Everyone is welcome to join us for Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday, November 22, at 6:00 pm. We look forward to celebrating together with you.
Further, there will be no Wednesday evening services or AWANA clubs on Wednesday, November 25th.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thanksgiving
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Are you searching for God's will in your life? Why not begin practicing a part of His will that God expressly states? Giving thanks to God is His will for your life.
Expressing our gratitude toward God in all circumstances acknowledges His sovereign control over your circumstances. God has graciously acted in history to redeem you and I from our greatest problem, the bondage to sin and the death that is sin's just penalty. Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to atone for our sins to God. God forever spoke His love to us in the death of Christ (John 3:16).
God's activity did not end on the cross or the resurrection. He is providentially guiding our life and protecting us from harm that would overwhelm us. Listen to Romans 8, where the apostle, Paul writes of God's providential care for believers:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:28-29a
God orchestrates our circumstances under His control for His good purpose. The ultimate good purpose of God is not our earthly comfort, wealth, or even freedom from pain. God's great purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, to make us like Jesus in our character. To accomplish this job, God will use all of the tools in His box. The Apostle Paul preceded the above passage by stating, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18) We can be thankful for all of God's activity to shape us in Christ-likeness for by this God's glory will be revealed in us.
Therefore, even with life's bumps and bruises, its joys and highs, we can be thankful in all circumstances. I am thankful for my life, my school expereinces, and my country. I thank God for you, my church, New Salem Baptist, and all of the wonderful and encouraging people that comprise its membership. I am thankful for my children and my wife. I am thankful for Jesus, my Savior. God has blessed me and I am grateful.
Rejoice (and be thankful),
Bro. Richard
Are you searching for God's will in your life? Why not begin practicing a part of His will that God expressly states? Giving thanks to God is His will for your life.
Expressing our gratitude toward God in all circumstances acknowledges His sovereign control over your circumstances. God has graciously acted in history to redeem you and I from our greatest problem, the bondage to sin and the death that is sin's just penalty. Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to atone for our sins to God. God forever spoke His love to us in the death of Christ (John 3:16).
God's activity did not end on the cross or the resurrection. He is providentially guiding our life and protecting us from harm that would overwhelm us. Listen to Romans 8, where the apostle, Paul writes of God's providential care for believers:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:28-29a
God orchestrates our circumstances under His control for His good purpose. The ultimate good purpose of God is not our earthly comfort, wealth, or even freedom from pain. God's great purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, to make us like Jesus in our character. To accomplish this job, God will use all of the tools in His box. The Apostle Paul preceded the above passage by stating, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18) We can be thankful for all of God's activity to shape us in Christ-likeness for by this God's glory will be revealed in us.
Therefore, even with life's bumps and bruises, its joys and highs, we can be thankful in all circumstances. I am thankful for my life, my school expereinces, and my country. I thank God for you, my church, New Salem Baptist, and all of the wonderful and encouraging people that comprise its membership. I am thankful for my children and my wife. I am thankful for Jesus, my Savior. God has blessed me and I am grateful.
Rejoice (and be thankful),
Bro. Richard
Monday, October 19, 2009
Good-bye's and Come-by's
As most of you have likely heard by now, Matt and Torey Thompson will be leaving our church by November 8th. Pray for them they pursue God's direction for their lives ino the future. We wish them well in the Lord and we thank God for their service at New Salem.
It's time to tally our houses, so please get your completed survey maps back into the office by this Sunday, October 25.
Keep prayer-walking or prayer-driving through your area or in the area you live, asking God to touch lives so they will be open to the message of Christ.
Bro. Richard has posted a video of a Oct. 18th's sermon, Way, Truth, Life. Click on the Pastor's blog and follow the sermon tab to view it.
It's time to tally our houses, so please get your completed survey maps back into the office by this Sunday, October 25.
Keep prayer-walking or prayer-driving through your area or in the area you live, asking God to touch lives so they will be open to the message of Christ.
Bro. Richard has posted a video of a Oct. 18th's sermon, Way, Truth, Life. Click on the Pastor's blog and follow the sermon tab to view it.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Missions Night
Wednesday Night @ 6:30 pm
Missions Night with real, live missionaries to East Asia.
Names withheld on the Internet because of their area of assignment, but you may remember them sharing and serving at New Salem in the past.
Dessert fellowship to follow. Y'all come by!
Missions Night with real, live missionaries to East Asia.
Names withheld on the Internet because of their area of assignment, but you may remember them sharing and serving at New Salem in the past.
Dessert fellowship to follow. Y'all come by!
Friday, September 25, 2009
The NBA is Fantastic!
Unite! October 4th 5-8:30pm @ First Bapitst Church, Mt. Washington and Monday, October 5th, 9:50 am - 3:30 pm.Plan to join us for the Annual Meeting of the Nelson Baptist Association. This night of worship will showcase the vision that the NBA has been building for the new year under our new team structure. Please register for the meals, child care, and Kidz Worship at nelsonbaptistassociation.com by Monday, September 28th.
Rhythm
There are times in my life when I really have to concentrate, like when I'm trying to sing and clap my hands at the same time! God did not give me an overabundance of natural musical rhythm to say the least. I do believe, however, that God has established certain rhythms in this universe that we need to live by. From creation, God established a rhythm to the universe:
"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and morning, the first day. . . .And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.' And it was so.
Genesis 1:3-5, 14-15
The rhythms that God has created give shape and pattern to a healthy life. I need some rhythms, like my heart and lungs, to repeat their patterns constantly. Other patterns, like sleep, need daily repetition to keep things in balance. God established a pattern for weekly rest. The pattern of the phases of the moon gave ancient Israel a religious pattern of worship as it waxed and waned monthly. The seasons of the year were established by God for a pattern of growth and decay, planting and harvest. Even the rhythm of life's span is established by God as we are born, grow, mature and die.
The natural pattern of human death that we observe was not the original created order, however! Death came through the sinful disobedience of humanity and disrupted the rhythm of life that God created. The entrance of sin brought many disruptions to the rhythmical patters God created. Humanity often avoids weekly rest, our hearts and lungs flutter and sputter at times, the seasons do not always yield their harvest. Creation often reflects the discord of sin rather than the harmony of the Creator.
God acted to restore the rhythm of His creation by sending Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer. Jesus has paid the penalty for sin and its curse by dying on the cross. His resurrection proved that there could be a restoration to the pattern of eternal life that God intended. We find a restored rhythm in returning to our Creator when we trust Christ.
As a beleiver, I enjoy returning to the rhythms God has intended. In addition to the natural rhythms, I can enjoy some spiritual activities on a patterned basis. God tells me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), a constant heartbeat of prayer. Daily time in prayer and Bible Study gives a rhythm to the devotional life of a believer that should refresh like sleep. Weekly corporate worship is as good for modern believers as it was for ancient Israelites. Even the seasons of the year should be reflected in our rhythms of service to God. (Read this as a plug to join us for our Fall Fellowship, September 26th!)
Believer, get back into rhythm with God! Jesus has given us the grace to return to God's pattern of living. Establishing spiritual rhythm may take concentration, effort, and practice, but the harmony it brings is worth the investment.
Rejoice evermore,
Bro. Richard
"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and morning, the first day. . . .And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.' And it was so.
Genesis 1:3-5, 14-15
The rhythms that God has created give shape and pattern to a healthy life. I need some rhythms, like my heart and lungs, to repeat their patterns constantly. Other patterns, like sleep, need daily repetition to keep things in balance. God established a pattern for weekly rest. The pattern of the phases of the moon gave ancient Israel a religious pattern of worship as it waxed and waned monthly. The seasons of the year were established by God for a pattern of growth and decay, planting and harvest. Even the rhythm of life's span is established by God as we are born, grow, mature and die.
The natural pattern of human death that we observe was not the original created order, however! Death came through the sinful disobedience of humanity and disrupted the rhythm of life that God created. The entrance of sin brought many disruptions to the rhythmical patters God created. Humanity often avoids weekly rest, our hearts and lungs flutter and sputter at times, the seasons do not always yield their harvest. Creation often reflects the discord of sin rather than the harmony of the Creator.
God acted to restore the rhythm of His creation by sending Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer. Jesus has paid the penalty for sin and its curse by dying on the cross. His resurrection proved that there could be a restoration to the pattern of eternal life that God intended. We find a restored rhythm in returning to our Creator when we trust Christ.
As a beleiver, I enjoy returning to the rhythms God has intended. In addition to the natural rhythms, I can enjoy some spiritual activities on a patterned basis. God tells me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), a constant heartbeat of prayer. Daily time in prayer and Bible Study gives a rhythm to the devotional life of a believer that should refresh like sleep. Weekly corporate worship is as good for modern believers as it was for ancient Israelites. Even the seasons of the year should be reflected in our rhythms of service to God. (Read this as a plug to join us for our Fall Fellowship, September 26th!)
Believer, get back into rhythm with God! Jesus has given us the grace to return to God's pattern of living. Establishing spiritual rhythm may take concentration, effort, and practice, but the harmony it brings is worth the investment.
Rejoice evermore,
Bro. Richard
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Love and Obedience
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15
Dear New Salem Saints,
I am not sure if there is one verse that compels me towards obedience more than the one above. There is no merit from God by my works of goodness or even my obedience, but there is a compulsion to obey that rises out of my love for Jesus. I do not repay the love of Jesus by my obedience. I merely show my love for Jesus when I obey him. Rules and regulations, the requirements of the Law, they merely show me how far away I was from God's standards of righteousness. Loving my Saviour is a different story. Jesus is the one who loved me and gave himself for me on the cross (and for the whole world). Now I respond in love to Jesus as a follower, a disciple who loves his Master. Do I obey? Do I love Jesus? They are both the same question. So that my profession of faith is not an empty bucket of religious verbiage, I must obey his commands to demonstrate the content of my love for Jesus. Today, consider these commands of Jesus from Luke 6:27-38:
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
I have some love to show for Jesus. How about you?
Rejoice evermore,
Bro. Richard
Dear New Salem Saints,
I am not sure if there is one verse that compels me towards obedience more than the one above. There is no merit from God by my works of goodness or even my obedience, but there is a compulsion to obey that rises out of my love for Jesus. I do not repay the love of Jesus by my obedience. I merely show my love for Jesus when I obey him. Rules and regulations, the requirements of the Law, they merely show me how far away I was from God's standards of righteousness. Loving my Saviour is a different story. Jesus is the one who loved me and gave himself for me on the cross (and for the whole world). Now I respond in love to Jesus as a follower, a disciple who loves his Master. Do I obey? Do I love Jesus? They are both the same question. So that my profession of faith is not an empty bucket of religious verbiage, I must obey his commands to demonstrate the content of my love for Jesus. Today, consider these commands of Jesus from Luke 6:27-38:
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
I have some love to show for Jesus. How about you?
Rejoice evermore,
Bro. Richard
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Boomerang Express VBS
June 15th - 19th 6:00pm - 8:30 pm
All Children are invited to join us from 4 years old - 6th grade on the journey! All aboard the Boomerang Express, Where it all comes back to Jesus!
Enjoy the Journey Home (June Newsletter)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
When vacation time rolls around this summer, I will once again set off to see my folks in Oklahoma. We've made the drive several times now and are becoming familiar with favorite and not so favorite rest stops and “fillin' stations” along the way. The familiarity of the stops helps us know how we are progressing on our journey. If all goes well and our stops are smooth, we know we will reach our destination soon and safely.
There are some parallels to a summer journey in our spiritual lives as well. We know that our final destination, heaven, is the eternal home of every believer, full of hope, joy, promise, fulfillment, and satisfaction. Yet the journey itself is unfamiliar to many people today. The Church should help us identify where we are along the journey. We should be able to look to other saints around us and learn how the journey should go and where the good “fillin' stations” are located.
Logically and obviously, we must all begin on the journey. The initial step on the journey to heaven is spiritual birth that comes from faith in Christ. When we repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ, his grace provides us salvation that he secured on the cross at Calvary. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me.” Without faith in Christ and a personal experience of salvation that converts our hearts to Christian faith, our destination is not heaven! Begin the journey by making sure of your salvation, placing your faith in Christ alone, not in your efforts, works, background, or behavior.
The second stage on the journey comes as we get engaged in the journey of faith. Baptism and church membership would be necessary steps to move us along toward heaven (Not in the sense of giving us salvation, but helping us move forward in spiritual growth). Personal time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study are essential to our journey's prosperity. Practical involvement with a Sunday School class is a great help to our Christian journey.
As we journey along, we must become involved in serving the Lord. We should find others to join us on the journey. Brining others along with us includes regularly sharing our faith in Christ verbally and asking them to believe. We also progress by teaching, serving, giving, and going. Eventually, others will learn how to follow Christ by seeing our example.
One day, every believer will reach the destination! This is the promise of God. If we find difficulties, barriers, detours, and unexpected stops, God will be faithful to get us back on the journey towards heaven. God is at work to bring you along the journey. He has sights for you to see along the way. He will use you in his work as you follow Christ. If you are a Christian, God will see you through successfully to the City of Heaven! For that promise, we can
Rejoice evermore!
Bro. Richard
When vacation time rolls around this summer, I will once again set off to see my folks in Oklahoma. We've made the drive several times now and are becoming familiar with favorite and not so favorite rest stops and “fillin' stations” along the way. The familiarity of the stops helps us know how we are progressing on our journey. If all goes well and our stops are smooth, we know we will reach our destination soon and safely.
There are some parallels to a summer journey in our spiritual lives as well. We know that our final destination, heaven, is the eternal home of every believer, full of hope, joy, promise, fulfillment, and satisfaction. Yet the journey itself is unfamiliar to many people today. The Church should help us identify where we are along the journey. We should be able to look to other saints around us and learn how the journey should go and where the good “fillin' stations” are located.
Logically and obviously, we must all begin on the journey. The initial step on the journey to heaven is spiritual birth that comes from faith in Christ. When we repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ, his grace provides us salvation that he secured on the cross at Calvary. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me.” Without faith in Christ and a personal experience of salvation that converts our hearts to Christian faith, our destination is not heaven! Begin the journey by making sure of your salvation, placing your faith in Christ alone, not in your efforts, works, background, or behavior.
The second stage on the journey comes as we get engaged in the journey of faith. Baptism and church membership would be necessary steps to move us along toward heaven (Not in the sense of giving us salvation, but helping us move forward in spiritual growth). Personal time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study are essential to our journey's prosperity. Practical involvement with a Sunday School class is a great help to our Christian journey.
As we journey along, we must become involved in serving the Lord. We should find others to join us on the journey. Brining others along with us includes regularly sharing our faith in Christ verbally and asking them to believe. We also progress by teaching, serving, giving, and going. Eventually, others will learn how to follow Christ by seeing our example.
One day, every believer will reach the destination! This is the promise of God. If we find difficulties, barriers, detours, and unexpected stops, God will be faithful to get us back on the journey towards heaven. God is at work to bring you along the journey. He has sights for you to see along the way. He will use you in his work as you follow Christ. If you are a Christian, God will see you through successfully to the City of Heaven! For that promise, we can
Rejoice evermore!
Bro. Richard
Friday, May 15, 2009
Congratulations to our SBTS Graduates!
Congratulations to Bro. Matt Thompson for graduating with the Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary! The weather for graduation was warm and sunny, but the ceremony was a great time to honor his accomplishment. New Salem is thankful to have Bro. Matt serve as our Minister of Students and Worship.
Further, we wish to congratulate Dr. Chris Holmes for receiving his Ph.D. from Southern. Dr. Holmes formerly served as our Minister of Music and Education before moving to Yellow Creek Bapitst Church in Owensboro.
Congratulations to both of these two men! New Salem has been blessed by their service to God.
Rejoice Evermore!
Further, we wish to congratulate Dr. Chris Holmes for receiving his Ph.D. from Southern. Dr. Holmes formerly served as our Minister of Music and Education before moving to Yellow Creek Bapitst Church in Owensboro.
Congratulations to both of these two men! New Salem has been blessed by their service to God.
Rejoice Evermore!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Pastor's May Newsletter Article
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
Dear New Salem Saints,
Yesterday, I tuned into the YouTube website to hear Susan Boyle sing. It was an outstanding performance and great entertainment, especially since the judges had dismissed her on looks beforehand. Many folks are tuned into various forms of entertainment, whether the new movies about to come out (I know many of you will go see Wolverine, Star Trek, and Harry Potter this Summer, like I likely will).
And why not? If we hang around and watch the news media, we are inundated with the worst news in most living memory. Housing prices are down, jobs are being lost or threatened, pirates are roaming the seas and now there is a scare of global pandemic from swine flu! If we look around at our neighbors, we know of cancer, sickness, heartache, divorce, addictions, lying, cheating, and violence. Some of us are feeling these troubles even in our own homes!
In the midst of troubled times, God tells us not to lose heart. How can we overcome the dread and deadening effects of these times? I believe we have three powerful helps from God: truth, power, and encouragement.
The truth is that God is still in control and his Word endures forever. His Word, the Bible, tells us that we will, even as Christians endure troubles. Yet we are not to let these troubles overwhelm us. The troubles that we experience in the world are the results of sin. Not that specific sins bring specific troubles in judgment necessarily, but that the “wages” of sin is death. This world has trouble because sin has brought a curse upon it. Yet the power of the curse is broken in Jesus Christ. He offers true forgiveness to the repentant guilty persons. With the forgiveness of Christ also comes the promise of eternal life. Let us not forget that death is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Facing an eternity without God in hell is the worst! Truth reminds us that we have the promise of eternal blessing in heaven where all the curse will be removed and every tear will be wiped away. Forever. What a comfort in times of trouble.
As believers, we also have the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. We are being spiritually renewed and built up by God in our inner person! The Holy Spirit empowers us to live and gives to us a peace that passes all understanding! Without God's power, I might surely despair, but with His power, I can rejoice.
Finally, we have the encouragement of God. He tells us not to lose heart! He comes alongside us and gives us the comfort of His love with all of its warmth and security. I feel bolder, calmer, and unafraid when I receive the encouragement of God.
Saints, do not lose heart! We don't need to merely distract ourselves from troubles with entertainment. Rather, we can relax in the truth, power and encouragement of God.
Rejoice evermore!
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