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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fun Family Activity at the Library!

Sign up at the Freeburg Library to make a gingerbread house! Stop by and check it out -- sounds like a great time!

Anxiety? Stress? God has the answer!

God wants us to live a life of joy. Stress can be distracting! He has a plan for your future and HE will equip you to cope !

Most of us have become anxious at one time or another. The key is to not let your thoughts get ahead of reality.

What is reality? 1. God created you. 2. God loves you. 3. God knows you will face trouble. He will equip you for that trouble. 4. God will help you learn from persevering.

1. God created you. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13

2. God loves you. “I have loved you with an everlasting love;” – Jeremiah 31:3

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to help you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
– Jeremiah 29:11

3. God knows you will face trouble. He will equip you for that trouble.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matt 11:28-30

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Phil 4:13

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:6-7

“Cast your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”-- 1 Peter 5:7

“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10

4. God will help you learn from persevering.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“Do everything without complaining or arguing. So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” – Phil 2:14-15

“Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,” -- Psalm 62:5-7

Friday, November 12, 2010

Are you Anxious?

Upcoming Program:

Be sure to attend Faith’s program on Coping with Life’s Challenges, Wednesday, November 17, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Freeburg. We want to equip you with the TRUTH you need to tackle stress, anxiety and fears.
God wants us to live a life of joy. Stress can be distracting! Come Wednesday to learn more about His plan for your future and how HE will equip you …. to cope !
This program will feature our fellow writer, Licensed Professional Counselor Gayla Fields.



Are you Anxious?

Today, we’ll talk about anxiety.

Now, don’t get anxious about this. It really is not going to be as bad as you think!

Webster defines anxiety as a state of being uneasy, apprehensive or worried about what may happen. It’s often characterized by feeling powerless to cope with threatening events. Sometimes the events are imaginary.

Imagine that.

Most of us have become anxious at one time or another. The key is to not let your thoughts get ahead of reality.

What is reality? Let’s go to a special book, the Bible, to find out:

Reality is that God created you. He loves you. He knows you will face trouble. He will equip you for that trouble. You can learn from persevering.

First, the reality that God created you and loves you.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13

God has a plan for you:

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to help you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

God knows you will face trouble:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

God will equip you for trouble:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Phil 4:13

You can learn from persevering:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Since we are only human, we can't avoid stress and anxiety completely. God has something to say about that, too:

“Cast your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

If you're feeling anxious, please remember feelings are not reality. Pray. Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. He is the overcomer. He can help you.


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:6,7

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Are you straddling two worlds?

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1.2

What a joy to learn more about Romans 12! The first few verses tell us about 100 % commitment....presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice.

Are we halfway committed? Do we go to church - then come home to a different attitude? Do we give God our all ...in thought,...in finances...in work...in play? What happens Monday - Saturday?

Are we conforming to the world or taking a stand?

It's tough to straddle two worlds. Life's kinda shakey when our feet are not fully planted in our faith.

Let's give our all...fall into the arms of a Savior who loves us. Trust completely...give completely. Plant our feet on the Rock of Christ's salvation.

Only then will we really be living God's dream for us!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Romans 12 -- Read this EVERY DAY!

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ


3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.