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Anxiety Aids from the Bible

Kayleen Dreesman on July 1, 2020

ANXIETY AIDS FROM THE BIBLE

By Dr. George Crabb

1. Rejoice in God’s Sovereignty

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

God knows everything. He needs no counsel from us.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

Find reasons to rejoice.

2. Realize God is Near

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

God’s silence does not mean His absence.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:8-9

3. Bring Your Requests to God

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

The path to peace is paved with prayer.

4. Recognize God’s Goodness

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

Look for His goodness in your life.

5. The Result will be the Peace of God

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour… Isaiah 43:2-3

God does His part when we do our part!

6 Characteristics of the Perfect Father

Kayleen Dreesman on June 19, 2020

By Pastor Raymond Wicks

Father’s Day reminds us to honor our earthly fathers, perfect or not. Take some time to think about and thank your earthly father for his influence in your life. Remind him of the good things you have learned from him. It will do you both good.

We are instructed in the Bible that once we are saved, we are to pray to God the Father. Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate example of fatherhood! Let’s honor Him as well this Father’s Day! Here are a few characteristics of our perfect Father. Read them and thank God today for being the perfect Father. What would you add to this list?

1. He Cares for His Children

1 Peter 5:7, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. He Supplies all Our Needs

Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

3. He Forgives His Children

1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

4. He Disciplines His Children

Hebrews 12:5, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.

5. He Comforts His Children

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

6. He Listens to His Children

1 John 5:14-15, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Happy Father’s Day!

5 Prayers in Times of Crisis

Kayleen Dreesman on June 12, 2020

By Silas Young | June 12, 2020

Crisis moments will come into our lives…whether personal or national, it is unavoidable.

How we respond when crisis comes reveals what or who we are trusting. Often our first response is the most telling.

Yes, we can control many aspects of life. We can control what we say, what we do, where we work, and what we wear, just to name a few.

However, there are also many things in life that we cannot control. We cannot control how we naturally look, the color of our eyes, the color of our skin, our genetic makeup, how others treat us, what gender our children will be, and so on. Most of all, we cannot control crisis moments. We cannot control catastrophic storms, disease, pandemic, cancer, or death.

While we cannot control the crisis itself, we can control how WE respond to the crisis.

Prayer is simply asking. Asking God for something that we cannot do for ourselves.

In Matthew chapter 14, Peter faced the crisis of fear and death. It is the chapter where Jesus walked on the water and Peter had the faith to ask Jesus to help him walk on the water too. Peter stepped out of the boat and walked for a time, but then looked away from Jesus and began sinking. In that crisis moment, he prayed.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30)

His first reaction revealed his heart. Perhaps this short, two word prayer is one of the most profound examples for us today.

5 PRAYERS IN TIME OF CRISIS

1. Pray for Faith

In Luke 17, the disciples prayed an amazing prayer. After Jesus warned them about the betrayer and admonished them to forgive each other, they asked for more faith.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith. (Luke 17:5)

People are not only saved by faith, but Christians are also called to live every day by faith. Crisis times will test our faith, but they also give us an opportunity to show how strong our faith truly is.

Faith is focusing on God more than the crisis. Faith calls our attention to who God is, and what He has the power to do in our lives.

2. Pray for Health

A crisis can be physical, and those are many times some of the hardest to endure. Cancer, virus, or even death. This was not God’s original plan, but as Creator, He has the power to heal if He chooses.

Jesus cared about people’s physical condition as well as their spiritual condition.

All throughout the Gospels people asked (prayed) for Jesus to heal them…and He did. He healed so many, because He loved them. And He loves us!

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. (Matthew 20:34)

3. Pray for a Solution

Too many times we pray general prayers. Maybe we are afraid to get specific because we lack the faith that God will answer us. Pray for specific solutions in times of crisis.

Several times, Jesus asked what someone wanted specifically.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. (Mark 10:51)

Jesus asked the man to get specific, and when he did, Jesus healed him.

Our country is going through a time of crisis right now. Don’t just pray that God will bless America. Get specific! Pray that people will stop killing each other and that looting and vandalism will end. Pray that God will work in people’s hearts to replace racism with love and to root out the corruption and systemic racism that exists in different areas.

Whatever your crisis is, get specific. God knows the situation.

4. Pray for Leaders

This is a direct command of Scripture.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

In times of crisis, extreme pressure can be placed on leaders. Whether parents as leaders of the family, managers as leaders of the business, pastors as leaders of the church, or government officials as leaders of the country.

Leaders are the decision makers. Think and pray for leaders who must make tough decisions during crisis times.

5. Pray for Opportunities

God is so powerful and loving that He is able to take any situation and bring good out of it for our good and His glory.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The original language is even stronger in clearly identifying God as the One who causes all things to work together.

In times of crisis, there is always a chance for personal growth and growing your relationship with God. You may learn something or experience something that will allow you to help others in the future. There may even be a chance to share the Gospel with a loved one.

Crisis moments will come. They could be individual or national. They could be physical, emotional or spiritual. How will you respond? What will be your first response?

When crisis moments come…pray!

7 CHOICES THAT LEAD TO LOVING LIFE AND SEEING GOOD DAYS

Kayleen Dreesman on June 5, 2020

By Pastor Raymond Wicks | June 5, 2020

If I were to say to you, “love life and see good days,” what would that look like to you?

Recently our country has gone through some difficult days. How are you doing? In spite of all the world’s difficulties, each of us get to make personal choices that affect the outcome of our lives.

1 Peter chapters 3 and 4 lay out seven choices that lead to loving life and seeing good days.

1. Speak Wisely

…let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10)

Many of our troubles come from opening our mouths at the wrong time and saying the wrong things.

Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

For example, we should be careful not to show obvious disrespect, to tell a lie, or to spread gossip. These things may bring some satisfaction in the moment, but evil words do not lead to a happy life.

Choose your words carefully, and try to be a blessing to people around you.

2. Shun Evil

Let him eschew evil, and do good… (1 Peter 3:11)

Eschew means dislike or avoid; to hate.

Just like water and oil do not mix, right and wrong do not mix either.

Proverbs 29:27 says, “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”

Billy Sunday used to say, “You can’t love flowers unless you hate weeds.”

What do you love? Shun the opposite. Hate the sin, not the people.

3. Seek Peace

…let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:11)

In his famous sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

How would those who know us best characterize us? Would they call us troublemakers or peacemakers?

Peacemakers are enjoyable to be around. This quality is something to look for when choosing friends. Avoid those who are always arguing or causing contention.

Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Be a peacemaker!

4. Share Scripture

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God… (1 Peter 4:11)

The oracles of God refer to Scripture.

Having Scripture on our mind and tongue will help us to love life and see good days.

Before we can share the Scripture, we must know the Scripture. Read it, hear it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it. This will help us to share it with others.

5. Serve Others

…if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. (1 Peter 4:11)

God has given every believer abilities and gifts, and we can use these for God’s glory. We need to be careful not to compare our abilities to others.

If we have the ability to sing, then we should sing. If we have the ability to teach, then we should teach. If we have the ability to help, then we should help. If we have the ability to give, then we should give.

God sees the little things we do. Find something to do for others or for God today!

6. Suffer Boldly

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed… (1 Peter 4:16)

Christ suffered for us, and there may be times when we must suffer for Him. Peter did, and in fact, all of the apostles did.

As believers, we should never be ashamed that Jesus loves us and died for us! Never be embarrassed of your faith or your Saviour.

7. Show Christ

…but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16)

What is the purpose of your life? The purpose of humanity is to glorify God!

Everything we do and say should prove our love for God and it should bring Him glory! We are not perfect, but if we try to glorify Him instead of living for ourselves, we will have a better life.

“Let him…” The choice is up to us.

Honoring Mom

Kayleen Dreesman on May 5, 2020

By Pastor Raymond Wicks | May 2020

This Sunday we will give recognition to some of the most special people in our lives, our mothers. My heart is filled with wonderful thoughts and memories of my mother; she passed away almost nine years ago. The Bible clearly teaches us to honor our parents. Ex. 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” As we approach Mother’s Day, here are a few practical tips to help us honor our mom.

Brag on her

Your mom does something better than anyone else you know. What is it? For example, my mom made the best pineapple sauce for ham and pork chops! My fiancée (now my wife) got the recipe and has now passed it on to our children. Every time we use it, memories flood back to those special meals with Mom. Let others know about your mother’s amazing chocolate chip cookies or her sweet comforting smile or her incredibly soft hands. Maybe she is the most faithful, hard-working person you know. Maybe her selfless deeds for others should be recognized. Take a few moments right now and think about ways you can brag on your mom. Give her some well-deserved accolades.

Listen to her

Early on I realized that there are only a few people that genuinely love us and have our success in mind. For many, that person is called “Mom.” With that in mind, she certainly deserves our attention when she tries to teach us, correct us, or guide us. Don’t be too cool to listen to your mother. In Prov. 1:8 the Bible says, “hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 15:20 continues, “a foolish man despiseth his mother.” Listen to her. She is trying to help you. She probably has your best interest at stake.

Stay out of trouble

Prov. 10:1 says, “a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” Even as a young boy, I remember wanting to please Mom. I wanted her to be happy with my decisions and my life. One of the reasons I hired our current Youth Pastor is because he had a reputation of wanting to please his mother, even as a teen. Spare your mother from a lot of
heartaches and embarrassment by simply doing right.

Be a success

Give your mom a son or daughter she can be proud of. Make her child-rearing efforts worthwhile. My mom is now gone from this life, but she can look down from heaven and see four successful children who owe a great amount of honor to a wonderful lady we called “Mom.” She deserves honor.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

First Baptist