God at Work in Mexico

For the last two years Eastwood Baptist Church has sent a small group of volunteers to work in Colima, Mexico with missionaries Jeff and Deliegha Swanson.

This photo is from a baptism in a river outside of Colima. Rejoice with us in what God is doing to change lives for eternity!

Gordon

 

“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.”

I try to read Spurgeon’s “Morning Devotional” each day. This morning was especially helpful. It reminded me that we all have ups and downs, even the preacher.

As you read it let the grace of God lift you up today. Isaiah 44:3

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle’s wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus’ bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation”? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.” You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be—the thirsty land shall be springs of water.  Charles Spurgeon

 

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE-November 2009

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  (NKJV)

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV)

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful (NLT)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (NIV)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (ESV)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (NASB)

 

Being Built Up in FAITH and HOPE and LOVE

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20

Jesus has prepared heaven for you! (John 14)

Jesus is preparing you for heaven! (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Jesus loves you and has given Himself for you! (John 3:16)

“Do you not know the power of His love? What does the world think of a love that never shows itself in action? Who will accept a love that does not actuate you to self-denial, generosity, and the zeal of serving Jesus? Is the love of Jesus like a rushing mighty wind to your soul sweeping out your worldliness? It is the power of His love that will usher in the divine rapture, to bear you aloft from the earth. It is His love in the divine Spirit that will make you right now bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord’s service.

In building yourselves up be resolute and determined to be pressing on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)

Charles H. Spurgeon

Many Christians remain dwarfed in spiritual things, having the same appearance year after year. No advancement of faith, hope, and love is manifested in them. Such Christians are satisfied with no desire to experience the fullness to be found in abiding with Christ Jesus and to be enriched in knowledge of Him. To abide with Jesus is to hold daily communion with Him, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit to others. (John 15)

As you come near Jesus in all things (Ephesians 4:15) you will find yourself advancing in faith, hope, and love.”

But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1Corinthians 13:13

Submitted by Pat Hutchens

 

The Salvation of the Jews

Interpreters differ on the meaning of Romans 11:25-36. We must think hard and pray as we read the Scriptures (especially when we are teachers) so that we give the clear meaning of difficult passages. I wish I had done a better job last Sunday night with this passage. Forgive me for misquoting 2 Peter 3:9 in my excitement. It says:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

When interpreting Scripture we cannot say that there are several interpretations of all Scriptures and you can just pick the one you like. There is a real danger in saying “Oh that’s just your interpretation”. I’ve heard that response to my witness for Christ from unbelievers. It is also common when a hard saying of Jesus offends our logic. However we must be humble when confronted with mystery in the Scriptures. Paul’s response was to break out in praise! (Romans 11:33)

On Sunday night I promised that I would give you four main viewpoints of Romans 11:25-36. They are listed below.

1) All people both Gentiles and Jews will ultimately be saved. This is called Universalism and is rejected because of the clear teaching of other texts to the contrary.

2) “All Israel” means the church, the new Israel of God. This explanation spiritualizes the term “Israel” instead of regarding them as a people. I reject this view. God still has a purpose for His people the Jews.

3) A great conversion of Israel will take place at the time of the Lord’s return. There are variations of this viewpoint depending on your understanding of eschatology.

4) “All Israel” indicates a great turning of Israel to Christ when the fullness of the gentiles has come in (Rom. 10:25). It does not mean every individual Jew.

I pray the following verse for the Jewish people almost every day:

And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10

One day Israel will know that they have rejected their Messiah. Now we should show compassion and pray that Jewish people would trust in Jesus Christ. Our burden for lost people is not very great (Romans 9:1, 10:1)!

 

How spiritual are you?

It doesn’t matter how high we jump, or how loud we shout, what church we attend or what music we like, if we are not sharing Jesus we are not filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:31 it says that after the disciples prayed (because they were being persecuted for sharing Jesus), the place was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they “spoke the word of God with boldness”. Wow that really convicts me!

We are not as spiritual as we think we are. You are not as spiritual as you think you are if you are not active in speaking the name of Jesus to other people. The early disciples were fisherman and IRS agents not theologians. The fire of the Holy Spirit was what they had and what we need.

We all could use a fresh touch in the area of evangelism. That is why we are offering a motivating reminder called “Conquer Your Fear, Share Your Faith” on November 14, Saturday morning from 8:30am-1:00pm. Do you want to share your faith with others, but don’t know where to start? Are you discouraged or convicted?

Learn to share your faith simply and effectively in four powerful, eye-opening sessions featuring DVD presentations hosted by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. Then go out and put what you have learned into practice in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sign up at the Welcome Center this Sunday. Registration closes November 11. Light breakfast provided.

 

Praying for Israel…

Population:  6,000,000 (approx)

Peoples:   80.7% Jews       15.6%  Arab

Language:  Hebrew, Arabic       Literacy:  99%

Religion:  Jewish 81%      Muslim  15%    Christian:  2.25%

Prayer Needs:

1.  The intense 50 year conflict between Arabs and Israel

2.  Animosity against Christians.  “Christian” nations are seen as destroyers of Israel by both persecution and proselytizing.

3.  Christian Church is fragmented

 

Learning Cherokee

We are trying to reach out to every tribe, language, people and nation. Last Sunday evening at 4:30 we began learning about the American Indian culture.

Below is a picture submitted by Dana Suggs. What a great reminder of the beauty and creativity of our God. Let’s continue to ask God for His burden for those who don’t yet know Him!

Join us this Sunday as we begin to learn Cherokee.

 

October 2009 Memory Verse–Hebrews 13:3

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also. (NKJV)

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. (KJV)

Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies. (NLT)

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (NIV)

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (ESV)

Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, {and} those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (NASB)

Acordaos de los presos, como si estuvierais presos juntamente con ellos; y de los maltratados, como que también vosotros mismos estáis en el cuerpo. (RSV) Spanish

 

George Whitefield–Revival

Seven times he preached in America to crowds of 25,000, spreading the Great Awakening Revival, which helped unite the Colonies prior to the Revolution.

Ben Franklin wrote in his Autobiography: “He preached one evening from the top of the Court-house steps… streets were filled with his hearers… I had the curiosity to learn how far he could be heard by retiring backwards down the street…and found his voice distinct till I came near Front-street.”

Franklin was describing George Whitefield, who died SEPTEMBER 30, 1770. He wrote of George Whitefield: “Multitudes of all denominations attended his sermons…It was wonderful to see.” Ben Franklin printed George Whitefield’s sermons and financed construction of the largest building in Philadelphia for his meetings, which later became the first building of the University of Pennsylvania.

Franklin wrote to George Whitefield: “I sometimes wish you and I were jointly employed by the Crown to settle a colony on the Ohio…a strong body of religious and industrious people!… Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians…

Submitted by: Steve Sharples

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Whitefield