Your Seven-Day Challenge

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We had a great time of worship Sunday.  God was speaking to several of us about the same thing all week.  I felt like it would honor God to put aside my series for one Sunday and communicate what I thought would be more useful for building up the Body of Christ.  At the end of the service I issued a seven day challenge.  I recognize that without having been there, you won't fully understand the significance of the challenge, but I invite you to participate anyhow.

The challenge is to read out loud every day the "motto" style reading and Scripture at the end.  The purpose is to help you see how valuable you are as a follower of Christ and how important it is for you to grow deeper in your relationship with God.  I encourage you to meditate on these words and say them boldly as you apply the principles to your life.  I hope these words will help you find your identity in Christ.  Let me know if this has been helpful.

Pastor Mark

Reading is as follows:

I am a Christian

I do not have to be the most intelligent, athletic, successful, beautiful or popular.

I find my value in being created in the image of God.

I find my purpose in loving God, loving others and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don’t have to be happy, comfortable, rich, right, in charge, appreciated or respected in this world because when I stand before God, I expect to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.,”

Today, I reject my desire to please myself, pursuit of things that don’t honor God and personal pride as the Holy Spirit empowers me.

Nothing other than a life of holiness and faithfulness to Jesus will define me because nothing is more important or valuable than a fully-committed follower of Jesus.

The Bible is my standard, God is my creator, Jesus is my Savior and the Holy Spirit is my sanctifier and sustainer.

I am a Christian.


Luke 9:23-26(NIV) 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Ice Cream Social

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The Ice Cream Social is scheduled for this Sunday, September 7, at 6:00 PM.  We will have lots of homemade ice cream, finger foods, and fellowship.  Currently we are planning on taking advantage of the beautiful weather to do some friendly competition outdoors, so if you have some outdoor games to bring let Kathy Mathias or Lori Baker know what you can contribute.  Charlie will be setting up the volleyball net in our lot across the street for those who would like a little exercise...

Even if you do not have any interest in playing any games come for the food and fellowship and you can always watch and cheer (or jeer (kindly, of course)) the competitors.

Notes from Today's Message

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Key Scriptures:

James 4:8
Acts 16:11-15 (main passage)
Mark 10:46-52

Lydia was in the wrong place, of the wrong race, and of the wrong gender, but she had an inner longing to know God.  Her desire to know God was enough for her to overcome her obstacles.  She wanted to know more than what would have been available to her and would not accept a surface-level faith.

Is your desire to know God strong enough to overcome your obstacles and excuses not to?
 

Note:  I have been experimenting with digitally recording the Morning Worship.  I have most of today's message available.  If you would like to listen let me know.  -David

Wednesday Night Kickoff

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The Middle School boys agreed to the ALS ice bucket challenge (with the eager assistance of the middle school girls, of course) during last night's Kick-Off Carnival for the upcoming year.  They have now extended the challenge to the Petersburg First Baptist youth. 

To see the reactions of the boys & their leaders check out the video on the Wednesday Night Program page.  Thanks to Eric Gogel for allowing us to post his well-made video.