Sunday Update

We had a great day at church yesterday.  It was cold and rainy, but the church was warm and friendly.  We were missing several people yesterday morning due to travels and sickness, but we still had 13 in attendance.  What a blessing.  I preached from Matthew 14, where the disciples found themselves in the midst of one of the greatest storms they ever faced.  Do you realize, it's possible to obey the Lord, to be right where the Lord instructs you to be, and yet still face storms.  Hard times come to each and everyone of us.  Storms are simply a part of life.  However, it's encouraging to know, when you're facing those storms, the Lord knows exactly where you are. He came walking to those disciples in the midst of their storm.  Jesus came walking on the sea.  No matter what you're facing today, no matter how big it seems to be to you, it's not too big for the Lord. He's got it all under control.  What an encouraging thought.  Hope you had a great day in the Lord's house yesterday.  I thank God for what He's doing here at Canaan Baptist Church in Covington, LA.

A Place to Grow

One of my goals for 2011 is to use my blog more.  It is a great tool to use to stay accountable and to help others stay informed about what is going on at the church.  I am truly excited about the church.  I believe there are great days in the future for our church.

 

This past Sunday was a good day.  We are averaging 15 people on Sunday mornings.  This past Sunday evening, I introduced our church theme for this year.  A place to grow.  I think this will be a great theme, as it is our desire to see growth at Canaan Baptist Church.  I want to see the attendance grow, of course, but I also want to see those of us that are there now grow.  I want to grow in my personal relationship with my Lord.  Each month we'll have a different area of our lives that we will focus on.  The first Sunday evening of each month will be a time I call Church Challenge. It's when we will look at those areas and how we can grow in those areas from the Bible.  It's a year long series.  It's going to be good and I am excited about it.

 

For the month of January, we considered the thought, A place to grow...in faith.  We looked at the man with the demon possessed boy in Mark 9.  I found it interesting while studying, the man approached Jesus to ask for help.  When he approached the Lord, he said but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.  Notice the word if.  If you can help Lord.  The man had little faith.  Notice then, how Jesus responded.  If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  Jesus responded to the man by letting him know the question was not with the Lord's power or ability. It was with the man's faith.

 

How many things do we miss out on simply because we don't believe the Lord is able?  How many problems do we face because of our lack of faith?  I need to grow in faith. The man responded to Jesus by saying, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  I believe he was saying, Lord, I believe you can heal my son.  However, there are other areas where I have trouble believing.  Help me with the unbelief that is still in my heart. 

 

I can say the same.  Lord, I believe, I trust you in so many areas.  However, there are still areas where I need to trust you more.  Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.