First B Update
March 4, 2010

Note from Wade

As the financial news in our area and state grows increasingly dim, God’s day-by-day provisions take on more of a special feel and we have more opportunities to let Jesus’ light of hope shine through us.

A passage of Scripture that has come to mind several times recently is Habakkuk 3:17-19: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.”

This is a song. Notice the last two sentences. It’s a song that recognizes extremely difficult circumstances: drought, crop failure, death of livestock, jobs that produce no income, job loss. And yet Habakkuk sings of a steely focus with a song-filled heart: “I will rejoice… I will be joyful in God my Savior.” He sings of how God equips him to handle hardship and to draw near to Him: “The sovereign LORD is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” God has promised to be our strength and to allow us to thrive when, left to our own resources, we’d be weak and faltering.

Let me encourage you to find a song you can sing of God’s faithfulness and help. Many of the hymns fill the bill. “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “In the Garden,” “Like a River Glorious.” Maybe you know “Through it All,” or “How Majestic is Your Name.” Can you hum “The Hallelujah Chorus”? Do you know some of the praise songs we sing like “I Have a Hope,” “Forever,” or “Enough”? Maybe you can download a few of these or get a CD to help you.

God is faithful. He has promised to take care of us. He won’t give us more than we can handle. And He has given us the Holy Spirit as our Helper.

Go ahead, read aloud the words of Habakkuk 3:17-19, maybe put them to music. Let Jesus’ light shine in you and through you in this dim world!

Wade

Junior Highers Take RISKs

Fusion Junior High winter camp was amazing! There were 112 gathered at Camp Chinquapin for three days of fun, fellowship, snow and spiritual growth. Paul Mollett talked to the kids about taking RISKs. R-Responding to God’s call, I-Inspiring others to be bold, S-Stepping out in faith, K-Kicking risk’s butt! The kids really responded to the messages. It was awesome to see.

Saturday night Paul gave the kids a chance to take a ‘baby step’ in their spiritual growth. He challenged them to come up to the front of the meeting area if they wanted to “risk” something in their lives. Most of the students responded and then we had some great small group time in the cabins. Some of the stories shared were …

One girl often feels alone, but shared how she realized we are an army, all fighting toward the same cause. Also, she told me she’s always heard how powerful God is, but never understood that, since His power lives in her, SHE is powerful!

Two of my girls admitted they aren’t living lives of integrity between school and church. They want to start standing at school for the things they talk about at church.

Another girl decided that, despite the crazy situation at home, she was going to choose to change her attitude and see the blessings in her life. She realized she can’t change her circumstances, but she can change her attitude!

The main thing the girls shared with us was their need to start being an example to their friends at school; acting more like a follower of Christ instead of living to please people around them. Their plans of action included inviting a friend from class to church or setting aside a certain time of day to read Scripture.

One girl said she wanted to risk reaching out to a girl she knew needed a friend but wasn’t in her “group” of friends.

An eighth grade boy was going to risk being an example to his family (they don’t know Christ) by doing better in school and not complaining about it.

Lives were changed. Decisions were made. This was definitely a successful camp! Thanks to all who were praying for us throughout the weekend.

Haiti Relief Update

We are pleased to report that as a church we have given $21,008.26 toward Haiti earthquake relief! What a tremendous outpouring of support to those in need in Haiti. All monies received by the church are being forwarded to World Relief. This organization is using the funds to directly help the relief effort in Haiti.

We also want to let you know of a special federal tax provision for giving towards Haiti relief. According to the IRS, taxpayers who gave to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010 may be able to claim these donations on the federal tax return in 2009 or 2010, but not both. We recommend you work with your tax advisor or check the IRS Web site for more information.

If you have made a donation to the Haiti relief effort through First Baptist, it will show up on your 2010 contribution statement. Should you need specific information on your giving, please contact Laurie in our stewardship office.

Been studying the Lord’s Prayer lately. Realized that Jesus uses the plural throughout the prayer rather than the singular. Meaning that God’s default setting in prayer is in the context of community, not the individual. How often do I pray in the singular – “I,” “me,” etc. as opposed to the plural – “us,” “our,” “we,” etc.?

~ Matt Whiteford