Helping Those In Need - Pt. 2

Last June I posted about our food pantry and the need we had. Shelves were bare, freezer was close to empty, and still the need for help continued to flow into the office every day.

Fast forward from June of 2009 to April 2010. Same situation, only a little more empty on the shelves and in the freezer. And still they come. As of today, we're down to sauerkraut and olives and dressing. Oh, and there are some beans.

We understand that many of our own folks are either out of work, facing cut backs or layoffs, or have lost a portion of their support for one reason or another. If you fit into ANY of these categories, unless you hear God tell you to, don't give to this right now. Let us, instead, be a blessing to you!

For the rest of us, here's how you can help:
1. We are in need of canned meats, vegetables (NOT sauerkraut), fruit, fruit and more fruit, soups, cereals, oatmeal and juice drinks (boxes of individual servings work better than bottles).
2. We are in need of toiletry items such as razors, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc.
3. We are in need of gift cards to Ridley's or Winco so folks can purchase perishables such as dairy products, meat, baby items, etc. We have found that cards in $15-20 increments work fine.
4. We have seen an increase in some families who are home-bound and need someone to deliver food to them. We have a list of folks from last year who said they would make deliveries to folks. If you can and want to do that, let us know either on the communication card or shoot me an email at karl@fbcpoky.com.

It's not hard. It takes little time and effort.

• Pick up half a dozen extra cans of food or a case and bring it with you on Sunday.
• Let it be an offering of thanks for all that God has and is providing for you.
• Use this as a teaching tool for your kids.
• Community Groups - throw out a challenge to another group and try to outdo each other.

We are called to be a blessing. Please ask God to show you what your part is.

Thanks in advance for what He will do through all of us!

Mother's Day Sermon Prep

It never fails that each week someone has an 'idea' on what we need to preach about. It's all intended to be helpful, just not always practical. But I appreciate the input and the feedback. I take that as people are listening and desiring to grow in their walk with Christ.

For Mother's Day, I'd like your help in preparing the sermon. I'll be speaking about mothers - I know, how original - but I also want to include your thoughts on this special day. Here's how:

Write a one paragraph letter to God expressing your appreciation for HOW you saw God impact your mom's life, which in turn (hopefully) impacted yours. What did you love about mom's relationship with God that has stuck with you so far? What was special about the relationship that she had with her Savior? Can you write it down?

I'd like to collect a variety of letters that can be shared anonymously during the message. I have a couple of ideas on the delivery, but that's not the point of this post. I have a good idea of the traits that will be shared, but I would rather share from our church family the reality and the impact it had.

So, if you would take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts on how you saw God impacting your mom's life - how she made decisions, her prayer life, how she handled situations, how she showed her love for others, how she showed her love for God, what made her stand out above the other mom's - things like that. Then send them to my email, karl@fbcpoky.com, or you can post them here if you don't mind everyone seeing it.

I need these NO LATER THAN MAY 2nd.

Thank you in advance for taking the time. And for those of us who had a mom who modeled the way for us, thank God for them today as well!

See ya in church...

Don't Hold Back!

I know this is a weird time of transition for us here at FBC, Pocatello. Our senior pastor of 14 years has been called to another church. We are in the midst of beginning the search for the next senior pastor. We are also in the process of obtaining an interim pastor to assist with teaching and some transition pieces. It's all kind of weird and uncomfortable.

BUT - that doesn't change the fact that this is still God's church and He's put you here for a very specific purpose. Now is not the time to 'hole up' somewhere and wait it out. If anything, you need to step it up and step into what God has for you!

I've shared this before but need to remind EVERYONE that we don't have to worry about tomorrow or beyond. Matt. 6:33, "Do NOT worry about tomorrow...it has enough trouble of it's own." Worrying and not doing is being idle, being stubborn and being scared. NONE of the traits of a follower of and doer for Christ.

I want to challenge all of you - don't hold back in your service, commitment, devotion and giving to God. Not now. Not ever! And don't 'not invite' people to church because we're 'in flux' with a senior pastor. That's just stupid - and a convenient excuse. Remember the words of both Bill and Patty (Duckworth) in many of the churches that have gone through transitions: some people were called to full-time ministry, people gave their lives to Christ, new ministries erupted...and the list goes on.

This is NOT man's church - never has been, never will be.
This is GOD's church and His people will ALWAYS have a job, a ministry to do.

So what's holding you back? What fear is keeping you from stepping up and being involved, from stepping out and inviting someone to come with you?

If you are already one of those who has stepped up, let me say THANK YOU! Because of many of you, there are new things under way, which you'll hear about this Sunday. Because of many of you, there are plans in the works for new things in and outside the church to share the gospel to a lost world.

GOD IS GOOD, and all the rest really are the details...see ya in church.

Sunday Revisited

WOW! What a day! I never know what to expect when we preach on stewardship, no matter who's on the stage. God was working and moving!
A couple of highlights and challenges from the day:

• God wants us to give Him ALL of us, not just our money. He doesn't NEED our money and His church is NOT broke!
• The tithe STARTS with 10%, it's not a goal! We have taught that you can 'work your way to it' and that will be okay with God. WRONG! If we TRUST Him, we will OBEY Him.
• Our giving SHOULD cost us something - the question is does it?
• God want us to position ourselves so we can be a blessing at a moments notice. Debt holds us back from being able to be used effectively for God's Kingdom work. What needs to change NOW in your life so you can position yourself for Him?
• God wants us to give everything - time, talent and treasure - not because He needs it. He desires our devotion and wants to bless us 'abundantly more' than we will ever know.

I had a great conversation with someone after church who is struggling with the teaching today. Fear of being able to make it, fear of trusting and fear of letting go. That's what's holding her back. But she is willing to step out IN FAITH and TRUST God in this area starting today.

AWESOME! God is going to be glorified in her life!

How about you...where are you with this issue? Are you struggling to trust God with the full tithe? Why? What's holding you back?

Email me at karl@fbcpoky.com with your response. I want to encourage you and pray for you.

We serve an AWESOME GOD! See ya in church...

One of the 30!

If you were one of the 30 plus people from the Easter weekend who re-committed to putting God first in their lives, here's what I need in order to help you move to the next level in your walk:

1. What specific area do you feel you need the most encouragement in?
2. Where is your biggest struggle in your relationship with Christ?

Two key things we want to do to help you in this phase of your journey:

1. Point you in the right direction with the right resources, coaching.
2. Partner you with someone who has felt the call to mentor/encourage others in their walk.

So...in order for us to help you, please shoot me an email at karl@fbcpoky.com and we'll get you moving in the right direction.

IN ADDITION, if you are NOT in a Community Group yet, you need to contact Stacy Rude at the office or via email, stacy@fbcpoky.com . She'll connect you with some viable options for that part of your ministry journey.

Can't wait to see what God does in your life!

Easter God's Way!

Every year we try to put together the service that we feel God wants to use to impact the right people with the message of hope and forgiveness. And every year we struggle to know what to expect - 'cause we're not God! So we pray, asking Him to be real to those who come, to meet needs in just the right time, to allow hardened hearts and sour hearts to be open to whatever it is that He wants to say. Well, turns out God did Easter His way and touched lives.

• I challenged those who already knew Christ as Lord to step up and recommit their lives to His call, His purpose and His direction for their lives. 30 + people said YES to surrendering their lives back to God. Pray for them and for us as we help get them 'reconnected' to the vine.
• The spirit of worship in the body was intoxicating at all the services. You could sense people ready to celebrate Easter and desiring to truly want to move closer to God.
  
• We prayed that God would speak to our hearts in the area of our giving to the point that we give with the right heart attitude and with a cheerful heart. God showed up! Our attendance was down 23% to last year but the giving was up over 112% to last year! Praise God!
  
• Personally, had a great encounter with God at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning (until about 4:30) that moved my enthusiasm to a new level for the Sunday services. I am humbled every time He does that and grateful for what I learn through it.

To all who served in the worship services, in children's ministry and in the family room - THANK YOU! Your servant hearts led to a welcoming atmosphere. Your willing hearts loved people enough that the pain and hurt they carried in was lifted so they could hear the Gospel. Your sacrificial service made it possible to see 30+ people follow God's call to put Him first in their lives for His Kingdom work.
Because of people like you, I can't wait to get back up and see what He's going to do next week through all of us!

God Bless!

Why You Need To Bring Someone!

What's so special about this weekend?

Well, it's Easter for one. You know - the day we celebrate the ultimate sacrifice and gift? It's KIND OF important I think!

But we're also going to be talking about what that sacrifice gives us, how it saves us from our selfish, foolish and dangerous life of sin. It will be a message of redemption and hope for not only those seeking truth, but also those who have the truth.

Studies show that 86% of people come to church because someone invited them.

• Are you part of the inviting ones?
• Is there someone in your life that needs to hear a message of hope?
• Do you know someone who is hurting and in need of rescue?
• What's holding you back from inviting them to church?

Let me encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and invite even just one person to join you at church this Saturday or Sunday. If you're saved, if you have a relationship with the Father then you have a responsibility to invite the lost. So, again, what's holding you back? Face your fears head on and take the first step.

Services times are Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

See you Sunday, and please introduce your friend to me!!!

Missions Abound!!!

We keep talking about getting opportunities for people to serve, both here and beyond the city limits. Well, this weekend has been "Opportunity Central" in the mission field arena.

• On Friday, I ran into an old friend who has sold his business here in Poky to move to his home country of India to build an orphanage. His goal is to house 100 kids and get them prepared for a new life of hope and prosperity. This guy, at his core, is a servant! He shared with me where they were in the construction phase and what the plans and needs are going forward. In the midst of building they've already taken in 11 kids WITHOUT any real place to put them. So we have a couple of opportunities to help them going forward, which I'll share about in church very soon.
• On Saturday, I had the privilege of performing a funeral in the booming metropolis of Richfield, Idaho - population 412! Not only was it an honor to do this service but we were blessed by a church plant in Richfield to use their facility for the service. The pastor, Chris and his wife, Rose, acquired the building in December of 2009 and held their first service this past Sunday. The building has been abandoned for over 2 years, but God clearly called this couple to plant this church and serve this community. It is in need of some TLC both inside and outside. We have an opportunity to bless another church with our hearts, hands and resources. Look for some information soon after Easter about how, when and where we can be a blessing to another church. And trust me, people of all ages and abilities can be a part of this one!

Is God still working and moving and showing us things? YES! The question is and will always be this - are we willing to follow Him and sacrifice for Him?

I am - hope you'll join me in being His hands and His feet!

Why Fear Is NOT An Option

We all face fears at some point in our life, and they vary in degree for each one of us from the light to the extreme. And if we're all honest with ourselves, we never like being in that spot.

Here at First Baptist, we are in a spot of transition that could easily draw us into the place where we have fear. Fear of the unknown, fear about whether we'll be okay, fear of losing our identity, and the list goes on. Fear crushes hopes - not an option. Fear robs of us of risk taking - not an option. Fear steals our joy and replaces it with anxiety - not an option!

Fear, in scripture, is a holy, reverent fear and respect of and for God alone. That fear we will live with! We've said it from the beginning and will continue to shout it out, GOD IS IN CONTROL and has been from the start. Matthew 6 talks specifically about not worrying about anything, especially those things out of our control - which is most of life in reality!

I tell people all the time you can't worry and pray at the same time. Worry is our way of saying, "I don't think God can handle this one. It's just too big!" When we worry, our prayers get pushed to the back of our minds and we focus on the what ifs instead of the HE CAN.

So let me challenge ALL of you to do this one, simple thing: the next time you feel like you need to worry about something, especially the church, stop and thank God for what you have in that moment. Thank God for what you have in His church. Praise God for who He is and what He's done, is doing, and is ABOUT to do. Trust me - your heart and attitude toward the situation quickly begins to fade away. When we focus on Him - that's when it all starts to turn around.

So join me in praising and thanking God for His next steps for us as a family and for the city of Pocatello. No matter what, it will be greater than anything we could ever imagine!

Praying along with you!

Need versus Vision

We hear it all the time in church...we NEED people to serve; we NEED people to lead; we NEED money to do this or that - and the list goes on and on.
It's not that the need isn't real. It is, or we wouldn't be asking, right?

But I was reminded recently about the importance of a clear, concise and passionate vision in leading in the ministry.

Someone once said, "People don't respond to a need - they respond to a vision." Perhaps what we should be saying to people is we have an opportunity instead of a need.

In ministry, we will always be looking for ways to get people involved in service to God. And I'm just as guilty as the next person. I've used the 'need' word a lot more than I really should have. But I've never really thought much about it until now. And if your church is growing, even the littlest bit, you'll have opportunity for people to get connected to serving God somewhere.

Ah, but when there's a vision connected to the opportunity, there's a spark. I've recently been using this approach in getting folks to step into places of service, be it small or large - and it has an amazing impact on the response.

We are in the process of building the budget for the next ministry year. An 'update' to the look, flow and functionality of this 'form' was long overdue, so I cast a little vision to some people who have experience with this kind of thing. Nothing fancy. A goal, how to get there, what it needed to do and how to get it done. A unanimous yes from all four people, and with some excitement and joy! WOW!!! We begin the work this next week and it will be a blast!

Here's the deal: I had a vision, a plan that I shared, in detail, with people who had the skills that were necessary to fulfill that vision. Genius? No. Listening to God for the wisdom and vision and then acting on it - yes.

That's how we need to daily lead our teams. Clear vision, clear objectives, clear outcomes - all bathed in prayer. How else will we know it's God's leading, right?

Do you have a vision for the ministry you've been called to lead? Do people on your team know what it is? Are they working toward that? Are there people in your church with skills, abilities and gifts that are just 'begging' to be matched to a vision?

Step back. Change the perception of need to opportunity. Match the people to the opp' and see what God does. And be ready to have your socks blown off!!!!!