Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Read the Bible in 2019




Read the Bible This Year
There are many great plans for reading the Bible and an array of resources to help you. Shown below are just a few web sites that will help you get the New Year started off right. Great helps are just a click away. A limited number of Bible reading plans are available at the Connection Center.

This is the premier site to read the Bible online in the Bible translation of your choice. Includes a link to a one year Bible Blog. This excellent resource includes historical background of the day’s passages and elaborates on the Scriptures that you are reading.

http://www.biblegateway.com/
Indispensable for Bible study! Access over fifty (50) complete English versions of the Bible. Search the Bible, print Scripture, and find links to other resources.

http://www.backtothebible.org/one-year-reading-plans
Five complete reading plans (Chronological, Historical, Old and New Testament Together, Beginning to End, and Blended). Includes other Bible study resources as well.

A favorite devotional, now online! Listen or read “Our Daily Bread” daily devotionals.

Thirteen (13) different Bible reading plans to choose from.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Advent, Expectation and Hope Fulfilled



The Season of Advent
Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” The season of Advent (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas) offers us an opportunity to spiritually prepare for the Christmas season by focusing on the coming of Christ into the world (past), in our hearts (present), and the “second coming” (future). 

Each Sunday worship service during Advent we will include special Scripture readings as we light the candles of the Advent Wreath. December is a very special time to gather as God's people for worship, to celebrate the One who has brought joy to the world.  

To help make your journey to Christmas more meaningful for you and your family, you can access and read online or print the Advent Devotional, “Hark, The Glad Song.” https://www.luthersem.edu/advent/2018_Advent_Devotional.pdf


Tuesday, November 20, 2018

The Christian's First Aid Kit


The Christians First Aid Kit
Go to Scriptures in times of trouble

More than likely you have some kind of First Aid kit. They are certainly handy and convenient to have around the house or when you go on vacation or some other outing away from home. There are a few basic items in my First Aid kit that I have found helpful: Bandages of various sizes, antiseptic cream, tweezers, gauze, scissors, tape, painkiller, Benadryl, and alcohol wipes. When you have some type of emergency, these are life savers!

As a Christian you need a spiritual first aid kit of sorts, you need some “go to” Scriptures that can readily be prayed in your time of need or trouble. Following are ten (10) Bible passages that every Christian should become very familiar with and to hide in your heart so that you can access them and pray anytime, anywhere, and in any situation. They are life savers!

1 John 1:9
When Your Sin Has Made a Mess of Things
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Philippians 4:6-7
When You Are Anxious
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jeremiah 33:3
When You Need Answers
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Isaiah 40:31
When You Are Weak
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 23:4
When You Are Afraid
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Deuteronomy 31:8
When You Feel Alone
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 55:22
When You Are Overwhelmed
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Psalm 34:18
When You Are Brokenhearted
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Jeremiah 29:11
When You Need Hope
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Philippians 4:13
When You Feel Like Giving Up
 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”


Pastor Joe
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Coming Soon, "A Night in Bethlehem"



A Night in Bethlehem
Saturday and Sunday, December 8th and 9th
6:00-9:00 p.m. Each Night
We are just weeks away from our special Christmas event, “A Night in Bethlehem.” This guided "walk through" dramatic retelling of the Christmas story highlights the wonder and majesty of what God did in coming to bring his amazing salvation. You still have time to be involved as there are areas of ministry still available, from cast members to welcome center helpers. Sign up at the Connection Center. We will soon have available “Invite” cards available that you can use to give to others letting them know about this event.  


Pastor Joe
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

Friday, August 31, 2018

Morrows in Zambia Urgent Need


Many of you may remember our friends and missionaries, Thomas and Amy Morrow who founded and operate a children's orphanage in Kazembe, Zambia. They recently experienced a fire that devastated their orphanage. Fortunately, no one was injured during the fire; however, they will have to make extensive repairs and even rebuild in some areas. Below is a link to a fund to help them get back on their feet. Tom and Amy are super people who have a long track record of faithfulness to the Gospel and I know any gifts you give towards this rebuilding effort will be much needed blessing to them.

https://www.firstgiving.com/event/13951/Fire-Recovery-Fund-for-Terra-Nova-Children-s-Home

Monday, August 20, 2018

New Sermon Series: Faith Works! The Book of James


"Faith Works" is a play on words. On one hand, genuine faith does produce good works (Eph. 2:10). And on the other hand, genuine faith really does work! Christian faith is not simply theoretical it is immensely practical. Join us on Sunday mornings at Carrollwood Baptist Church as we study the Book of James and discover how to put our Christian faith to work in everyday life.

Following is a brief introduction to the Book of James. Hope to see you this Sunday!


Pastor Joe

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3



Introduction to “The Book of James”
Putting Christian Faith to Work in Every Day Life
Dr. Joe Alain
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1
AUTHOR – 1:1a
1. James, the Brother of Jesus
            * A half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3).
            * Early on, an unbeliever (Mk. 3:21; Jn. 7:5).
            * A believer after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 1:13-14).
            * A leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-ff.).

2. James the Servant of Jesus
             * “Doulos,” literally “slave.” No family privileges.
* Affirmation of the deity of Christ. James, a Jewish Christian makes a profound affirmation that Jesus of Nazareth is         the Messiah, “the Lord Jesus Christ.

ADDRESS – 1:1b
God’s “Scattered” People
            * The diaspora began in (north) 722 B.C. (south) 586 B.C.
* 4 million Jews were scattered in the Roman world. Jewish Christians were driven out of Jerusalem after Stephen’s death.
            * All believers in Jesus are pilgrims, “God’s scattered people.”

APPEAL – Faith Works!
Not advocating a salvation through works, but genuine faith results in works (Eph. 2:8-10). James confronts believers with the responsibilities of the Christian life. He defines the Christian life in terms of the moral and ethical behavior of those who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
* 23 quotations from the Sermon on the Mount.
* Filled with exhortations and imperatives, 60 in 108 verses.
* God’s concern for the poor.             * Faith in Action
             * Importance of prayer                        * Godly wisdom         
             * The moral law                                     * Overcoming in Trials