My Little Man

Our Greatest Treasure


Reading the Word

1 Peter 3:8

 ⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;^[a] 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 

Responding to the Word


Sunday is my favorite days of the week!  I love coming together with God's people (You kids) and worshipping the One true live God.  I love seeing you guys raise your hearts and hands to God.  However, my prayer is that you take that "one mind" that we share in worship into your homes and schools.  How?  Thats a great question.  Here's what 1 Peter says:
1. Love as brothers...Helping our brothers and sisters in the house and friends in school when they need help
2.  be tenderhearted...Hugging one that needs a good hug
3.  be courteous... Using good manners in the home and school
4.  not returning evil for evil.   Well this one can be a toughy.  When someone offends you, don't offend them in return.  Show them you're different!  Show them you're a Christian by acting different than the World acts.  Show them the love of Jesus.

Praying through the Word

Father,
I pray you give us eyes to see and heart to understand what you mean here.  Help us not just to read Your Word but become Your Word to the world around us.  Please give us the words to say and actions to perform when we are offended and help us to respond with Your great love.
In Jesus' Name
Amen

 Children's Worship @ First Baptist

Careful What Comes Out



Reading the Word

Proverbs 26:4-6

New International Version 

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you will be like him yourself.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence
    is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

Responding to the Word


Sometimes our friends can act foolishly.   Sometimes we act foolishly.
Chances are you are going to meet someone this week that tries to use his "foolish tactics" on you!
He may ask you a question that is displeasing to your parents and to God.  He may even try to get you to join him in his "foolish acts."
Proverbs tells us that if we join in with that person or respond to him with something unpleasing, then we make ourselves a "fool"
Friends, the best thing to do in these situations is to walk away.  As the Proverb states, "Do not answer...."
I think mom was right when she said to choose our friends wisely.


Praying through the Word


Father,
I know that sometimes I only have to look into the mirror to see a person acting "foolish."  Please forgive me and help me to live a life that is pleasing to You, and You alone!
I pray for each of the incredible children you have brought to First Baptist.  May You give them boldness today to choose their friends wisely and see "foolishness" when it pops up.  Help them to be strong during those times. 
In Jesus' Name
Amen

 Enjoying time with my girls.

Marching Orders

1 Corinthians 16:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Responding to the Word


There is a sense that when someone comes to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, their work is done.  Paul however has something entirely different in mind.  He knows that each of us needs to ready to share and defend the faith of Jesus Christ.  Defend the faith?  Sounds difficult?


1.  Remember that God loved the World and sent His one and only son. John 3:16
2.  Jesus paid the price when He went to cross and died for our sins. Romans 5:8
3.  There is one way to God and this wonderful place we call heaven.  It's through Jesus Christ.           1 Tim 2:5
If you want, just walk around with your pointer finger in the air.  It will remind you that there is but "one way" for us to be saved.


Praying through the Word


Father, How I love living in this incredible community called Plant City.  If I'm not careful, I will assume all of America is like this.  Good Christian people willing to help each other.  Help me to remember that much of the world is not like this.  Help us to be on our guard and stand firm in our faith.  Help us to always be ready to give an account for the hope that lies within us.
 In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen

The Word of God 


Luke 23 1-3

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

23 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. ² And they 
began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the^[a] nation, 
and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

³ Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”




Responding to the Word


There are times when telling the truth may be difficult.  Times when we 
know we're going to get into major trouble.  Jesus is facing a crossroads 
here.  He could have taken the easy road and denied what Pilate said and 
walked away.  He knew that by responding with the truth meant his immanent
beating and crucifixion.  The truth is always important!  So the next time you
are faced with an option to lie, remember what our Savior did.
Jesus said that we would know the truth and the TRUTH would  set us free.




Praying through the Word


Father, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  Forgive me 
when I have been tempted to not tell the whole truth as I know that You are 
the Father of Lights and there is no darkness in You.  Help all of us to take a 
moment today and thank Jesus for the that very truthful statement, "It is as 
you say.,"  his confession that He was the King of the Jews. 
 In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen

Don't Forget the Source

Walking in the Word

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹⁰ And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. ¹¹ But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.¹² When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
¹³ But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” ¹⁴ For there were about five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” ¹⁵ And they did so, and made them all sit down.
¹⁶ Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave themto the disciples to set before the multitude. ¹⁷ So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them

Responding to the Word

I believe we would all think like the apostles.  They looked around and saw thousands of people that needed to eat.  No, they couldn't order pizza or get several $2.00 meal deals at Taco Bell like my family.  They had to count on markets to provide food and a their wasn't money or a market nearby.  What did they forget?  The One that stood beside them.  The One that commanded them to feed the people.  Jesus didn't need a Taco Bell or pizza delivery company.  Jesus needs nothing.  He IS the provider.  He IS the Bread of Life.  So the next time you feel the Lord impressing on your heart to action, remember, The Great I Am is with you.  

Praying in the Word

Marching Orders

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

Responding to the Word

Our military is one of the greatest militaries in the world!  We have both defended our land and helped others in their time of need.  Have you ever seen the military march in unison?  What would happen if the "marching orders" were not taken serriously?  The "marching orders" are directions handed down from someone in authority to be carried out to the tee.  When they were supposed to go left, they went right.  When they were supposed to run, they walked.  Things would end up a disaster!  Paul is giving us set of "marching orders" here in first Corinithians.  To be careful (on your guard), grow deeper in our faith, don't be afraid and show everyone you meet love.
  

Praying in the Word

God, Thank you for showing us how to live our life in love.  Thank you for demonstrating that "perfect" love in and through Your Son Jesus Christ.  Please give us ears to hear you, eyes to see you and heart to accept all the Word of God tells us. Help our only response to be, "Yer Sir."  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Short Term Lease

1 Corinthians 6:14-15a

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

Responding to the Word

When Mrs. Carol and I were first married, we rented an apartment in the basement of my parent's house.  Rent was cheap and mom made great meals as a back up :) (Young married joke)  We tried to fix up the apartment by putting down carpet, painting the walls and even put a new bathroom in the place.  One thing we didn't do was "trash it."   It wasn't ours to trash.  We did our best to leave it better than we found it.  The Bible tells us that our bodies are not ours, but are "members of Christ."  So let's be careful of what we say, what we eat and especially what we see.  In a way, we are in a rental.  We do this especially because we "love the Landlord:)"

  

Praying in the Word

Father, Help us to conduct ourselves with love as we remember that we live for your Son, Jesus.  I pray that others see Jesus in our lives.  Thank you loving us with Your unending love.  In Jesus' Name, Amen