How should Christians react in a time of anger on both sides of the political aisle? I believe Micah 6:8 points us in the right direction. That verse simply tells us to live justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Right is still right and wrong is still wrong. It is, and always will be, wrong to abuse anyone. We must treat everyone with respect and dignity, even those with whom we disagree. Those who abuse people made in the Image of God will, in the end, receive the just rewards for their abuse....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
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
“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
But He reaches back to the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:5 where He sums of all the Commandments and all the laws. He’s saying, “If you want to obey all the law; if you are concerned about being right with God, just love Him with all your passion and feelings, love Him with your will and love him with all your thoughts....Keep Reading
In my first months of serving as pastor of FBC Sanger, the Stewardship Committee was talking about the three loans held by the church. They discussed trying to pay off the smallest loan. I asked the committee if we could just challenge the church to pay off that loan and then roll that payment into the second loan. The committee agreed and you rose to the challenge and paid off nearly $100,000 in a month and a half. ...Keep Reading
We may not be leading thousands into the Promised Land, but God has a plan for your life and we all have our challenges. Best of all we all have this promise to go along with the plans the Lord has for us: “be strong and courageous to do all His Word has told us to do.” ...Keep Reading
I think we can consider Streets of Bethlehem a success. As stated Sunday morning, I would have been pleased with an attendance of 200 for the weekend. I underestimated the popularity of this event by about 1,100! If you can do the math, you know we had right at 1,300 for the weekend. Throughout the weekend, we made adjustments based on crowd size and reaction....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
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
Find a way to examine the interpersonal conflicts in your life and work to make them right.
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I don’t remember eating a piece of our wedding cake, but that sweetness would have been lost years ago. However, the sweetness of having a generous, loving, godly wife is an undeserved gift from God with a lasting sweetness that only He can give. Join me in accepting this challenge to love with a godly love.
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We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved to do good works. If you are a believer, God has saved you to do ministry. Our staff is here to help you find where the Lord wants you to serve. Other than someone being saved, there’s not much more fulfilling than helping someone find their place of service....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
This week, I need to cover a couple of adjustments at FBC Sanger. We will be returning to One Worship and Bible Study time for at least the next four weeks......Keep Reading
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And as believers, we are all a part of His Kingdom and how it must have blessed the Father to see us working together for His Kingdom! Thank you to all who served and gave to this cause and thank the Father for His many blessings!...Keep Reading
Work this week to prepare your heart for this special time of worship and communion with God and His people. If you are struggling with forgiving someone, put extra effort into that endeavor this week. ...Keep Reading
Sunday was awesome! We had 208 in our first hour of Bible Study and 171 in the second hour. Our newest class had 16 present and we were looking for 4 more. Both worship services were wonderful times of glorifying the Lord and the baptisms! This is an exciting time in the life of our church as we put it all on the line to reach this community and our world for Jesus Christ. ...Keep Reading
Imagine what would happen if every part of the Body of Christ was healthy and functioning! That would be a riot of love, encouragement and ministry. ...Keep Reading
We get crossways when we start trying "to do something for God" or we replace obedience with our good intentions. The Lord gave Elijah clear direction, but he had to get to the place where he would listen. Are you listening? Which way are you headed?
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Ask Him to give you the love you need right at that moment. Give Him access to your heart, give him some production space in your life and He will produce the love you need to share....Keep Reading
As believers, we have so much for which to be thankful! ...Keep Reading
We think if we invite someone to church, our job is done, but like the teacher in the story, we're eating alone!...Keep Reading
He is the only way to life, to hope, to joy, to forgiveness, to purpose, to fulfillment, and eternal life! ...Keep Reading
Here's the prescription for a healthy church!...Keep Reading