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The Pastor's Page
Salvation Experience and Calling
Ministry
Sketch
August, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This month I want to share a devotion from a
Chaplain pastor friend of mine, Bro. Brad Mosley. It meant a lot to me. I
believe it will for you…
1Thessalonians 4:3 says “It is God's will that you should be
sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you
should learn to control his own body n in a way that is holy and honorable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that
in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The
Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and
warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy
life.”
I happen to be one of those individuals who believe that Duct Tape
can fix anything. I have used duct tape on so many things, I can’t even
count. My first preaching Bible, held together by duct tape; the handle on
one of my power saws, supported by duct tape; a broken handle of one of our
rakes, you guessed it, held together with duct tape. Duct tape is one of
the most used items in everyday life, and the truth is, it is pretty good at
fixing just about anything.
But you know the funny thing about duct tape? It is
really good at everything except for what it was designed to do. Duct Tape
was developed in 1942, during WWII, as a means to hold duct systems
together, thus the name duct tape. At the time, it was used to repair guns,
hold together ammunition boxes, and even some reports that it held together
some vital parts of an armored vehicle during battle.
But do you know the only thing that duct tape could not
do? It was ineffective for use on duct systems, the very thing it was
originally designed for. In other words, duct tape, though it has millions
of uses, could not live up to what it was designed to do.
You know, a lot of times, we are the same way. We are
good at so many things, but the one thing we have been called to do, we
struggle at. In our verses today, Paul makes it very clear that we were
called, set apart and designed to live holy lives. Holy simply means that
we are set apart for God, to be about His business, to live lives that point
people to the cross.
This world has so much to offer, much of which is filth
and has no place in the lives of Christians, yet we fill our lives with it.
The movies we watch, the television shows we are glued to, the jokes we
laugh at, the conversations we engage in: do they point to a holy lifestyle
from each of us.
I must admit, many times in my life, I fall way short.
Many times, I guess I’m just like duct tape, good at a lot of things, but
failing in what I was called and designed to do. Let me encourage you
today, live up to that which you were called to live.
If you are a Christian, you bear the name of Christ
everywhere you go. Make sure that your lifestyle is pointing to that Name.
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life”. He gave
His very best for us on the cross of Calvary, and we should settle for
nothing less than our best to Him. Let’s just strive, each and every day,
to live up to what we called to do.
This was a good word from Bro. Brad. Let’s give our all to Jesus!
Your Brother,
Bro. Paul
Sermon Topics for August:
Sunday Sermons AM&PM
– “I Dare You”
Wednesday Studies
– “Experiencing God”
Book of the Month
– “Hard Fighting Soldier” by Chette Williams
Remember:
A
Christian Definition of “Giving” – is an act that shows care,
concern, love & the likeness of Jesus to other
people from us. Your gifts count as faith in God’s kingdom. Give in
faith!
Do you REALLY?
- Really want to see people saved?
The
next time you are in church, go to hall by the nursery to the Doers of the
Word Table. Pick up a Gospel track, and a take a “Lifting Up Jesus Guide”
and do as it instructs
- Really want to see God’s
Spirit move?
Sign
up for the “Shield of Prayer Ministry” at the Doers of the Word Table and
pray for God’s church at New Hope Baptist
- Really want to see God
comfort people and give them strength?
Sign
up for the “60 Hours Of Power” at the Doers of the Word Table and to
volunteer to pray 1 hour a month for God’s church at New Hope Baptist using
our prayer bulletin.
- Really want to
see God Heal and Renew people?
Call the church office at 338-2645 and ask to have
a list of people that need a visit… Pray and visit with them, or come to
church at 1:30 pm on Tuesdays, and visit with Bro. Charlie Barber and the
pastor. We have seen people healed and encouraged in the Lord.
- Really want God to use you
in the New Hope weekly ministries?
At the
Doers of the Word Table pick up a Ministry Gifts Discovery Questionnaire and
fill it out. Turn in the questionnaire and the profile to the office or to
the Nominating Committee and enjoy how God leads!
Prayer
Walking / Driving
On August 3
after the Evening Worship Service, you will be given a prayer card and asked
to drive to a school and pray in the parking lot for the upcoming school
year. The card will help you to remember to petition God on several
issues. You can pray with others or by yourself.
Adult Discipleship Training For August – 5 pm Sundays
-
Baptist Doctrines – led by Bro. Rush in Johnny Gregg’s SS Classroom.
- Crown
Financial – led by the Lemleys in R.O. Hughes SS Classroom.
Good Stewardship means Faith is Growing
Our Stewardship
Committee is encouraging us in our walk of faith in Jesus. Join me in
thanking the Stewardship committee for their leadership in faith. This
month we will hear many testimonies on giving, obedience, and on God’s
blessings. We will be taught how to give our all to Jesus. I hope many
will come and be a part of the Crown Financial Training. It is a Biblical
study that teaches people to put their trust in Jesus. I encourage you to
sign up and to be a part of a growing team of people at New Hope Baptist!
Bro. Paul
New Hope Baptist Orientation
Class
Beginning August 3 at 9
am, there will be a 4 session class on getting to know New Hope Baptist.
Bro. Nathan Edwards will lead this class. It is an informative class that
introduces you to New Hope Baptist’s ministries, doctrines, staff, policies
and Lord Jesus. If you are visiting New Hope Baptist or have recently come
for membership, please come and be a part of this class. |
