Month: February 2016

Songs of Worship, 2/28/2016

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This Week’s Songs of Worship:
Music helps us to connect right thinking and right feeling. The more we know God, the more we’re inspired to sing and to live our entire lives worshiping Him. Here’s a chance to learn this week’s songs ahead of time!

CREATION
God is the great and loving Creator

FALL & REDEMPTION
We have rebelled and need Jesus

RE-CREATION
God is making us new in Jesus


For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org.

Prayer Tip: Rest for the Soul

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Psalm 131:2  Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

It doesn’t seem to take much to get my soul disquieted.  Sometimes it’s a combination of little things that causes more unrest (anxiety) than a ‘big’ thing.  Why is that?

Maybe a little more so for men…, we like to think we’re grown up and are capable and sufficient in ourselves.  We don’t like the image of being like a small child who ‘rests against his mother’.  But Jesus said,

Matthew 18:3-4  I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Possibly we mistakenly think that by our anxious attention we can somehow control the situation and ‘make things happen’ or not happen and avoid undesirables.

How do I ‘compose and quiet my soul?’  The Psalmist says (131:1-3) to humble myself, don’t pursue matters that are beyond me (as determined by God), and hope in the Lord.  I want to consistently run to Jesus, climb into His lap, put my head on His chest and listen to His heartbeat.  (There is room for everyone.)

Keep gazing at Jesus.  In Him we can say with confidence, “It is well with my soul.” and truly be at rest.

For more information on the Grace Bible Church Prayer Team, visit begrace.org/prayer.
For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org

Songs of Worship, 2/21/2016

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This Week’s Songs of Worship:
Music helps us to connect right thinking and right feeling. The more we know God, the more we’re inspired to sing and to live our entire lives worshiping Him. Here’s a chance to learn this week’s songs ahead of time!

CREATION
God is the great and loving Creator

FALL & REDEMPTION
We have rebelled and need Jesus

RE-CREATION
God is making us new in Jesus


For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org.

Prayer Tip: Everything You Need is in Christ

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Psalm 16:2  I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”

Do you honestly believe that?

As followers of Jesus, we all can honestly pray that, because it is true.  And by God’s grace, as I continue to experience His transforming power (that’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead), I can honestly believe it more and more and be consistent and wholehearted in praying it.

(Notice Ps. 16:4, when we leave open the possibility and entertain other gods or even a Jesus plus something else, sorrows will be multiplied.)

James states a similar truth in 1:16-17, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.”

Particularly in these challenging times we can exclaim, II Cor. 9:15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

In Christ we have ‘every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3) and ‘everything we need for life and godliness’ (II Peter 1:3).  His salvation is total, complete!  Halleluiah!!

Keep looking to Jesus.

For more information on the Grace Bible Church Prayer Team, visit begrace.org/prayer.
For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org

Songs of Worship, 2/14/2016

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This Week’s Songs of Worship:
Music helps us to connect right thinking and right feeling. The more we know God, the more we’re inspired to sing and to live our entire lives worshiping Him. Here’s a chance to learn this week’s songs ahead of time!

CREATION
God is the great and loving Creator

FALL & REDEMPTION
We have rebelled and need Jesus

RE-CREATION
God is making us new in Jesus


For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org.

Celebrate The Resurrection: Easter and Lent

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Easter is the time of year that we remember Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This year we will celebrate the Resurrection on Sunday, March 27th, 2016. We usually welcome more visitors on Easter than on any other Sunday throughout the year. Since it’s a special day, we offer an extra service at sunrise and we offer a video overflow room during the other morning services.

We always love to share Jesus with people who don’t know Him, and Easter is our largest opportunity to do that. I’d like our church to be unified in seeking to love our community well. Let’s try these three ways to prepare for Easter at Grace Bible Church.

1) Pray & Fast for 40 Days

Starting today, there are 40 days until Resurrection Sunday. This 40 day period is sometimes called “Lent” (for the “lengthening” of days in the spring). Let’s spend these 40 days praying for others to see and follow Jesus. Fasting is a great way to focus our prayers. Fasting is not a form of self-punishment. Fasting is giving something up temporarily to recognize that Jesus is our ultimate joy. Many Christians experience an increased sensitivity to God’s goodness through fasting. If you have never fasted before, I recommend that you start small. Do not give up all food for 40 days. Perhaps you could give up sugar, coffee, or soda. If you are more experienced you might skip one meal per day. The idea is to turn your heart to Jesus in prayer every time you miss whatever it is you are giving up. Many fast from food, but you might give up TV, or Facebook. The point is not to make yourself miserable, the point is to run to Jesus in prayer. Spend the next 40 days praying for our friends and neighbors to follow Jesus.

2) Ask Good Questions

If Christ brings us hope, we will want to share that with others. The best way to share with others is to genuinely understand them. It is always encouraging when people value our perspective. Seek to understand the motivations and heart beliefs of others. Ask the Spirit to tell you when to speak and when to listen. If we love others well, we will care about what they think and how they see the world. Ask good questions and listen well.

3) Invite Others to Church

Invite someone who is not following Jesus to visit church and hear about Him. Our worship services are designed to remind us that Jesus is better than anything else. The Holy Spirit uses the proclamation of Jesus to change people. In Romans 1:16, Paul says, “…the gospel…is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

The Gospel has the power to push competing loves out of our hearts. Our gatherings are designed to remind disciples of the greatness of Jesus, but also to help people consider Jesus for the first time. Invite someone to church this spring.

In 1 Corinthians 15:7, Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

The resurrection of Christ is our guarantee of hope in a world of grief and pain. Our faith is not just a weekend hobby, but it is our reason for getting up every day. Grace changes everything! Let’s spend the next 40 days praying that Jesus will be more evident in our lives as well as in the lives of those around us.

Prayer Tip: Pray When You Feel Like Praying… AND When You Don’t

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II Cor. 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight

This is the constant, everyday challenge of my Christian life.  Pain, loss, suffering, confusion, feeling poor and poorly, weakness, being overwhelmed, helplessness, etc., all remind me of who I am and how much I need Jesus.  (John 15:5 … apart from Me, you can do nothing.)  I am motivated to pray when I’m feeling these things.

On the other hand, the temptation I face in the midst of God’s blessing is to take a little ‘credit’ for myself and slide into ‘cruise mode’, trust myself more, and ‘lean on my own understanding’  Prov. 3:5.  This leads to not acknowledging Him in all my ways, but rather trying to figure things out on my own and a ‘do it myself’/’things will all work out ok’ mentality.  For me this is particularly displayed by little praying.

It happens in every area – physical health, material wealth and comforts, and even in spiritual health and ministry-kingdom work.  That’s why Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,…Matt. 5:3” as the attitude which is foundational for REAL (eternal) life.

This is exactly what happened to God’s chosen people – Israel, and sadly still happens to most of His children today, Deut. 8:11-18 ‘Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…  otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them,…and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out …of  slavery…  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ’My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’  But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who is giving you power to make wealth,…

C.H. Spurgeon had some good counsel on this: “We should pray when we’re in a praying

mood because it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when

we’re not in a praying mood because it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a

condition.”

(And don’t forget to pray for our nation in this critical election year.  Deut. 8:20 Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.)

 For more information on the Grace Bible Church Prayer Team, visit begrace.org/prayer.
For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org

Building Plan Update, February 2016

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[From Jim Wilson, Assistant Pastor for Operations]

ruler

We’ve been doing a lot of measuring around here in the past few weeks! Every few days a person with a tape measure shows up and examines a different piece of our building while taking careful measurements.  Plumbers, electricians, steel workers, and civil engineers are just a few of the measurers. The architect completed all of the plans and passed them to the builder, who tells us that we are waiting for the city of Killeen to issue permits.

Suddenly, Tuesday, February 9, materials and machinery appeared! Woohoo—there really is going to be construction!

steel

Step 1: Awnings constructed over the north and south doorways in the breezeway will give us protection from the elements during and after construction.

Step 2: The A/C condensers in the breezeway between the buildings will be moved to the roof of the main building to enhance the breezeway and decrease noise.

Step 3: A double glass door will be installed at the rear of the sanctuary on the east side of the main building.

Steps 4-???:  Construction of the new addition begins on the front of the building.

One Sunday you will arrive for worship and the normal entrances to the building will be blocked. That may be stressful since you will have to use doors on the back side of the building. Please pray with us that our plans to direct the flow of people into the buildings will provide safety and adequate care for our members and visitors. This is an opportunity for us to love outsiders and members as we assist each other in coping with the disruptions of construction.

For more information on the Building Plan, visit begrace.org/building.
For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org.

Songs of Worship, 2/7/2016

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This Week’s Songs of Worship:
Music helps us to connect right thinking and right feeling. The more we know God, the more we’re inspired to sing and to live our entire lives worshiping Him. Here’s a chance to learn this week’s songs ahead of time!

CREATION
God is the great and loving Creator

FALL & REDEMPTION
We have rebelled and need Jesus

RE-CREATION
God is making us new in Jesus


For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org.

Prayer Tip: Creator God is WITH You

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Hebrews 13:5  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Wow, what a promise!  Creator/Almighty God/Sovereign over all is with you and will never leave – no matter what.  (And He’s the only One who can actually keep such a promise.)

It seems kind of ridiculous to ask, but… “Is that enough?”

That’s all the assurance God gave to Moses when he questioned God’s call (Exodus 3:12).  The signs and miracles were given to demonstrate that fact.  That’s all the comfort David needed throughout his many challenges (Psalm 23).  We could list many other examples throughout scripture…..but this is the confirmation consistently given by God in answer to their prayers; “I am with you.”  It’s also the assurance God gives every believer as the basis for personal obedience to His command to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:20).

Is God’s abiding presence enough for you? 

It is; if we have a growing perspective of Who He is and what He does.

Let’s pray for one another what Paul prayed, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  Eph.1:17 ”

And may you be increasingly aware that He is with you.  Because when we are, vs. 6 (Heb. 13) surely follows. “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?””

Romans 8:38-39  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Halleluiah!!!

 For more information on the Grace Bible Church Prayer Team, visit begrace.org/prayer.
For more information about Grace Bible Church, visit begrace.org