What a great day we had Sunday... packed house, great singing, and the message wasn't too long :)
But at the end of the service we were able to make an announcement that I want to share here in case you missed it.
About 10 1/2 months ago, we asked our church to take a step of faith and give sacrificially above their regular giving toward the rebuilding and renovating of our preschool ministry facilities.
We initially estimated that the church could stretch and give $95,000 extra in the first year and another $95,000 extra in the second year. But we decided to just see what would happen if we refused to borrow any money and challenged the church to give it all in one year... a total of $190,000.
Well when the pledges came in last March we were overwhelmed with the total: $181,000. And while that was still short of the funds needed for the project, we were excited. Well, as of last week, the offerings toward the pledge totaled: $191,733.40!
The original goal of $190,000 was reached and surpassed one and a half months early!
As the project bids have come in, however, the actual cost of the project has risen to $220,000. But in addition to the church meeting the original goal, a very generous family has given an extra $30,000 which takes us even beyond the new cost total for the project.
What does this mean? We can begin now to build what we need and incur no debt!
Thank you for your sacrificial giving. Thank you for your faithfulness. And thank the Lord for his bountiful provisions!
I look forward to seeing all of the young families we are able to reach through this new facility you have given toward.
Pastor Noel
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Proverbs on Money, II
Here is a much better presentation of the same verses in "Proverbs on Money, Part I".
Pastor Noel
Wealth & Taking Advice
… Proverbs 13:18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
Real Wealth
… Proverbs 15:16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
… Proverbs 19:14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.
… Proverbs 23:4–5 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
… Proverbs 28:6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
… Proverbs 30:8–9 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Contentment
… Proverbs 30:8–9 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
… Ecclesiastes 5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Trusting in Money
… Proverbs 11:28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
Quick Wealth / Greediness
… Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
… Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
… Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
… Proverbs 23:4–5 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
… Proverbs 28:22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
Laziness
… Proverbs 6:10–11 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
… Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
… Proverbs 13:4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
… Proverbs 14:23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
… Proverbs 20:13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
… Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
… Proverbs 30:24–25 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.
Spending Less Than You Make
… Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Borrowing
… Proverbs 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Budgeting
… Proverbs 27:23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds,
… Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
… Proverbs 30:24–25 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.
Co-Signing Debt
… Proverbs 6:1–5 1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— 2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— 3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
… Proverbs 11:15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.
… Proverbs 17:18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.
… Proverbs 22:26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.
Giving to the Work of the Lord
… Proverbs 3:9–10 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Giving to the Needy
… Proverbs 11:24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
… Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
… Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
… Proverbs 21:13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
… Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Misc
… Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
… Proverbs 11:4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.
… Proverbs 13:7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
… Proverbs 13:8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.
… Proverbs 13:22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
… Proverbs 19:1 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.
… Proverbs 19:4 Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.
… Proverbs 22:16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
… Proverbs 28:8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
Pastor Noel
Wealth & Taking Advice
… Proverbs 13:18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
Real Wealth
… Proverbs 15:16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
… Proverbs 19:14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.
… Proverbs 23:4–5 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
… Proverbs 28:6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
… Proverbs 30:8–9 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Contentment
… Proverbs 30:8–9 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
… Ecclesiastes 5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Trusting in Money
… Proverbs 11:28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
Quick Wealth / Greediness
… Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
… Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
… Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
… Proverbs 23:4–5 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
… Proverbs 28:22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
Laziness
… Proverbs 6:10–11 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
… Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
… Proverbs 13:4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
… Proverbs 14:23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
… Proverbs 20:13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
… Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
… Proverbs 30:24–25 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.
Spending Less Than You Make
… Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Borrowing
… Proverbs 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Budgeting
… Proverbs 27:23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds,
… Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
… Proverbs 30:24–25 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.
Co-Signing Debt
… Proverbs 6:1–5 1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— 2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— 3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
… Proverbs 11:15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.
… Proverbs 17:18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.
… Proverbs 22:26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.
Giving to the Work of the Lord
… Proverbs 3:9–10 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Giving to the Needy
… Proverbs 11:24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
… Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
… Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
… Proverbs 21:13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
… Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Misc
… Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
… Proverbs 11:4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.
… Proverbs 13:7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
… Proverbs 13:8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.
… Proverbs 13:22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
… Proverbs 19:1 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.
… Proverbs 19:4 Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.
… Proverbs 22:16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
… Proverbs 28:8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
Proverbs on Money
In preparation for my Connect Group this week (we are studying the book of Proverbs), I went through Proverbs and pulled out all of the verses that dealt with money in some fashion or another.
Look through this list... How much better off would we all be if this became the guiding influence in how we managed our money?
Pastor Noel
Look through this list... How much better off would we all be if this became the guiding influence in how we managed our money?
Pastor Noel
| 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. | |
| 1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— 2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— 3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net. | |
| 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. | |
| Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. | |
| The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | |
| Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. | |
| There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt. | |
| Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. | |
| The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. | |
| Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. | |
| Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. | |
| Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. | |
| The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. | |
| Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. | |
| If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. | |
| Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly. | |
| Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! | |
| Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. | |
| It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend. | |
| Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. | |
| Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. | |
| Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. | |
| If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! | |
| If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! | |
| An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. | |
| Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. | |
| Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. | |
| The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. | |
| Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. | |
| A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. | |
| Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. | |
| 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. | |
| Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, | |
| Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. | |
| Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. | |
| Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. | |
| Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. | |
| 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. | |
| 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. | |
| Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! |
Friday, January 7, 2011
Essential 100 Bible Challenge
We are throwing the Bible reading assignments up each day on the Event Facebook Page.
I would also suggest going to YouVersion to follow along with the plan.
It has been great to hear from so many people who are joining us for this. We've had people sign up at the church, via email, and on the Facebook page. We've hard stories of families doing this together... Offices doing this together and even churches that have decided to join us. Because of your faithfulness to invite your friends, we have literally hundreds and hundreds committed to reading their Bibles daily for these 100 days!
Thanks for being a part of this!
Pastor Noel
I would also suggest going to YouVersion to follow along with the plan.
It has been great to hear from so many people who are joining us for this. We've had people sign up at the church, via email, and on the Facebook page. We've hard stories of families doing this together... Offices doing this together and even churches that have decided to join us. Because of your faithfulness to invite your friends, we have literally hundreds and hundreds committed to reading their Bibles daily for these 100 days!
Thanks for being a part of this!
Pastor Noel
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
E100 For Wednesday, January 5
OK... The assignment for tomorrow (1.5) is Genesis 1-2. I would love to see us get a discussion going on the Facebook page through the day tomorrow. So here are three questions I want to throw out for you to think about as you read and maybe comment on...
1. What does it mean that we are made in God's Image? How should that affect how we live?
2. What does it mean that God created men and women to compliment one another? In what ways is your life blessed because of this complimentary creation? Why is it good that men and women have different approaches, temperaments, strengths?
3. What things do these two chapter remind us that we should thank the Lord for?
Pastor Noel
1. What does it mean that we are made in God's Image? How should that affect how we live?
2. What does it mean that God created men and women to compliment one another? In what ways is your life blessed because of this complimentary creation? Why is it good that men and women have different approaches, temperaments, strengths?
3. What things do these two chapter remind us that we should thank the Lord for?
Pastor Noel
Essential 100 Bible Challenge Begins In 24 Hours!
We all begin tomorrow morning. Here are some questions to answer to know if you are ready...
- Do you have a list of verses to read each day? We will post them on the Facebook Event Page each night for the next day, but you can also email us at e100@fbcho.com for the entire verse list or stop by the church for paper copies and bookmarks we've made with all... of the assignments listed.
- Have you invited all of your friends and family? What better way to encourage those around you in their walk with the Lord!
- Do you have an easy to read Bible? I, pastor Noel, and going to do my reading from an NLT Bible. Any translation will work as long as you have one you can easily understand.
- Do you want the accompanying devotional book? It isn't necessary but might help you better understand what you are reading. We have them here at the church if you can come by. Read the blog post below for more info about the books.
Pastor Noel
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Essential 100 Bible Challenge
Tomorrow (1.2.2011), we will introduce our church to the Essential 100 Day Challenge. If you haven't heard the message, you can do so online. We will post it to our website and to iTunes on Monday. We will post a link to it here when available.
Here is the FAQ that will help you get started...
Essential 100 Day Challenge FAQ
When will the Essential 100 Day Challenge Begin?
- Wednesday (1.5.2011) -- Why Wednesday? We want you to have a couple days to invite your friends to join you in this life changing challenge.
How to Be A Part of the Essential 100 Day Challenge?
- · Complete an E100 Commitment Card or if you are reading this online, send us a quick email with your name and address to e100@fbcho.com.
- · Make sure you have an E100 Scripture List. Lists are available at church or by requesting one at the email address: e100@fbcho.cm.
How can I interact with others who are doing the E100 Challenge?
- · Visit our Facebook Event Page to share your insights and be encouraged by others who have joined you in this challenge. You can reach the link from the church website (www.FirstBaptistHeath.com) or the pastor's blog (PastorDear.blogspot.com).
Can I do this online or with my mobile device?
- · Yes. Go to the YouVersion Website or access your YouVersion App and search for the "Essential 100" reading plan.
How can I encourage others to be a part of this?
- · Invite your Facebook friends by going to the Event Page and clicking 'Invite'.
- · Call friends and family and ask them if they would do this with you for the next 100 days.
Is there a resource to help me understand what I am reading?
- · Yes. The book is titled, "The Essential Bible Guide: 100 Readings Through The World's Most Important Book" by Whitney Kuniholm. This book is not required, but it does give helpful insights into each day's reading.
- · The book is available at the church for $10.00 (cash, check, credit card).
- · The book is also available at Amazon ($10.96).
- · The book is also available on the Kindle ($9.29) and Nook ($9.99) electronic platforms.
Pastor Noel
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