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Steadfast Faith

9/24/2016

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ENRICHING FAMILY LIFE
Terry R. Baughman
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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). 
“What faith are you?”
As a young boy I remember hearing the question put to my grandfather by a visitor to a tent meeting in Northwest Arkansas. It was the beginning of a church in the small farm town of Lincoln. I had never considered that there were different faiths. In my simplistic and concrete view of the world there were only the saved and the lost. This was a learning moment.
My grandfather was a straightforward preacher who devoted himself to biblical teaching. His response was direct, “We are of the Apostolic faith. We believe and teach the Apostles doctrine.” Rather than appeal to denomination or organization he went back to the source, the New Testament foundation of the early church. This opened my eyes to understand three things: 1) faith must be Scriptural; 2) faith must be defensible; 3) faith must be personal.
The Apostle Paul declared, “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11), and that we are, “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). When our faith is solely in Jesus Christ and we embrace the testimony of Scripture we have a steadfast foundation on which to build our lives. 
There is an endless stream of philosophies, religions, and ideologies. There seems to be a tailor-made worldview to support every new idea that has ever been concocted. Many arguments sound good and some even make sense. However, for faith to be valid it must be grounded in the sure foundation of truth. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mt. 24:35; Mk. 13:31; Lu. 21:33). If we are to have a defensible faith it must be based on that which will endure the test of time and remain viable in eternity.
The “faith of our fathers” is a wonderful heritage, but faith cannot be inherited. It must be born anew in every generation and in every life. Faith must become personal, more than recited dogma or family tradition. There must be an experience of faith, an epiphany of the reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is more than religious ritual or weekly observance. Faith must be intimate, authentic, and ingrained in the very fabric of our lives. To be faith it must be believed in the center core of our conviction, defended in the face of detractors, and celebrated with certainty. 
Let your faith become as resolute as the early believers, “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).




Scripture:
“I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Colossians 2:5).

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LifeChurch Bulletin 9/25/16

9/23/2016

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Life in the Dirt

9/18/2016

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ENRICHING FAMILY LIFE
Gayla M. Baughman, Guest devotional
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“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8). 

When I was in the third grade, my teacher passed out little white Styrofoam cups. She asked us all to write our names on the cups. I scribbled my name in my best penmanship. Then she came around and put a handful of dirt in each cup and handed each of us a bean. Our assignment was to plant the bean in the dirt, water it and set it on the windowsill. I was so excited when she showed us mature bean plants in books that were cultivated from a single bean. Every day I would rush in, run to the windowsill and check on the progress of my plant. I can’t really remember how many times I anxiously checked on my plant, but I do remember the disappointment when there was nothing there, just dirt. I was faithful to water my little dirt cup just as the teacher instructed, but the waiting was torturous! Day after day I watered, I watched, and I waited and nothing seemed to be happening. I was tempted to give up, to dig up the dirt to see how it was progressing or what was going on, but fortunately the teacher wouldn’t let me. Finally one day after many days of anticipation I saw it, a tiny speck of green poking up between the brown clumps of dirt. I was so excited! You see, there was something going on under the surface even though I could not see it.

We cultivate growth in our children. We pray for them, read them the Bible, sing songs laced with truth and fun, and live an example of a Christian life before them. We teach them to be respectful to their elders, to mind their manners at the table and in public, and how to worship God. Sometimes it seems we water, we watch, we wait and nothing happens. We may not see it now, but something is going on under the surface. We have to trust the growth principle. We plant, we water, and God gives the increase. 

“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8). 

We cannot force growth, that is up to God, but we can have a big part in helping it happen. We can’t give up even if there is only dirt showing! Somewhere deep in the hearts of our children, there is a process taking place. There is a dying of the old flesh and a resurrection of new life just ready to be seen. When it finally surfaces, we rejoice in the fruit of our labor. 
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So, Mom and Dad, if your sons are not living for God like they should, don’t despair. Keep waiting, keep watering, and keep watching. Are your daughters rebelling against everything you have taught them? Don’t give up! Keep waiting, keep watering, and keep watching. One of these days, that dirt will break forth with life and you will rejoice that you had a big part in making it happen!


Scripture:
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

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Lifechurch Bulletin 9/18/16

9/17/2016

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Thanks: The Power of Gratitude

9/10/2016

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FIVE KEYS TO POWERFUL PRAYER

Terry R. Baughman
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Those who are constantly asking for something without taking time to express gratitude become beggars, the ones who subsist on the meager donations of charity. However, those who adopt an attitude of thanksgiving will find their requests are embraced and the outpouring in response to gratitude is more than enough and the supply is never ending.
God’s Word teaches us to come to Him with our needs; boldly ask, seek, and knock with the full expectation of faith that He will hear and answer our prayer. It is God’s pleasure to give us what we need. Paul declared, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 
Never does God suggest they we become beggars, desperately clamoring for morsels of mercy from the table of God’s provision. Rather, we are treated as children of God with the expectations and privileges that come with our relationship to a benevolent heavenly Father. As a grateful son or daughter we can speak freely of our needs to our Father and know that He is concerned for our wellbeing. Jesus spoke of this relationship when He said, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? … How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11, 13). 
In the pattern of prayer that Jesus gave His disciples He opened the prayer with an acknowledgement of the greatness of God, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Before the request, “Give us this day our daily bread,” He confessed relationship, authority, and the magnanimity of God. He began and ended the prayer with praise (Matthew 6:9–13). 
David recognized the power of gratitude in his relationship with God. It became the theme of his psalm, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4–5). Actually, in 25 passages of the Psalms there is a declaration to, “Give thanks!” 
Gratitude is a proper response to the greatness of God. Even before the answer comes in response to our prayers we can be thankful and express thanks for the fact that He hears us when we pray. Paul wrote, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). This was apparently Paul’s practice. He wrote to the Ephesians, “I … do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (1:16), and to the Thessalonians, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2).
Power in prayer may be more fully experienced when we have an attitude of gratitude toward God and thanksgiving is commonplace in our petitions. There is a joyful confidence in prayer when we learn the secret of being thankful as we make our needs known to God. We pray, not as beggars, but as grateful children!
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Scripture:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” (Psalm 105:1).

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LifeChurch Bulletin 9/11/16

9/10/2016

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Faith: The Power of Believing

9/4/2016

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FIVE KEYS TO POWERFUL PRAYER
Terry R. Baughman
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
    It is interesting that the disciples were the recipients of the most critical assessment by Jesus over their lack of faith. Four times in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus spoke the phrase, “O you of little faith!” Each time it was directed to one or more of the disciples. 
    In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus addressed the subject of worry and offered nature as an example of stress-free living. The birds of the air, the grass of the field, even the beautiful lilies do not worry about their existence and neither should we. He said, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30). He challenged them to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). God is our provision. We can trust Him. 
    On another occasion the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee when a fierce storm battered their boat to the point they feared for their lives. They awakened Jesus pleading for help. He calmly responded, “‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26). Their fear resulted from their lack of understanding of the great power of Jesus to speak peace to every storm. 
    In another storm on the sea Jesus was not in the boat, but He came walking on the water. The disciples were even more terrified that this apparition appearing on the water could be a ghost. Jesus revealed His identity, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Peter asked if he could join Jesus on the water. Jesus said, “Come!” However, as Peter stepped out of the boat he saw the waves all around him. He began to sink and cried out for help. “Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31).
    In the final occasion, Jesus corrected the disciples when they thought He made a reference to their failure to bring bread. Again He said, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?” (Matthew 16:8). He reminded them of two miracles where He fed thousands with just a small amount of bread and fish. 
    Jesus commended great faith when He witnessed it during His earthly ministry. (See Matthew 8:10 and 15:28.) On the other hand He condemned the lack of faith when His followers failed to believe Him. The lesson is clear. To please God we must believe in who He is and in His unlimited ability to do the impossible!
    
Scripture:
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).

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LifeChurch Bulletin 9/4/16

9/2/2016

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    Author

    Terry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ.  See his complete bio at trbaughman.com 

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