Pastor Bill's Bits
Do you like to receive love letters or romantic notes in cards from your Valentine? Is there one that stands out more than the rest? What makes a good love letter? We are loved by God more than anyone on this earth can possibly love us. He has demonstrated that love by sending His Son to take our place on the cross but continues to show us His great love for us in our everyday lives. There is no greater love letter than the one God gives us in His Word.
In Internet Cafe Devotions, Laura Leigh Shaw describes it best when she writes:
Everywhere I look near Valentine's Day, there's chocolate: boxes of chocolate in all the stores, chocolate promising to be the only love you need, chocolate girl scout cookies - CHOCOLATE! I even saw chocolate Altoid breath mints in the grocery checkout aisle the other day! I think that's what led me to remember the famous quote from Forrest Gump: "Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get." (I even remembered it with his accent.)
In reality, that phrase can be true in many ways. We wake up every morning completely unsure of what the day may hold for us. We've made our plans. Sometimes they even happen the way we make them. But we never know for sure, do we?
The days that come with caramel in the middle are my favorite. The ones with the strawberry goo are just so so--but the ones with coconut--YUCK! I'd rather go back to bed. Then there's the days where tragedy or difficult times come out of nowhere, and the chocolate sits in the pantry untouched...there's no sweetness to be had in those moments, it seems.
God knows that life as it pertains to circumstances is uncertain for us. That's why He comforts us and reminds us so many times that He is our constant companion, our steadfast friend, our
consistently loving God and Savior. He doesn't keep promises the way we do:
"When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee His promises, He gave His word, a rock-solid guarantee - God can't break His word. And because His word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable." (Heb. 6:16-18, the Message)
You see, no matter what chocolate we are "in the middle of" right now, He is there - with the certainty of His promise today as well as His hope of heaven in the future. Listen to how the verse above continues to encourage us: (vs.19-20).
"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up His permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek."
I love the visual picture of grabbing on to Him with both hands as He runs ahead of me to the Father. That makes me able to get up today and praise Him for whatever comes my way. This faith, this confidence, this hope is our unbreakable spiritual lifeline - HIS love for us no matter what, when, how or why. Let's binge on His priceless box of chocolates today - the sweetest and most satisfying of them all.
Pastor Bill's past articles may be found here: Archived Articles
Sunday School - it's not just for kids anymore!
People sometimes ask, "Just why should I come to Sunday School? I don't have children to bring and besides, I can study my Bible at home." Truth is, there are several reasons for everyone, regardless of age to be a part of a Sunday School class.
First, it is true that you can study the Bible at home, but do you? And if you do, do you understand everything you read? We have gifted Bible teachers who bless us each week with their knowledge and passion for God's word. Maybe you can even share what God has shown you in your study at home.
Second, the best way to meet people and build relationships is through Sunday School. Statistics show that those who are not involved in Sunday School are five times more likely to leave the church than those who are involved. If you are serious about being a part of Tucker Swamp Baptist Church, it is imperative you become a part of Sunday School too.
Third, Sunday School provides everyone with a terrific opportunity to be involved in ministry to others. If you really want to make a real difference in other people's lives, there is no better way than with your friends in Sunday School.
November is Join Sunday School Month. If you are not already enrolled in a class, we encourage you to become involved now. You will never regret opening the door of possibilities. Just come in any door between 9:30 and 9:45 and a greeter will be more than happy take you to a class that fits your needs best.
Casting Your Vision
In a recent survey, evangelistic, growing churches said there was one planned program that was instrumental in reaching and keeping new people. Without exception, churches of all sizes ranked this revolutionary program just behind Evangelistic Preaching and Prayer as the main reason their church was growing. What is this innovative, ground-breaking program? Sunday School! That's right, Sunday School- our small group Bible Study classes! According to Effective Evangelistic Churches by Thom Rainer, 70% of churches similar to Tucker Swamp in size, with an average attendance of 300-499, said Sunday School was a "Contributing or Main Factor" to their churches evangelistic effectiveness, 29.4% said it was somewhat a factor, and only .6% said it was not a factor. No matter what other programs they were using, or had tried previously, they all agreed that small group Bible Study was still by far the most effective way of reaching and ministering to people in their community.
Do you have a passion for evangelism? How about a vision for the Sunday School ministry at Tucker Swamp? If so, I would like to invite you to be a part of our Sunday School care group leaders, and prayer warriors. Right now, you can be an "active" member of a Sunday School class. Remember:
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 20:18
Do you know how to study your Bible?
There's an old saying, usually attributed to Confucius that goes something like "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime." There's an important life lesson in that simple statement. We have many opportunities to hear God's word from gifted and exceptional teachers but we can never be complete disciples until we learn to study God's word for ourselves. Come and join us in the Sanctuary on Wednesday nights. Come learn how to feed on God's word for your lifetime.
Do you attend Sunday School?
If not, then why not? Sunday mornings here at TSBC are great for making new relationships but, more importantly, it's the perfect time to learn what the Bible has to say about your life. People, just like you, learn from teachers who have studied the scriptures, some of the following:
- Why you were born
- What your purpose in life is, according to God's plan
- What happens when you die
These and many other subjects are a part of the discussions that are happening every Sunday morning in our classes. We have preschool classes that teach our young children songs that help them learn who God is and what His Love means to them. We have classes for our children and young adults to help them know God in a personal way.
