Admin

• Register
• Login

Categories

• Homepage
• FBCLA Godcasts
• General Interest
• Other Podcasts

Archives

• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007

Recently Written

• Godcast #100 - Heavenly Risk Takers: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #99 - Head Waiters: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #98 - Being Rapture Ready: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #97 - Lessons From Lot: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #96 - Contend For The Faith: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #95 - Favor or Funeral?: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #94 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice - The Conflict of Christ: Bro. Steve Terrell
• Godcast #93 - Grievance Against Gambling: Bro. Jim Duffel
• Godcast #92 - Taking The Stew Out of Stewardship pt.3: Bro. Denny Wright
• Godcast #91 - Taking The Stew Out of Stewardship pt.2: Bro. Denny Wright

We have all enjoyed a successful Vacation Bible School this year. It will culminate with a special service this Sunday night, 7-27-08 with a slide presentation and other surprises. Parents are encouraged to bring their children and celebrate with us as we worship. Pictured below, are our tireless VBS workers. We sincerely appreciate all their efforts and support of such a worthy endeavor. For more pictures, please visit our website at http://www.fbclepanto.com.

Prayer Request: I have asked for prayer in past for my daughter Toni Lynn…Toni has had many difficulties in her life including a severe siezure disorder, brain surgery, numerous sinus infections etc… She has also went backwards emotionally she is almost 30years old, and when dealing with her she is like a 12year old with no self confidence.. I could say so much but the important thing is she needs PRAYER.. Read more

Everything EPiC Video Drama from 1-20-08

Double click after the video starts to view in full screen mode.

Obviously our thoughts this time of the year turn to Christmas.  The time of celebrating the birth of the Son of God, come to touch the world.  The birth, life and death of the Lord Jesus was the ultimate expression of the depth of LOVE!  Love is who God is, and what He does! 

The fact is, it is easy to see the love of God in Christmas.  Even children understand how “God so loved the world”.  They can see the precious child in the manger and know that Love sent this dear gift.  But it takes more to see His love in other things.  More than child-like wonder or amazement.  It takes child-like faith.  A maturity that understands that God’s love is richer and deeper and more amazing that just the nativity. 

 The baby of the manger is the savior of the world.  The one who speaks with authority and power.  Who lived His life as an example and gave His life as a sacrifice.  He did that because He loves you.  He gave instructions, principles and commands is His word, not because He wanted to take the joy out of life,  but because He loves us and wants for us the best of life.  His Word is for our benefit!  He loves us enough to protect us from ourselves, and the hurt that a destructive life style would bring to us.   

Yes Christmas is about love-but so is everything that the Lord does!  Don’t miss this:   GOD LOVES YOU!

FBCLA HallowHim Celebration Video

Windows Media Player users, double click the video after it starts playing, to view in full screen mode.

Looking back on my life, there are so many emotions that come rushing in. I’ve experienced a lot in 46 years. Some of the things I’m proud of and some of the things I’m not. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, but who hasn’t? Things I should’ve said or should’ve done differently. Like spent more time with my daddy before he died, but who knew it would happen that morning? I was 25 and somehow you don’t think about things like that at that age. But you do later in life when it haunts you. One thing that I learned from that experience with my Daddy was that from that moment on, I was always there to make sure everybody had what they needed, to make sure they were taken care of.

Read more

One of the most beloved portion of Scripture is the story of the prodical son found in Luke 15:11-24.  It is so beloved because many of us have found ourselves in such a position at one time or another.  A time when our own wants and pleasures have taken precedent over the purpose and plan of the Lord for our lives.  When a decision to “do our own thing” led us out of the will of God and into the heartache and despair that the world offers.  We looked around and found that:  “sin had taken us further than we had intended to go;  kept us longer that we had intended to stay; and cost us more that we wanted to pay”.

But the focus of the story is in restoration.  You can always come home!  When the “lost son” came to himself, realized he didn’t have to live away for the love of his father, he decided to go home.  That is the essence of repentance.  You say, “I made of mess of things, I was wrong.  I’m going home.”

Does this story speak to your situation today?  Why don’t you decide to return.  Now is the time, today is the day.  The most precious part of the story is when the father saw his son -  he ran to him!  In that culture it was shameful for a man of his position to run - but that didn’t matter to him, his son had come home!

By His Grace,

Bro. Jim

Loretta and I want to praise God for the mercy and grace He has shown us through the last year. But our family is not complete and we ask for prayers that God would mend our home and put our family back together again.

Thank you,

Leon & Loretta

lslmc@ritternet.com

“What does it profit, my brothers, if someone say he has faith but does not have works?” James 2:14

That question is one of the most important questions of our christian life.  It is one thing to declare with your mouth that you believe;  but quite another to put your belief in action.  James declares that genuine faith is a working faith.  Not a work “for” salvation, but a work as a result of salvation. (”for by Grace are you saved Eph. 2:8) 

One reason the question is so important is it determines our relationship with the Lord.  If we believe just with our head and not with our whole being our faith isn’t much good to us.  Later in the chapter, James states that even demons believe.  Of course, demons do not demonstrate a lifestyle of faith.  Real faith is “fleshed” out in the day to day activities of our lives.  Saving faith means a change in behavior that is seen by the world.

Another reason this is an important question is the need for others to see the change that genuine faith brings.  If our faith in the Lord Jesus is put on display, then those around us will see the difference He can make in a life.  Your faith must be ”good” for others!

What Good is Our Faith?  In the words of a popular commercial; PRICELESS!

I recently read a poem of Ruth Bell Graham entitled, “Time to Adore”.  In the middle of this poem is the statement, “anticipating joy is  itself joy.”  What a wonderful truth.  How many times have we been excited about recieving something and realize that the anticipation was also most enjoyable.  Remember how exciting it is at Christmas, especially for children.  They can hardly wait and are often overcome with excitement!

 Anticipation is one of the reasons why we have joy in this life.  Our great God has something grand and glorious waiting for us in Heaven and has blessing upon blessing in store for each day here.  Every believer should live with a “joyous anticipation” for what is ours.  Scripture tell us, “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”. I Corinthians 2:9

By His Grace,

Bro. Jim

Psalm 62 reminds us that all of the resources of life are met in God, alone!  It seems to me that we spend far too much time in the energy of the flesh trying to do what is required of us.  It’s not the desire that is absent, for as Paul states, the willing is present with us (Rom. 7:21) but the follow through is where the difficulty lies.  All of us would readily admit that we do want the control of the Holy Spirit.  We have to be reminded daily that there is no  sufficiency apart from the Lord.  In verse 11 of this Psalm David writes: “God has spoken once; I have heard this twice:  strength belongs to God”.  And in verse 8:  “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.  God is our refuge.”

By His Grace,

Bro. Jim 

This is a new day at First Baptist Church!  If you are reading this then you are already aware of our new use of this technology.  We believe that our responsibility to the Great Commission compels us to use any and all things at our disposal to promote the Gospel.  We also believe that this tool will be a great asset in strengthening the walk of our members and others who will join us online.  In the days to come I am going to attempt to share with you words of encouragement and challenge that I pray will help with our daily resolve to be faithful to the Lord ’till He comes.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!
By His Grace,
Bro. Jim
Pastor

Welcome to WordPress, our new blog spot on the web. From time to time, there will be posts made here and files uploaded here for everyone to enjoy. If anyone wants to add something, make a comment or upload a file, please feel free to register, login and use this feature to start blogging!

Search

RSS Feeds

Blogroll

• 
  FBC Lepanto, Arkansas
• 
  FBCLA Godcast
• 
  EPiC Youth Ministries

Recent Comments

• Self Improvement Advice: We should really fear God since we all have sinned to Him and if we really believe in God...
• Lorrie Hartley: My sister was sharing the message on how to pray for those you love, and I would appreciate receiving...
• IFEANYI: May God not allow another person to take what I labor for from me. Anything I lost and anything Dickson from...
• Cheryl: I have asked for prayer in past for my daughter Toni Lynn…Toni has had many difficulties in her life...
• Stephany: Everytime I watch the video, Everything, I am moved to tears. The youth did an awesome job. Like to watch...