First Fruits

I have never had much of a green thumb, so planting a garden has never been at the top of my list.  As you can guess, my knowledge of horticulture is very limited; however, I am well aware that when you sow a certain type of seed, that is what you can expect to reap.  If you plant lettuce, you’re not going to get cucumbers, and if you plant carrots, you’re not going to get peas.

It is just common sense that you will reap what you sow.

This same truth applies to that which we plant within our hearts. In Galatians 6.7-8 the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Whenever we place our faith in Jesus, He sends His Spirit to lead and guide us into a new life.  If fact, the Bible says that we are a new creation in Jesus.

This Sunday, we will be examining the First Fruits of Salvation as found in Acts 3.1-11.  This will be a wonderful study of some of the fruit that will sprout up within those who commit their lives to Jesus.  After the morning service, we will have our annual Thanksgiving meal.  This is always a wonderful time for our church family and special guests to sit down together.  I hope you will honor us with your presence Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. for our worship service and then stay for our Thanksgiving meal.

I hope to see you this Sunday at Living Oaks Baptist Church.

Is God Pleased With Us?

Here is a wonderful article Randy Alcorn posted on his site.  It is from A. W. Tozer’s book “The Attributes of God.  I hope you enjoy thinking about this subject.

“How Pleased will God be to have us in heaven with Him?” by A.W. Tozer

Church Growth God’s Way

This Sunday we will observe a few of the ways the first church in Acts 2.41-47 experience healthy spiritual growth.  In studying for this sermon I found the following article by Thom Rainer (President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources).  It is an interesting look at five warning signs of declining church health.

“5 Warning Signs of Declining Church Health” by Thom Rainer

The Power of Pentecost

Church SteepleI hope to see you this morning at Living Oaks Baptist Church as we continue our study through the book of Acts.  In Acts 2.37 upon hearing Peter’s sermon the people ask, “What shall we do?”  Peter tells them what they must do in order to be saved.  Today in looking at Acts 2.37-40 we will examine some of the keys to the salvation experience.

I hope you will join us at 9:30 a.m. for Bible Study and 10:45 for Worship.

Be Careful Who You Follow!

As Christians today we need to be very careful of the people we follow in regard to Biblical teaching.  There are so many television and radio preachers today that are teaching bad theology.  There are those who are extremely popular regardless where they stand on key Biblical issues.  Then there are those like Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, who has a special way of clarifying even the most difficult subject.  His love for Christ, communicating the truth of Scripture, as well as fulfilling the great commission is evident in everything he says or writes.

Below is an article by Dr. Mohler in regard to Joel Osteen’s statement about Christianity and Mormonism.  I would encourage you to read this and share it with others.  These are trying times and we cannot allow ourselves to follow those who teach a strange Gospel.

“Does Joel Osteen Not Know, or Does He Not Care?” by Albert Mohler