John wrote, “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1John 5:11-13, ESV. If we adhere to this message and believe that Jesus is the “way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) then we must accept the clear fact that “truth is exclusive.”

Jesus told John to write messages to the churches of Asia and these letters are recorded in The Revelation Chapters 2 & 3. In these letters Jesus was very firm with the churches — it was either His way or the highway. Friends, when I read the headlines in today’s news blogs I am deeply concerned about how much we have turned away from God’s ways. We have become timid and lost our boldness for Christ. Our world is running quickly away from God and filling itself with darkness. 1John 1:5 states that “God is light and in Him there is no darkness.” God is pure, holy, righteous and unapproachable and we are defiled, sinful and unworthy. Yet this world treats Him with utter contempt and those who seek “political correctness” do the same.

I plead with those who will read this “eclectic” message: Come to Jesus; come to the Light; confess your sins; live holy and realize God is Holy. Don’t get hung out in “political correctness” because you fear men. Rather, love and fear God and serve Him only! He is worth everything!

One last thing: Don’t get me wrong, I would never want anyone to be hateful and evil toward another (what some do when they take their boldness to the wrong level), but I do think we Christians – true believers – need to repent and get bold and serve and honor Christ with every breath and ounce of our being while there is still time to do so!

In Christ – bill.

In 2Chronicles 7:14 God said, “when my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”  In pondering this verse and many like it, it seems that for God to use a congregation mightily the individuals of that congregation must first purify themselves.  That is why I have created the following graphic to help our congregation remember our responsibility as we seek God’s mission for us in Forestburg.

If you are interested, I have a created a study on the series that I hope will be helpful for the body.  It may also be helpful for other churches as they seek God’s purity and prepare to hear from Him their purposes and marching orders in completing the Great Commission.  If interested, email us.  ~ In Christ, bill

            God is the same today as He was in the Old and New Testament times. James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  God does not change.  If that is true, and I believe it is, then what has changed?  His people have.

            When is the last time we cried in unison for His blessing?  When is the last time a church was literally on their knees seeking forgiveness from their sins?  When was the last time we were so moved by the Spirit of God that we literally cried tears of joy?  It’s been a long time for many people and even longer for many churches.  I truly believe God wants to heal our land and to bless us both individually and congregationally, but such blessing will only occur when we are seeking Him with repentance from our hearts. Isaiah 66:2 states, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”  When was the last time we were in such a spiritual state that we were trembling at God’s word?  Not that he wants us to be scared, but rather He wants us to be reverent.  For God is Holy and there is none of us who are righteous despite that we often act like we are.

            Friends, I write this from a broken heart and ask you sincerely, “Are you in a right relationship with your Heavenly Father?”  You will know the answer to this if you ask Him to search your heart.  Jesus is the answer.  In fact, John 17:3 states that salvation is to know God the Father and His Son Jesus.  To know Him is to love Him which means to seek Him and follow Him with all your heart.  Trust in the Lord Jesus believing that He is the Lord of all and judge and jury.  He is the One we must seek.  As Paul says, I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and to share in the fellowship of sufferings so that one day I might obtain resurrection. (Phil 3:10-11)  May we seek the same: Christ.  Finally, the question title of this blog was “where are we going at FBC?”  As for the church I have been commanded by the Lord to shepherd, we are seeking to see the Lord and to know Him in this world – no matter what that may take!  In Him, bill.

            I enjoyed the game but I can’t say the same for the many commercials that were shown.  In fact, I was somewhat embarrassed at some of them.  For instance, what does selling website domains have to do with a woman de-clothing?  Or what kind of product is necessary to sell with a bunch of people running around an office in their underwear?  I was perplexed at why nearly every (not all) commercials had masked references or even blatant comments about sex, nudity, or inappropriate relationships.  Unfortunately, this is where advertisers and television have taken us.

            I want to challenge you to the obvious… take a gander around your world and ask, “Would God approve of what I allow in my house through my television?”  The commercials for the SuperBowl were a great reminder to me, and hopefully to many of you, that much of what is on television today (not all of it) is definitely not appropriate for our eyes, and much more our children’s eyes to see…  thus, I pray we will ask before we view “is this wise to watch in light of what I know about the Holiness of my Heavenly Father and His desire and commands for me?” Isaiah 5:16 states, “the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness.”  We serve a Holy God and our prudence will result in peace.  ~ pastor bill

When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:31-35)

Have you ever thought about what Jesus meant when He called “loving one another” a new command?  God had commanded through Moses, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)  With this stated on the surface it seems as if the command was not new – but we know Jesus said it was and thus it was!

Here’s some food for thought in why this command was new.  First, we must realize that the command to “love” was not new, but rather the model and way to love was new. John wrote of this,

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. (1John 2:7-10)

Previously the focus was on how we ourselves wanted to be loved.  Hence, love your neighbor as yourself.  However, Jesus brought a new perspective of that command to light.  It is in His perspective that the command gets its newness.  Jesus is love incarnate.  While on earth He was the walking epitome of love.  He modeled in person the love the Father has for each of us and how the Father expects us to love one another.  I may not love myself and therefore not truly understand how to “love my neighbor” but as Jesus as my model of what love is like, I am challenged even greater to love others the way God loves them.  This is not an easy task by any means.

Today as you read this I challenge you to think about whether or not you truly love others in the way Christ loved us.  Jesus said that “all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  The implications of such love are to be tremendous.  Some of the most destitute and difficult people of Jesus’ day flocked to Him because of His love for them.  Even those who despised who He was, He still loved.  It is God’s love that is overwhelmingly attractive for those outside the church and it is when we model God’s love that God uses us to draw men unto Himself.  Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32)  This act of total giving of Himself on the cross as a penalty for our sins is the greatest act of love the world has seen.  It is Christ’s love that draws men to Himself and knowing this, followers of Christ should work hard to follow in His steps by loving one another.    I pray this finds you seeking the cross with all your heart! ~ signed, a fellow sojourner in Christ, pastor bill.

It’s time to begin to stand up for what we believe. It is time to begin picking up the pieces, repent and move forward. I don’t know where you stand in your walk with Christ but if you know the Savior of the World then I challenge you to take pride in your citizenship. It is all of God’s doing so I am not asking you to take pride in your abilities, but rather in the God who calls you a citizen – a son or daughter in Christ. Stand with me and let’s live out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). ~ In Christ, bill.

            Welcome to 2010!  Wow!  I am excited about this year as it will be the first full year as your pastor, friend, and brother-in-Christ.  Not only am I excited about the opportunity the Lord has given me to invest in Him in Forestburg, I am also excited about the expectations I perceive the Lord has for our church in the coming year.  I truly believe and expectantly pray that 2010 will one of the greatest years of Forestburg Baptist Church’s history.

            Here’s are three insights into what the Lord has burdened my heart for our church and community in Forestburg.  First, I anticipate greater personal growth through the excitement God is bringing toward His word and His Son.  With this in mind we have started home and community based groups where we can meet away from the church and grow in the knowledge of Christ together.  Hence, “do life” together.  Second, I anticipate renewed activities and excitement for reaching out to the community.  Our church is such a giving church and with this wonderful spirit I believe God will challenge us to give Christ’s love in amazing ways to our community this year.  Third, I anticipate the Kingdom of God will expand in the Forestburg area.  We are here with a mission to live out the message of Christ and spread the word that He is alive and there is hope and that Jesus totally Rocks!  As we move forward in His Spirit He will expand His Kingdom!

            Here’s my challenge to each of you as you read this letter.  Ask yourself, “How can I get involved in growing the Kingdom of God?”  He’s going to do a great work in Forestburg and you sure don’t want to miss getting on board!  I would also challenge you to give me your feedback on where you think the Lord is moving through the church and community.  You can write me an email (pastor@forestburgbc.com), use our website contact form (www.forestburgbc.com), use snail-mail or simply call me up!  I look forward to hearing from you and may God bless all of you who seek His will in this glorious year of our Lord, 2010!  ~ In Christ, bill.

What really amazes me most is that God gave His Son Jesus but allowed Him to come in the most humblest of means. Today we would think it absolutely inhumane to allow a woman to give birth in a cave surrounded by stinky animals and without a doctor, no anesthesiologist, no sterile clothes and only a feeding trough with hay as a bed. In fact, today such a thing would usher in Child Protective Services and numerous “Human Rights” groups. Yet, God, in all His wisdom chose this time, this place and those means to give the greatest gift to mankind – His Son who is our Savior.

Today and in the days to come as we think about the Nativity Story it should drive us to realize how amazing our God is and how much He loves us because for Him to humble Himself so much for us and to endure the Cross for all our sins is an unthinkable amazing gift! Our God is Amazing! ~ In Christ, pastor bill.

            This Sunday (20th of December) we are going to conclude our series on “Temptations of Christmas’ Past” and talk about the greatest temptation every December – indulgence.  Indulgence comes in many forms and fashions and is something that tempts many. Over eating, drinking, spending too much money, and relaxing moral constraints are but a few of the many temptations that creep into our lives during this season.  What is interesting is that personal excessive impulses (i.e. indulgences), are often not Godly and ultimately take away from our ability to worship our Savior, of Whom the season is supposed to be entirely focused upon.

            In my research this week I came across an organization that I wanted to highlight.  It is a Christian agency that is waging a war against the “consumerism” that tempts us to indulge beyond our means.  “The Advent Conspiracy” is an organization that began four years ago by a few pastors who had a vision to get Christian churches to begin refocusing their efforts back toward worthy things during this season such as “giving” rather than indulging.  I invite you to learn the story and check out their website at: www.adventconspiracy.org.  Here’s also a video to show you what they are about.  I found it really interesting as it was definitely promoting my own personal feelings toward Christmas – that it should be less about us and more about HIM!  After all the season is named after Jesus Christ!  I invite your feedback… let me know what you think!  ~ Pastor bill.

            Last Sunday we talked about working in our schedules and making sure that we made time for worshiping the Savior this Christmas. Like Martha (Luke 10:38-42), we often get overwhelmed with the preparations for the big day that we forget to make time to sit at the feet of Jesus (Mary) and learn and worship Him.  The way to overcome this is to apply the principle, “Give up to Gain.”  Hosea 6:6 states, “I require mercy not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt sacrifices.”  Hence – loving and worshiping and keeping that sense of awe as we look to the Father.

            There are other temptations in the season such as: overspending, overeating, emotional challenges and even pressures within marriages.  Isn’t it interesting that during a time when we are to set aside time to worship the Savior – i.e. Christ’s Mass…  that we end up so challenged and tempted to do things contrary to God’s will?

            I would like to ask you to comment on things or ways you have seen that could help others keep their focus on Christ this season.  What you write may help another so please let us know what is on your mind and some ways you think we can keep Jesus in our focus this Season.  In Christ, bill.