This Saturday you have the opportunity to share that awesome news with the people of Sanger. We will meet at the church for breakfast at 8, then go out to our community and share hope. We will also be asking for opportunities to serve and bring benefit through practical acts of service. Join us in telling Sanger about a God who not only loves them, but gave His life so we might experience eternal life....Keep Reading
Everything has a price! Most of us want something, but we’d rather not have to pay the price or at least not the full price. I know some of us will spend more than you should, but if we think we got a good price, it was a good deal! This applies to our church as well, we all have things that we want from our church, maybe not a rebate on our offering, but we want something....Keep Reading
Have you ever imagined living in a society in which you could not access God’s Word? For us, that scenario is impossible to imagine. We can find a copy of the Bible in so many versions and phone apps that not having access to the Scriptures in our language seems impossible. But for individuals in 4,000 language groups in our world, access to the Bible is non-existent. These individuals have no possibility of hearing how much God loves them and the truth of Jesus....Keep Reading
I’m probably the only one that feels this way, but sometimes it seems like when I open my mouth, ears are closing up shop, like I’m Charlie Brown’s teacher: “Wah, wah, wah, wah.” And I just love the times when I’m totally misunderstood. I’m sure that most of the time, I just didn’t communicate very well, but sometimes it’s because someone wasn’t listening. But, imagine how the Lord feels when He is ignored and misunderstood because we’re not listening. ...Keep Reading
This past Sunday evening our committees gathered to meet their new members and start working on the new year. If you aren’t familiar with a church that works through committees, you might wonder how all of this fits together. ...Keep Reading
There must be a willingness to hear if we are going to follow. Have you ever thought about what you’ve missed because you did not hear? Have we missed directions or warnings? Have we missed opportunities, blessings or words of encouragement? ...Keep Reading
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How do we help the down and out in our community? That is a question that troubles me often. Throughout my ministry, God has placed me in positions where I saw and worked with organizations striving to accomplish that objective. Some were more harmful than helpful. ...Keep Reading
We spend a lot of time looking for things. It seems like I’m always looking for a file, a sermon, a book, a passage, or a hospital room. It’s great when you find what you’re looking for, but not so great when you don’t. What’s worse is when you’re looking for the wrong thing....Keep Reading
Are you drawing people to Jesus? Or leading them away from Him? That is a question we should ask ourselves often throughout the day. Our actions can help people draw closer in their relationship to God or leave them further from Him. ...Keep Reading
Sunday morning was a time of joy, hearing the stories from the mission trips in June. I hope you were encouraged and challenged by those who shared. Will you join us next Summer? Or even before then! We take trips to Mexico, Honduras and other places. Start asking God where He would have you go. The answer just might be across the street....Keep Reading
Sometimes we overestimate our abilities and the difference we can make in our own strength. However, we have no idea what all God can do, but we see here that He is able to do “far more abundantly beyond what we ask or think.”...Keep Reading
I was warned about becoming friends with members of the church you serve. Fortunately, I neglected that advice and have made friends within the churches I have pastored. Sometimes it can lead to challenges and heartbreak, but the rewards are absolutely worth the risk....Keep Reading
If we follow the example of the early church, we should be as committed to Bible study, fellowship and prayer. Baptists might interpret this to mean double down on the fellowship because the Scripture uses the word “fellowship” and it refers to eating together. However, the word interpreted “fellowship” is koinonia, which means to be a partner and to share a common interest - like unity. ...Keep Reading
As I write this Sunday afternoon, the building is starting to come alive. Workers are arriving for last minute preparations, decorations are finished, and now we simply await the arrival of the kids. VBS is probably the most important week of our church year. During this week, we invest in taking the gospel to the most receptive age group. ...Keep Reading
Every one of us come to a time in our lives where we realize we don’t know where we are going, though we can put on a good front. We know in our hearts that there has to be a better way, but sometimes we’re just so stubborn and proud that we endure the frustration and the pain even when we’re introduced to a better way - the Way....Keep Reading
Thank you to the Music Search Committee for all the hours put into making this weekend a success. The church responded overwhelmingly to call our new Associate Pastor: Music. In order to allow our new staff member to finish his current assignment well, we will wait until next Sunday to publicize his name on electronic media. I can say that July 8 will be his first Sunday....Keep Reading
As our community continues to grow, the role of FBC Sanger must grow with it....Keep Reading
This is what a church family does, we support one another as we do the Lord’s work. Our church has been so faithful to support our students and adults that have gone on mission trips and our missionaries serving around the world! ...Keep Reading
We finished up our study of Experiencing God this week. Personally, I have been challenged in a couple of areas throughout the study. First, I have been more focused on watching to find where God is at work. In some ways I feel like a detective with the job of “catching” God at work. I have learned that God is at work all around me, I was just missing out on seeing His work....Keep Reading
I’ve rarely observed any sense of urgency when a child is asked to go to bed or a youth to clean their room, but what about us when it concerns eternity. It seems that many believers, not too different than ourselves, have bought the lie that our lives and concerns and agendas and plans are more important than the lost person’s eternity....Keep Reading
The process of making disciples sounds a lot like raising children. A new believer needs simple rules to start their life in Christ. They need to learn the importance of reading their Bible, praying, attending church and fellowshipping with other believers. In the very beginning of their new life in Christ, it is probably enough for them to see those things as rules to follow. But as they begin to grow in Christ, conversations need to occur helping them discover for themselves why those initial steps are so important....Keep Reading
As I looked at all the prom pictures of youth from previous churches and Sanger, I’m reminded of how fast time flies. I got to know the group that is graduating this year on a couple of Youth Mission Trips that I was allowed to go on. I think I’m on the youth mission trip travel ban because of some great moments where I kind of scared a few youth … and adults...Keep Reading
Our Experiencing God study will be finishing soon. Have you been encouraged and challenged by this study? God has been impressing on me the need to keep my spiritual eyes open to see where He is working so I can join Him in that work....Keep Reading
The inability to hear someone can be so frustrating! I blame my hearing issues on driving a jeep for 5 years, but it doesn’t really matter, the damage is done! When you can’t hear, you feel isolated, lonely, ignorant and incomplete. ...Keep Reading
When we come to the place where we put our faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sin, we have to let go of whatever we have been trusting in or believing. Our good works, our intelligence, science, our hard work or whatever has to die to us, so that we trust in Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection. “Dying to self,” or being crucified with Christ ends that life in flesh and begins our life in the Spirit, forgiven, saved and surrendered to Jesus....Keep Reading
Don’t you hate forgetting someone’s name or number or birthday. Today, Jo Beth, our baby, turns 22. For some reason, I wished her happy birthday at 1:00 am Tuesday morning. After a late meeting, I was up late and thought, “I want to be the first one to wish Jo Beth happy birthday!” Well, I think I accomplished that, a day early!...Keep Reading
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Memorizing Scripture simply takes effort. Everyone can do it if you will put in the effort. Why should we memorize Scripture? Because it hides God’s Word in our heart so that we might not sin against Him....Keep Reading
When our joy is found in what brings God joy, honor, and glory, we are complete, whole, fulfilled!...Keep Reading
The book of James reminds us how powerful our words can be. You can choose to use that power for good or evil. Sometimes we won’t know how impactful, positively or negatively, our words are. Strive to use your words to build up and not tear down....Keep Reading
“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears.” If you get anything from this, remember the “Lord sees your tears,” He knows what is breaking your heart: seeing your marriage fall apart, seeing your child’s family break up, hearing your mate is sick, seeing your child suffer and unable to do anything! He sees our tears, but even better, He hears our prayers....Keep Reading
Have you signed up for Experiencing God? You have three levels of commitment from which to choose. If you want some good from the study just show up on Sunday mornings at 10:30 and listen to the sermons. If you want a better experience and more growth, show up on Sunday mornings at 9:00. But if you want the best experience and the most growth, sign up for a Growth Group (on your Connection Card) and really dig in to this study. Personally, I want the best experience....Keep Reading
Too often, we get familiar with an someone and we begin to take them for granted. We’re all guilty of this to different degrees, but as we grow in our faith in Christ and commitment to Him, this should improve. We have to get away from the shallow, “be praying for you,” and “love you,” and move on to love in action and truth....Keep Reading
What we want to look for is how those who have no church background experience the event. They are the target audience. Christmas draws people to wonder about the reason we celebrate. Let’s make sure our community knows why we celebrate!...Keep Reading
I’m not that different than many that will read this. Terry and I have lost friends, grandparents, my parents, her father, a little brother, and our son, Jordan. It’s only by the grace of God that I’m somewhat sane and Terry and I are still married because of the stress involved. By His Grace, God has helped me so many times. And when I’ve not been what I need to be, His Grace has healed and strengthened my heart, my commitment, and my spirit. He’s just that awesome! And though I’ve experienced deep pain where I cried out until I was empty, I’ve been blessed beyond my ability to express. He has given me perspective and compassion through my painful losses to the point where I have grown and experienced real joy....Keep Reading
On Sunday, November 19, at 6 PM, the churches of Sanger will gather for worship at Ridin’ for the Brand Cowboy Church. Come join us for a time of worship and fellowship with our fellow believers. FBC Sanger is a part of the overall community of believers. ...Keep Reading
Getting people in the building the first time is probably half the challenge for us. Making sure they recognize the value of being part of a church family is the rest of the challenge. Take some time this week to think about why you attend FBC Sanger and how you would describe that reason to someone who doesn’t attend church....Keep Reading
As we talk about reaching our community I want to encourage each of us to consider what part we can play in reaching the people of Sanger. ...Keep Reading
Reaching the people of Sanger is the job God has given to FBC Sanger. We are not in competition with other churches in our community that preach the Gospel. We are in competition with the Enemy who wants to keep people blinded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ....Keep Reading
Now is the time to push forward as we seek Him and endure the struggle and come out on the other side in obedience - all for the glory of God! He will empower you to stretch forward and finish the race. He will energize you to serve Him, will you ask?...Keep Reading
Though we grieve with those grieving and hurt with the hurting, we know this story plays out: Jesus is the Overcomer! His grace can heal, His love can bring light. His presence can bring peace. He is our Hope! In the midst of the storm, we can have peace! Why? How? Our God is on the throne! I have entered the gate and I'm safe! If you know Jesus, you're safe, too!...Keep Reading
Notice the trials come before the crown. I read that two things bother men about suffering: disgrace and death, but suffering for God does not have those ends. According to the Word of God, there is honor and life, a crown of life! We’re not competing against each other in this race for a crown, but against ourselves....Keep Reading
Let’s join together and invest in the next generation of FBC Sanger. Even though I have been here two years, I often think about how decisions made now will impact the next pastor of this church. I hope that next pastor will not arrive for 20 years but decisions regarding the use of resources now will impact this church 20 years from now. Join me in praying that the leaders of FBC Sanger rejoice at our decisions and thank God for the courage of our actions. I want to plant great long lasting shade trees that will bring the blessing of fruitful ministry for the next generation....Keep Reading
Wake up and love. Wake up and love your neighbor! Again, that sounds a whole lot nicer than what might really be going on here. Like, quit loving yourself or putting yourself before everyone else. Sure, the world does it that way most of the time, but that is one of the changes in our lives that should come if we know Christ....Keep Reading
As you consider getting back to routines, how about making sure prayer and study of God’s Word is part of that routine?...Keep Reading
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Lights go out! That's just part of Murphy's Law of lights. Sooner or later, and usually at the worst possible moment, our precious source of light will go out. That's true of all lights - except one - Jesus...Keep Reading
Sometimes we just don’t make the effort. We look around and we know something is wrong. Life is not what I thought it would be. Family life is getting me down, not lifting me up. Church is not like “it used to be.” We want to find something or someone to blame, but sometimes we just need to look in the mirror...Keep Reading
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Sometimes we are exhausted because we are chasing after the wrong things. Sometimes, we’ve been chasing good things, but not God’s things....Keep Reading
I Corinthians 10:31-33: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”...Keep Reading
We must hold every memory and tradition in open hands, ready to release them on the mission of making disciples and bringing the lost to Jesus. What memories or traditions are holding you back from making disciples of the lost around you?...Keep Reading
We have a mission, a purpose in our relationship with God to be ministers and witnesses of the things that God has done in our lives...Keep Reading
