The Story: Read the Story, Experience the Bible

by Bill Maxon

In September, you will see our commitment to ministry aligning as we enter into an overview of the Bible, through the best-selling, abridged, chronological Bible called The Story. More than 90% of the book is comprised of scripture directly from the NIV Bible, without verse references in the text. The segments of scripture are woven together with plainly identified, transition texts, written to connect the storyline -so it reads as a seamless story that it is.

For people new to the Bible, this way of reading scripture reduces the intimidation that one can feel when approaching the full-length, unabridged Bible, and it gives them a holistic and sequential picture of the story-line of Scripture. For seasoned veterans, the chronological arrangement of the essential texts reveals the way the whole Bible fits together in a single grand narrative. I have about finished my first reading and find myself refreshed and awakened to God’s grand story in a way that I have never been before. Our story is a part of God’s greater story. And, by reading and reflecting, we can begin to understand how our story fits into God’s grander scheme.

Life Groups: A new approach to groups at First Baptist

First Things First

Some of you may be asking “What are Life Groups anyway?”

• The short answer: gatherings of people pursuing Christian maturity together outside of Sunday worship services.
• Synonyms: small groups, community groups, cell groups, growth groups, affinity groups, connect groups, home groups, support groups, serving groups, discipleship groups, breakout groups, grace groups. This also includes groups like Sunday school classes, college group, women’s groups, singles ministry, and choir.
• Purpose: Whether you are a new Christian or someone who is mature in your faith, Life Groups provide a way for Christians to live out their faith instead of merely hearing God’s word on Sunday. 
• The Consequences:  You build friendships, grow spiritually, and learn more about God’s plan, experience transformation, learn to care more for others, receive care from others, and usually get to eat good food.

Finding Stability During Transitions

by Lynn Marie Gault

Most of my adult life was full of transition. As an Army wife, I moved every 2-3 years for 22 years. My piano would be dragged onto the moving van yet again. I’d hug my closest girlfriends and cry my heart out yet again. And then, I would start over in a new place, a little lost, a lot forlorn, starting friendships yet again from scratch.

But, what I have found over the years is that transitions are powerful places where God does transformation in our lives. I have found that God meets me during those days when my life is tilted by change. Isaiah 33:6 says “He shall be the stability (faithfulness, sure foundation) of your times…the fear of the Lord is your treasure.” During transition, I find God hangs onto me very tightly.

Colossians 3:14-15 has been a passage of Scripture which has ministered to me recently, during this time of transition at First Baptist. Verse 14 begins with “beyond all these things”….God’s priority about to be revealed…”put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Sisters, let me say, that God’s love is like a wonderful warm blanket that wraps around us collectively and holds us close; despite the winds of change which may blow. Nestled there, close to the heart of God, we find comfort together.

And then (vs. 15), we are able to “let the peace of Christ RULE in our hearts to which we were called in one body; and be thankful.” I don’t know what’s ruling in your heart today, but if it’s anything, or anyone, other than Christ…it’s time to allow Him sole reign in your heart again. Your heart was created only for Him. Peace comes when He sits on your throne!

Because Singles are COOL!

Why is it that singles tend to think there's something wrong with them and that’s why they’re single? I hear it a lot. They feel they are in some way not good enough, not smart enough, not good looking enough, not thin enough, and their laugh is annoying.

Sound familiar? Actually, single, widowed or married, who hasn't had those thoughts? Satan has an annoying way of finding the things we're most self conscious about and turning them into the things we obsess about.
But what would happen if we started obsessing on looking at what God sees in us? Instead of obsessing about the negative, we obsess about the positive. It's a hard thing to do. Not often do we hear God audibly say to us, "You are beautiful. I created you to look exactly the way you do, to be as smart as you are, and maybe you could lay off the carbs but those extra pounds you're carrying don't make me love you any less. And that laugh you find so annoying? It brings me absolute joy!"

The State of the Ship Going Forward

by Pastor Chuck Gaines

Moving Forward?   To say the least!   God is working in some very special ways and it brings great joy and peace to our hearts to see His Hand at work.  True we are undergoing some unexpected changes in our leadership which temporarily startled us but we once again have our footing.  We know who we are in Christ and we are listening carefully for our Lord’s directions on where and how to get where we need to be.    

These changes are not a road block but rather a great opportunity to grow closer to our Lord as a staff and a body in ways that will continue to bring glory to God.   It calls for each of us to depend more on Him and less upon ourselves. This, obviously, is His church and our biggest difficulty going forward is not whether He has established  a way for us but rather to discern the way He wants us to go and then to follow Him. The staff and leadership of FBCEG are diligently seeking him and listening carefully to hear His voice.  Satan is busy at work, no doubt, however Jesus has long since defeated him and declared His church impervious to his destructive goal.