Thoughts By Scott

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Pray for Ministry to Happen

Photo by Manoj Damodaran

Scripture: Luke 10:2

And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Insights: The second principle for effective ministry that we learned about this week is our need to pray for ministry to happen. FBC Bowling Green was enlightened by David Platt regarding this verse. We learned several years ago through David's teaching that the Lord did not seem to be concerned about the lost world receiving Him, but was rather more concerned about the church world not going out to share the gospel. In other words, today's verse tells us the harvest field is plentiful. There are people all over the world desiring to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The problem is we do not have enough people actually entering into the harvest field to work on reaping this harvest. As a result, Jesus tells us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out harvest workers. It is as if God's greatest concern was that the church would grow content to sit and not serve. Unfortunately, as I have evaluated the state of the church in the United States, I think we have more sitters than servers. Out of this deep concern for workers Jesus gives us this second principle of prayer. If we are going to have any kind of success as laborers in the harvest field it is going to be precipitated by our amount of prayer. We must become men and women of prayer. Again, let me give you the mission statement for FBC Bowling Green: we are a church that is Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient. In this verse as well as in our mission statement we see we are to be about prayer. Beloved, let me encourage you to form your own groups of prayer warriors. You do not have to just come together at our Wednesday night prayer meetings to be prayer warriors. You can form your own prayer warrior team. This team could actually meet together to pray or they could even use the telephone. The important thing is that we are praying. It is my prayer you will be a prayer warrior for the gospel.

Questions:

1. Do you actually pray for ministry opportunities?

2. Are you aware of God’s concern for the need of having more ministry workers?

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I don't obey You and do what You've command me to do. Increase my faith, O Lord, so that I might enter into the harvest field. Amen.

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Monday, August 15, 2016

Partner Together for Ministry

Photo by Kris Williams

Scripture: Luke 10:1

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

Insights: This week we are going to be looking at principles for effective ministry. In order to do this examination, we are going to look at Luke chapter 10 versus 1-9. In the first verse of chapter 10 we discover the first principle and that is that we must partner together for ministry. Our mission statement at FBC Bowling Green is: we are a church that is Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient. Even in our mission statement, we can see the importance of being unified. In today’s verse the Scriptures themselves echo this truth. Notice with me that Jesus did not send His followers out alone. Rather, He sent them out in pairs. Beloved, all too often we do ministry alone and this method should be the last thing we do. Whenever possible, we are to do ministry with other people. It is not always convenient, but it is the best way to make disciples. Most of you know that I am a Star Wars fan. In Episode One, The Phantom Menace, Yoda says a quote that goes something like this, “Two there are, nevermore, nevertheless, an apprentice and a master.” Just like last week, in no way am I saying that Star Wars is Christian. What I am pointing out is the beauty of partnering together and being unified. The best kind of partnerships consist between one who is more mature in the faith and one who is growing. In this way the more immature believer is put in a safe environment where they can learn and grow. The more immature believer is also able to use the knowledge they have been given and know that there is someone present who can help them if they make a mistake. Let us be intentional about making disciples and the best way to do that is by being joyfully united. Let me encourage you to be looking around at those people in your life and ask the Lord who you need to be learning from or for whom you need to be teaching.

Questions:

1. How often do you do ministry alone?

2. Do you understand the importance of partnering in ministry?

Prayer: Father, thank You for letting me be a part of the body of Christ. It is only in being joyfully united that I can truly know the fullness of Your grace. Guide me to be intentional about doing ministry with Your other children. Amen.

Friday, August 12, 2016

"The World Is Coming Undone"

Photo by Bill Toenjes

“The world is coming undone,” Saw Gerrera played by Forest Whitaker in the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. These five words are the opening line to the theatrical trailer that was just released for the upcoming Star Wars movie. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a Star Wars fan. The following Thoughts by Scott were sparked by this opening line.

In no way am I trying to make Star Wars into some kind of Christian film. In fact, with all of its New Age references, Star Wars is very far from the Christian faith. Yet the struggle between good and evil that is portrayed in this series of films is some of the best examples of what our Christian life is like. In other words, we as Christ-followers are the underdogs like those of the Rebel Alliance. There is an ever-growing and increasing evil that is paramount in the world and we as Christians stand against it. There will be many casualties as we stand in opposition to this ever-increasing darkness that Satan is trying to move upon the world.

“I fear nothing. All is as the force wills it,” Chirrut Îmwe played by Donnie Yen. Again I emphasize that Star Wars is not Christian. God is not some cosmic force out there in the universe in which we are all a part. God, rather, is the Creator of the universe. He is above and beyond it. He is not bound by its rules for He is the creator of the rules. The reason I share this quote, however, is because we as Christ-followers do not have to walk in fear in the midst of the darkness. All is as the sovereign Lord God wills it. If we are truly born again and have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior, then we do not have to fear anything in this world. We can trust the sovereign will of God to bring us safely home to His kingdom.

Beloved, let me encourage you, especially in the days in which we live, days in which the world does seem to be coming undone, to live valiantly for the Lord God. Recognize the evil for what it is and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. If you do, you may become a casualty, but your future is secure in Christ. As a result, you do not have to live in fear, but you can live in power. Power in, and hope that, Jesus will not forsake us nor abandon us, but will always be with us. He is faithful to take us home. Let us walk with Him!

Thursday, August 11, 2016

9/11 First Responder Remembrance 5K Run/Walk

We at First Baptist Church of Bowling Green will be hosting a 5K run/walk in the month of September. The reason for the run/walk is to remember and to honor our first responders. Fifteen years ago on September 11 the United States experienced a terror attack in multiple locations in our country. Many first responders gave their lives that day in order to save others. Fifteen years later these brave men and women are still risking their lives every day. As a result, First Baptist Church of Bowling Green is hosting this 5K run/walk in remembrance of our first responders. All the proceeds from this event will be going to the four first responder organizations of Hardee County. Those organizations are the Bowling Green Police Department, the Wauchula Police Department, the Hardee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hardee County Fire and Rescue Department.

I would like to take a moment to challenge you to participate in this event. There are a number of ways in which you can become involved. Firstly, you could actually sign up to be a runner or a walker in the event. Secondly, you could actually be a sponsor of the event. We have extended the deadline for our sponsors being able to submit and use their logos for the platinum and gold level sponsors until August 15th. If you would like to be one of those two sponsors, we would be pleased to use your logo on our shirts and banner. If you are not able to give at the platinum or gold level, we would still appreciate any donations you would be willing to provide for this event. There's literally no amount that is too small. Every bit of the profits will go to these four organizations as a way of acknowledging their work and the sacrifices they make for our community.

Personally I think it is absolutely vital we share with our law enforcement and fire personnel that we appreciate them and respect the work they do. Would you please rally around this event and show your support for these organizations. If you'd like more information, please feel free to call the church office at 863-375-2253. We thank you in advance for your participation in this worthwhile community event. One last thing I wish to ask of you and that is to go and share this event to as many people as possible from now until the race.

For more information regarding this race, please visit our Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/698398003633292/

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

God Restores His Family

Photo by Kristaps Bergfelds

Scripture: Hosea 11:8-11

How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled. I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath. They will walk after the Lord, He will roar like a lion; Indeed He will roar And His sons will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt And like doves from the land of Assyria; And I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord.

Insights: I love the language of these verses today. Notice the passion in the Lord God's voice. He is unwilling to give up His children. His compassion usurps His fierce anger. He will roar and when He does, He will draw His children to Himself. Not only does the Lord God draw His children to Himself, but He also provides for them. In other words, the Lord God is restoring His family to their rightful position. This reality is exactly what salvation is all about. We, while in the depths of our sin and enemies of God, are purchased by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. God in His amazing grace is providing for us eternal restoration. All we have to do is receive this free gift. So, it really is as simple as the ABCs that we learned in Vacation Bible School. Firstly, we must admit to God that we are sinners. Secondly, we must believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died on the cross for our sins. Thirdly, we must confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Even though this is a simplistic ABC for salvation it does encompass all that God has done for the restoration of His Family. It is my prayer, if you have never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that you do so today. If you will, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and it cleanse you from all unrighteousness. This forgiving and cleansing is another way of saying we are restored to God.

Questions:

1. Are you grateful God has restored you as one of His family members?

2. Have you thank the Lord for his gracious restoration?

Prayer: Father, thank You for forgiving and restoring me to Your family. You're amazing love always overwhelms me and I cannot express how grateful I am for Your grace. Amen.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

God's Family Rebels Against Him

Photo by Rebelious

Scripture: Hosea 11:5-7

They will not return to the land of Egypt; But Assyria—he will be their king Because they refused to return to Me. The sword will whirl against their cities, And will demolish their gate bars And consume them because of their counsels. So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.

Insights: Yesterday we learned God raises His family. You'll recall from the passage we looked at that God continually displayed His love for His people. In todays verses, however, we discover God's people continued to rebel against Him. Even though the Lord brought them out of Egypt, they were now going to be sent into Assyria. The Assyrian king become there ruler and he demolished their cities. Notice with me that the Israelites did receive council, but their counselors were bad. They informed them they would have no problems with the Assyrian king. This thought makes me wonder, how often do we receive bad counsel from those around us? All too often we look at our lives and bemoan our situation. Then before we know it, we find others around us who are sympathetic to our expressions of being a victim. Their identification with our problems help us to identify with them. The problem is that this creates groupthink and leads us down a spiral path toward destruction, which is exactly what happened to Israel. You'll also notice from this passage that none of God’s people bent their knee towards Him. Beloved, we are all fallen creatures and we will because of our sin nature rebel against God. The problem comes when we live in a state of rebellion and do not repent of our sinful ways. This lack of repentance is exactly what Israel did. Let us learn from their example and understand that God does discipline those who rebel against Him. Instead, let our lives model that of humility and let us quickly repent of our sins. May are example of repentance be observed by others and inspire them to follow our example. As a result, may the Lord God be brought glory.

Questions:

1. In what ways have you rebelled against God's love?

2. Are you aware that if you remain in your rebellion, God will judge you?

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I rebel against You, O Lord. Strengthen my heart, O God, and let me walk in a way that pleases You. Amen.

Monday, August 8, 2016

God Raises His Family

Photo by Sabine Bresser

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-4

When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. The more ^-they called them, The more they went from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals And burning incense to idols. Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in My arms; But they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them.

Insights: This week we conclude our study on family and unity from the book of Hosea. Considering it has been a few weeks, let me remind you the purpose of Hosea’s life and his marriage to Gomer was to be a visual picture of the way Israel had treated the Lord. The first half of the book is Hosea’s actual life and the last half of the book is God’s parallel of His interaction with Israel. In today’s verses we see the way the Lord raises up His children with amazing tenderness, compassion and love. We are far from being perfect children. Our lives are full of disobedient decisions. Notice the more the prophets warned Israel to stop sacrificing to the Baals, the more they did. The Lord, however, remained consistent with His children and continued to love them. He continued to bend down and feed them. He continued to lift the yoke from their jaws. He continued to teach them how to walk and He embraced them in His mighty arms. God is still raising us up in this same consistent manner. We too rebel against the Lord, and yet, He is there waiting to forgive us and restore us whenever we turn back to Him. God is gracious and we ought to thank Him regularly for His consistent love and guidance as He raises us to be His children.

Questions:

1. In what ways has the Lord taken you through the process of growth as He raises you into the child you ought to be for His glory?

2. Have you thanked the Lord for His consistency in the way He raises you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for consistently raising me into the child You have created me to be. Let me learn Your lessons of love quickly and let me apply them to my life in such a fashion that it brings You glory and honor. Amen.