a sword will pierce your own soul-that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.' There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him."

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Christmas. From my family to your family; from my home to your home; from my heart to your heart; Merry Christmas!

Bruce

Thursday, December 22

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When we think about and read the Christmas story from the book of Matthew we often pick it up in Matthew 2:18. I would suggest to you that the story really begins in Matthew 1:1. It is not exactly 'fascinating' reading because it is filled with those begets. This person begat that person, etc., etc. Modern translations have changed the word to fathered. Most of the time we just skip it and begin reading in verse 18 where it says "The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way...."

It was important for them to understand that Jesus came from the lineage of Abraham and David. It was also important for them (and us) to understand that Joseph was not the earthly father of Jesus. What was conceived in Mary was of the Holy Spirit. This simple fact was vital to Christ's identity as the Messiah, our Savior. In order for the sacrifice for our sins to be acceptable, according to the Old Testament scripture, the blood had to be from a perfect spotless lamb. Had Jesus been born from the bloodline of man, He would not have been perfect. He would have had the blood of fallen man cursing through His veins. It is the perfect blood of Christ alone, sprinkled upon the altar of heaven that atoned for our sins!

I would suggest to you that the fact that Matthew traces Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Abraham is significant. It was important that the birth of Jesus Christ be linked to God's chosen people of the Old Testament. God had promised them a Messiah. The Old Testament had prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line (family) of David. This is the fulfillment of that promise. Matthew writes about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah (whose name was changed to Israel). He traced Jesus' lineage through King David and King Solomon. Matthew reminds us that Ruth was King David's great grandmother. He writes about Uzziah, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah. He follows the genealogy of Jacob, the father of Joseph who was engaged to be married to a girl named Mary.

From words "In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth...." (Genesis 1:1) all the way to the final words "the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen" (Revelation 22:21) God had a plan!! John revealed the plan in John 1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That lights shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it....The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-5, 14)

Here is a word from the Word that really begins the Christmas story: (Matthew 1:1-17)

"The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers, Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram, Aram fathered Aminadab, Aminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered King David. Then David fathered Solomon by Uriah's wife, Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa, Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, Joram fathered Uzziah, Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah, Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, Amon fathered Josiah, and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. Then after the exile to Babylon Jechoniah fathered Salathiel, Salathiel fathered Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor, Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud, Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generations."

Have a great Thursday!

Bruce

Wednesday, December 21

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Today is a significant day, December 21st. It is, of course, the first official day of winter. It doesn't feel too much like winter today but it does begin the coldest period of the year that we usually experience. And it is also the shortest day of the year.

But it is significant to me for another reason. On this day in 1946 my mom and dad married. They have been married 65 years today. That is just amazing; 65 years. Neither of them will know that today is their anniversary. They have been living separately since March of this year and neither is really even aware of it. Mom is at NHC Nursing Home and dad is at Elmcroft Assisted Living. They still think that the other is just in the other room. Sometimes my mom calls me by my dad's name. Sometimes she will tell me to go and tell him something for her. Their minds play tricks on them now and neither of them is really aware of where they are in life. But one thing I know, my mom and dad loved each other and they walked through life together from 1946. They have been an inspiration to me and to my sisters and all of our families. They were the backbone of their little church in Andalusia, Alabama. They sang in the choir. They taught Sunday School. Mom worked in Vacation Bible School. Dad was a deacon and served on every committee imaginable. My dad was a businessman who treated people with integrity and honesty. I am thankful for these last years of their lives that God has given me to be able to take care of them. Even though they may not really know who I am they always smile with an awareness that I am someone that they know. I don't know how many more days the Lord will give either of them on this earth but I do know where they are going when they breathe their last breath. I would love for them to walk into heaven together. They have lived life on this earth together now for all of these years. They do not know that today is their anniversary. It is just another day. But it is not just another day to me. I am thankful for the wonderful blessing that God gave me in my parents.

Here is a word from the Word: (Ephesians 5:22-33)

"Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives should [submit] to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh, but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband."

Remember, no services tonight or next Wednesday night due to the holidays. We will resume our Wednesday activities on January 4th.

Have a great Wednesday!

Bruce

Tuesday, December 20

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I am sure the store owners have appreciated the decent weather this year for the shoppers. Every time I have ventured out the roads have been filled with people going here and there. Just a few days left. Get 'R Done!

Jacob Simmons stopped by the office yesterday to say hello. Some of you will remember him. (He was the son of Chip and Ann Jervis.) He grew up in our church and was active in our Student Ministry until he left for college about 10 years ago. Richard Gaia stopped by my office with him to introduce the two of us. Jacob told me that God had called him to a life of vocational ministry while he was a teenager here at First Baptist. He went to Samford University (Birmingham) and then to Beeson Divinity School. He has been working for the school but has sensed God calling him to be a church planter. He has been appointed with the Home Mission Board and will be going to Chicago to help plant a new church. It is exciting and rewarding to see lives that have been impacted by the ministry of this church down through the years. I told Jacob that we would be praying for him and I know that you will join me in doing that!

Because of the Christmas holiday schedule there will not be any activities here at the church for the next two Wednesday's. We will resume our midweek services on Wednesday, January 4th. Remember, Christmas Eve services are Saturday at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Christmas Day worship will be at 9:45 a.m. Join us both days as we celebrate the real reason for the season.

Please remember that these next two weeks are very, very important to our church as we close out our financial records for 2011. Please examine and consider what you have given to the Lord's work through First Baptist Church this calendar year and see if the Lord would lead you to give more. The month of December is historically the strongest financial month of the year for most churches and this is certainly no exception for First Baptist. I want you to know that I appreciate whatever you give to allow the ministry of this church to continue. All gifts must be received (or postmarked) no later than Saturday, December 31st.

Here is a word from the Word: (John 1:1-18)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man named John who was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, "This was the One of whom I said, 'The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.' ") Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son - the One who is at the Father's side - He has revealed Him."

Have a great Tuesday!

Bruce