When I stand before the throne
Dressed in beauty not my own;
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
RED WHITE AND BLUE SUNDAY
Join us for :
FBC hot dogs with all the fixins'
Ice cold lemonade
All American Apple Pie
Don't forget to dress in red, white, or blue!!
Bring a friend!
Enemies All Around
Check out iTunes for installment 5 in our series on Nehemiah - "Building, Battling, and Becoming" or just click the below link:
Sermon Audio - Enemies All Around
Sermon Audio - Enemies All Around
Friday, June 24, 2011
REGISTER NOW FOR VBS 2011!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Or, just visit the www.friendshipbiblechurch.org, scroll down a bit, and choose the link there.
Or, just visit the www.friendshipbiblechurch.org, scroll down a bit, and choose the link there.
Campfire Fellowship - Details, Details, Details
Where - Moore Manor
Why - We just like to enjoy Christian fellowship. Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun ... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food... Fun... Food...
What - Bring a dish to pass and a chair on which to sit. Everything else will be provided.
See you 'round the fire!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
A Weekend For Families
Join us. Invite friends.
A Weekend For Men
Saturday morning at 8:00 - prayer breakfast. Enjoy a breakfast for champions, a brief discussion from the Bible, and a time of praying together.
... then...
Divide up and head out to help a few of our members who need help around their yards and homes.
We'll meet for breakfast at 8:00, and be done with our service efforts by 11:00. Join us!
Walls CAN Be Built
Check out iTunes for installment 4 in our series on Nehemiah -"Building, Battling, and Becoming" or just click the below link:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Two-Wheeled Reflections
It's been a while since I shared a thought from the seat of the motorcycle. But for some reason, I always find that 30 minute ride in the brisk morning air to be a great time for prayer and reflection. It was no different this morning. As I was riding along and talking with God, I was suddenly just thankful for the privilege and joy of doing such a thing. I was reminded of Paul's words to Timothy where he talked about our God "who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." (1 Timothy 6:17) For a minute, there, I was just thankful to be the recipient of so many of God's blessings.
But as soon as I thought it, my mind fast-forwarded to what is yet to come, and I was reminded that no matter how much of the pleasures of our God we may enjoy in this life, it is nothing compares to what awaits! God is so good. Today... and forever.
But as soon as I thought it, my mind fast-forwarded to what is yet to come, and I was reminded that no matter how much of the pleasures of our God we may enjoy in this life, it is nothing compares to what awaits! God is so good. Today... and forever.
Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven
Of touching a hand, and finding it God's
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial
Of waking up in Glory, and finding it "Home"
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Word of the Day
My iPhone likes to share a word of the day with me. Today, the following popped up:
ORISON
Not knowing this particular word, I checked out the meaning, and found that orison is a noun, meaning "a prayer".
I was reminded to pray. I was reminded that tonight I have the opportunity to join in Men's Bible Study, and look forward to a time of praying with my brothers there. And I was reminded that tomorrow evening is our midweek prayer meeting, one of the most important hours we spend together as a church.
Perhaps you will join us for some of these opportunities? And perhaps you will take a minute right now to offer an orison... a word of thanksgiving for the wonders that are to be found in Jesus.
ORISON
Not knowing this particular word, I checked out the meaning, and found that orison is a noun, meaning "a prayer".
I was reminded to pray. I was reminded that tonight I have the opportunity to join in Men's Bible Study, and look forward to a time of praying with my brothers there. And I was reminded that tomorrow evening is our midweek prayer meeting, one of the most important hours we spend together as a church.
Perhaps you will join us for some of these opportunities? And perhaps you will take a minute right now to offer an orison... a word of thanksgiving for the wonders that are to be found in Jesus.
See The Distress
Check out iTunes for installment 3 in our series on Nehemiah - Building, Battling, and Becoming. This message was entitled "See the Distress." Or, just click the play button below:
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Rest... even on the open sea
Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship (Matthew 14:22)
Jesus constrained them to go! One would think that if ever there was the certain promise of success in a mission, it was here. Surely, here, if anywhere, a triumphant issue might have been confidently predicted; and yet here, more than anywhere, there was seeming failure. He sent them out on a voyage, and they met such a storm as they had never yet experienced.
Let me ponder this, for it has been so with me, too. I have sometimes felt myself impelled to act by an influence which seemed above me—constrained to put to sea. The belief that I was constrained gave me confidence, and I was sure of a calm voyage. But the result was outward failure. The calm became a storm; the sea raged, the winds roared, the ship tossed in the midst of the waves, and my enterprise was wrecked ere it could reach the land.
Was, then, my divine command a delusion?
Nay; nor yet was my mission a failure. He did send me on that voyage, but He did not send me for my purpose. He had one end and I had another. My end was the outward calm; His was my meeting with the storm. My end was to gain the harbor of a material rest; His was to teach me there is a rest even on the open sea. --George Matheson, in Thoughts For The Quiet Hour, by Harman and Moody
Jesus constrained them to go! One would think that if ever there was the certain promise of success in a mission, it was here. Surely, here, if anywhere, a triumphant issue might have been confidently predicted; and yet here, more than anywhere, there was seeming failure. He sent them out on a voyage, and they met such a storm as they had never yet experienced.
Let me ponder this, for it has been so with me, too. I have sometimes felt myself impelled to act by an influence which seemed above me—constrained to put to sea. The belief that I was constrained gave me confidence, and I was sure of a calm voyage. But the result was outward failure. The calm became a storm; the sea raged, the winds roared, the ship tossed in the midst of the waves, and my enterprise was wrecked ere it could reach the land.
Was, then, my divine command a delusion?
Nay; nor yet was my mission a failure. He did send me on that voyage, but He did not send me for my purpose. He had one end and I had another. My end was the outward calm; His was my meeting with the storm. My end was to gain the harbor of a material rest; His was to teach me there is a rest even on the open sea. --George Matheson, in Thoughts For The Quiet Hour, by Harman and Moody
Friday, June 10, 2011
The quintessence of the word of God is Christ
Classic Spurgeon:
"They are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of him. At the creation we at once discern him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of him in the promise of the woman's seed; we see him typified in the ark of Noah; we walk with Abraham, as he sees Messiah's day; we dwell in the tents of Isaac and Jacob, feeding upon the gracious promise; we hear the venerable Israel talking of Shiloh; and in the numerous types of the law, we find the Redeemer abundantly foreshadowed. Prophets and kings, priests and preachers, all look one way - they all stand as the cherubs did over the ark, desiring to look within, and to read the mystery of God's great propitiation. Still more manifestly in the New Testament we find our Lord the one pervading subject. It is not an ingot here and there, or dust of gold thinly scattered, but here you stand upon a solid floor of gold; for the whole substance of the New Testament is Jesus crucified, and even its closing sentence is bejewelled with the Redeemer's name. We should always read Scripture in this light; we should consider the word to be as a mirror into which Christ looks down from heaven; and then we, looking into it, see his face reflected as in a glass - darkly, it is true, but still in such a way as to be a blessed preparation for seeing him as we shall see him face to face. This volume contains Jesus Christ's letters to us, perfumed by his love. These pages are the garments of our King, and they all smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you find your Saviour. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ.
"They are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of him. At the creation we at once discern him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of him in the promise of the woman's seed; we see him typified in the ark of Noah; we walk with Abraham, as he sees Messiah's day; we dwell in the tents of Isaac and Jacob, feeding upon the gracious promise; we hear the venerable Israel talking of Shiloh; and in the numerous types of the law, we find the Redeemer abundantly foreshadowed. Prophets and kings, priests and preachers, all look one way - they all stand as the cherubs did over the ark, desiring to look within, and to read the mystery of God's great propitiation. Still more manifestly in the New Testament we find our Lord the one pervading subject. It is not an ingot here and there, or dust of gold thinly scattered, but here you stand upon a solid floor of gold; for the whole substance of the New Testament is Jesus crucified, and even its closing sentence is bejewelled with the Redeemer's name. We should always read Scripture in this light; we should consider the word to be as a mirror into which Christ looks down from heaven; and then we, looking into it, see his face reflected as in a glass - darkly, it is true, but still in such a way as to be a blessed preparation for seeing him as we shall see him face to face. This volume contains Jesus Christ's letters to us, perfumed by his love. These pages are the garments of our King, and they all smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you find your Saviour. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Pastor's Masters Warm Up
While the Pastor's Masters is still officially a few weeks away, join in for a little impromptu fun and practice while we wait.
Deeannae needs a count to set up tee times, so please contact her at 472-9491 if you are interested in attending.
Fight!
A thought for our brother Nick, in Afghanistan, as well as for all of us who fight God's battle here at home, every day... From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional for June 8th:
"There fell down many slain, because the war was of God." (1 Chronicles 5:22)
Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this verse with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war be of God the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster five and forty thousand fighting men, and yet in their war with the Hagarites, they slew "men, an hundred thousand," "for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him." The Lord saveth not by many nor by few; it is ours to go forth in Jehovah’s name if we be but a handful of men, for the Lord of Hosts is with us for our Captain. They did not neglect buckler, and sword, and bow, neither did they place their trust in these weapons; we must use all fitting means, but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for he is the sword and the shield of his people. The great reason of their extraordinary success lay in the fact that "the war was of God." Beloved, in fighting with sin without and within, with error doctrinal or practical, with spiritual wickedness in high places or low places, with devils and the devil’s allies, you are waging Jehovah’s war, and unless he himself can be worsted, you need not fear defeat. Quail not before superior numbers, shrink not from difficulties or impossibilities, flinch not at wounds or death, smite with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the slain shall lie in heaps. The battle is the Lord’s and he will deliver his enemies into our hands. With steadfast foot, strong hand, dauntless heart, and flaming zeal, rush to the conflict, and the hosts of evil shall fly like chaff before the gale.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song:
To him that overcometh,
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
"There fell down many slain, because the war was of God." (1 Chronicles 5:22)
Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this verse with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war be of God the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster five and forty thousand fighting men, and yet in their war with the Hagarites, they slew "men, an hundred thousand," "for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him." The Lord saveth not by many nor by few; it is ours to go forth in Jehovah’s name if we be but a handful of men, for the Lord of Hosts is with us for our Captain. They did not neglect buckler, and sword, and bow, neither did they place their trust in these weapons; we must use all fitting means, but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for he is the sword and the shield of his people. The great reason of their extraordinary success lay in the fact that "the war was of God." Beloved, in fighting with sin without and within, with error doctrinal or practical, with spiritual wickedness in high places or low places, with devils and the devil’s allies, you are waging Jehovah’s war, and unless he himself can be worsted, you need not fear defeat. Quail not before superior numbers, shrink not from difficulties or impossibilities, flinch not at wounds or death, smite with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the slain shall lie in heaps. The battle is the Lord’s and he will deliver his enemies into our hands. With steadfast foot, strong hand, dauntless heart, and flaming zeal, rush to the conflict, and the hosts of evil shall fly like chaff before the gale.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song:
To him that overcometh,
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sermon Audio - 6/5/2011
For our shutins, or any who might have missed it, here is the the second in our series on Nehemiah entitled "Building, Battling and Becoming."
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Managing Our Finances God's Way
If you signed up for this summer elective, remember three things:
1.) Class starts TOMORROW, Sunday, June 5, and will meet in the auditorium.
2.) It meets 15 MINUTES EARLIER than the other classes. The video will start promptly at 9:15. As the videos are a major component of the series, you will not want to miss them. Plan on being here enough before 9:15 to get stocked up on coffee in time to catch the start of the video. The first video features Pastor Rick Warren.
3.) There is a $10 cost for materials, per couple, due at the start of class. This will provide an extensive workbook, as well as a supplemental CD.
If you signed up for Phil Ross's summer elective entitled "Balancing the Christian Life", plan on meeting at the normal 9:30 time in the Conference Room just off Fellowship Hall.
If you signed up for Ray Spangler's continuing series on James, meet at the normal time in Fellowship Hall.
And if you didn't sign up... well, just show up, and give any of the new summer electives a try!
1.) Class starts TOMORROW, Sunday, June 5, and will meet in the auditorium.
2.) It meets 15 MINUTES EARLIER than the other classes. The video will start promptly at 9:15. As the videos are a major component of the series, you will not want to miss them. Plan on being here enough before 9:15 to get stocked up on coffee in time to catch the start of the video. The first video features Pastor Rick Warren.
3.) There is a $10 cost for materials, per couple, due at the start of class. This will provide an extensive workbook, as well as a supplemental CD.
If you signed up for Phil Ross's summer elective entitled "Balancing the Christian Life", plan on meeting at the normal 9:30 time in the Conference Room just off Fellowship Hall.
If you signed up for Ray Spangler's continuing series on James, meet at the normal time in Fellowship Hall.
And if you didn't sign up... well, just show up, and give any of the new summer electives a try!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A Spurgeon Thought On Prayer
"And he requested for himself that he might die." (1 Kings 19:4)
It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death - should thus pray, "Let me die, I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though he always does in effect. He gave Elias something better than that which he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. Strange was it that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and blessedly kind was it on the part of our heavenly Father that he did not take his desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask amiss. If we ask for that which is not promised - if we run counter to the spirit which the Lord would have us cultivate - if we ask contrary to his will, or to the decrees of his providence - if we ask merely for the gratification of our own ease, and without an eye to his glory, we must not expect that we shall receive. Yet, when we ask in faith, nothing doubting, if we receive not the precise thing asked for, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, he will in gold; and if he does not pay in gold, he will in diamonds." If he does not give you precisely what you ask for, he will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will greatly rejoice to receive in lieu thereof. Be then, dear reader, much in prayer, and make this evening a season of earnest intercession, but take heed what you ask.
It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death - should thus pray, "Let me die, I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though he always does in effect. He gave Elias something better than that which he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. Strange was it that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and blessedly kind was it on the part of our heavenly Father that he did not take his desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask amiss. If we ask for that which is not promised - if we run counter to the spirit which the Lord would have us cultivate - if we ask contrary to his will, or to the decrees of his providence - if we ask merely for the gratification of our own ease, and without an eye to his glory, we must not expect that we shall receive. Yet, when we ask in faith, nothing doubting, if we receive not the precise thing asked for, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, he will in gold; and if he does not pay in gold, he will in diamonds." If he does not give you precisely what you ask for, he will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will greatly rejoice to receive in lieu thereof. Be then, dear reader, much in prayer, and make this evening a season of earnest intercession, but take heed what you ask.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Weekly Reminders - Take 2
I missed a couple of opportunities for this week:
Tomorrow, Thursday - Caregivers Meal preparation.
Sunday - 6:00 PM - LIGHT meeting for the teens.
Tonight, immediately following the prayer meeting - Leadership Team Meeting
Tomorrow, Thursday - Caregivers Meal preparation.
Sunday - 6:00 PM - LIGHT meeting for the teens.
Sermon Audio - 5/29/2011
For our shut-ins... or those who missed it... the first message of the series "Building, Battling, and Becoming" - a series on the book of Nehemiah. All services are now available via iTunes, as well.
Sermon Audio - Bro. Phil Ross
For our shut-ins - or those who missed it, here is Phil Ross's message from Job, preached 5/22/2011.
Weekly / Monthly Reminders
It's Wednesday! Prayer Meeting at 6:30 and Zumba for the ladies at 7:30. We start "Questions and Answers" this evening.
This weekend holds lots of opportunity with:
Haven of Rest - 10:00 Saturday morning (BTW - RRODAAT will not take place Saturday, so we can serve at the Haven, instead.)
Softball - Game 3 vs. Wedgewood UMC - 2:45 Sunday afternoon
VBS Team Meeting - 6:00 Sunday evening
We are also looking forward to the new Sunday School reorganization which starts this Sunday. Adult Elective classes begin!
This weekend holds lots of opportunity with:
Haven of Rest - 10:00 Saturday morning (BTW - RRODAAT will not take place Saturday, so we can serve at the Haven, instead.)
Softball - Game 3 vs. Wedgewood UMC - 2:45 Sunday afternoon
VBS Team Meeting - 6:00 Sunday evening
We are also looking forward to the new Sunday School reorganization which starts this Sunday. Adult Elective classes begin!
Life is the time to serve the Lord,
The time to insure the great reward;
And while the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return.
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