Message for November 18 – The Armor of God, Take II

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I missed you all last week.  It was not a comfortable feeling having Linda head out to church without me.  We teach that it’s good to share, but there are some things one should keep to himself, so I stayed home to get over whatever it is that I came down with on Friday.  Thank you, Pastor David, for giving me an opportunity to speak again this week.

This Sunday we’ll be having our Thanksgiving celebration.  Traditionally a Thanksgiving sermon would be in order, but I feel that the message I had in mind still needs to be delivered.  I don’t intend to let Satan stop that from happening.  I hope you’ll join us as we explore Ephesians 6:10-17 together, then share a meal after the service.

 

Message for November 11 – The Armor of God

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Hello friends and family.  I am so excited about what God is doing in our church.  Every week seems to bring us closer and I can see God doing those new things that Pastor David spoke of throughout our body.  I hope we will stay focused on Him and follow wherever He leads us.  Maybe that’s another reason why He’s having me speak to you this week on the armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-17.  I just thought it was a fitting topic since we will be celebrating Veterans’ Day this Sunday, but it’s also something we need to take note of as our church begins to move toward God’s “new thing,.”

Just over a week ago was Halloween.  You probably saw people all over the place dressed up in silly costumes representing everything from cartoon characters to the devil himself.  He too was probably a bit cartoonish.  That’s how we’ve been taught to think of him.  Now I’m not going to spend much time talking about him.  We’re going to glorify the Lord Jesus instead, who has already defeated Satan.  However, you do need to know that he is real and he wants to destroy you.

That’s what Paul is telling us in this passage, and he uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor to describe for us how we should be prepared for battle.  That’s something that his audience would be very familiar with, since Rome ruled the civilized world at the time in which he lived.  I hope you’ll join me this Sunday as we learn how to “stand firm” against the attack of the enemy.

 

Sunday November 4, 2012

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We had another great day at BBT last Sunday.  We had a chance to pray over our church and the ones in it.  I think a church should be a place where you come to expecting to receive or to give prayers.  I hope we never get to the point that we just don’t have time to pray for people.  If we do we are definitely doing something wrong.

This week I want to talk about God doing a new thing in us.  God constantly wants new things for us.  He brings people in our lives and out as well.  He has new challenges for us to increase our faith and has new blessings he wants to pour out on us.  If God wants to do these things what is stopping him?  It is not him it is us.  We can’t let go of the past; we can’t forget what we have done in our lives.  The windows of our hearts and souls are clouded with memories of the pain, hurt, and betrayal we have experienced over the years.  God wants us to see that he is making ways for us to get out of the past and look forward to the future.  The scripture verses this week are in the Old Testament. Isaiah 43: 18-21.  God says he is going to make a road in the wilderness and a river in the desert. I hope you will be in church on Sunday and I hope you will invite someone to come with you as we see what New things God has in store for us.

I received some sad news this week from close friends of mine.  Kathy and Roger Judkins found out Monday that Kathy’s cancer has spread through her body and she has just a few months, according to the doctors.  We know only God knows when someone will be called home and I told them we would be praying for them.  Please remember all those that need our prayers and remember what we talked about last week. Don’t overlook the blessings that God has for you and see what new things God has for us!!  Next week Larry and Linda will have the service so be sure to plan on making plans for whole month of November.  We love you and can’t wait to see you on Sunday.

Pastor David & Pris

 

Sunday October 28th 2012 ” What can you see?”

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We had a great day at BBT last week. Linda brought the Sunday school lesson and we had a guest speaker, David Richmond, who brought a message on apologetics. It was encouraging to see how science really does back up our beliefs!  I hope he will be able to come again.  Also we had a special guest in our friend Edith who played the piano last week.  I know Francis enjoyed having a day off.

This week was suppose to be the week Joel and Dana were coming to be part of our service, but unfortunately he is going to be out of town.  I was reading in Mark this week so I decided we would look at the man this church is named after, Bartimaeus.  The scripture is Mark 10: 46-52.  Bartimaeus could not see with his eyes but he did see something in his spirit about Jesus.  I know many many people who have excellent eyesight but are blind spiritually.  I hope after we spend time together Sunday we will have a better appreciation of the things we do have.

I hope you are having a great week and I pray you will not overlooking the little things in life, a chance to talk to a good friend, a hug from one of your kids, a beautiful sunset or a cool drink on a hot day.  Life will pass you by if you do not take the time to enjoy it. I want to live my life like this could be the last day on Earth. Take nothing for granite and enjoy the blessing that God gave us to wake up this morning and live in his world.  Share what you have and care about someone else, your day will be blessed.  We love you and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!!!

Pastor David & Pris

 

No Apologies! Defending Our Faith with Apologetics

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Greetings & Blessings Friends & Family of BBTemple!  I am honored to announce that David Richmond will be our distinguished Guest Speaker for our Fall Series 2012:  No Apologies!  Defending Our Faith with Apologetics.  This Sunday we welcome David to discuss Apologetics and how to use it to defend what we believe.

David is a well-trained Apologetics Warrior & Public Speaker!  He earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, and his Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas.  While at UTD David worked five years in a physics lab called the Center for Quantum Electronics.  Research was funded by the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, aka “Star Wars”).   His Masters research thesis was entitled: “Issues in Science, Philosophy and Religion as They Relate to the Origin and Development of the Universe.”  Now a technical writer in the telecommunications industry, David is also a Certified Volunteer Apologist with Reasons to Believe (RTB) as well as a member and acting president of the Reasons to Believe – Dallas, TX chapter.

David is also an award-winning member of Toastmasters with a God-given talent for Public Speaking.  He lives with his lovely and talented wife Roxanne and their adorable toddler Angela in Richardson, TX.

Sunday School features Session 2 of our No Apologies! Focus for Fall 2012 where we continue our discussion about Apologist Frank Turek’s new curriculum to complement his book “I Don’t Have Enough FaithTo Be An Atheist.”  We explore his SURGE acronym that allows us to boil down the huge topic of Apologetics into a manageable and memorable list.  The Bible says that “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands.” Ps 19:1 NIV  And verily this Sunday we shall discover that indeed that is TRUE. :)

Looking forward to an enlightening and empowering Sunday!  See you there. :)

In His Accessible Grace,

Linda

 

Message for October 14 – Are You Ready?

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In the time it takes you to read this, as many as fifteen people may die in the United States alone.  None of us knows when our time is up.  Are you ready?  Jesus told us no one knows the day or hour, but things seem to be shaping up for His return.  Are you ready?  Persecution of Christians is growing around the world and even here.  Are you ready?  When your faith is attacked, are you ready?  When someone comes to you and asks why your hope remains, are you ready?

It’s time to get ready!

13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:13-16 NASU)

 

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.  42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.  (Matthew 24:36-44 NASU)

Join us this Sunday as we begin to learn how to be ready.  I’m ready to see you there!

 

Sunday October 7, 2012 “Relationships”

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I am writing this today after spending a great day at the fair with the church on Wendsday.  It was a beautiful day and I believe we had a great time, I know I did.  It is really special when we get a chance to spend time together enjoying God’s creation.  I don’t know if God thought up fried jumbolia but I hear it was AMAZING!!!!  Only thing better than spending time with our members at the fair is worshipping with them on Sunday’s at BBT!  I hope you will be with us  on Sundays as we share with each other what God has for us.

This week I am going to speak about Genesis 2 vs 18-25.  God created the Earth in Chapter 1 and in Chapter 2 he created man.  The rest is history.  We pick up the story in vs 18 and how God saw it was not good for man to be alone and there was only one thing to do, make a mate for Adam.  It would not come from all the animals he named it had to be part of him.  When God’s sees something and says that’s not good  he fixes it.  God fixed it, Adam and Eve messed it up.  Has that happened to you?  If you are alive it has.  We make messes out of the things God has fixed.  I want us to look at this week  the relationship we are in.  Are we neutering this relationship are messing it up?  We should be so grateful that God loves us so much that their are people in our lives that loves us.  Do we care about others or do we use people to get what we want?  Do you care about other people or do you care about yourself?  Before you answer that think about how you treat others.  Do you really care when a person is hurting. Are you thrilled when something good happens to someone else?  It is normal for us to want good thing for ourselves and our family but at what cost?  I hope we will look at the relationships we are in and learn to appreciate the love of God and the love of others.

Keep praying for those that are hurting and don’t be afraid to opening yourself up to others.  People want to feel loved and needed just like we do.  The more you love the more you will be loved.  I believe with everthing that is within me that we as a church we need to show more of God’s love to everyone we meet.  Share your story, share your mistakes and listens to others .  Help them by using the gifts that God have given us all.  In Jesus name.

We love you,
Pastor David and Pris

 

Message for September 30 – Can We Be Too Tolerant?

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Hello friends and family.  I hope you have all had a great week and both seen God’s blessing in your lives as well as been a part of that blessing for those around you.  Even though we all face challenges, we all have so much to be thankful for.  When we show that gratitude in action, we are doubly blessed.

I have the honor of speaking to you again this Sunday.  The subject on my heart is a difficult one.  That’s part of the reason it’s now Friday and I haven’t posted the message yet.  I keep asking the Lord if it’s the right one, and He has given me no leave to present any other.  Thus I bring to you the question that I often wrestle with.  How tolerant should a church be when it comes to obvious sin?

Our society is big on tolerance.  In fact the word has grown to mean something far more when used by certain groups.  We are expected not only to tolerate immorality but to embrace it.  Our acceptance and approval is demanded.  This attitude has crept into our churches.  Some denominations are now openly accepting of gross immorality.  Where do we think it will stop?

Maybe a better question is, “Where do we think it started?”  What has set some churches on such a path?  I think there are several answers to that question, but one answer must certainly be that we turned a blind eye to the sin in our own lives and in those of our congregation.  Wishing to “hate the sin and love the sinner” and taking out of context Jesus’ admonition not to judge lest we be judged, we look the other way.

Surely we are to treat the sinner with love and compassion.  Such are we all without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  It would be contrary to God’s commandments and His very nature if we were to shun or exclude them.  The sinner is welcome within the walls of the church, for therein he should find salvation.

But what happens when no transformation occurs and we continue to pretend there is no problem?  What happens when someone new comes in and sees our tacit approval of sin?  Might he or she be led into the same?  Might we then participate in the harming of the one we would save?  What of the unrepentant person?  Are we not enabling them to continue, just as the spouse of an alcoholic will sometimes do from misguided love?

Join us this Sunday as we explore 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5.

 

Sunday September 23, 2012 ” What matters to You? “

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We really missed last week but that makes this week so much better!  When you miss your family it is really nice to see them again even if it has only been a week.  I appreciate Larry and Linda and Don and Brenda for filling in for us last week.  It is very comforting to know that there are always people who are willing to help.

How about that homecoming back on the 9Th!! I believe it was one of the best ever.
It was so nice to see so many people that we had not seen in years, as well as our many of our current members. Jay did a great job and the music was terrific.  I want to thank everyone that helped to make this service so special.  I think we need to especially thank Anna as she was working the whole time.  If you see her on Sunday tell her how much we appreciate her and Ruth for their hard work.

This week I am going to talk about the way we depend on our prayer life.  Do you use your prayers like many people use 911, only in an emergency?  What are we depending on to get us through each day and what is really important to us?  Are we more concerned about what the world thanks about us or what God thinks?  We are going to look at some scripture this week in book of James Chapter 3 vs 13-18 and Chapter 4 vs 3 and vs 6-10. I hope we can see what is really important and what we need to make our life more fulfilling.  Please invite someone to come and be part of our service on Sunday.

Pastor Larry had surgery on Tuesday and biopsy was done to try and see what is causing his headaches.  When I talked to him Tuesday night he was hurting but hopefully the medicine that  he has is going to make him feel better.  Let’s pray the doctors can help him find the reason for the headaches and stop them. I also want you to be praying for a piano player for Francis.  She would love to just sit back and enjoy the service but right now she is only piano player available.  I am going to call Christ for the Nations and see if they have an intern program that send students out to work in churches and maybe have a piano player to help us. If you have any other ideas let me know.  Keep doing good things in the name of the Lord and we will see you on Sunday,  we can’t wait to see you!

Pastor David & Pris

 

Message for September 16 – What is Your Platform?

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Hello friends and family.  I’m so thankful for the Homecoming celebration we had last Sunday.  I know everyone enjoyed reuniting with old friends as well as others we’d like to see more of.  We’ve got some pictures and videos on the Facebook page already.  We’ll get them on the web site soon.  If you couldn’t be there, check out the podcasts.

This is an election year, and the date is coming up fast.  If you haven’t registered to vote I hope that you will do so and prayerfully consider the choices you make.

Each election cycle, the political parties meet and decide on their platforms.  In a physical sense, a platform is a raised flat area on which one can safely stand.  Metaphorically, that’s what the party platforms are about.  They lay down a set of principles and ideas that are meant to form the foundation on which each candidate will govern.  Though individuals may not adhere completely to the party platform, it tells you something about them that they will run under the banner of a particular party.  I urge you to read the platforms of the major parties prayerfully and make your choices with that in mind.

I want to ask you a more important question.  What is your platform?  What are the foundational principles and ideals that govern your life?  Do you indeed stand on them?  Do you live what you say you believe?  Does your belief touch every area of your life?

Our nation’s problems didn’t start with the politicians.  They started with the people who chose those politicians.  If we will not choose leaders who reflect Godly principles, we will get what we deserve.  If we are not devoted to knowing God’s laws ourselves, we cannot hope to select leaders who will uphold them.

Jesus is our rock.  He is the foundation on which everything must stand if it is to survive.  Everything that we think, believe, and do should be subjected to the standards found in His word.  Let’s explore it together starting with Matthew 7:15-27.