Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      I love new: new life like a puppy, new plants that pop up in spring, new buds that produce blossoms, new tools, new gadgets - new, new, new! Yesterday, I got to share in the joy of a new, young life. I got to hold and rock Lily Cleary. I think I will make a fantastic grandpa some day, but not too soon please...

      2005 is here - it is another new year. I am reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23 which says, "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

      Two thoughts as we enter 2005:

      First, seek the Lord in prayer. We are collectively doing this with our 40 Days of Prayer which begins January 1. In Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, Prayer, the Great Adventure, he says, "All of us are busy. Life isn’t slowing down, it’s speeding up, and our Day-timers reflect the fact. Yet that is precisely why we need to take time to pray. It is said that Martin Luther declared he had so much to do, he could not get through it without spending at least three or four hours on his knees before God each morning. Unlike him, we are tempted to think that, when life slows down, then we’ll take time to pray."

      I am struck by the business of Christ in Mark, chapter 1. I find many words and statements that indicate a hurried schedule: "immediately"... "as He walked"..."immediately, as soon as"..."He came and took her by the hand"..."at evening"..."they brought Him"..."the whole city was gathered". Verse 35 says, "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." In Mark, chapter 1, I see Christ, in the midst of a very busy schedule and much pressure, taking time to pray. Let’s take time to pray.

      Second, allow God’s Holy Spirit to transform your life. January and 40 Days of Prayer are designed to soften our hearts towards God. February will usher in a 12-week series entitled, Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival. During this time we collectively consider specific areas needing transformation. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to be in total control of your life.

      Galatians 5:16 says, "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness: reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, ‘till He comes and rains righteousness on you." This transformation of your life does not come without costs. Although not limited to these four, there is the cost of time, the cost of commitment, the cost of study, the cost of service. And yet, it is all about the Spirit of God using the tools of time, commitment, study, and service to accomplish change in my life. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to transform you.

      As we collectively pray, as we collectively seek, my prayer is that we will collectively define the ministries of Grace Baptist Church under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit. I trust that a season of prayer and seeking the Lord will result in a season of expanding influence and ministry.

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

      My God is so big, so strong and so mighty! There’s nothing my God cannot do! My God is so big, so strong and so mighty! There’s nothing my God cannot do! The mountains are His, the rivers are His, the stars are His handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty! There’s nothing my God cannot do!

      That is how the familiar children’s song goes. We serve a big God, don’t we? Of the many aspects of Children’s Ministry that I love, one that always tugs at my heart is the sensitivity of children toward the immensity of God. They stand in awe and wonder at creation, at the miracles in both Old and New Testaments, at the gospel record, and more.

      Oh Lord, give me the heart of a child! How easy it is to fall into the trap of treating our wonderful God, our Lord and Savior like that “second trip” to that Grand Canyon! Yep, been there, seen that, time to move on. May it not be said of us, dear friend. May each day bring a new and fresh reverence for the Person of God - His holiness, His majesty, His glory.

      As we enter this new year, we are embarking upon an opportunity for spiritual introspection, renewal, and growth that I perhaps have never seen as a believer in Christ (over 25 year). With the 40 Days of Prayer campaign, followed by the Seeking Him series, we will be brought to a place of falling in love with God all over again. For some this will be new, for others it will be a refresher, but in the end, if we let the Lord have His way, all of us will be changed.

      What a glorious thought as we begin 2005! That Philippians 3:10 could become MY testimony: "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

      May it be our prayer as a body of believers that we seize the year 2005 like none other - as if the next 365 days were our final preparation for eternity. A people of prayer, a people of the Book, a people bound to one another in love - what better "resolution" could we long for? No matter what the next 12 months holds in store, no matter what trial or test we face, may our refrain each day become: "My God is so big, so strong and so might! There’s nothing my God cannot do!"

      Pastor Greg

40 Days of Prayer

Triple Cord Prayer Groups

January 1 - February 9, 2005

     Dear Grace Baptist Church,

     As your Pastor, I want to invite you to take a prayer journey with me. Beginning New Years Day, will you commit to spending time in prayer every day for 40 days? Below you will find a "Prayer Focus" for each day which will involve the reading of a few Scripture verses as well as a focus theme for your prayer time.

     I’m not suggesting that we all gather together at a specific time and place to pray. Rather than trying to merge the schedules of a large congregation, let me suggest that two or three merge their schedules for even five, ten or fifteen minutes a day. And if schedules cannot be merged, then two or three hold one another accountable to prayer each day. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “...A threefold cord is not quickly broken...” Let us commit to find a place and a time to pray for the lost people we know, for a personal walk of integrity before God, and for our future ministry here at Grace.

     As David Jeremiah says in his book, Prayer, the Great Adventure, "It’s really not a far-fetched ream. In fact...it could start with you. Why not give it a try?"

     Resolving to pray more in 2005,
Pastor Paul

Scripture and Daily Prayer Focus

Click on the highlighted dates - the prayer focus is shown below.

Faith Promise Missions 2005

"You Can't Just Sit There"

• Pastor Paul will explain the Faith Promise program.

• Missionaries Randall & Joan Pollard (3-terms to Brazil with Baptist Mid Missions)
• Souper Supper - 5 PM in the Gym (Sign up for a crock pot of soup or a dessert.)

• Pastor Mel Beales will speak on local missions in the morning service.
• Missionary Erica McLain, missionary to Brazil, will be in the Youth Sunday School, Children’s Church, and speak in the evening service.
• Local Missions Fair - learn how to become a part of some of our local opportunities for ministry.

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.