Lava Avenue Baptist Church

An Independent KJV Baptist Church In Wheeling, WV

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Why He Didn’t Faint

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II Corinthians 4:1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

I do not know of anyone who hasn’t felt the pressure to faint.  Even the best of Christians go through some very deep and dark valleys, that take us to our limits.  Paul was no exception, but he learned how to not faint.  In this chapter, we find some of his secrets for why he didn’t faint.

I.  He Had A Cause                                           verses 14-16

A.  His cause included a knowledge of Jesus’ return

B.  His cause included an understanding of who he labored for

1.  For their sakes
2.  For the glory of God

II.  He Had A Daily Renewal                          verse 16

This is done through our daily walk with God

III.  He Had An Eternal Focus                       verse 18

This is accomplished when we see things from Gods’ point of view, and realize this life is temporal

– S. Borner, Pastor

7 Ways To Be Saved

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Abstract spiritual backgrounds against dramatic skies

There is only one way to have your sin forgiven, and receive the gift of eternal life and that is to be saved.  Only one person can save you and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.  All roads, all religions, all beliefs do not lead to heaven.  Only one way will get you there.  Jesus said in John chapter 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  That is a fully exclusive statement.  He says that, only through him, can you be saved.  There is no other way.

But what I want to share with you is 7 ways for Jesus to save you; 7 ways to be saved from sin, and find peace with God.

  1. Believe
    Acts 16:30, 31   And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…
  2. Come
    1Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
    Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
  3. Receive
    John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  4. Look
    Isaiah 45:22  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
  5. Born Again
    John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
  6. Repentance
  7. Faith
    Acts 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Six and Seven are two sides to one coin, even if you can’t see the other side because you are only looking at the one side, the other side is still there.

Notice that to be saved, none of the ways are by our works.  We, never, are told to be a good person to be saved, we are never told to keep the ten commandments to be saved.  Some verses may seem to say so until you understand their context, but Ephesians makes it clear.  Ephesians 2:8,9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Only when we let go of our own efforts, and fully rely upon Jesus Christ for our salvation can we be saved.  That is what Romans 4: 3-5 tell us.  Salvation is only to those who “work not”.

All these 7 ways lead to the same place.  They all lead to one person to be saved from sin.  All these 7 ways go through the same door.  That door is the Lord Jesus Christ.  I believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  I come to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I receive Jesus as my Saviour.  I look to Jesus for forgiveness of sins.  I am born again through faith In Jesus.  I repent and have faith in Jesus.  In reality the 7 ways are one way.  Just another way to look at the same thing, how we can have all our sins forgiven, and be granted the gift of eternal life with God.

– S. Borner, Pastor

Christ-confidence, Not Self-confidence

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Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

   This verse is teaching us that I can do anything God wants me to do through his power and help.  Today, I can face life with confidence, and face my work with confidence because I know that, “I can through Christ.”  While this promise of God shows that He will give us the ability to do anything he asks of us, we, also, learn that it is not in my power, but in His.

   “I Can do All Things” – that is confidence.  But in what is my confidence, in myself?  NO.  Is it in my abilities?  NO.  People want you to say, I can do it on my own, I am strong, I have power in me, and I am self-confident.  But this is not a biblical philosophy.  This is actually weak, and limited, because we are simply human.  What God can do, and what I can do cannot even be compared.

  High-Striker Ill:  Have you ever seen at a fair, those games where you swing a sledge hammer and try to ring the bell at the top of the pole.  The more muscle and power you put behind that hammer, the higher it goes.  Just see the scrawny, little thirteen year old boy with his friends standing behind him cheering him on, as he swings with all his might.  Even though he knows he is the toughest one of the bunch, and they are cheering him on, and he has all the confidence in the world, still he is limited in what he can do.  And try and try as he may, he cannot ring the bell.  Right behind him is a big, lumberjack of a man, whose arms are wider than that boy’s chest.  When he picks up the hammer with ease, and sends it crashing down with a mighty blow, it rings the bell so loud, the people wonder if it will break.

   That is what I mean when I speak of our limitations, and God’s ability.  No matter how hard we try, and how much self-confidence we have, we are limited.  But the Lord, with ease, can do those things that are impossible for us.  When we allow ourselves to be the single source of strength and power in our life, we can only do so much.  But with the Lord, all things are possible.  He is so much greater than we are.  How silly to limit ourselves by saying, I can do it in my power, when we are told that the Lord can give us his power, and help.

   Some insist on being self-confident and they will feel good until they reach their limitations.  But Christians must learn to be Christ-confident, by claiming verses like this one, and saying, “I can through Christ.”

Pastor S. Borner

 

 

LABC Emergency Needs Closet

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I am excited to announce the newest ministry of LABC – The Emergency Needs Closet.

This ministry is established to help families of the Ohio Valley who face disastrous situations like fire, flood or otherwise devastating events.  Our goal is to provide some of the necessities like clothes, blankets, shoes, basic personal hygiene needs after someone faces one of these unfortunate situations.  We hope to allow an individual or family to come in and find some clothes, a coat if needed, maybe some bedding is needed, whatever we can provide to at least help get them back on their feet.  These services will be provided at no charge, but will be administered on a case by case basis, and subject to availability.

We are currently accepting donations of clothes, bedding, baby needs and anything else one might need after a disaster (no furniture).  Monetary gifts will, also, be accepted.

We are looking forward to being able to help meet an important need in our community.

I John 3:17     But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Sow Beside All WaterS

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river

Isaiah 32:20;  Ecclesiastes 11:1;  Psalm. 1:3
notice:  beside all waters;  upon all waters;  by the rivers of water

These verses aren’t telling us what to sow; instead they show us WHERE to sow!  Remember the parable in the gospels of the sower who went out to sow?  And in that parable, the Lord tells us the sower planted the same seed everywhere, but it fell in different locations.  The seed remained the same, but the where changed. And the results of a good harvest were determined by the where.  If I am going to have a blessed 2015, it will be, in part, because I sow my seeds in the right place!

The seeds of my life need to be sown in the right place
The seeds of my heart…
The seeds of my children’s lives…
The seeds of my marriage…
The seeds of my ministry…
The seeds of my relationships…
The seeds of my church…

Another thing you should notice, in the texts, is the plural tense of these words – not water, but waterS.  There is more than one waterway by which we ought to sow the seeds of our Christians lives.  So, what are the waters, the waterways of the Lord, that a Christian should sow beside?

1.  Sow beside the waterway of God’s Word          The Word of God is a waterway; it is a great necessity to survive spiritually.  And when we speak of the Word of God, we mean the King James Version.  While over versions claim to contain what the bible says, they fail, and are not the full and inerrant and powerful Word of God.  The truth is, they actually change doctrine in their efforts to be different enough to publish a new version.  I’m simply saying, let us not miss out on this wonderful waterway.  Be sure to plant some seed this year by this helpful location.

2.  Sow beside the waterway of God’s House          Every time the church doors are open, we need to sow some seed.  We are wise to make the church a place that has a level one priority in our life.  Christians are becoming lax in this area.  We don’t see the priority of the preaching of Gods’ Word or the purpose of the church like we once did, and that is a shame.  II Timothy 4:2-4  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  Let us make sure to plant some seed by the waterway of God’s House this year.

3.  Sow beside the waterway of God’s Great Commission          If we lose sight of this waterway, if it goes unsown, the church will die!  This waterway is the lifeblood of the church; it is the closest thing to the heart of God.  I Timothy 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
We had a precious time with the folks at the nursing home.  We sang songs, and I preached to them.  I shared, at the end of the service, how a person can be saved; how they must let go of everything else, and simply trust in the Lord Jesus as their one and only Saviour.  Only He can forgive their sins, and give them eternal life.  As I was saying goodbye, one of the ladies shook my hand and said, “Pastor, I accept Jesus as my Saviour.”  Oh, Praise the Lord – what a blessing to sow beside this waterway.

I hope I can challenge you to take some time to consider other waterways like:  God’s Tithe, God’s Spirit, God’s Presence, God’s Will, as well as others of which you might know.  And let us sow, not just in one location, but in all the waterways that the Lord provides for us.  This way if we neglect one of the areas, we have the others to sustain us until we get back to that area.  This new year, understand how important it is WHERE you sow your seeds.

 – Pastor S. Borner

Conquering Anxiety

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Philippians 4:4-13

Adapted from the final Sermon on the subject of Anxiety

We’ve taken two weeks to explain anxiety…

we have learned that it affects anyone, but often females and teens
we learned that it is a type of fear – a fear of “what ifs” or fear of the perceived, but not the tangible
we learned that it can affect not just our mind, but also our body
we learned that it occurs by trauma, by abuse, by instability in our life, or even by daily events that build a wall over time
we learned that anxiety is often a result of improper thinking, or improper responses to circumstances…Therefore it can be conquered
we learned drugs won’t cure it, but sometimes medicine has to be used in conjunction with counseling.
we learned that anxiety is not logical, but it is a real problem and we ought to help people and be compassionate toward those suffering with it.

There are various forms of help, but none will be as effective and long term and complete as when you couple it with the help you get from God.  Any of these various ideas we mention, will always be more effective when we have the Lord’s help through the process.

       1.  Figure out your anxiety:  the type, the cause, the affects, the frequency, the feelings, the triggers etc…
(study yourself)  Sometimes there are deep rooted and unresolved problems that need to be identified

       2.  Keep a journal:  keeping track of your personal life can help you identify what’s causing your anxiety and what seems to help you feel better. Writing things down helps you let out the thoughts, and feelings, like air pressure in an over-inflated tire

       3.  Know what calms you:   prayer, verses, a story, music, a person, establish a routine that you can mentally walk through to calm yourself down

       4.  Find Allies To Assist You:  ally yourself with God, Parents, godly friends, pastors, counselors, find people who will understand and help you.  Support is a great need to recovering from any trouble in life….anxiety is no exception.

      5.  Rejoice:  rejoice in every victory, no matter how small – Philippians 4:4

      6.  Get exercise:  exercise will strengthen not only your body, but heart and soul, it will promote a happy spirit

      7.  Make sleep a priority:  do what you can to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel rested, when we are tired we tend not to care as much, we give up easier, we lack as much spirit to fight the good fight, because we are fighting fatigue

      8.  Eat healthy. healthy eating will affect our thinking.  Focus on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish (brain food) stay away from processed, canned, boxed, fast foods

      9.  Stay involved in activities:  isolation makes anxiety worse, so be socially involved,  go to church, work, school, interact with friends, ministry’s, get yourself busy serving the Lord…go soulwinning, nothing is so exciting as helping someone get saved.

      10.  Follow Biblical principles:   Realize these truths, and internalize them, think on them, and make them personal to you,  Realize who you are in Christ, and see who God is to you, also what he can do for you

              A.   Pray:  learn how to cast your burden on the Lord, learn how to draw nigh to God, learn how to rest upon his strength when you are weak.. Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   Be not full of care….Do this by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving and the result of spending much time in prayer is the peace of God.
God’s peace will work to protect your mind…it will keep you safe

              B.  Find a verse or a couple of verses that can be your “go to passages”, to meditate on them when anxiety comes, God’s Word Has Power – Life Altering Power

 I can through Christ…. Phil 4:13
Ps 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears

              C.  Practice biblical thinking:  Phil 4: 8 – practice having good thoughts, and making your mind dwell on good, not bad.  Our thoughts are a result of what you see and hear and do and say and read,  So…shut off soap opera’s, TV, news, talk radio, and other things…tune out all those things that are negative, upsetting or troubling, don’t sit there with nothing and let your mind wander freely…an idol mind is the devil’s workshop!

              D.  Remind yourself…God Protects his people:  Ps 27:1 ¶ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Ps 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?Pr 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.  2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Reminding ourselves of God’s presence, and power will help us gain the strength and faith to conquer anxiety

              E.  Listen to Godly Christian Music:   this calms and helps your mind, body and spirit…music is a spiritual and powerful medium,  it has the ability to change your mind, mood, spirit, thoughts, it affects all of your person…body, soul, spirit…just having it playing in the background at times…is a good idea

             F.  Do a Bible Study on things that conquer fear?

                 1.  Faith conquers fear – so increase your faith

Matthew 6:25-33   Take no thought – is the same greek word as “careful”  in Philippians – means don’t be anxious

                 2.  Peace conquers fear – so be filled with God’s peace

Philippians 4:7    peace is a fruit of the Spirit, so be filled with the spirit of God.  By yielding and being filled with the Spirit – you can have peace from God.  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

                 3.  Love conquers fear – be filled with Gods’ love

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  If our love for God, or man is wrong – it will make us feel afraid, unstable.

                4.  the fear of God prevents the fear of man

Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Remember…..Where anxiety, and unhealthy fear comes from… not God… 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  We must recognize that the fear/anxiety we experience is not of God, it is in the mind, or maybe even an oppressive spirit

This will not be an easy process, but if you fight with the courage of Joshua, you can overcome and conquer this enemy.

– Pastor S. Borner

“till I know what God will do for me”

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          I Samuel 22:1-5…Here is a story of David.  It is the time of his life where, though he was anointed to be the next king of Israel, Saul the current king, was out to kill him.  Saul wanted his son to reign, but God had given the throne to David instead.

          David had been on his own for quite some time and had been in the land of the Philistines (Israel’s enemy).  But now he comes to his home land area, to a cave system near Bethlehem.  Eventually, his family finds out that he is hiding near them and they go out to see him.  But not only do they show up, about 400 men come out to join him – as his army of sorts.

          This must have been a great comfort to know, others were there in support of him, and there to help him.  When you are down, when you are discouraged, it is a blessing to know there are family and friends who support you, and want to assist you.

          Well, David fears for the lives of his family and so takes them to the king of Moab, and ask for him to care for them, and protect them while Saul continues trying to take his life.  I imagine he doesn’t want Saul to kill his family, or use them as a bargaining chip against him.  And so, to the King of Moab, David makes an amazing statement that we read here in this passage.  Vs. 3….till I know what God will do for me.

David said: “Till”

He didn’t know how long he was going to have to hold on and keep going.  He didn’t know how long he would be running for his life, but he was prepared to wait on God. “Till” I know what God will do for me.

David said: “What”

He didn’t know what God was going to do, he didn’t understand all of what was happening nor fully why it was happening. He was just waiting on the Lord to see what he would do.  “till I know What God will do for me.”

David said: “will do for ME”

David didn’t know what God was going to do, but he was confident that God would do something for him. This is faith that we see here, and faith in God, not just faith in life or self.  He knew God would do something, though at this moment he didn’t know what it would be.

Here is a man who doesn’t know what tomorrow holds, he doesn’t know how he will get out of this mess, he doesn’t know if things will get easier tomorrow, he doesn’t know when God’s plan for him will begin, he doesn’t know if his prayers will be answered soon, he doesn’t know what or when, or how.   But David trusts the Lord, and he says…   “till I know what God will do for ME”

          Sometimes, this is what we must be able to do.  To look up to heaven and say, “Okay Lord, I will wait on you and see what you will do for me.”  It may not be easy, it may not come soon, it may be out of my control, but I will wait to see what you will do for me – for I know you will, in your perfect time.

S. Borner – Pastor

Are You An Encourager

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ENCOURAGE 2
Read I Samuel 20

Discouragement tends to cause us to feel defeated, and to give up more easily.  But the one who is encouraged finds strength enough to press on.  They find a renewed spirit that is ready to fight the good fight of faith.

Imagine being in David’s shoes, when the king wanted you dead – that would definitely cause someone to be discouraged.  When you had done nothing but good to the King, and were only trying to help, and yet, he hated you and wanted you dead.  David could have succumb to discouragement, he could have given up, but he had a friend in Jonathan– who encouraged him.

The word “encourage” means:     – to give courage, – to strengthen

This is what we find Jonathan doing for David, and in David’s life it made a big difference.  Truly, in anyone’s life, encouragement will make a difference.  Sometimes it will be life changing, sometimes it will be day changing, but encouragement makes changes.

I.  The Power of Encouragement

It changed David’s attitude, and hope for the future.  Encouragement has the power to change one’s thoughts, it has the power to change one’s emotions, it has the power to change one’s course of action, it has the power to changes one’s attitude.  For David, it helped him not give up.

We just don’t know what people are going through at times.  We don’t know what tomorrow holds.  We don’t know what one’s future will be.  We don’t know what is going on inside someone’s mind and heart.  But many times the Lord is saying to us, encourage that person, lift them, edify them.  I Thessalonians 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

II.  The Ways of Encouragement

our words     – I Samuel 20:2
our actions   – I Samuel 20:4

Johnathan encouraged David in both these ways.  David was so distraught, he was so upset, he was beside himself, and truly he needed his friend to encourage him.  Did Jonathan yell at him, or laugh at him?  No, he encouraged him and it gave him hope for another day.

words – Proverbs 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

actions – Jonathan didn’t just stop with what he said, he, also, let his actions encourage his friend.  He made a vow and kept it.  Encouragement by using actions is much more demanding, and takes more sacrifice than just words, but it is often what is necessary!  A little act of kindness can be a great encouragement, and a great act of labor can be a life changing experience.

III.  The Results of Encouragement

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up

            A.        You help someone keep on going

            B.        You get encouragement from giving others encouragement.

Encouragers get encouraged.  This is the law of sowing and reaping, you will reap encouragement when you sow it in others.  Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

If you need some encouragement – go find someone to encourage
If you need to be lifted up – go find someone to lift
If you need some joy because of the pressures of life – go give someone joy

Go find a need and fix it, and you will be encouraged.  Go find a hurt and help it, and you will be encouraged.  Go find a tear and dry it, and you will be encouraged.  Go find someone down and lift them, and you will be encouraged.  Go find someone sad and encourage them, and you will be encouraged.

            C.        You receive a reward in Heaven

Mt 25:31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

If only more people were a friend like Jonathan, who took it upon themselves to be an encourager to others.  How much good could be accomplished, how many lives could be changed, how many people could be helped, and how many depressed could be lifted.  I challenge you, dear child of God, to make it a goal in your life – to be an encourager.

– S. Borner, Pastor

VBS – the greatest community event

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I Corinthians 9:21-22

Vs. 21 – to those without the law – means the Gentiles..

Paul was saying, when I am with the Gentiles…I don’t worry about eating Kosher, I don’t worry about the feasts, and customs of the Jews.  I live as the Gentiles live – but only to a degree.  Notice what is in parenthesis, this is important, because many people are twisting this verse to mean something that it does not.

Though Paul would be as those without the law…he never let it go so far as to sin. The parenthesis in verse 21 basically says “yet not so far as to sin.”  He may have set down his Jewish traditions around the Gentiles, but he was never beyond God’s law.
God teaches us here, that we ought to be willing to adjust our lives to reach all kinds of people.  We ought to be willing to adjust our cultures, adjust our desires, adjust our schedules, adjust our likes or dislikes in order to reach people with the Gospel.

But there is a line not to cross…and that line is that we do not follow those unsaved into their sins.  Paul was as the Gentiles, but never lived beyond the law of God and Christ.  He never crossed the line into sin in order to reach people.

For example:

I want to reach the prisoner, but I don’t get myself arrested to reach them.

I want to reach the drug addict, but I don’t do drugs like them, so they will accept me.

I want to reach the alcoholic, but I don’t go to the bars and drink so they will listen to me.

I want to reach the worldly, rough, and party crowd, but I don’t go to the dances and parties or get piercings and tattoos so they will accept me.

Paul said, I become all things to all men, but I never cross the line into sin.  I never go so far as to go against the law of God, and Christ! – I don’t sin to do it!

Now notice vs. 22 – to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak.

When we think of Vacation Bible School, the weak, in this case, are the children.  Think of verse 22 this way, “To the children became I as a child, that I might gain the children.”  That is exactly what we did during this last VBS – we became childish, so we might gain the children.  We lost our pride, we picked up our childish ways, we took on our inner-child, and we became as they – so that we might gain them, and save some!  We thought like them, we sang like them, we sometimes acted like them, we played like them, we did all we could do like them, that we may gain them and save some.  And I don’t know of anything more important to gain than the children.

When you think about it, that is what Jesus did to gain us.  He became us, so that he might gain us and save some.

Heb 2:9,10 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

This year’s VBS was a great success in many ways.  And of course, the glory and praise goes to the Lord who took the labor and prayers of the church and turned it into a blessing.

 It was a success because:  The number of people who got involved allowed us to have a very smooth running event.

THANK YOU adults and teens who gave their time, effort, and prayers.

It was a success because:  We had a great attendance each night, and a large number of total kids registered.

Thank you everyone who helped in the flyer blitzes, and van route.

It was a success because:  Best of all, we were able to share the gospel every night to a crowd of people with several children responding to the invitation each night.  Even though not all of them were at the point to where they could understand enough to be saved, several did receive Christ as their Saviour.  Praise the Lord!

As I have said before, many good things are done for the community by various groups – this is truly wonderful.  But I’ll tell you something…nothing is better for the community than helping a child accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.   The greatest community event of the year is the VBS where a kid can come and get saved, so their name is written in the book of life, and when they die, they will spend eternity with God – because their sins have been forgiven.  A life changed by Jesus, will do more for the community than any other program or outreach.  I am thankful for community servants, but I am most thankful for dedicated Christians who reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

– S. Borner, Pastor

 

Christian Soldiers To Remember

By

thou shalt remember

During Memorial Day, Americans have an opportunity, and responsibility to remember the soldiers of every branch of service who gave of themselves, but who are now passed away.  These men and woman are looked upon with admiration because of what they did for a right cause. 

As Christians, the word of God shows us several other names of people that were soldiers, or “good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” They, also, are to be looked upon with great admiration for what they did for the greatest cause – the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven.  Whether in the Old Testament times, or the New Testatment times, these faith-filled men and women obeyed the Lord, and did what thier God asked of them to do. 

Take time this week, and read, and remember some of these soldiers of the Lord. 

Hebrews 11;  II Samuel 23;  Luke 6:13-16;  Luke 1;  Matthew 1

S. Borner – Pastor

Lava Avenue Baptist Church | 5 Lava Avenue • Wheeling, WV 26003