Are You In The Word?

One of the biggest reasons why we may remain in bondage to sin, even though we have been 'legally' set free, is because of ignorance of the truth. 

Jesus speaks of this in John 8:31-36

³¹ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³ “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

"...faithful to my teachings" 

This past Sunday during our Young Adults Sunday School class we talked about challenging our faith.

It came down to the fact that sometimes we don't share our faith because we're not equipping ourselves properly. Therefore we hesitate sharing it.

(Something to chew on)

Are we ignorant to the truth? Are you in the Word?

The Early Church Made An Impact

Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ. The church's zeal for worship and brotherly love was contagious. A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers and most of all closer to Christ.

What are you doing to make the church the kind of place that will attract others to Christ?

I'm sure we just thought of plenty of reasons why someone wouldn't be attracted to Christ because of the church. But the question was..."What are you doing...?

We all have a part in the kingdom's growth.  Even if we think its too small of a part to make and impact, it matters. Verse 42 "All believers devoted themselves..."

Check out the entire chapter of Acts 2. 
These believers just experience the Holy Spirit. As believers we also have been promised the Holy Spirit and "We know Him".

John 14:15-30 Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
...and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, ...you know Him, because He lives with you now... But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit-- He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Make an impact in your life today: your household, your job, your school, your circle of friends, your church. Feed yourself with the Word of God, share the love and joy of knowing Christ, and pray for those around you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit.

"I've Got The Power"

You know the scene in Bruce Almighty where he walks on water, blows out a fire hydrant, pulls a Marilyn Monroe stunt, and changes clothes with a manikin in a department store window as he struts off to the music of "I've Got The Power". 
Well he was able to pull all these stunts off because God had given him power.
Well.... Bruce Almighty was just a movie. But you know what...God does give us power!

Act 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Power from the Holy Spirit is not limited to strength beyond the ordinary--that power also involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. 

If you believe in Jesus Christ, you can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Not power to use on selfish things like Bruce Almighty, but power to use these gifts to tell everyone about Christ. The disciples used these same gifts to fulfill their mission. 
So, what's your mission?

Prayer Is Daily

Every year the calendars are marked for the morning students will gather around their school flag poles to lift up their school, administration, friends, family and country. 
This year's theme for See You At The Pole is AWAKEN

Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

What if every morning believers awoke, fell to their knees and prayed to God. Do we just need to leave prayer for this one morning? We can go to the Father every morning when we awake. 

How great would our day be then? How would God speak to us and direct us throughout our day?

Go to the Father this morning and place the path of your day in His hands. Also feel free to leave a message and tell us what God is doing in your life.  It should be a overwhelming joy that we cannot hold in!

Also mark your calendars for September 26th that our entire country will pray together.

ALIVE with Christ!

The Alive Back 2 School Youth Rally was a HUGE success! If you want to see more pictures of the event just go like us on our youth ministry facebook page.
I also want to personally thank all the ones who put in the time this past weekend helping with this event. Let us not forget to also give God the glory!


Ephesians 2:1-10
Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Forge 2012

The Forge 2012 is here! Sign Up Now!

August 17-18 Judson Baptist Church 

Worship Band: The Grace Well

Speaker: Chad McClurg

DNow Material: Connections

During the teenage years relationships are vital, but often volatile. Building and navigating connections with their world can be a constant challenge. This curriculum focuses on a student's four major relational areas: Friends, family, opposite sex, and God.

The Forge 2012 Schedule:

Friday

6:45-7:15 pm Registration

7:30-9:30 pm Worship

Saturday

10:00-11:30 am Morning Celebration

11:30-12:15 Lunch

12:30-1:15 pm Session One

1:30-2:15 pm Session Two

2:30-5:15 pm To Save A Life Movie

5:30-6:30 pm Dinner

7:00-till Worship

Kicking Off The School Year

August 10th & 11th @ Holden Baptist Church we will be hosting a 

Back 2 School Rally for the youth. 

Grades 6th thru 12th. We'll have Music, a Speaker, and Food. 

Come Join Us as we kick off the new school year.