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March 2023

 

“Lord, teach us to pray!” In a dark and evil world, the church needs to be a house of prayer. It is the life of the church. But prayer is more than just words you recite; it is the expression of your heart. John Bunyan once said, “When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart.”

You will be hearing more about our growing Prayer Ministry in the days ahead. I challenge you to ask the Lord, “teach me to pray.” I challenge you to join us every Wednesday at 6:00pm to pray. I also ask you to consider joining our prayer ministry at the House of Prayer. Every prayer matters.

February 2023

 

According to a 2020 study, people who take on new challenges as they move into a new year are more likely to succeed than those who try to remove something from their lives during that same transition into a new year. Have you noticed the many different new ministry initiatives we are taking on as we start 2023? We hope to enhance our church’s ministries in worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, missions, and stewardship. Here is a glance at some of the new ministry efforts:

January 2023

 

2023 is a New Year full of new opportunities to know and serve the Lord. Circumstances, good or bad, cannot take away from the joy of a relationship with God. In fact, it is often the challenging road that brings us closer to God and allows us to experience His power and love. So, keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, and He will guide you through this great adventure called life.

December 2022

 

The Christmas season tells the incredible story of God’s love for every person that has walked this earth. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son …” . God’s love and His gift of salvation was not just for the world in general, it was for you and your family in particular! Take time to celebrate God’s love and don’t get distracted by the world’s commercialization of this sacred time. Even better, lead your family to show the love of God intentionally and practically to those around you.

November 2022

 

It is November! Weather is changing, leaves are turning, the smell of a warm fireplace is in the air, and plans for family gatherings are being made. As another year comes to a close, we are forced to adjust to the constantly changing realities of life.

October 2022

 

Go and make disciples… The Word of God tells us that Christians are people who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, who through faith in His finished work on the cross, have been given a new life and a new purpose for that life.

September 2022

 

Together Again! For twenty-seven weeks, our church family has gone far above and beyond anyone’s expectations as we worshiped in different spaces during our worship center renovation. It has truly been wonderful to see God do amazing things among us during this season in our church family’s life. How exciting for us to gather Together Again in our newly renovated worship center to worship on Sunday, September 25.

July 2022

 

As our country celebrates freedom, we need to understand what it means to be truly free in Christ. Peter said to “live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV).

June 2022

 

Can you believe that we are already in the summer vacation season? The winter and spring months are in our rear view mirror, and most everyone is ready for a little summer break. Here at FBJ, we are preparing for a super summer season. We get to kick off the summer with a basketball Skills Camp in the ROC, a Men’s Basketball season, Vacation Bible School and Kidz Kamp, Journey Student Camp for our teenagers, and other exciting opportunities for our young members. There are many opportunities throughout the month of June here at FBJ that you surely will not want to miss!

May 2022

 

 Hello FBJ Family, 

How excited I am to be a member of the FBJ Staff. I wondered at first if I was fully accepted because the key fobs I received as a new employee didn’t work on all the doors. In due time, they didn’t work on any of the doors. I couldn’t get in any of the buildings. I breathed a big sigh of relief to learn that we just had a bad set of fobs, and people were not trying to keep me out of the buildings. Sometimes you just have to laugh, right? 

April 2022

 

In my college days, I went with a group of friends to explore the beautiful Lynn Valley Canyon in Canada. In the valley is a fast-flowing river fed purely by snow melt. At a certain point, the narrow white water briefly widens into a pool. A steep rock wall towers over the river. As we approached, the girls gasped at the bravery of some men jumping off the cliffs. Well, as you can imagine, I was cool, willing to do whatever necessary to impress my friends. Before I had time to think about what came out of my mouth, I confidently announced, “I could do that!” 

March 2022

I had to laugh when my former church went through the process of electing new deacons. The church had made their nominations, I and the chairman were interviewing the candidates, and one particular man made a fascinating comment. With a look of bewilderment he said, “But I don’t look like a deacon!”

February 2022

 A favorite verse for many is Eph. 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 

January 2022

 

The year 2022 awaits our obedience to God. What we experience in the days ahead is a reflection of our relationship to Jesus Christ. Does that get you excited about the New Year? Are you anticipating great things because of the awesome God we serve? It is my prayer that the glory of God in our midst would not only transform us, but also transform our community with ever increasing influence. 

December 2021

 

Christmas is a spectacular story of a Holy God redeeming sinful humanity. Somebody had to pay the price for sin, but Jesus could not take our place unless He first took our condition. So He took on flesh, that He might redeem all flesh.

November 2021

 

To have God’s blessing is to have God show favor upon your life. So, to whom does God show favor? Isaiah 66:1-2 says, “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the Lord. “But on this one will I look; On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit. And who trembles at My word.”

October 17, 2021

 

The Apostle Paul made a statement to the church that is more significant than most people realize. He challenged believers to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The context of the early church was a time of struggle, persecution, and spiritual warfare. Burdens were real, and the challenge of living out their faith was a daily experience.

October 3, 2021

 

The Apostle John described Jesus with these words: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Jesus is light and life. It is not something He has, it is something He is. Everywhere Jesus goes, He brings light and life to the situation. Some people welcome the light and find life, and others reject the light and remain in darkness.

September 19, 2021

 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

In troubling times, when dangers are all around, it is good to have a place of refuge. God’s presence is a place of security, peace, and rest. But don’t just turn to Him in distress -abide with Him at all times. Seek Him each morning and walk with Him throughout the day. Make it your determined purpose to know Him more and more. For the greater your knowledge of God is, the stronger your faith will be.

September 5, 2021

 

Jesus said in Matt 16:18, “I will build my church.” So, what does that mean? It means we cannot build the church apart from Him. It means He is active and working to build His church. It means He has a vision of what the church should look like. It means the church is a divine institution planned in the heart of God.

August 15, 2021

 

This has been a significant week for our church staff, as Isabel Loe and Pastor Sorn Clot have finished their race and are now with the Lord. As I reflect on these precious servants, my mind goes to a moment when the Resurrected Jesus came to the disciples. He showed them the scars on His hands and His side and said, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).

August 1, 2021

 

August is upon us, which means a lot of ministry opportunities are starting back after a season of rest. I trust you found time to vacation, travel, and connect with family and friends this summer. But now is the time to engage in three key areas that will help you grow in your walk with God.

July 18, 2021

 

Summer is a time of vacation, travel, weekend events, and transition. People move, change jobs, and navigate into new stages of life. In the church, it is also a time when we see many visitors worship with us who are looking for a new church to join. Whether they have moved to the area, or God is doing something new in their life, or perhaps they are seeking God for the first time, we have an opportunity to make an eternal impact in their lives.

July 4, 2021

 

God is at work in Jonesboro, GA! By His grace we have come through a global pandemic and we are excited about what lies ahead. In this brief newsletter, you will find helpful information about what God is doing though FBJ, how to get involved, and how to direct your praying.