Friday, April 27, 2018....From the Shepherd's Heart

Nature abhors a vacuum.  Supernaturally, there can be no vacuum.  If you life is "clean and in order" but empty, you are in stark danger of something worse happening to you.  That is hard to believe becuase we think we want a life "clean and in order."  But, if you don't fill your life with something, Satan will.

It is not enough to be clean, we must also be full.

This is the main thrust as we approach Luke 11: 24-28 again this Sunday morning in part two of the message "The Path and Possibility of Lasting Victory."  

What are filling our life with?  Are you purposefully filling your life with God?  The Holy Spirit?  The Word of God?  

Then this Sunday night we move to finish our short series in Philemon.  Over the next two Sunday nights (April 29 and May 6) I want to look at "The Man God Uses in His Local Church."  Philemon is a model for qualities needed for a man to be used by God in the local church.  I did not expect this message, but as I studied deeply into verses 17-25 I just begin to see what type of man Paul says Philemon is. 

See you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Sunday School.  Can't wait....

Wednesday, April 25, 2018....From the Shepherd's Heart

Today is "Administrative Professionals Day" and we are celebrating.  Today, Roxanne, Keith Beatty, Ken and Virginia Browning and I are attending the special luncheon hosted by the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce at noon to celebrate Mrs. Virginia Browning. 

Virginia came to Rainsville First Baptist "for such a time as this" two years and has been such a blessing to me personally, all our staff, the entire church family and everyone who comes into our office or calls.  Virginia serves with such a wonderful spirit and excellence.  We are grateful for her and her service.

We had hoped the audio problems of Secret Church would have been repaired and that tonight we could share the teaching of David Platt on Jehovah Witnesses that we missed Friday night.  But Radical informs us it will be later this week before the issue is fixed so we will postpone showing that teaching to May 2.

So, tonight I am going to begin a teaching for a few Wednesday nights in the Psalms.  We will begin where Psalms begins ... in chapter one in a teaching I'm calling "How to Experience Genuine Happiness - Joy - Blessedness."  I look forward to seeing you at 6:10 in the Auditorium as Bro. Keith leads us in singing and then to the Word of God.

Tonight is our last Wednesday night meal for this semester.  Join us at 5:00 to eat.  All the other ministries will also be in full swing tonight at 6:10. 

Thursday, April 19, 2018 ... From the Shepherd's Heart

Last Sunday we dealt with Luke 11: 24-26 of when the demon leaves a person, returns to find the man "swept and put in order" but empty.  The demon then goes to find seven other demons more wicked than him and reenters the house.  The horrific truth...the state of the second man is worse than the first.

This speaks to us of the necessity to fill our house with that which is good and to resist the devil when he returns.

This Sunday, we will look at this passage again to determine "The Path and Possibility of Lasting Victory."  A person can walk in consistent victory over the devil and his demonic powers.  I can't wait to share the good news.

We will not have Sunday night service due to the last two "Disciple Me" puppet shows at 3 and 6.  The 3:00 show is a sell out but there are still tickets available for the 6:00 show.  Go to www.rainsvillefirst.com to get your free tickets.

This Sunday is also our New Member Class.  I postponed it from this past Sunday and we have had three more added to the class this week.  If you would like to be a part of the class, then contact me ASAP at david@rainsvillefirst.com so we can prepare for you.  It begins with lunch Sunday and will last no longer than two hours.

You are not required to join the church after you take the class, but you cannot become an official member of the church without having taken the class.

See you Sunday in the Lord's House and our Youth Praise band will be leading our music in the morning service.
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From the Shepherd's Heart...Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Due to this being Puppet week (see below), we do not have Wednesday night services tonight or activities tonight.  We will resume next Wednesday night.

We are hosting "Secret Church" with Dr. David Platt this Friday (April 20) beginning at 6:00 p.m.  It is a Live Simulcast originating from Nashville.  He is teaching "Cults and Counterfeit Gospels" with topics such as:
"The One True Gospel of the One True God"
"Identifying Cults and Counterfeit Gospels"
"Mormonism"
"Jehovah's Witnesses"
"Catholicism"
"The Prosperity Gospel"
"Theological Liberalism."

This event is free.  You are encouraged to bring finger foods and drinks because we will be taking several breaks and refreshments will be needed as the event runs until at least midnight.  You are free to come-and-go-as you please.

This is Puppet week with shows tonight at 6;  Saturday at 3 and 6 and Sunday at 3 and 6.  You may get your free tickets at www.rainsvillefirst.com. 

10 “Secrets” to a Long Marriage by Chuck Lawless

I’ve noted before that “12 Ways Satan Attacks Christian Marriages” is one of the most read posts of this website. Given the recent death of my mother-in-law, who was married more than 69 years to my father-in-law, I’ve been reviewing “secrets” I’ve heard from folks who were married for more than fifty years. Here are some of those:  

1. Decide from the beginning that divorce is simply not an option. Don’t ever let the word enter your mind, much less your heart. 
2. Raise your children well together. That doesn’t mean your children will be perfect, but good child-rearing removes some of the potential stressors on a marriage. 
3. Be wise with your dollars. Again, simply being sensible about how you spend money removes another common source of conflict in a long-term marriage. 
4. Love God first, and stay in the church. I hang around Christians much of the time, so this one may not be a surprising finding. Nevertheless, the point is that a relationship with the Lord is a serious glue for marriages. 
5. Be nice to each other. That’s basic, but it’s true. Say, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.”  Say, “I appreciate what you do.” Never verbally tear down a spouse. Sacrifice for the good of the other. 
6. Say, “I love you” every day. They’re just three words, but they’re powerful ones. And, they never lose that power. 
7. Hold hands. At a young age, we hold hands because we want to touch. At an old age, we hold hands to help each other walk—and still, to touch the same person we’ve loved for decades. 
8. Pray together weekly, if not daily. The prayers aren’t always long, complex (or sometimes, even theologically strong), but they’re an invitation for God to be the center of the relationship. 
9. Learn to forget stuff. Holding grudges is neither healthy nor godly. Long-term marriage partners forgive offenses and truly let them go.  
10. Laugh together. Laughter has a way of reducing tension. When you laugh together,  you increase the fun of being together.  

From the Shepherd's Heart....Friday, April 13, 2018

When it comes to the issue of demons, Satan and evil that we don't need to be obsessed with them.  Our God, good and angels are far greater and more powerful than their counterparts.  

But neither do we need to be ignorant of them lest we are disadvantaged.    II Corinthians 2: 11 “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

This Sunday, we will continue walking through Luke 11 as we examine what Jesus teaches us in verses 24-26 about the works of demons. If Jesus felt we needed this, then we do.

Also this Sunday the church is called to vote on three men (Gary Blevins, Michael Helms, Dewitt Jackson)who have been presented to you for consideration as Deacons.  We will vote at the close of the morning service.

The Spring Puppet shows begin this Sunday through April 22 so they are no Sunday night nor Wednesday night services this week.

From the Shepherd's Heart....Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Well tonight is a some what sad night for me but most likely not for our church family.  We are finishing Philippians tonight.

What a wonderful journey this has been for me to go verse-by-verse and concept-by-concept through this great book.  I entitled the entire teaching series "Joyful Missional Living" and indeed it has been a joy.

As we look at the closing three verses, we may also take a brief 30,000 flight back through this great book.

Thank you church for your willingness to follow me in such a study for this long.  I believe its the best way to grow a church is simply preaching/teaching through the Word of God.

We are meeting back in the Auditorium tonight which means a good time of singing, plus prayer and then the Word.  Can't wait....

After Resurrection Sunday, Now What? by David O. Cofield

(I wrote this article for The Southern Torch last week)

So we have celebrated Resurrection Sunday with great passion and power, but now what?  Where do we go?  What do we do?

I think believers have much in common with Lazarus, the friend of Jesus who died and Jesus raised him back to life.  Like us, Lazarus was dead but is now alive.  He didn’t raise himself for he had no inherit power to give his dead body life.  And the same Jesus who raised Lazarus is the one who raised our spiritually dead souls to life when we repented and believed. 

So, what did Lazarus do after his resurrection?  Examine it in John 12: 1-11.

First, Lazarus is found with Jesus fellowshipping around a table.  The celebration of Easter is not a one-time event; instead it is the whole of our Christian faith.  It enables us to have the presence of Jesus with us every day and to enjoy His fellowship with us.  Revelation 3: 20 promises we can fellowship with Jesus around His table.

Second, he is fellowshipping with other believers.  He is there with Mary, Martha and at least some of the disciples.  A regular pattern of gathering with other believers is essential for the ongoing health of a Christian. 

If I was interested in quilting and I heard there was a group who met weekly to talk about quilting, share ideas about quilting and actually were quilting; I would seek them out to join them due to our mutual interest.

If you are a true follower of Jesus and His resurrection power has raised you from your spiritual deadness, then you will want to fellowship with other believers who likewise have experienced this new life.

Third, he was the witness to his family and friends of his experience.  I love verse one.  John identifies Lazarus at the one “who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.”  He was the only one present that day who had been raised from the dead.  Do you guess they talked about it?

We are to be witnesses to those of the same resurrection we have experienced.  Who will you share your story with today at the family meal or the lunch with friends?

Easter is not the end of the celebration; just the beginning.