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

Instructions for our Faith

Walking in the Word

1 Corinthians 1:22-24

New King James Version (NKJV)

²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Responding to the Word

I love getting toys and furniture that has to be assembled.  I open the box, take out every piece and separate them.  I group all screws, nut and bolts together and make sure I have the right tools.  My momentary pause comes only when looking at the directions.  Because the product is sold around the world, the directions are in French, Spanish, Greek, Chinese, Mandarin, Ancient Aztec Symbols (just kidding) and English.  Nothing makes sense to me until I get to the English directions.  Then, and only then does it all come together.  What we see above is a simple truth every Christian should understand.  When we seek truth and love, we must seek Christ crucified.  What He did on the that cross says it all!

  

Praying in the Word

Father, How I pray that our minds would be flooded with gratitude for what Your Son did for us.  May we always cut through the loudness of this world and zero in on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Power of God

Walking in the Word

1 Corinthians 1:13-15; 17-18

¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.   ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Responding to the Word 

Jesus loves you and I and gave His life for us and did so on the Cross of Calvary.  We rejoice in the fact that even though He died, He arose again on the third day.  That's called the Gospel Message.  Translated - It means "Good News."  However to many, that message is called somewhat "foolish."  They wonder, "Why would God let His one and only Son die?"  It's a stumbling block they cannot get passes.  Isn't it wonderful to know that we know that God so LOVED the world, He gave His son, (John 3:16a) and that is not "foolishness" but the "power of God" for salvation.  Amen!    

Praying in the Word

Father, Please help us to keep our eyes on Jesus.  Thank You for a great first night of Faith Evangelism.  I pray for the Boldness of the Gospel to fill every person attempting to share their faith this semester  It is not foolishness, but the Power of what You have done in our lives and I just want to say, thank you.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Choose Wisely

Walking in the Word

Romans 16:17

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Responding to the Word

We are called to witness to our friends.  I know I often encourage each of you to sit next to or become friends with those who may be shunned away. But that also comes with a warning.  There are those who will cause  "divisions and offenses."  Simply stated, they cause a whole lot of trouble in your life.  They may say that they are Christian, but deep inside they really may not be.  Be careful how you choose your friends because if your not careful, YOU start becoming a lot like them.  

Praying in the Word

Father, We are called to Salt and Light to all of those around us.  Help us to be WISE concerning who we choose as friends.  Protect us from those who would bring trouble into our life and lead us I pray, in Your path of righteousness.      In Jesus' Name, Amen

Letting Your Light Shine

Walking in the Word

Romans 15:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,

Responding to the Word

Our church is gearing up for an incredible missions celebration called the "Sent" conference.  We will have missionaries from around the world right here in Plant City's First Baptist Church.  But you may be wondering how that applies to you?  Paul made it his mission to preach the gospel in places it's never been heard and served as one the greatest missionaries of all times.  God changed the heart of Paul (remember Saul) and created in fire in his heart that never went out and He can do the same for you.  He can take your talents and gifts (we all have them) and use them to change an entire world.  Are you ready?

Praying in the Word

Father, help us not only to care for the needs of ourselves but lead us to reach a helping hand to those in need with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Please, prepare our hearts for the upcoming missions conference.  I pray that many will hear Your call to Your mission.    In Jesus' Name, Amen

Working Together

Walking in the Word

Romans 15:5-6

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 ⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

  

Responding to the Word

One of the sports I played in college in Western, Maryland was Rugby.  Now if you don't know what Rugby is, it's like playing tackle football with no helmet and strange rule.  Instead of throwing the ball to one another, you "pitch" it.  Instead of always having to "pitch" the ball up the field to gain better position, you can "drop-kick" it.  That's were the ball hits the ground before connecting with the foot.  My favorite was the "scrum."  That's were the eight forwards of each team would lock heads in order to gain the ball.  The one thing each team needed in a "scrum" was unity.  Everyone had to be working together or else the entire scrum would collapse.  As a fellow believer, you and I are part of a team where we come together to "Glorify the Father!"  And when we do that together, I believe all of Heaven moves.

 

Praying through the Word

Father, what a great day it was in worship yesterday at Plant City's First Baptist Church.  Thank you for the opportunity offer my praise to a wonderful and fascinating God.  Lord I ask you to lead me in your will and ways.  God, I lift up Mrs. Mary Hallman to you for complete healing and health.  May she feel your presence today.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Play-doe to Transformers

 

Walking in the Word

Romans 12:1-2

 ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^[a] act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

  

Responding to the Word

I love play-doh!  You can be as creative as you want and it even smells good.  The Bible doesn't talk any about "play-doh" but does talk about how we live our lives in the world.  This world will try to shape you.  Through TV shows, music we listen to and even the books we're encouraged to read.  If we're not cafeful, we will start walking, talking and acting just like everyone else.  What's the solution?  God's Word!  The Bible tells us how to live our life.  How to love one another and help in times of needs.  How to make good choices even when times are tough.  So don't think too much about the word "play-doh", but instead think about "transformers!"  Be "transformed" by the Word!

Praying through the Word

Father, your word tells us to live in this world and not of it.  That's pretty tough sometimes.  Please allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide each of us in our journey of life.  How I thank You and love You for your creation.  The land and sea and all that is in it.  But Father, I love You most of all.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Taking a Stand

Walking in the Word

Romans 10:9-10

⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

  

Responding to the Word

Pictured are some of the men signing the Declaration of Independence.  That document sits in Washington, DC today under some very impressive bullet-proof glass.  They even forbid photography!  Why?  Because it's the document that symbolizes our entire country.  It declares the our country's sole independence from all other nations.  Romans 10:9 is kind of like that for me.  Many people wonder how you can "know for sure" you're saved.  It's a declaration involving the heart and the mouth.  It's a declaration from God to His People.

Praying through the Word

Thank You Father for never having a shadow of turning.  You are the same Yesterday, today and forever and we praise You.  Thank you for your Word which gives light in this dark and sometimes uncertain world. Father I confess Your Son Jesus with my mouth and I BELIEVE You raised Him to life again.  I pray we're never ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the POWER of God to everyone who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen