The GBF Blog

Upcoming Events...

2010-08-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

Hellooooo church family!!We have quite a bit stuff going on/coming up so I thought I’d try and highlight some things to try and keep us informed.

THIS SUNDAY, August 29^th…I am really looking forward to! We’ll have Communion, our FIRST

on site baptisms, and then no Community Groups because we’ll be having church wide BRUNCH. So bring a brunch item to share and be prepared to share in Christ and what Christ is doing in our congregation, it will be a great day of Biblical fellowship for all who attend.

Then the NEXT week, September 5^th….is another big day for GBF: PROMOTION SUNDAY. So every young person that is advancing into a new Community Group will do so on that Sunday.

ALSO on that Sunday we will be launching two new classes for adults. FAITHWEAVER led by Brent Wilkens. FaithWeaver makes it easy for families to come together and grow in faith because everyone studies the same Bible story, in age-appropriate ways, each week! Our second adult class will begin a verse by verse teaching of the book of Acts that Sunday. If you were a part of the book of Mark study that we just finished and are wondering “WHAT HAPPENED NEXT???”, the answer is the book of ACTS!

….One more, MEN (and young men): SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, Men at the Cross at Park Cities Baptist Church. You can more info here.

GBF will be going down as a group and riding together where possible. We’ll need to meet at GBF at 6:15am, grab some high calorie fast food on the way, get there, get a seat, and get ready to be challenged and equipped by the WORD OF GOD. Please let me know if you plan on attending and I can order group tickets and save us some dough. Who’s in? email me at roy@thegbf.com

Ok I’m sure that’s not all but that’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Hey, stay in God’s WORD, in God’s WILL, and with God’s family…have a great week.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1

Missionary Partners In Romania...

2010-08-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

Grace Bible Fellowship!!!

Two weeks ago, Sunday August 1, GBF announced the exciting news that we will be partnering as a church in financial support with missionaries Jim and Brenda Brosch. We enjoyed a great Sunday with them that included some great information about what God is doing in Romania, a challenge to us in regards to The Great Commission of Christ from Matthew 28, and some great time of Q & A during our Community Group hour.

Want to keep up with our new partners in missions to Romania, Jim and Brenda Brosch? You can follow them on their blog here:
http://broschmission.blogspot.com/

We are so excited about what God has in store for the Brosch’s in Romania. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to raise support and make the transition to full time missionaries.

Also, be praying for God to prepare the hearts of those in Romania to receive the message of Christ, and for those who know the Lord to grow in their knowledge, faith, and love of HIM!

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 07-11-2010

2010-07-10T06:48:00.001-07:00

•EMAIL ADDRESS: If you know that you have changed your email address in the last 6 months please email the church secretary @ gbfsecretary@gmail.com. THANK YOU.

•YOUTH: This Wednesday, Serve with The Mission Gunter night. See you there!!

•GATHER: This Thursday @ 2pm we will LOTE with Hilltop Residents. Immediately after, we will travel to the Prosper Party Place for bounce housing and pizza. Mandy will send details out early next week.

•CAMP KIDJAM MANDATORY MEETING: Due to several volunteers and parents being out of town, we will move our leader/parent meeting to another date. Rescheduled meeting will be posted soon!!

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Don’t forget this Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The Bible study over “The Covenants”. It will be held at Amy Crelia’s house (235 Green meadow). If you have not received your book you may pick “The Covenants” book up at Lifeway.

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be July 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7-8pm.

•DESPARATE FOR JESUS: Will be held July 23rd-24th at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church if you are interested in attending go online and get your tickets at www.ocbfchurch.org, if unable onsite registration starts at 4:30pm July 23rd.

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•Web site: www.thegbf.com or join us on Facebook! Search Grace Bible Fellowship –Gunter TX!!!

GBF Family

2010-07-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hello church family!

I hope you all are able to enjoy some of the blessings of summer time as it FLIES by. I know for us it seems that it’s been one thing right after another. We had our Navajo friends here for a couple of visits, a lot of prep work for the New Mexico Mission trip, WENT on the NM mission trip, then a basketball camp for Q-man, a great week of Mega-Sports camp here at GBF, and here we are today…shewww it goes by quick!

This Sunday, my family and I will be out of town for a family get away of our own. So, I wanted to let you all know that WE’LL MISS YOU. If you have been out of town some this summer, and/or we haven’t crossed paths lately, please don’t hesitate to keep us in the loop on your life and prayer needs. We would love to hear from you, roy@thegbf.com.

This Sunday you will be in good hands as Wayne Stiles will be here to bring the Word in my place. Please make every effort to be in attendance as I KNOW that you will be blessed by Wayne’s time with us. Wayne is a Godly man, rich in Biblical knowledge, as well as gifted in the area of speaking and writing. You can learn more about Wayne at http://waynestiles.blogspot.com/

One more thing, if you haven’t heard, Casey is pregnant with our fourth! PRAISE GOD!!! Please pray for Casey’s health and the health of our newest gift (Psalm 127:3) from God.

Y’all are in my prayers and on my heart. I’m thankful for the family that I have at Grace Bible Fellowship.

In Christ,

Pastor Roy

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 07-04-2010

2010-07-01T11:18:00.001-07:00

•OFFICE CLOSED: In honor of Independence Day, the office will be closed Monday, July 5th.

•EMAIL ADDRESS: If you know that you have changed your email address in the last 6 months please email the church secretary @ gbfsecretary@gmail.com. THANK YOU.

•MEGA SPORTS CAMP- A BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers that helped out to make Mega Sports Camp great! It was an amazing week of fun while learning about our awesome God! And each of you played a HUGE role in making it a success!

•For those who loaned GBF items or sports related materials, you may pick your items up in the BIG KID room, located on the north hall (last room). Thank you for sharing these things with us this week!

•CAMP KIDJAM: Please be sure to see Mandy Turner today if you haven’t paid the remaining balance for your child/children. A mandatory meeting will held on July 11, 2010 for both leaders and campers. Leaders’ meeting will be at 5pm and the campers’ meeting will be at 6pm.

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: The start date is NOW July 8th, it will be every Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The Bible study over “The Covenants”. It will be held at Amy Crelia’s house (235 Green meadow). You may pick “The Covenants” book up at Lifeway.

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be July 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7-8pm.

•DESPARATE FOR JESUS: Will be held July 23rd-24th at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church if you are interested in attending go online and get your tickets at www.ocbfchurch.org, if unable onsite registration starts at 4:30pm July 23rd.

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•Web site: www.thegbf.com or join us on Facebook! Search Grace Bible Fellowship –Gunter TX!!!

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 06-20-2010

2010-06-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP: Please pray for the students serving on the mission trip. Pray that they would display God’s glory to the Navajo students, be unified as a group, and return home safely.

•YOUTH WANTED: To help with the Mega Sports Camp, the week of June 28th– July 2nd. 5-8:30pm. Please contact Mandy Turner @ 903.818.7722 or mandy@thegbf.com and let her know when you are available to help. If you can only work a day or two that’s great just let her know when you are available.

•MEGA SPORTS CAMP REGISTRATION AND VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed and wanted. A list of "types" of volunteers is on the children's table. **On June 28, from 4:30-5:45pm, all youth and adult volunteers will have an orientation-type meeting to prepare for the week's event! On that same night, we will have an OPEN YARD PARTY for our entire church and community from 6:00-8:00pm. Neighborhood children can register at this time. We will also have bounce houses, playground games, and treats for everyone! Mega Sports Camp will resume June 29th-July 2nd from 5:00-8:30pm!

•CAMP KIDJAM: All campers payments were due June 6th!!!! Please be sure to see Mandy Turner today if you haven’t paid the remaining balance for your child/children. A mandatory meeting will held on July 11, 2010 for both leaders and campers. Leaders’ meeting will be at 5pm and the campers’ meeting will be at 6pm.

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: The start date is NOW July 8th, it will be every Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The Bible study over “The Covenants”. It will be held at Casey Layman’s house (107 East Main).

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be July 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7-8pm.

•DESPARATE FOR JESUS: Will be held July 23rd-24th at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church if you are interested in attending go online and get your tickets at www.ocbfchurch.org, if unable onsite registration starts at 4:30pm July 23rd.

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 06-06-2010

2010-06-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP: If you are interested in donating to this fund, please come prepared to give, as we will take up a special offering today! Thank you for all your support!!

•GBF FAMILY ADVENTURE NIGHT: Pack your sunscreen and OFF because we are inviting everyone to come be a part of our 1st Annual Adventure Camp. It will be June 13, from 4-9pm in Anna, TX. You must sign up to go. Sign up sheets are at the Welcome Center and at the children’s table. More details on sign up sheets.

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be June 15th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7-8pm.

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•MEGA SPORTS CAMP: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Due to many awesome things going on @ GBF. We have changed the date of the women’s Bible study. The start date is NOW July 8th, it will be every Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The Bible study over “The Covenants”. It will be held at Casey Layman’s house (107 East Main).

•DESPARATE FOR JESUS: Will be held July 23rd-24th at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church if you are interested in attending go online and get your tickets at www.ocbfchurch.org, if unable onsite registration starts at 4:30pm July 23rd.

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

Navajo Info...

2010-06-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

What a great time last weekend with the folks from the Navajo reservation last weekend hu?

Many of you have been inquiring about when you can see them again and how you can help them further.

First, know that we will be taking up a special youth missions offering this Sunday at GBF that will go towards helping students GO to SERVE on an upcoming MISSION TRIP to the reservation. This is the ONLY fund raiser that the youth will do this year and is a BIG help to the over all student ministry to have assistance for the trip. Please seek the Lord and see if he would have you give.

Second, we’ll be collecting items to deliver to homes as care packages while we are on the trip in an effort to reach people with the Gospel and at the same time meet physical needs. Items that we need include: canned meats of all kinds, and toiletry items like toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, lotion, soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and band aids. You can bring these items to church (GBF) with you and leave them on a table located in the greeting area under the SERVE banner, or drop them off at the church office (M-Thrs 9am-2pm).

Third, we’ll be looking for prayer partners for those going on the NM youth mission trip. These are people who commit to daily prayer for a student and/or leader and writing an encouragement card to give them when they return. We will give you a bracelet to remind you to pray for your student and/or leader each day.

If you need more info on any of these ways to help please contact THE Lara Martin @
laralmartin@yahoo.com, 903.815.0562 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 903.815.0562 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Finally, you should know that Wesley and the Navajo group will be coming back to our area next week. They will be staying with us, in the host homes they did last weekend and will be speaking and sharing at FBC Howe at 6:30 on Wednesday June 9^th. I have spoken with the pastor at FBC HOWE and he has assured me that EVERYONE is welcome. So if you’d like, make plans to hear from the Navajos again at FBC Howe, (100 E. Davis Howe, TX 75459).

Love y’all. Have a great rest of the week!

Roy

GBF Family Adventure Night

2010-06-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a special evening full of adventure at Collin County Adventure Camp!
All are invited to join us! On June 13th, we will meet at 3:15pm at the GBF parking lot and will head over to Anna, TX where Collin County Adventure Camp is located. Our evening events will run from 4pm-9pm.

Upon arrival, we will then participate, as one large group, in an activity together. Following the activity, we will meet together for dinner time in the kitchen hall. After eating and fellowshipping together, families will be free to go to activities of their own choice for the next two hours.
Activities to choose from include:
Archery/ BB’s
Educational Hall
Swimming
Canoeing
Climbing Wall
Fishing
Games
Hiking
Frisbee Golf
**For our older persons- An air conditioned, educational building will be open where you may mingle and play games if the weather is too hot for you:-)

Our night will end near sunset time as we will all gather near the lake for a time of worship and devotional time!

COST:
The kitchen will open and feed individuals for a very small fee, but we need at least 25people minimal to sign up for CCAdventure Camp to open their kitchen. However, you may opt to choose to bring your own sacked dinners and coolers.

$10 per person-meals included
$5 per person-bring your own sacked meal
Children 5years and younger are free!

If your family is larger and you need financial assistance, please contact Mandy Turner asap...as she may be able to help you with a plan!

Sign up sheets are at the Children's Table and the Welcome Center...or you may email Mandy at mandy@thegbf.com.

It's gonna be a great time!!!! Hope to see everyone's name on the sign up sheet!

Mandy Turner
903-818-7722
mandy@thegbf.com

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 05-30-2010

2010-05-29T08:32:00.001-07:00

•BRUNCH AND THE NAVAJO’S: Is TODAY after worship service. Be sure and stay for great fellowship with family and friends.

•GATHER: Wednesday, June 2, Mandy will be sending email out soon with details.

•YOUTH: Whirley Ball this Wednesday, 6-8:30pm

•GBF FAMILY ADVENTURE NIGHT: Pack your sunscreen and OFF because we are inviting everyone to come be a part of our 1st Annual Adventure Camp. It will be June 13, from 4-9pm in Anna, TX. You must sign up to go. Sign up sheets are at the Welcome Center and at the children’s table. More details on sign up sheets.

•DESPERATE FOR JESUS: Will be held July 23rd-24th at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church if you are interested in attending go online and get your tickets at www.ocbfchurch.org, if unable onsite registration starts at 4:30pm July 23rd.

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP: If you are interested in donating to this fund, please come prepared to give on June 6th, as we will take up a special offering at that time!

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Due to many awesome things going on @ GBF. We have changed the date of the women’s Bible study. The start date is NOW July 8th, it will be every Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The Bible study over “The Covenants”. It will be held at Casey Layman’s house (107 East Main).

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be June 15th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7-8pm.

•MEGA SPORTS CAMP: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•Web site: www.thegbf.com or join us on Facebook! Search Grace Bible Fellowship –Gunter TX!!!

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 05-16-2010

2010-05-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

•Camp KIDJAM- If you have not paid your May payments please be sure to see Mandy Turner today. **Tracks selections, T-shirt sizes, and birthdates need to be specified to Mandy, as well.

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•SENIOR SUNDAY: GBF will recognize the graduating 2010 senior students on May 23rd.

•BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) for baptism it is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come…

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP: If you are interested in donating to this fund, please come prepared to give on June 6th, as we will take up a special offering at that time!

•WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: The women’s ministry will be hosting a Bible study over “The Covenants”. The initial meeting will be Tuesday June 8th. The following meeting will be Thursday, June 17th, it will be every Thursday, from 6:30-8:30pm. The study will be held at Casey Layman’s house (107 East Main). This study will last for 8 weeks. For more information regarding this study, please contact Tinna Hood @ 903.815.4055.

•CHILDREN’S MINISTRY MEETING: June 19th, 6:30-7:45pm @ the GBF sanctuary! Kids welcome to play outside.

•Mega Sports Camp: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

Announcements and Activities, Sunday 05-09-2010

2010-05-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

•Mega Sports Camp: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•Camp KIDJAM- If you have not paid your May payments please be sure to see Mandy Turner today. **Tracks selections, T-shirt sizes, and birthdates need to be specified to Mandy, as well.

•TeamKID and IMPACT: TeamKID and IMPACT concluded their program for the 2009-2010 year on Wednesday. TeamKID and IMPACT will resume in the Fall of 2010.

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•GBF 101/BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

Hello...

2010-05-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

What a beautiful day outside right?...And the rainbows earlier this week, amazing! I know it’s a busy world, but for us that live out here “in the country” we have a great view going to and from work or school or wherever your daily routine takes you. So let’s slow down and be in AWE of the beauty that God placed around us!

I hope you all are getting as much out of the series on 1 Corinthians as I am. God just continues to reveal himself through His Word in the letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians. The more I read the more I realize how relevant this letter is to our world today. If you would like to read ahead, read through the end of chapter 3 to get a good context of where we are.

This week is mother’s day. So kids and dads: don’t blow it! :) Make mom feel special, BECAUSE SHE IS, and we’ll do some things to help with that on Sunday as well.

Also be aware that at the end of this month, Sunday, May 30. We will have visitors from the Navajo reservation coming HERE! Pastor Wesley Castillo of Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be preaching that Sunday. It will be a blessing to see and hear how God is working on the Navajo reservation as well as a culturally enlightening experience for many of us.

That Sunday, May 30th, we’ll have communion and then a community brunch afterward. It will be a great time of fellowship, not only for us but for the Navajo people as well! We are REALLY looking forward to it.

Please be in prayer as the 30th gets closer. Pray for the safe travel of our New Mexico friends and for us as we prepare for their arrival, that we could make this visit a beautiful example of the Christian brothers and sisters coming together in the name of Jesus.

I love y’all and look forward to seeing you Sunday if not before. Please feel free to email things that I can pray for you or just let me in on life in general. Email roy@thegbf.com.

Have a great rest of the week in the Lord,

The Layman called pastor :)

2010-04-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

•WELCOME: Please welcome to the GBF Family our newest members Jessica Cook and Thomas and Jane Mrozinski!!

•Mega Sports Camp: The Children's Ministry will be hosting a Sports Camp on June 28-July 2 from 5pm-8:30pm. Details will soon be posted!

•Camp KIDJAM- We have three spots open! May payments are due TODAY. Please see Mandy to sign up or pay!

•TeamKID and IMPACT Banquet: Everyone is invited to attend our "End of the Year" Banquet this Wednesday in the sanctuary! Banquet will begin at 6:30!

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•GBF 101/BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

Sunday, 2010-04-25

2010-04-22T09:05:00.001-07:00

•TEAMKID: April 28- Last SPIRIT NIGHT- Praise and Worship/Pizza/Testimonies

•BREAKAWAY WEEKEND 2010: May 1st & 2nd (Saturday 10am through church on Sunday). Is a time for students to grow closer together, closer to their leaders; learn more about the God that loves them, all in a setting that is FUN for all involved. In short, it’s a time for students to take a break, and BREAKAWAY from the influences that discourage them as young Christians, and a time to be encouraged by the love of God, their leaders, and one another.

•May 5- "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on you don’t want to miss it. Awards will be given to all!!

•MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: The next study will be on May 18th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

•GBF 101/BAPTISM/COMMUNION: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for May 30th.

•MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: Pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

•YOUTH MISSION TRIP– The Satellite Students will travel to the Reservation in New Mexico on June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

•PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

•LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

•CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

Sunday, 2010-04-11

2010-04-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

• WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: “The Titus 2 Women” for the last time this Thursday @GBF from 7-9pm.

• MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: Will be on April 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

• COVENANT MEMBERS MEETING: We will have an informative meeting for all GBF members on April 25th, 5pm, in the GBF Worship Center.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

• April 28- Last SPIRIT NIGHT- Praise and Worship/Pizza/Testimonies

• TEAMKID: "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. You don’t want to miss it, awards to all!!

• MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

• YOUTH MISSION TRIP: To Navajo Reservation in New Mexico June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

• PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

• LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

• CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

Sunday, 2010-04-04

2010-04-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

• COVENANT MEMBERS MEETING: We will have an informative meeting for all GBF members on April 25th, 5pm, in the GBF Worship Center

• YOUTH MISSION TRIP: To Navajo Reservation in New Mexico June 19-26. Contact Casey Layman for more info: clayman@shermanisd.net

• TEAMKID: "End of the Year" Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. Details will soon be posted!

• PRAYER FOR STUDENT MINISTER: Please pray for God’s leading towards filling our open student minister position and for our great group of volunteer leaders in the interim.

• LIFELINE GROUP LEADERS NEEDED: Are you a member of GBF who is not a perfect person but a REAL person, not a Bible expert but someone who LOVES God's people? Interested in leading a small group that meets in a home for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth? We NEXT SUNDAY: Israel "Chetsiy" (Hebrew for “more than I expected!”) Sunday...A group from GBF recently traveled to Israel; next Sunday morning they will be sharing their most memorable moments with the GBF congregation!
• want to hear from YOU!!! Contact Roy for more info: roy@thegbf.com Lifeline Groups: Love one another... -Jesus (John 13:34)

• MAY 29-30: We will be joined by several of our friends from the Navajo reservation: pastor Wesley Castillo, his family and several congregates from Pine Hill Church in New Mexico will be HERE to worship with US! More details to come...

• WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: "The Titus 2 Women" meets every Thursday @ GBF from 7-9pm.

• MEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: Will be on April 20th @ 107 East Main (Roy’s house) from 7pm-8pm.

• CAMP KIDJAM: For those who have signed up but have not paid, April payments are due please contact Mandy Turner.

• OFFERING BOXES: If you have come prepare to give, our offering boxes are located at the North and South doors as you exit the sanctuary.

• GBF 101/BAPTISM: Please sign up at the Welcome Center (Kiosk) as our next class and baptism is scheduled for April 25th.

Know well...make well known.

2010-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus made his “The Triumphal Entry” into the cit of Jerusalem. The following sets the scene:

Matt 21:8-11
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,” Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

What a beautiful picture right! The crowds making the way for Jesus, praising, “Hosanna!” The word Hosanna in Hebrew means “save, we pray”, see Psalm 118:25-26. But remember, Jesus is received by the words “Hosanna, Hosanna!” and just a few days later the crowds of this city would yell, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”…How is this?

In Matthew 21:10 we have a very important question, a question that many are still asking today. Look at the end of verse 10, “the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” You have the crowds answer in verse 11, and we know what would be said regarding Jesus just a few days later, “let him be crucified” Matt 27:23. But what is our answer when we are asked that question? If someone were to say to one of us, “you are a Christian right? Well who is this Jesus?” I hope our answer would be simple, but layered. I hope that we would be able to give a very clear and personal short answer, but one that we could talk about for a lifetime. I pray that our answer would be the same today and forever, but also, that it would be even richer as our journey with Him goes on. In short, I hope we know, and are getting to know our Jesus.

And this is eternal life…know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ…” John 17:3

Let’s be a people who know our God well, that we may make him well known!!!

-Layman called pastor

Sunday Recap...The Essence of Christian Community

2010-03-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday Recap…

It sure was good for me to be back with the church family after being out for a week. LOVED ISRAEL! (you’ll be hearing more about that in the near future) but it was good to be home, and what a way to bring in the spring, SNOW! crazy hu?

Hey don’t forget that we have a Family Easters Celebration immediately after CG this week. We’ll have bounce houses, an egg hunt for the kids, and hot dogs for all. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the fellowship, it’ll be EGGTASTIC!

Also, we’ll have a baptism for Parker Johnson at the Crelia’s house (formerly the Scales’ house) at 4 pm on Sunday! If you need directions to the Crelia’s contact the church office: secretary@thegbf.com

Man that Rhome can preach right!

Here is a recap of the Word that he shared with us on Sunday:

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Our Bible text was from Ephesians with the application portion coming from Ephesians 4:25-32. I highly recommend reading the text from your Bible and spending some time in prayer about its contents.

Here are Rhome’s 5 points from Sunday:
1. Speak the truth to one another
2. Be angry at the right things and don’t let the your anger go long
3. Share with one another, be generous
4. Watch what you say and how you say it, be edifying
5. Forgive one another

As I read these 5 things I can’t help but think what a great case they are for Lifeline groups. We need some small groups to begin meeting in homes on a regular basis for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth, a place where the “one anothers” from the Bible can be learned and lived out. The first step to getting groups like this started are identifying and equipping some leaders to lead these groups. I know God has laid it on the hearts of some folks to lead a group like this. Remember, you don’t have to be a Bible teacher to lead a Lifeline group, but you do have to have a desire to love people. You don’t have to be a perfect person to lead a Lifeline group, but you just have to be a REAL PERSON. If you are interested in Lifeline group leadership, please let me know! roy@thegbf.com ….don’t wait on someone else to do it if the Lord is calling YOU...remember, God does not always call the equipped, but many times he equips the called!

I’m really pumped for our next two Sundays together. This week REMEMBER THE PASSION OF CHRIST….Then next week, CELEBRATE THE RISEN SAVIOR!

Have a great week,
The Layman called Pastor

EaSteR FaMiLy CeLEbraTIoN

2010-03-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, GBF will be hosting an informal Easter family celebration. Immediately following Community Groups, we invite ALL families and individuals to stay for a time of fun and fellowship! Hotdogs, bouncehouses, and an egg hunt will be held on the playground on the northside of the property! The old elementary gym is reserved as a backup, in case of bad weather circumstances!

WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or a blanket to lounge on and an Easter basket or sack for any children who want to participate in the egg hunt

DONATIONS: Please send candy/surprised filled egg donations to the church office (Monday-Thursday from 9am-2pm) or drop them off at the children's hall at GBF!

It's gonna be an EGGSalent time:-)

BIG GOD - small hands... recap,

2010-03-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne Your are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable...Unshakable …Unstoppable…That’s what You are
(Phillips,Craig, & Dean - You Are God Alone)

Acts 17:24-25
24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

So we don’t serve God as though He is in NEED…How do we serve Him?

1 Peter 4:11
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

We serve Him by the strength that he supplies, bringing GLORY TO HIM. Our service is to make much of GOD!
As we serve, we look to HIM, and as we look to HIM, we rely on HIM to supply us, support us, and empower us, so it is to HIM that the GLORY belongs!

Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Serving our God knowing that HE is receiving the glory is all the more reason to “Serve the Lord with gladness!” –Psalm 100:2

This Sunday we are going to being talking about CONNECT with one another, John 13:34 will be a good place to start reading ahead.

Have a great week GBF!

Do You Want to Help Send a Child to Camp KIDJAM???

2010-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

The GBF children will be attending Camp KIDJAM this summer for the fourth time! We need your help to send a few extra kids that would not have the opportunity to attend! This Sunday we will be taking up a special love offering to raise scholarships for the camp. The camp cost is $255. Our goal would be to send 4 additional students. Any donations would help make this goal possible. For more information regarding the camp or scholarships please contact Mandy Turner at 903-818-7722/ mandy@thegbf.com.

Sunday Recap...SERVE: Grace Bible Battleship

2010-02-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

"even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Jesus, Matt 20:28

Our life as Christians is to be a life that follows the example of Jesus to SERVE.
The church can many times be approached as a cruise ship, where all of our desires are fulfilled. But we ought to be more like a BATTLESHIP, where we all have a role to fill. (See Romans 12:5-6 and 1 Peter 4:10)

Some time this week, go back and look at Philippians 2:1-8, and really let that text soak in. Jesus is the ultimate servant, looking to the interest of us in obedience to the Father. Our life should be one of obedience to serve others as well and as Philippians 2 tells us, it's about having HIS mind, (the mind of CHRIST) seeking his attitude, not our own, and not the self seeking attitude of this world. Having a servant's heart takes a NEW PERSPECTIVE. One that says: Praise God for the opportunity to SERVE!!
See also, Matt 20:20-28 and Jesus' example of serving in 20:29-33.
Don't forget, it all comes down to "basin theology" : )
Have great week in the Lord Grace Bible Battleship family! We'll see you Sunday, if not before.
Roy

H.A.L.T. Temptation...

2010-02-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

HALT TEMPTATION!!!

Psalm 38:3
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

Sin is so painful to the one whose aim is to please God. We get so frustrated and disappointed in ourselves that it can feel almost unbearable. Many times our sin can hinder us from reading our Bibles or praying because we feel ashamed to meet with God. This of course, is NOT what we need to do. In times when we have sinned are the times when we need to CLOSEST to God through His Word and prayer.

But what about trying to cut sin off before it happens? Part of avoiding sin is identifying when we are most likely to be TEMPTED. There are situations and times in our life when we are more susceptible to sin than others. Here is an acronym that I recently learned to help identify those times and situations:

H.A.L.T. it stands for HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY, and TIRED

Think about the times when you struggle most with sin, isn’t it when you are hungry, angry, lonely, tired or a combination of some or all four? Unfortunately, we live in a high speed, fast food, independent, right now, deadline driven, one million and ninety one things to do in a day culture that does not help, right! So we have to make adjustments. Make God our priority, remember, only HE TRULY satisfies.

If we can identify those times and situations we can do our best to avoid them, and then be better prepared to deal with them when they present themselves.

So let’s do our best to H.A.L.T. TEMPTATION…and when we do fall into sin, don’t let it separate you from the Word of God and prayer, do as the psalmist did in Psalm 38, bring it to God and be real about it. He loves, forgives, corrects, enables, and encourages.

GROW: Toward Christian Maturity...

2010-02-14T15:32:00.000-08:00

What a great time of worship at GBF this Sunday!
This week we talked about what it means to GROW toward Christian maturity. We looked at Psalm 1, 2nd Peter 3:17-18, and then discussed 7 indicators of Christian maturity.
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

2 Peter 3:17-18 ...take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

1. Surrendered to God’s supremacy - Whole-heartedly abandoning our will to His (Matthew 16:24; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20)

2. Engaged with Scripture and prayer. - Consistently listening to God speak us through abiding in and applying His Word, as we consistently speak to Him in prayer (John 8:31-32; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22)

3. Producing the fruit of the Spirit. - Showing the life and love of Christ in our attitudes and actions in a way that is sacrificial, gracious, truthful, and transparent. (John 13:34-35, 15:12; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:5)

4. Devoted to what’s good and right. - Making ethical choices that are consistent with our new life in Christ. (Romans 12:1-2, 14:19; Ephesians 5:15-17; Philippians 4:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:1-2, 14)

5. Committed to authentic community. - Relating to other believers with authenticity, complete transparency and grace, so that we can be truly known and know others, modeling and reproducing Christ’s lifestyle and influence. (Romans 12:3-21, 14:1-15:13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 5:18-21; Hebrews 10:23-25)

6. Serving with all that God has given us, faithful in stewardship and reaching out to others in our sphere of opportunity with works of service. (Matthew 5:16, 25:34-40; James 1:27, 2:14-26, Luke 14:28-30, 33; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 9:5-15)

7. Evangelically bold. - Reaching out to others in my sphere of opportunity with the Gospel. (John 3:1-4:42; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9)

I hope your week is one of JOY for you and GLORY for him!!!

CONNECT: Evangelism/Missional Living

2010-02-09T22:03:00.001-08:00

Hey folks! Here's some notes and references from this past Sunday's sermon: CONNECT them with Christ: WHO-WHAT-WHEN-WHERE-WHY OF EVANGELISM / MISSIONAL LIVING

Acts 1:7-8

“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

WHO? YOU – YOU will receive power…God has called each of us to share his message with the world.

John 17: 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17: 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Matt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

“You and I are an indispensable link in the chain of redemption.” –John Piper

WHAT? - HIS WITNESSES – we are the walking testimony of the gospel of Christ Jesus, “Witnesses”

Acts 2:32 Peter preached: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”

Acts 3:15 Peter preaching says "and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

1. Do people see the gospel in us?

Matt 5:14 “You’re the light of the world”

2. Do people hear the gospel from us?

Rom 10:1 7So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1 Peter 3:15 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you

WHEN/HOW? When the Holy Spirit comes upon you…The when is NOW and the Holy Spirit is HOW

1 Cor 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

2 Tim 1:14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes

WHERE – “…Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” For us today that means EVERYWHERE.

WHY-

1. TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD

Acts 1:8 “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority…”

Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…

2. BECAUSE IT IS OUR HONOR

2 Cor 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

We are ambassadors!

Ambassador: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative

3. AS A REMINDER OF HOW BIG GOD IS

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Summary verse:

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Gunter Family In Need...

2010-02-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Maria, Juan, and 18 month old boy Diego, lost their home and all within to a house fire on Main St in Gunter last Thursday. They are currently staying with family here in Gunter.
Maria has expressed her immediate needs as being primarily for 18 month old Diego:
Clothes sz 2T, Diapers sz 5, age appropriate toys, and blankets
While Maria has not requested items for her and Juan, please keep in mind that they lost everything. Something you might prayerfully consider doing to help would be groceries for them and the family that has taken them in and gift cards for them to replace their clothes, household items, and other needs.
Please bring items by the GBF office (404 Hwy 289) from 9 to 2pm, M - Th...or to the church (101 West Pecan) on Wednesday night from 5:30 - 8:00pm
In Christ,
Roy
roy@thegbf.com

FREE Learning Opportunity...

2010-02-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know about a learning opportunity in our area. The very gifted, Rhome Dyck, who has preached and taught here at GBF on several occasions will be teaching a 2 part series on church history at nearby Chase Oaks Church in Plano. This FREE event is open to the public, and sure to be a blessing of enrichment to all who attend!

Here are the details:

What: The History of the Church from Acts until today (two part series)

When: Part 1 - Saturday, February 6th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Part 2 - Saturday, February 20th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Where: Chase Oaks Church, Legacy Room, 201 Legacy Drive, Plano

Cost: Free

Sunday Recap...

2010-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Good news GBF!!! We broke the 100 biscuit barrier in our brunch yesterday! You know we try not to be all about numbers, but the fact that we consumed 100 + biscuits yesterday, along who knows how many other brunch items, WOW that’s significant! I wonder how many gallons of gravy we put away? : )

Also, we had to say goodbye (see you later) to the Scales yesterday, sniff...sniff…We hate to see the them go : ( so thankful for them and their time here with us at Grace Bible Fellowship. WE LOVE YOU CHARLOTTE, JONATHAN, HELEN, DOROTHY, AND CLARA!!! WE'LL MISS YOU!!!

Here are some message notes from yesterday:

In leading up to Communion, we looked at 3 different types of eating in the Scriptures:

1. Eating without God – Adam and Eve in the garden, Gen. 3:6-7 “The Fall”

· See also 1 John 2:16

· Romans 5:12

· “…through eating the fruit their eyes would be opened to know good and evil was true, but what Satan did not reveal was that they would have the power to know good and evil without the power to do the good” -Lewis Sperry Chafer

· Ephesians 2:3

· “The doctrine of depravity has to do, not with man’s estimation of man, bit rather with God’s estimation of man…When we measure men by man, we can always find someone who is lower than we are on the moral or ethical scale, and the comparison gives us a feeling of self-satisfaction. But the Scriptures do not measure men by man; they measure men by God who has created them. The creature is measured by the Creator and is found to be wanting.” -J. Dwight Pentecost

2. Eating because of God – God led his people out of Egypt and established The Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread

· Exodus 12:1-14

· This of course looks forward to Christ in the New Testament…1 Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed

3. Eating with God – The Last Supper or The Last Passover…

· Matthew 26:26-28

o “This is my body…my blood”-Jesus

· 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

o Vs. 24“Do this in remembrance…”

o Vs. 28 “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup”

Praise God for Communion, AMEN!!!???

What a privilege it is to remember our God’s provision for us through the work of His Son, to examine our lives in relation to Him, and express our sharing in Christ Jesus our

Community Brunch and CommunionTHIS SUNDAY!!!

2010-01-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

GBF THIS SUNDAY, COMMUNITY BRUNCH & COMMUNION!!! Bring your favorite dish to share...also, don't forget it's the Scales' Last Sunday :(

Living For the Line...Give

2010-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Great day at GBF Sunday, thanks so much for worshiping with us! We spent a second week talking about possession, money, and giving. Here are some notes from our time together.

The picture to the left illustrates all of life. The DOT represents where we are now and the LINE represents eternity. As Christians, we’re to live for the line and not for the dot!

Matt 6:19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands that I still possess.” -Martin Luther

We concentrated on 3 guidelines to giving from 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

1. (VS 6.) GIVE GENEROUSLY

2. (VS 7a) GIVE PURPOSEFULLY

3. (VS 7b) GIVE CHEERFULLY

And then 3 benefits to giving from 2 Corinthians 9: 10-13

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

1. (VS 10) YOU’LL INCREASE YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

2. (VS 11) YOU’LL BE ENRICHED TO BE GENEROUS

“God prospers us, not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving” –Randy Alcorn

3. (VS 13) YOU’LL MULTIPLY GLORY TO GOD

Have a great week in the Lord GBF!

Giving...Treasures In Heaven

2010-01-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

GBF!
Enjoyed our time together Sunday! How did you like the new time? Thirty minutes makes a pretty big difference, in a POSITIVE way according to many of you :)

I wanted to first provide you all with the links to the organizations at work in Haiti that Brent Wilkins mentioned yesterday:

1. Joe White with Kanakuk Ministries – GBF men attended Men At the Cross in 09, a ministry that Joe White leads.
Send your checks to Kanakuk Ministries, Attn: Haiti Fund, 1353 Lake Shore Drive, Branson, MO 65616 or donate on-line at https://dlq4.donatelinq.net/qv10/default.aspx?MerchantID=KanakukMinistries and choose Kanakuk Haiti Fund. (All donated funds will go to the relief effort in Haiti.)

2. Crisis Response- EFCA – GBF youth and leaders served with this organization last Spring doing Hurricane relief work in Galveston.
You can give by going to www.efca.org and clicking on the "give now" button.
(Crisis Response)“will be in this for the long term recovery and for proclamation of the Gospel and disciplemaking”

In addition please keep the people of Haiti, the relief work, and the whole situation in your prayers.

Yesterday we talked about earthly treasures verses treasures in Heaven and what the Bible about how that relates to giving of our finances and possessions. Much of what we discussed came from Randy Alcorn’s book, The Treasure Principle, which I highly recommend.

Here are some notes and verse references you might have missed:
The New Testament is FAR from silent on the subject of giving, so it is for GOD'S GLORY that we discuss this topic:
Luke 3: 7-14
o share clothes and food with the poor (v.11)
o Tax collectors shouldn’t take extra $ (v. 13)
o Soldiers should be content with their wages and not try and extort money(v. 14)
See also: Acts 2:45, Acts 4:32-35, Acts 19:19

About 15% of all that Jesus said had to do with possessions and giving. Here are some examples texts:
o Mark 10:21, Luke 6:20, Luke 6:24, Luke 14:33, Luke 18:25, Luke 12:15, Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:33, Luke 19:8-9, Matthew 13:44, Luke 21:1, Luke 12:20-21, Luke 9:58

Also we discuss this for your joy!
o Proverbs 14:21, "Happy is he who is gracious to the poor."
o 1st Timothy 6:9, "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."

Our main text on Sunday was Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU….Proverbs 23:4-5 says…
4 Do not toil to acquire wealth (Do not wear yourself out to get rich NIV); be discerning enough to desist. 5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

Matthew6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU, BUT YOU CAN SEND IT ON AHEAD

Matthew6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
WHERE YOUR GIVING GOES, YOUR HEART WILL FOLLOW
If you give to your local church you’ll be involved in your local church. If you give to missions you’ll be involved in missions. If you want your heart to grow for things like these, things that have eternal value, then give to these things.

Giving your money and possessions is not the ONLY way to store treasures in heaven, but it is A WAY.
Other ways include:
o Doing good works (Eph 6:8 & Romans 2:6,10)
o Persevering under persecution (Luke 6:22-23)
o Showing compassion (Luke 14:13-14)
o Treating our enemies kindly (Luke 6:35)

And remember your FIRST TREASURE and the GREATEST TREASURE BY FAR has to be a person in CHRIST JESUS, resulting in a place for you in heaven. We have to have eternity with Christ established before we try and add treasures to it.

Have a great week!

CONNECT-GROW-SERVE

2010-01-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

Great Sunday with the church family at GBF this week!
I'd like to remind you (inform you if you missed) of some changes that we have made.
1. We are changing the start of our worship service time from 9:00am to 9:30am. This, in an effort to make it easier for folks to get there on time so that we can all enjoy worship TOGETHER and also to be sensitive to those that may be with out a church home and seeking one in the area. I know, I know, you don't have to tell me "we'd be there if we had our worship service at 5 am in the snow, because we love JESUS." :) Well you don't have to, 9:30 will be fine, enjoy the 30 minutes of extra snooz :)
2. We will still have second hour small group time following corporate worship, but we will now refer to it as Community Group rather than EKG (Empowering Kingdom Growth). We fear that we were scaring some people by inviting them to an EKG after worship service (YIKES). It was a good name for it, just left too much to be explained.

Our sermon this week was over Ephesians 4:11-16 with emphasis on vs 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. We discussed how a person who is equipped is one who is CONNECTED to Christ and other believers, GROWING in their knowledge and relationship with God, and SERVING with all that God has given them. Here are some notes and references that you might find useful:

CONNECT with Christ - Ephesians 1:18-2:10

“Come As You Are…” Rom 15:7 “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God."

CONNECT with one another – Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, John 13: 35

GROW in our knowledge and relationship with God – Ephesians 4:13-14. Hebrews 5:11-14, Colossian 2:6-7

SERVE with all that God has given - Eph 6:6, Gal 6:10, 1 Thess 5:15, Rom 12:20

CONNECT, GROW, and SERVE

Happy ReNew Year II...

2010-01-03T12:55:00.001-08:00

This Sunday was great. Praise team was bringin’ it as always and folks were worshiping The God of Heaven in spirit and truth (John 4:24). In our teaching time was focused on spiritual disciplines as we spent a second week in a 2 part message entitled Happy ReNew Year – be transformed by the renewal of your mind - Romans 12:2.

Small groups didn’t meet with it being a holiday weekend, but it was so cool, and encouraging to me to see so many people hanging out and visiting with one another well after the service was over…gotta love that GBF family!

Here are some notes from Sunday’s message:

1 Tim 4:7-8 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

There are things that the scripture refer to as “silly myths” that we are to “Have nothing to do with”. (See also Psalm 101:3)

Then there are also some thing that are “of some value”. But these things are no substitute for “godliness” which has “value in every way” in the here and now AND in the life to come.

Spiritual disciplines are a great way for us to train ourselves for this valuable godliness available to us.

The Word of God, the Bible is the hub for our spiritual disciplines, we outlined a few ways that we could make use of it.

WEEKLY IN CHURCH – Hebrew 10:24-25

singing and praising (EPHESIANS 5:1)
preaching and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2-5)
Community Groups & Lifeline (Col 3:16)

DAILY QUANTITY OF TIME IN THE WORD – 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20, Matthew 4:4

DAILY QUALITY OF TIME IN THE WORD – Psalm 119:15

MEMORIZE THE WORD GOD- Psalm 119:11

Suggested verses for memorization, maybe one a quarter this year:

1 John 5:11-12

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Also, we handed out these ten questions to ask at the start of the New Year:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Happy ReNew Year cont...

2009-12-30T09:55:00.001-08:00

Haggai 1:5 says:
Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.

Popular band Switchfoot a few years ago sang:
This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose?

The song poses a good question. Maybe a better question is, have you aligned what you want to be with all that God wants you to be? Have your desires become HIS desires? If so then you know that you can find true joy in HIM. If not, this is a good time think about what you want to do to change that.

Psalm 144:4 says,
Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Don’t allow another year pass by not living the way that God wants you to live, “Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5), set your priorities, “train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). Make this a HAPPY ReNEW YEAR (Rom 12:2)
:)

Happy ReNew Year!!!

2009-12-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I thought I would give you a recap from yesterday and also refer you to some helpful resources that you may or may not be aware of.

First, a book by Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. The first chapter of this book is much of what I gave you yesterday, a description, PURPOSE, and call to Spiritual disciplines. I believe Mr. Whitney is a great author, but the main thing is that he uses THE BIBLE. If you are not a big reader, you can go to itunes and download the audio version for $9.99.

Also, here is a link to The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. We had some of these available in hard copy on Sunday and will have more this week. But if you would like to download and print your own you can do so. If you are going to read the whole Bible in a year as many of us are, please sign up at the Welcome Center at GBF or email me and let me know. I’d like to put you on an email list to provide encouragement from time to time.

SUNDAY RECAP:

Romans 12:1-2 – Happy ReNew Year!

The renewing of our minds is a constant process of renewal. One of the ways that we can do this is through Spiritual disciplines. While our holiness ultimately depends on God (John 17:17, Heb 2:11), He has given us a measure of participation through avenues such as the spiritual disciplines.

Spiritual disciplines- personal and corporate disciplines that promote spiritual growth.

Examples of spiritual disciplines: bible reading, prayer, scripture memorization, journaling, corporate worship, fasting, giving, fellowship, solitude, etc.

1Timothy 4:7-8

The purpose or goal of spiritual disciplines is GODLINESS. (Synonymous with Christ-like and holiness)

It is of great importance that we get the purpose because if we don’t they can just become a chore that we face and over time resent.

“DISCIPLINE WITHOUT DIRECTION IS DRUDGERY”

Jesus is our ultimate model for spiritual discipline, praying, fasting, quoting scripture when tempted. He was disciplined to pray and seek God, even when he was facing the cross: Matthew 26: 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Jesus, modeled the ultimate discipline of himself for godliness

Spiritual disciplines have been described as HIGHWAY to the oceans of God, or putting yourself in the PATH of God, a CHANNEL through which his grace flows, or a GREENHOUSE, where all of the elements are just right for growth.

Freedom can be found in the spiritual disciplines when we find that we are blessed by what we are bound to. If our goal is to be Christ-like and spiritual disciplines are a means by which we can achieve that, then we love them and embrace them. See Jesus words in Matthew 11:28-29

Have a great week!

Roy

Blood Drive to Benefit Ian Johnson

2009-12-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

The Texoma Blood Drive Bloodmobile will be at The Dollar General Store in Gunter for a blood drive To Benefit Ian Johnson on Wednesday, December 23 from 11am to 3:30pm

Christmas Eve- Candle Light Service and Communion, 6pm

2009-12-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve, Candle Light Service and Communion, 6pm
Please join us at Grace Bible Fellowship as we come together to sing praises and take Communion, all in remembrance and celebration of King Jesus.
Nursery (24 months and under) will be provided.

Word Out- Gettin' the WORD Out! Psalm 63:3

2009-12-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3

This verse has been on my mind for nearly a week now!
The psalmist is giving his reason for praise to God. Which he says is God’s “steadfast love”.
That makes sense right, we praise God because he loves us so much. Because of all that he has done for us. We praise him because he has given us so much, for how great our life is, for good food, good health, a home, a family…BUT WAIT. What did the psalmist say that his love was “better than”? He said that his love was better than “life”. So His love is better than all of the things that we might normally praise him for. His steadfast love is better than…my house…food…comfort…my health…my family...HIS STEADFAST LOVE is BETTER than all of that, better than LIFE!

Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Lamentations 3:24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

These verses remind me of the frailty of life and the value of God, and how easily everything around me can be gone so quickly. But the steadfast love of God never changes. No disaster, no tragedy, no illness, no poverty, nothing can take away the steadfast love of God. He IS worthy of our praise! Psalm 63:3 is right on!

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3

“Life is dear, but God's love is dearer. To dwell with God is better than life at its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honour, in wealth, in pleasure; yea, a thousand lives are not equal to the eternal life which abides in Jehovah's smile.” – Charles Spurgeon

New Mexico Mission Trip 09, FAMILY 2 FAMILY

2009-12-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

Update From Our Elders...

2009-12-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

Since the time of ordination in October, the elder team at Grace Bible Fellowship has been actively pursuing their responsibilities to LEAD, FEED and PROTECT the body of believers at Grace Bible Fellowship.(1Peter 5:1-3) We have begun the elder enrichment process led by Mr. John Jonas of Broken Heart Ministries. During this process Mr. Jonas is instructing the elders how to effectively minister to the believers in our body. Mr. Jonas is providing a solid Biblical foundation on which our elders can grow and mature as effective leaders in the church.

In addition, the elder team has been reviewing the 2009 church budget and has been praying over the 2010 budget. We are seeking God's counsel on how to best utilize the resources he has provided for ministry. In addition, we are asking the Holy Spirit to convict our members to search their hearts and ask God for guidance in their lives in the realm of stewardship and financial support of the church. We are asking our members to adhere to the Biblical guidelines surrounding stewardship, and eagerly await witnessing the blessings on their lives that will flow to them as a result of their obedience. (Proverbs 28:20)

Finally, we are working on solidifying the vision for Grace Bible Fellowship. What does God want GBF to be in the Gunter community? How can we be salt and light to both OUR members, and the people in our community who do not know Jesus?(Matthew 5:13-16) As part of this vision, we are seeking God's wisdom on how to best utilize the second hour of our Sunday morning time. We are firmly committed to discipling our members in the Word of God. We are seeking ways to help our members become fully literate, knowledgeable believers who will be able to take the Word of God, understand it, and use it to impact others around them. (2 Timothy 2:15)

We continue to covet your prayers of support and encouragement. We will be the first to admit that we do not know all of the answers.....but God does. We ask that he reveals his will to us and that we remain steadfastly obedient to fulfilling his will in our lives. To Him be the glory.

Brent Wilkens

Watoto FREE Concert This Wednesday Evening!

2009-12-01T08:18:00.001-08:00

Watoto FREE Concert This Wednesday Evening!
Since 1994 Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured internationally spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children. The choir represents Watoto’s vision and mission through their music and dance. The children are among the 1.8 million boys and girls in Uganda who have had the tragic experience of losing one or both of their parents to AIDS or war. The purpose of Watoto is to provide spiritual, physical, educational and emotional care for every child so that each one will become a responsible Christian and productive citizen of Uganda.

Join us Wednesday night at 6:30pm for an inspiring performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir. The concert will prove to be colorful and lively demonstration of the life-changing love of God experienced by the children of Watoto.

The concert is free. A love offering will be collected.

NM Mission Trip...Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hey family,

Just a quick update on the NM Family 2 Family mission trip, it was incredible! Through selfless service the Navajo people were blessed, the gospel was proclaimed, our partnership with them was furthered, our eyes were opened, and we as a 10 car line of missionaries did lots of “livin’ and lovin’” together. All for the GLORY of GOD in the name above all names, JESUS.

Thank you so much to EVERYONE, for all the prayers, contributions, and participation. We all had to pull together for this one and it was evident in the successful outcome of the trip.

We’ll have a slide show and some folks to share a little this Sunday! Also this Sunday, we’ll continue our Life In HD series and have Communion as well. We’ll see you then!

In the mean time, before we dig in to all that Turkey day goodness around the table, take time to thank God for all He has blessed you with. Then, maybe spend some time thanking God for being GOD. I posted the following on my Facebook status today: Thankful for so many things, but on my mind today, that FACT that His "...steadfast love is better than life..." -Psalm 63:3 Speaking about the things of this earth: "These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the ocean" -Jonathan Edwards

And remember, for us as Christians, Thanksgiving is not merely a holiday, BUT A WAY OF LIFE:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thess 5:16-18

After all, we have been saved by Grace through Faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Who humbly came to earth, lived a sinless life, suffered the horrific cross, overcame sin and death that we may have abundant life in Him and spend eternity with GOD. (Eph 2:8-9, Phil 2:3-4, Rom 10:9, John 10:10, 1 John 5:11-12)

Have a great Thanksgiving GBF,

Roy

This Sunday...Last Sunday

2009-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hello all. I hope you’re week is bringing GLORY to GOD and JOY to you!

I wanted to let you all know that this Sunday, as some of us will be out on a mission trip to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico, the rest of you will be in for a special Sunday as well. Ben Mogos, who currently teaches Bible Study Methods at Dallas Theological Seminary, and is an employee of Chuck Swindoll’s, Insight For Living will be here to share the Word with our church. Ben brings a well of Biblical knowledge, experiences, and culture as well, as he calls Romania his home.

Also, in the youth room, during EKG hour this Sunday, will be Everette Robertson, who is the son of lifelong missionaries in Ivory Coast, Africa, and has done extensive missionary work himself. He graduated from Southwest Seminary, has taught Greek at the University of Michigan and is studying with Wycliffe to serve as a Bible translator to Ghana. He’ll have some great pics, stories, and a question and answer time for everyone. Did I mention that he is Charlotte Scales cousin???Make sure your students are there!

LAST SUNDAY'S RECAP: we continued our series Life In HD, with the subject of Integrity.

Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 2:21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it

Integrity – in Hebrew, is a word that means whole, sound, unimpaired. Webster’s dictionary says that it is an unimpaired condition, soundness…adherence to a code of moral, artistic, or other values…the quality or state of being undivided. Or maybe better understood by its opposite –hypocrisy.

So to be a person of INTEGRTIY is to be WITHOUT HYPOCRISY... without hypocrisy in what we say, and in all of how we live.

A couple of major benefits of a living a life of integrity are:

1. A life that is WITHOUT THE DIFFICULTIES OF DUPLICITY. That we are not constantly lying, covering up, living with guilt, shame, etc.

2. Of course, becoming more useful for GOD AND HIS GLORY.

Becoming a person of integrity is something that we should be intentional about. It is part of a process called sanctification, which is God’s will for you and I. (1 Thess. 4:3)

I thought you might enjoy the closing quote that I used from pastor Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.107-8

THE WORLD NEEDS MEN...

who cannot be bought;
whose word is their bond;
who put character above wealth;
who possess opinions and a will;
who are larger than their vocations;
who do not hesitate to take chances;
who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
who will be as honest in small things as in great things;
who will make no compromise with wrong;
whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
who will not say they do it" because everybody else does it";
who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity;
who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;
who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes."

In addition, if you would please pray for the following to be accomplished on the trip to New Mexico:

·         To share the message and love oF Christ

·         To share the resources God has given us

·         Further our partnership with the navajo people for the Kingdom of God

·         To practice and promote missional livng and unity in our local body of believers

In Christ,

Roy

Word Out- Gettin' the WORD Out!

2009-11-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

Word Out –Getting’ the Word out...

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

If you missed Sunday, one of the things we talked about was that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We defined this fear of God by saying it was desperate dependence resulting in reverent intimacy. One of our illustrations was my 20 month old daughter, Norah, who is pretty much FEARLESS! She’ll just take off in Wal-Mart if you let her and won’t look back! Well, this past Monday night, the FEARLESS Norah strikes again. About 9:45 Monday night, we are all still awake and the house is still full of activity…All of a sudden we hear Trinity say “oh no Norah” followed by a big THUD. We have hard wood floors so everything makes a loud noise, so our first response was to look at each other and wait for what followed. A split second later, we hear Norah, “WHAAAAA”, loud crying. The kind of crying that makes parents lose all sense of reality and knock each other down trying to get to the source. NORAH, who had been playing in her baby bed, had found a way to get her leg up over the bed rail, and had FALLEN to the floor, hence the THUD noise. Now before you call 911, CPS, my in-laws, or any of the number of people who love and help us take care of Norah, let me tell you, she was fine. A little shook up, scared, but fine. Trinity who witnessed this dramatic event was probably the most upset! We still don’t know how she did it (she must have her dad’s freakishly strong upper body, NOT)! Or WHY she did it? It just seems crazy to leave a perfectly comfortable safe place to go plummeting to the floor below! (Unless of course she knew that was a sure way to get to sleep in mom and dad’s bed, and it wasJ)

Here’s the point, aren’t we many times a lot like Norah when it comes to God, our “Shepherd”, and His “green pastures” and “still waters”? Don’t we find ourselves ignoring God’s wisdom, leaving His protection, and trying instead to do it our own way? Many of us continue to endure unnecessary pain in life, because even though we may be able to quote Psalm 23, we don’t always live like we believe it. Do we really possess this desperate dependence resulting reverent intimacy with God?

Reread Psalm 23:1-3
What does the Psalmist say that the Lord is to him?
What are the results of the Lord being those things to him?
Does your life reflect the Shepherding of God?
In verse 3, for who’s namesake does He lead us in “paths of righteousness”?

Prayer response:

God, you are so awesome, and I don’t want to be anywhere but where you are. Forgive me for the times that I have strayed. Thank you for being my shepherd, for your protection, and provision. Make me a humble sheep who desires reverent intimacy with you. Amen.

NEW SERIES...

2009-11-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like the view you are getting of life is a little fuzzy? Like there is something MORE than what you are seeing? Join us Sunday mornings as we seek CLARITY from God’s Word, on some very familiar areas of life.

Don't settle for a fuzzy, low resolution version of life, it's time for LIFE IN HD! John 10:10

Mission Project: Family2Family Boxes

2009-11-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

FAMILY 2 FAMILY BOXES: Do you want to help out with the Family 2 Family Mission Trip to New Mexico but can’t attend???? We have a way for you and your family to actively participate from here at home!

As most of you are aware we will be sending some of our very own GBF families on a mission trip to the Navajo Reservation the weekend prior to Thanksgiving.

Therefore, we only thought it appropriate to assist with the Mission Trip by asking families to help by gathering shoeboxes, or storage boxes similar in size. Much like Operation Christmas Child, we ask that you stuff each box with necessities that would be useful to the people of the New Mexico Reservation.

Such items would include: gloves, socks, toboggans, toothbrush, brush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.

Our goal is to send at least 25 boxes. If you would like to participate but do not have the funds to fill a full box, the Children’s Hall will have a few boxes that you can slowly fill with a few items at a time!

Boxes may be stacked in front of the kitchen on the children’s hall or at the church office from 9am-2pm (Monday-Thursday). The last day to donate will be November 19^th.

This is a great opportunity to help give this season and a great way to support our GBF missionaries!!

For more information please contact Mandy Turner at mandy@thegbf.com or at 903-818-7722.

Word Out- Gettin' the WORD Out!

2009-10-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Word Out – October 27, 2009

Think about how many times have you heard or said things like this: “We are out of (insert random much needed item here), I’m going to the store!” or “Oh no, we need to stop at the store!” or “did you remember to stop at the store?”…We are CONSTANTLY running to the store for something that we suddenly realize that we don’t have, but desperately need. If you don’t believe me, go to Dollar General, it’s always packed with frantic people like you and I, buying one or two items at a time. Btw- what in the world did we do before Dollar General anyway? Oh the horror right! Let’s not even think about it!

The point is that we don’t always do a good job of anticipating our needs and then we find ourselves in a panic trying to find what we need! The same can be true of how we treat the Word of God. Ever feel like you are always running into some situation that you don’t know what God says about it or where the Bible addresses it? So you find yourself either living without knowing or best case, searching and searching for that nugget of truth to bring you through a difficult time. Now, don’t let me discourage you from SEARCHING the Scriptures for answers, WE NEED TO DO THAT. But let me offer an alternative from God’s Word, Psalm 119:11 the Psalmist says, I have stored up your word in my heart…This verse holds in it the idea of STORING the Word of God in our HEART for use at a later time. So how do we do that? We read it…OFTEN…DAILY. We learn it, we meditate on it, we memorize it, we keep it, because we know that it will be put to use! Spending time learning the Word can create in our hearts a SAM’S WAREHOUSE of God’s nourishment to be put to use for our own life and to help those around us!
Read the text below, in your own Bible if you can, and underline words that stand out to you as powerful.
What is this passage reminding YOU to do? ….Pray and ask God to help you do it.
Psalm 119:9-16
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

“The word of God hidden in the heart is a stubborn voice to suppress.”--Billy Graham

SPIRIT NIGHT for TeamKID and IMPACT 56

2009-10-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

TeamKID and Area/Impact 56 will have Spirit Night tomorrow! So what does that mean!?!?! Well, first of all we will be a little louder and a little crazier while celebrating with our friends and rejoicing in the Lord, because He is so GOOD to us!! "We Just Won't Be Quiet about it!!! "

We will feed ALL kids PIZZA tomorrow night, as well!!! So bring your kids with empty tummies!

TeamKIDs will support their group colors from head to toe!

PreK-K: Yellow
1st-2nd Girls: Red
1st-2nd Boys: Blue
3rd-4th Girls: Pink
3rd-4th Boys: Green

God bless and enjoy the beautiful day he has given us today!!!

CELEBRATE GBF!!!!

2009-10-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATE GBF - elder ordination this Sunday DURING worship time, church-wide fellowship lunch AFTER EKG time. If you would like to bring something please call church office or email us.
See you then!!!

Word Out– October 20th

2009-10-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Words…words…WORDS!!! Think about how many words you have encountered today: schedules, billboards, emails, text messages, facebook, Sports Center stats, scrolling news reports, textbooks; you may have seen many, at least a few, or maybe ALL of these forms of words, and possibly even MORE today. By now you are thinking OK ROY, SO WHY ARE YOU MAKING US READ MORE WORDS : )

We can get so bogged down with information/word overload that we don’t take time each day for the most important word of all, the Word of God. Why is it most important? Look at it again, Word OF GOD. We read the Word of God, because we WORSHIP the GOD OF THE WORD. We value Him, so we should value HIS WORD.

In the passage below, notice the synonyms for God’s Word: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, rules. I encourage you to open your Bible and read them from there if you can! If you write in your Bible, underline the synonyms from the passage and then go back and see if you can underline an action for each one. For example for 119:1 the synonym is “law” and the action is “walk in”. Then think about what it means to “walk in” in the “law of the Lord”. Do this exercise for the whole passage, remember, IT’S GOD’S WORD!

Psalm 119:1-8
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!

“Some people like to read so many [Bible] chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather let my soul soak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up in your very soul, till it saturates your heart!” --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Roy

roy@thegbf.com

FAMILY2FAMILY NM MISSION TRIP

2009-10-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a site dedicated to the FAMILY2FAMILY New Mexico Mission for folks who have questions who haven't picked up the literature available on Sunday:

http://sites.google.com/site/family2familynm/

Thanks Cheryl,

GBF 101 and Baptism - This Sunday

2009-09-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

We want to remind everyone that this Sunday, we will have GBF 101 during EKG hour, if you have not signed up yet please let the office know and we will make room for you. Starting at 3:00pm, we will have a Baptism service. This will take place at the home of Jonathan and Charlotte Scales (235 Green Meadow Ct, Gunter, TX 75058). Please prayerfully consider coming as this will definitely be a wonderful time well spent, together in Christ.
Hope everyone can attend!

Church Family "We need your help"

2009-09-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Church Family,

A great opportunity has come our way, but we NEED YOUR HELP to pull this off. Please familiarize yourself with the details below.

Many of you are aware that Henry “H” Harrison, a long time Gunter resident, recently went to be with the Lord. He was employed by the Gunter ISD for years as the head of the maintenance department.

First Baptist Church Gunter along with the two Churches of Christ here in town have been led to organize a community meal and fundraiser to help his family with the cost of his medical bills and have invited GBF to be a part of this effort.

The meal will be at the high school commons on Sunday, September 13th beginning at noon. First Baptist will be providing brisket, the Churches of Christ are providing the beans and potato salad, and GBF will be responsible for bringing desserts.

So if we can count on you to be there and bring a dessert please let our office know:
email secretary@thegbf.com or calling (feel free to leave a message) 903-433-1732

Please be intentional about committing to participating, communicating your commitment, and then following through as we need A LOT of desserts for this event.

Thanks so much,

GBF Staff

"BAKED GOODS FOR BUDDY"

2009-09-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

Next Tuesday, September 8th, Lady Tiger Volleyball will host "Baked Goods for Buddy" to benefit the Buddy Burney Family. Buddy Burney is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. The Burney's have been guests at church several times and their kids are very involved in our youth program. The baked goods silent auction will begin at 5:00pm and will close at the start of the Varsity volleyball match against Whitesboro. Please come out to bid on some delicious goodies that benefit the Burney's and watch some Lady Tiger Volleyball!!

Sunday, August 17th Recap...

2009-08-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we continued with our series on 4 major objectives of the church under one overarching purpose, which is of course, to BRING GLORY TO GOD.
This week our time was spent talking about COMMUNITY, also referred to as FELLOWSHIP. Our Bible text came from increasingly familiar Acts 2:42-47 and we also spent time in Romans 12:9-13.
We discuss that Biblical Community:
• originates with God’s people uniting in Jesus’ name
• includes a deep connection with others
• includes a giving of ourselves to one another

Isn’t it amazing how God has uniquely placed US together to build each other up, to care for each other, to share life and God’s love with one another? We need to take full advantage of Christian Fellowship to fully enjoy all that there is in Christ Jesus and of course, to bring GLORY TO GOD.

“The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” –John Wesley

If you’d like, check out these supporting texts of scripture:
Hebrews 10:24-25
1 Samuel 18:1-4
John 13:34-35
1 John 4:7-11

Sunday Recap...Illuminate Truth

2009-08-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching…Acts 2:42

This past Sunday we focused on the churches’ objective to Illuminate Truth –teaching the Word of God.
We began in Acts 2:42, clarifying that this was a priority to the early church, that they were “devoted” to it! We also spent time in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 where Paul charges a young Timothy to “preach the word” and warns him that people will not always want to “endure sound teaching”.
“One generation believes a truth, the next generation assumes a truth, and the third generation denies a truth” D.A. Carson

We also spent time in Psalm 19:7-11. In this passage David very eloquently outlines several wonderful benefits to the Word of God.

Finally we ended our time in John 5:39-40. Where Jesus' words helped us see that our commitment to the Word of God has got to be about our relationship with Him. If not, we are missing it!

The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.-- A. W. Tozer

Sunday Follow Up...

2009-08-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Family!
We covered quite a bit of ground yesterday as we discussed one of the main objectives of the church WORSHIP ("the activity of glorifying God in his presence with our voices and hearts."). So I thought it might be helpful to give you a summary of the many verse references used.

Acts 2:42-47 - This was our "home base" and we discussed the AWE that the early church possessed.
Hebrews 12:28-29, Romans 11:33-36 - These references support the idea of being in AWE of God.
John 4:23 - We spent the bulk of our time here unpacking several things that Jesus taught us about worship through his conversation with the woman at the well.
Exodus 7:16, Exodus 20:5, 1 Timothy 2:8 - These references gave us further Biblical understanding of Jesus' teaching on worship.
We ended our time with this
Colossian 3:16 - We ended our time with this charge from Paul, followed by a time of lifting our voices in praise to the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS!

Also, here’s one reference that I did NOT get to, but I feel like really puts things in perspective in keeping with the fact that worship belongs to God. Check it out for yourself:
Isaiah 40:21-26

ONE LAST THING! Here is the powerful quote regarding worship that we pondered:
“In many (most?) churches there are programs and activities…but so little worship. There are songs and anthems and musicals…but so little worship. There are announcements and readings and prayers…but so little worship. The meetings are regular, but dull and predictable. The events are held on time, led by well meaning people, supported by folks who are faithful and dedicated …but that tip-toe expectancy and awe-inspiring delight mixed with a mysterious sense of fear of the almighty God are missing.” -Pastor Chuck Swindoll

This Sunday...WORSHIP

2009-07-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Please join us Sunday, 9am, as we meet together in the name above all names, Jesus.
A few weeks ago we discussed how the purpose of the church and of every believer is to bring GLORY to God. (Psalm 115:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31, etc.) This week we will be taking a look at one of 4 essential objectives of the church, WORSHIP. Worship, specifically when we come into the presence of God, can be defined as "the activity of glorifying God in his presence with our voices and hearts." (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology) If you would like to read ahead in your Bible, take a look at Acts 2: 42-47, John 4:16-26, Colossians 3:16.
We look forward to seeing you each Sunday! So bring your Bible, and prepare your heart for the presence of the God who created you!

S.M.A.K. Volunteers NEEDED and WANTED

2009-07-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dear GBF Family,

July 20-24th is our annual S.M.A.K program for the children of our church and community! We expect a great turnout but are in much need of assistance!! We need volunteers to help in areas of Bible activities, arts and crafts, recreational playtime, and special daily activities.

We also need lunch donations, as well.

Sign-up sheets are located in the hospitality area near the SMAK display board. Your EKG leaders will have a sign up sheet, as well!

Feel free to contact Mandy Turner for more information!!!
mandy@thegbf.com
972-837-6166

Your help and generosity is indeed a blessing!!

Father's Day Video by GBF Kids

2009-06-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Many have requested to post the Father's Day Video from this past Sunday. Hope all the father's had a great day!!!!

MP3'S NOW AVAILABLE

2009-06-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that you can access each weekly sermon on our home web page (www.thegbf.com) as MP3's. Feel free to check it out! Download it to your ipod or collect them for your home libraries.

Enjoy!

Sunday, June 7th Recap

2009-06-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all off to a great week in the Lord. I wanted to give you a recap from our time together this past week.

Our time on Sunday was spent talking about 3 things about elders:
1. Elders in New Testament churches are biblical:
• Elders in Ephesus Acts 20:17
• Elders in all the churches that Paul founded Acts 14:23.
• Elders in the church at Jerusalem Acts 15:2
• Elders in all the churches of Crete Titus 1:5
• Elders in all the Churches of the dispersion of the Roman Empire James 1:1; 5:14
• Elders in all the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia 1 Peter 1:1; 5:1
2. What elders do: LEAD, FEED, and PROTECT
• Acts 20:28-31
• 1 Peter 5:1-5
3. Who elders are. (their qualifications)
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7
• Titus 1: 5-9
In closing we looked at the following definition for elders:
Elders: “are the doctrinal guardians of the flock and the overseers of the life of the church responsible to God for the feeding and care and ministry of the people”
-John Piper

GATHER Meetings for Children's Ministry

2009-06-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

GATHER will begin meeting this next Wednesday immediately following S.A.M. Club. We will meet every Wednesday up until July 15th from 11am-12:30pm.

This will be an informal time to "gather" our children for fun, games, and devotional times. A light lunch will be served, as well!

It is recommended that only school-aged children attend as older children will be grouped in with us as well.. This will help ensure safety among game time and such!

We are needing much help with the following.........
1) Volunteers to donate and prepare light lunches for approximately 50 children (hot dogs, nachos, sandwiches, etc...). GBF will provide paper goods and lemonade.
2) Adult and Youth Volunteers to help maintain a safe but yet fun environment and to help assist Mandy in leading games and activities (this does not have to be an EVERY WEDNESDAY COMMITMENT).
3) Prayer for a continuous growth of friendship and spiritual knowledge for the children and leaders involved.

If you are interested in helping please contact Mandy Turner at mandy@thegbf.com or at 972-837-6166.

Sign Up Sheets for lunches will be in the kiosk area on Sunday, as well!!!!

SEND THEM - Student Ministry Missions Offering, Sunday, June 7th

2009-05-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

STUDENT MINISTRY MISSIONS OFFERING, June 7TH
SEND THEM – Romans 10:15

Please prayerfully consider making a SEND THEM donation on or before Sunday June 7th.
Funds received will help pay for MISSION TRIP TRANSPORTATION and assist students who need help with funding to GO on a mission trip.

Thanks so much for your continued support,

GBF Student Ministry

Baptism and Communion - This Sunday

2009-05-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

We want to remind everyone that this Sunday afternoon, starting at 3:00pm, we will have a Baptism service and Communion immediately following. This will take place at the home of Jonathan and Charlotte Scales (235 Green Meadow Ct, Gunter, TX 75058).
Please prayerfully consider coming as this will definitely be a wonderful time well spent, together in Christ.
Hope everyone can attend!

Sunday June 7th, Elder: An Office of Noble Servanthood

2009-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

We wanted to let everyone know in advance, to please mark your calendars for Sunday morning, June 7th as we'll be taking a look at biblical qualifications and the role of elders. This message is the next step in Grace Bible Fellowship's exciting transition to becoming the elder led church God has called us to be. Again, that's Sunday, June 7th, 9:00am. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday, May 17th Recap...

2009-05-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

This week we looked mainly at Colossians 1:15-23. However, we started in Matthew 16:13-17 to make sure we have a good solid answer for the question, who is Jesus?

From Colossians 1:15-23 we discussed and answered the following.
1. Who am I? The crowning glory of God's creation.
2. Why am I here? To bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.
3. What is wrong with the world? Sin.
4. What can be done about it? Faith in the preeminent Jesus Christ.
If you enjoyed this topic and would like some further study on it, Irecommend the following book: http://www.amazon.com/Supremacy-Christ-Postmodern-World/dp/158134922X
Also, you might enjoy listening to the sermon found at the link below:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/1829_The_Supremacy_of_Christ_in_a_Postmodern_World/

I hope your week is one that recognizes the preeminence of Christ in ALL things.

Important Dates and Events to Remember

2009-05-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

It is that busy time of the year when school comes to an end. Lots of programs, lots of banquets, lots of baseball games, etc..... Therefor, we wanted to update you on some important church events that you may want to add to your calendar.

1) This Sunday we will be taking up a special love offering to help fund scholarships. Please come prepared if you would like to help. This is the one and only fundraiser the Children Ministry will partake in for the whole year!

2) Sunday Night, we will be hosting an Appreciation Dinner for workers, volunteers, and/or snack providers for the TeamKID program. Bring the family and have lasagna with us and be prepared to participate in a few fun games!!! The dinner will begin at 5pm in the sanctaury!

3) The TeamKID banquet is next week, May 20th at 6:30 pm. Awards, leadership recognition, "showing off" and refreshments will be happening during this last hour! Please invite all family and friends to attend!

4) Next Sunday, May 24th, will be Senior Sunday! Please confirm with Lara Martin or Casey Layman that your child will be present that morning!

5) May 31st is the last Sunday of the month, which means we will have GBF 101 during the EKG hour, Baptisms will be hosted at the Scales home at 3pm, and Communion Service will be held at church at 5pm. Sign up sheets are at the the kiosk in the greeting area!

The staff has been doing a great job with keeping all the blogs updated! The calendars are active, as well. A church wide calendar is presented on the home page of www.thegbf.com. You can also find specific calendars for the youth and children's programs on specific blogs. Please utilize these tools as it helps the staff not have to duplicate many tasks. Encourage other members and attendees to use these tools, as well!

We, the staff, love you GBF!

Sunday, May 10th Recap

2009-05-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Colossians 1: 9-14. We approached this text in somewhat of a reverse order, looking first at verses 12-14, as Paul gave thanks that we that we who are in Christ have been “qualified…to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (vs 12) Furthermore we discussed that we have been:

Rescued us from ignorance vs13a “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness”
Relocated to his kingdom vs13b “transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”
Redeemed vs14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
verses 9-11. Paul prays that we deepen our relationship with Jesus:

· FILLED WITH JESUS – vs9 “filled with the knowledge of his will (Jesus’ WILL- the Goal) in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (the Holy Spirit-The Means)
When a Christian is saved they receive the Holy Spirit as a guide among other things. See John 14:26, 1 Cor. 2:12, John 16:23
Paul prayed, and we should pray,that our whole life comes under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

· WALKING WITH JESUS – vs10“walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Paul prays that the Colossians practice what they preach. Our faith should be evident in the way we live our life.
"If Christianity is really true, then it involves the whole man, including his intellect and creativeness. Christianity is not just "dogmatically" true or "doctrinally" true. Rather, it is true to what is there, true in the whole area of the whole man in all of life." –Francis Schaeffer
See also: James 3:9-10, Romans 12:9, Philippians 1:10

· JOY WITH JESUS – vs 11“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy...”
Paul prayer is for God’s power and might because believers have to endure and be patient, but in all this we have JOY.
It’s the purpose and pleasure of every Christian to bring GLORY to God:
Joy – is pure GLORY unto God.

We ended with three application points:
1.Seek to have every area of your life become more and more under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
2.Show the worth of Christ in your walk.
3.Discover the joy in Jesus that brings Glory to God. God is glorified when we are satisfied in him.

Would You Like to Help Send a Child to Camp?

2009-05-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

The GBF children will be attending Camp KidJam this summer for the third time! We need your help to send a few extra kids that would not have the opportunity to attend! Next Sunday we will be taking up a special love offering to raise scholarships for the camp. The camp cost is $249. Our goal would be to send 4-5 additional students. Any donation would help make this goal possible. For more information regarding the camp or scholarships see the children's blog for weblinks and/or contact Mandy Turner at 972-837-6166/ mandy@thegbf.com.

Sincerely and Much Appreciation,
Mandy Turner, Children's Minister

Sunday, May 3rd Recap...

2009-05-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, hope you all had a great Sunday and are off to a week that brings honor and glory to God as well as joy to you.

I wanted to give you a quick recap of what we covered yesterday in our time together. Our biblical text was over Colossians 1:3-8. We discussed three specific things, possessed by the Colossians, that the apostle Paul was thankful to God for:

FAITH IN JESUS (1:4a) Our faith is not merely a blind faith, it is a faith in a real person in Jesus Christ. Nor is it just a set of rules that we go by, our faith is based on actual events.
LOVE OF JESUS (1:4b) We referenced 1 John 3:14 which says “ we know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” and discussed 4 things that can help us as we love each other through our differences:

Avoid Gossip. (2 Cor. 12:20)
Speak criticism directly to each other if you feel you need to speak to others about it. (Rom 12:18)
Look for and assume the best motive in other's viewpoint, especially when we disagree. (Rom 14:6)
Be more amazed that you are forgiven than you are that you are right. And in that way shape your relationships by the gospel. (Eph 4:32-5:2 & Luke 7:47)

3. A HEAVENLY HOPE LOOKING FORWARD TO JESUS (Col 1:5) This hope is the knowledge of the glorious reward that awaits us. We discussed just a few ways that can be heavenly minded in our time here on earth:

Think heavenly thoughts - about how great it will be when we are with our Savior whose love is so great that he died for our sins.
Pray heavenly prayers - address God with the knowledge and believing that will actually be in his presence one day. That we can't wait until we are in his presence but until then we'll be doing his work.
Read heavenly words - read your Bible, not merely as self help book, but as God's revelation of himself to us. Spend time getting to know the God you will spend eternity with. (see John 17:3)

Hope to see you all this Sunday for Colossians 1:9-14, read ahead if you'd like!

Men's Bible Study

2009-04-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

Join us Thursday evenings at 7pm - 8:45pm for a study named "Pursuing God." We are walking through and flying over the entire Bible. Come join us as we get our bearings of God's word.

A Brand New Week

2009-02-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon...

It is hard to believe how quickly this year is going by and it seems like only yesterday we were sitting around the Christmas tree. I hope and pray that this week for you holds many opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around you. I am looking forward to next Sunday morning's worship time as we take an opportunity to publicly thank our leaders in our community for their acts of service for the betterment of our lives. I hope that each of you can join us as we gather to say Thanks to the men and women who make Gunter, Texas, all that it can be. Have a great week and remember to thank God for the many blessings in your life...

Bruce

What a Finish

2009-02-13T21:09:00.001-08:00

This week we will be finishing up our study of Nehemiah and my prayer continues to be that this will be more than just a series of messages and that it will be a road map that will forever change the way we do church. God has blessed so tremendously during this time and I cannot wait to see what happens this Sunday. I do ask each of you to be in prayer for this Sunday and don't forge that we also have GBF 101 for those signed up, baptism services at 3:00 p.m. @ the Scales' and then we will come together at the church campus at 5:00 p.m. to observe a time of communion together. Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you all...

Bruce

Sons of Thunder

2009-02-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, the Nehemiah series will be coming to an end this Sunday, along with our discussion of the completion of the wall.

Raising our children is a work that never really has a "last brick" to put in place.

Children are works in progress. Life brings many situations to help us teach them. Mistakes are part of growing up. Since our children are in process, all judgments are provisional. Their story isn’t over yet. They are constantly growing, being challenged beyond their current weaknesses and limitations. Does this sound familiar to you?

But it occurred to me that it really isn’t fair to judge something until it is finished. And then it’s probably best to leave that job to the ONE who canceled all judgments held against us, once and for all, at the cross.

Jesus called John "Son of Thunder" when he met him on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Mark 3:17. However, over 40 years later we see John is known as the Apostle of Love. If he can change through his relationship with Christ, then so can we.

Just something to think about……..

Rediscovery

2009-02-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

As we conclude our God of the City series this Sunday, I hope that you have been motivated to rediscover your place on the wall. Rebuilding the walls doesn't just happen. Generally speaking- we can pray about it...but it's sort of one of those things that doesn't require a lot of prayer...God says do it! The tough thing is finding out WHAT God wants us to do. Now that requires a great deal of prayer.

One thing I remember from reading Experiencing God years ago, is that the author says that if you want to get excited about God, then be where He is. The whole point of this concept is that yes, God is everywhere, but we all know that there are a host of dead congregations out there that aren't doing a whole lot to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I don't know about you, but I want to be someplace where God is working, people are excited, the spirit of God is flowing, the Word of God is being preached, lived and shared. I want to live in that same sort of community. How do we get a community like that? The church begins living it outside of the walls of our building on Sunday morning.

Rediscovering gets the attention off you and onto a lost world..a lost country, a lost state, a lost community. If you are facing loneliness, depression, jealousy, anger, a complaining spirit, critical attitude or anything less that excitement for what God is doing in your life, then take a look around your community and get involved in something bigger than yourself. I promise when you get focused on someone else, you'll feel better!

Check out these verses today: Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1, Eph. 4:2, 5:21

Have a great day!
Bruce

What a Week!

2009-02-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

I pray that each of you have had a great week of building and yes even battling! I have found that over the course of the past few weeks one thing is very clear, that not only does God call upon us to build walls but also spend time protecting what is inside those walls. I encourage you to take a moment and think about what all is contained within your walls...The wall that has been erected around your family, is it strong? Is it secure? or does it need attention? Take the time to observe and carefully check the footings, the foundation, etc. I am praying for another great day this coming Sunday and am looking forward to celebrating with each of you as we gather to Worship. I also want to just take a minute and ask that each one who reads this update to begin praying right now for God to prepare your heart for Worship. Have a great weekend and I will see you on Sunday...

Bruce

2009-02-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6

I’ve been thinking about my father-in-law’s funeral. I wasn’t too long ago…June 2007. Jonathan’s mom asked him to say a few words at the service. The night before Jonathan and I started talking about all the things he had learned from his dad. I got a pen and took notes.

The next day, Jonathan got up in front of a full house and listed off “Things My Dad Taught Me.” The scribbled notes from that day are long gone, written on the back of a spare piece of paper and lost somewhere between the church and the cemetery. I’ve pieced together the list as best I can from our memories and the memories of a few close friends in attendance. Here it is:

Things My Dad Taught Me

1. How to drive a nail, use a T-square, change the oil, and mow a lawn.

2. The importance of keeping your workbench and your desk neat, clean, and organized.

3. The value of saving every nut, nail, bolt, or scrap of wood you find. Most will find a use down the road. Of course, they should all be kept neatly and in their rightful places (see #2).

4. The danger of procrastination. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can stay up late tonight and finish.

5. To be passionate about your country, your politics, and your family.

6. How to shave that dimple in my chin.

7. That most things in life can be worked out or explained with pen and paper. When you don’t have paper, a napkin or the back of an envelope will do.

8. The dangers of debt. Never owe money to anyone. Ever.

9. Responsibility. Keep your cars and home in top working order.

10.Faithfulness. My dad taught me how to love a woman for 50 years.

Jonathan’s dad was quite a man. Bigger than life, really. He passed down a lot of values that have a huge positive impact on our family even today. I don’t think Bert set out to teach Jonathan these lessons. He didn’t preach them. Most of his wisdom was taught by example (including the dimple shave).

Proverbs tells us that we are to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Since so much of that training comes from example, we have a responsibility to live a life that points them in the right direction.

So that leads to the question, what are our kids learning from my example? What values does my life teach? What do my kids learn from my attitudes about finances, contentment, faith, marriage, and responsibility? There are a few areas that could use adjustment, that’s for sure. And with God’s help, I am going to make changes that will benefit generations to come.

Charlotte, worship leader

Be On Guard - Choose Your Weapon

2009-02-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Every week after service, Todd and I usually have some time to discuss Sunday's worship and EKG hour. This week we sat at the table talking about the significance of weapon choices Nehemiah used for protecting his people on the wall: swords, spears, and bows. Todd brought up a great point that I thought was worth sharing...........

Nehemiah 4; 13-14 “Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

When I read these verses Sunday, I began to think of the “enemies’ of our family household. What are they? Who are they? When do they attack?

As parents we are coming to grip with the idea of being “role models” for our kids. Not just telling them to “eat right” but showing them that we eat right. Not saying to “behave certain ways” but showing them that we behave that way also.

Do they see us reading our Bibles, working out, spending down time, putting each other’s needs before our hobbies, helping our neighbors, etc. If they don’t, then telling them to behave that way is almost pointless. They will see the hypocrisy immediately, or soon enough.

Nehemiah said that he put his workers on the wall with the following weapons: Swords, Spears, and Bows. Each had a different purpose and a distinct range.... Up close combat, mid-range, and distant warfare.

As parents, we have to look for enemies of our households in different areas; Up-Close (Internal Enemies), Mid-Range (Friends and Extended Families), and Distant (The World).

I challenge you to look for the enemies that attack your family. What habits does your family have that add un-needed stress to your week? What commitments do you have that take away from exercising your minds and bodies? Do you have unhealthy relationships? Does TV or movie watching take the place of time better spent elsewhere? Does your love of materials/status/self outweigh your commitment to teach your kids about God’s Love and Commandments? Are you an enemy of your own family?

Like in Nehemiah, you, parents, are responsible for building the wall around your home and defending it. Use your tools and weapons accordingly to defend your territory!

Romans 6:13 says: "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments (weapons) of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments (weapons) of righteousness." There is no sitting on the fence (or wall for this reference). You are to use your time and efforts for righteousness. Be on guard!

Todd and Mandy Turner

Ministry of Reconciliation- A call to all...

2009-02-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

...entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ...2 Corinthians 5:19-20 ESV
Did you know that God has entrusted every Christian with a ministry? He has! His Word tells us that we have been reconciled to God through Christ, and after that we become "ambassadors for Christ" and God makes "his appeal through us".
So what does all that REALLY mean? It means that every single one of us are called to represent Christ to the people around us so that they may be reconciled to God as we were. I hear a lot of people say "I'd like to get involved in ministry, I just don't know where". I think the answer to the "where?" is RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.
Don't make the tragic mistake of compartmentalizing your life with Christ. Don't wait on the right "program'' to come along to minister. Think about how you can represent Christ to the people around you. How can you be an ambassador of Christ to those in your work place, your home, and in your community? Don't think that because the preacher's not watching or because your Sunday School class isn't there, that the ministry of reconciliation is on vacation. It should always be at work no ice days, no time off. Representing Christ has no "time clock".
For extra reading check out 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21
Have a great day. -roy

Building and Battling

2009-02-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

What a weekend...from learning to Build and Battle for our families to watching the Steelers and Cardinals battle it out on the gridiron. Congratulations to all of you Steeler Fans out there who read this blog! I want to encourage each of you to take time this week to spend time with your families and work on building on the five building blocks we discussed yesterday...

a. The Block of Commitment
b. The Block of Communion
c. The Block of Communication
d. The Block of Conflict Resolutuion Skills
e. The Block of Consecration

Create memories this week with your families that will never be forgotten. Have a great day and an even more wonderful week...

Bruce

Get Your Game Face On

2009-01-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for the big game Sunday? I can guarantee you the players are doing everything they can to ready themselves for this chance of a lifetime. They are eating right, resting, working out, running, lifting weights, stretching, getting their gear ready, watching the opposing teams videos...they are preparing for the fight of their lives on the football field. They have a goal. Win the Superbowl...nothing less is acceptable. They are going to everything in their power to protect the bowl, throw the pass, score the touchdown.

They are going to be on time for the game....no one will be late...they will have eaten breakfast, they'll have their gear on, there will be excitement and anticipation in the locker room, stands and on the field.

Wow! Can you imagine if we protected our families with such energy, dedication and eagerness? Can you imagine if we put on the armor of God, read His Word, prepare for the battle, identify the enemy, anticipate the game plays, study the enemy, focus on the goal, practice for the big day by making good habits part of everyday life? How different would things be?

It's easy to get excited about a big football game, but what about your own family? Ready to take on the big one? Ready to fight with everything you've got? Ready to get suited up for the fight? I hope so.

I can't wait to see you Sunday. Read Nehemiah 4:14 to get your heart and mind focused on what God has for us!

Bruce

Dancing on the Wall

2009-01-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

Nehemiah 4:17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.

Thanks to Facebook, I’ve reconnected with some high school friends. We have had a great time reminiscing about ‘the good old days’ by retelling crazy stories of our youth. Some of the stories shared have been hysterical, some shocking, and many embarrassing.

Our stories are getting re-told, embellished a bit, and shared with our family members. My kids love them, because…well, let’s just say that I can never ground anyone for throwing multi-colored folder spitwads, starting fires in class, going to school dressed in a garbage bag, taping dead bugs to people’s lockers, or….(you get the picture). Jonathan, my rule-loving, perfect-child husband, tries his best to chuckle at the stories, but I see concern deep in his eyes. He’s worried.

My dad used to say that he had one daughter who lived her life well within the boundaries set by the church, school, society, and parents…and that he had another who spent her life dancing on the boundary walls.

Yep, you guessed it. I’m the wall dancer.

Walls are built for a variety of reasons and can symbolize so much. When I was a kid, my parents built strong walls around me, walls of rules and guidelines meant to protect me. And I’m grateful for it, maybe I wasn’t as a rebellious 17-year-old, but now I am. They took the time to build those walls and defend me when I was too young, stupid, and immature to do it for myself. I can almost picture my parents building the wall around me with one hand and fighting off the enemy with the other! I challenged the walls plenty of times growing up and even made my way over a few times, but I knew the way home. And the gates were always open.

Now I’m a wall-builder. As parents, the job has been passed to us. We now build up walls of protection around our own children by creating rules, expectations, and guiding their actions. The same enemy is still mocking, threatening, and coming against the wall, but we stand firm and continue the work. Sword in one hand, trowel in the other.

One day we hope our kids will thank us for the walls we build...whether they live safely within them all of their days, break out and find their way back, or spend a lot of time dancing on the top with their mom.

Charlotte Scales, worship leader

Endurance

2009-01-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

If you look up the word ENDURANCE in the dictionary you would get something similar to the following....

ENDURANCE 1: permanence, duration the endurance of the play's importance 2: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity (a marathon runner's endurance) 3: the act or an instance of enduring or suffering (endurance of many hardships)

Recently, along with a few other dedicated women from our church and community, I have taken on a new workout regimen. We come together twice a week for what is called BOOT CAMP. We exercise every muscle in our body, for the goal of getting in shape or becoming healthy. We are often challenged in physical endurance, and often talk about "embracing the burn" or "pushing through the pain". However, we do NOT stop just because we are winded, exhausted or feel a cramp coming on. We keep on going, knowing that somehow, at the end of the BOOT CAMP we will be healthier women. It is worth the prize!

Our spiritual lives are not much different. When hardships and/or conflict occur, and they will, we must have the endurance to keep on going. When the outcome just doesn't seem worth the effort, and when God seems silent, we must push beyond the pain and look towards the goal. WE HOLD ON! WE ENDURE! WE TRUST!

In the story of Nehemiah we see several examples of how Nehemiah used "endurance" to keep pressing forward. Nehemiah 6:2-3 reads, "Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono. But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"

Nehemiah was a man who lived in tough times, discouraging times, and yet he was a man of faith and endurance during the worst of those.

Today, we are facing hard times, with many of the same challenges Nehemiah faced. We will soon learn that through these hard times that GOD IS ALWAYS THERE, even when we can't see or hear HIM.

Therefore, "Embrace the burn!" and "Push through the Pain!" It Is Worth It!!!

By Mandy, Children's Ministry

"great and awesome" -Nehemiah 4:14

2009-01-26T15:35:00.000-08:00

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…” Nehemiah 4:14

Isn’t this a powerful statement! You can almost feel the zeal and authority with which it is being stated. Now we all know from what we have heard and read in our Bibles that God is, as the text says “great and awesome”, but do you know that for yourself? When you personally think about God, do the words great and awesome come to mind? If they don’t, I assure it is not because God has ceased to be great and awesome.
Author Henry Blackaby says “Right now God is working all around you. One of the greatest tragedies among God’s people is that even though they long to experience Him they do not know how to recognize him at work in their midst”
If this has been the case for you, I encourage you to take some time well spent, to pray for God to reveal to you where he is working so that YOU may be able to say, with all sincerity of heart, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome”.

Get Your Fight On!

2009-01-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

Next week's sermon in our series on Nehemiah is going to be all about the family fighting. Far less common than topics you might find covered on Oprah or Jerry Springer (is he still around?) - is the kind of family fighting that is covered in God's Word. In Nehemiah 4, Israel had begun building the wall when they came against some pretty strong talkers. You know that kind....the loud obnoxious name callers. Nehemiah gave God's people a couple of things to do. One of them being...fight for your family.

In a world where people get fired up by a lot of causes that aren't worth too much eternally, how about getting fired up about fighting for your family. Their spiritual health, their daily walk, their morals and convictions, their testimony....all things worth getting fired up about. How do you fight for your family? The best thing you can do is identify where the enemy attacks your family and then make a plan of action. For our family, Satan loves to attack on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I don't find this coincidental. So instead of a free for all with Satan throwing all the punches, we have a plan of action for Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Clothes get ironed and laid out for church, the kids get baths early and our night time activities are usually low-key, we get up in time to not yell on Sunday mornings, we tag team with getting the kids ready. Do we always succeed? No way! But we are much more successful now, because we have a plan. We aren't flying by the seat of our Sunday best pants! I know this is a rather comical struggle for some of you, but the truth is that if you identify how the enemy works, and get a plan in place to fight him, with God's help...you can fight for your family....and win!

Praying for you in the fight this week,
Bruce

Reflection

2009-01-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

I would like to take this opportunity to ask each of you to just reflect back over the past three weeks. Thus far we have studied Nehemiah's Call, Nehemiah's Preparation and this past week we discussed Nehemiah's Plan. We have looked at how that so far, all three of these important steps in Nehemiah's life should be equally as important in our life. Which one of these three do you struggle with the most and which one do you feel is your easiest to fulfill. I ask each of you to spend some time, upon reading this challenge, in surrendering your greatest struggle to God and allow Him to do in your life that which He did for Nehemiah. I also want to challenge you to enter Worship this Sunday with your heart prepared and your min focused and see if that doesn't make a huge difference in the way that God will reveal Himself to you. I am so excited about what God has done but even more excited about what I believe God is going to do. Love you guys tremendously...

Bruce

Judges 6

2009-01-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

The Midianites were terrorists who oppressed God’s people for seven years. When the Israelites planted crops, these bad guys would rise up in numbers like locusts to destroy and plunder. They left the ground completely barren. They would swarm in on camels, cover the land, and leave the Jews with nothing…no sheep, no ox, no donkey, no nothing. It was a miserable time, and the Israelites cried out to God for relief.

Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.

Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…

The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”

Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?

The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.

God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.

What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.

Elected Leaders Rebuild

2009-01-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This morning, along with many Americans, I watched history being made. Barack Obama, the first African American elected president, took the oath of office as the 44th president on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t help but to think about how Obama’s leadership of America is similar to Nehemiah’s leadership of the City of Jerusalem.

President Obama stated in his speech…"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”.

Now go back and imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he took leadership of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, much like we are rebuilding and restructuring the “walls” of America. Not a lot has changed since Biblical times. As Christian Americans, we have often forget about God in our daily lives. We have been “culturized” by money, materialistic pleasures, and the media. But God has not forgotten about us!!! We need to call upon God to be in control and be the center of the work that needs to be done. He would be honored for us to call upon Him to reveal HIS plan to us….and let HIS light shine within us as we rebuild.

As President Obama stated, we can have a list of things we “can” do....but what will make a difference is what we “will” do.

Mandy, GBF Children's Pastor

The Sword and the Trowel, To Shape and Protect

2009-01-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. -Nehemiah 4:17-18

From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor

What's In Your Wallet?

2009-01-18T20:49:00.000-08:00

Ok...I know this title is a little goofy, but I can't thing of any other way to get your mind thinking on the things that others cannot see from looking at you...your money, your talents, your time, your thoughts. So maybe we should just say "What's in your ________________?

In Dr. Frank Page's book, The Nehemiah Factor, he says " Every talent is needed in the divine economy. Every talent is precious in the sight of God". Do you understand what he is saying? No matter who you are, what you've done, where you work, how your kids turned out, if you're married or single, young or old....you have been divinely designed with talents that are priceless in the divine economy. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't good enough, God says "I created and formed every detail of everything you are comprised of. I don't make mistakes." Do you realize that unless the church begins using their gifts for God...we will need a spiritual bailout because of our laziness, pride, greed or false humility?

What's holding you back from allowing God to use you fully. So many things are pulling our time these days. Why not give God a try. Give Him those special hidden gifts and talents and start using them around your home, church and town. Let's watch and see what a huge different God can make in our community, when we are doing out part to boost the divine economy.

Check out Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 for more on finding out your spiritual gift.

Modern Day Nehemiah Stories

2009-01-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

Last night the PLT met for their regular meeting. We reviewed some of the great things that are happening around GBF, we talked about our God of the City series, future community events and more. It was exciting to hear and talk about the way God is leading us to minister and share Christ's love here in Gunter.

When I returned home, Gina had just finished up her quarterly board meeting with The Mission Board of Directors and began sharing with me how God is so obviously orchestrating some modern day Nehemiah events through some wonderful things that are happening there. Doors are opening because they are asking...not begging or pleading, but just asking. Just like Nehemiah presented his case to the king, God is preparing the hearts of people who would not normally be sensitive and its EXCITING!!!

How's God working in your own life? Have you heard there's a need in Gunter? Have you been burdened by the conditions here? Have you spent serious time in prayer and fasting, seeking God's direction about how He wants you to participate? Have you become heart-sick, like Nehemiah before the king? Have you presented your case to someone who can help you? It's a lot of work to follow this plan of Nehemiah's. It takes time, conscious effort and discipline.

I'd love to hear how you're putting these lessons into action. How's God leading you? Sharing it with others will provide some accountability for you and also will allow others to pray for you. It also spreads an excitement amongst God's people when we share that God is busy working right here in front of us and through us. You can leave a comment here on the blog or drop me a note if you'd like prayer about the way God is leading you. I'd be more than happy to join you in prayer for God's direction.

Hang on...this week is going to be good! God's got someplace special for you to work. We'll find out just how important your place is on the wall. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Of Crowns and Costumes

2009-01-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

John 4:35
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

I wore a crown to dinner tonight. Not a real fancy one, just a paper Burger King crown, a remnant from Clara’s weekend with grandparents. As I placed it on my head, I wondered if this regal accessory might entitle me to some sort of special treatment…change the way the family looked at me…or somehow change the way I viewed myself. Plus, it looked smashing with my grey sweats.

As you can imagine, nothing much happened. I did get a few questioning glances from Jonathan. Clara gave me the thumbs up. Helen ignored it. Dorothy disappeared, quietly slipping into an upstairs closet to pray for me. All I have to show for the experiment is a permanent hair indention that runs the circumference of my head at about 30* latitude.

Wearing the crown didn’t make me a queen. But it did get me thinking.

We live in a world that loves to dress up. You know what I’m talking about. Guys that have never seen a horse wear cowboy boots; good boys get piercings and tattoos; guys in the mailroom wear suits; guys in the boardroom wear t-shirts and sneakers. And 40-year-old housewives dress like 21-year-old pop stars.

But we know that dressing the part doesn’t necessarily mean someone is living the part. It just means they like to play dress up.

Jesus said, “The fields are ripe with harvest.” And harvests don’t reap themselves. God is calling laborers to work the fields. There is a LOT of work to be done…in our town and in our world. And God’s people are required to do far more than just dress the part.

You see, many of us are dressed as God’s laborers. So many go to the laborer meetings, memorize the laborer manual, contribute to the collection, and even talk the laborer talk. But sadly, many get distracted and never actually make it to the harvest fields. Others get there, only to stand in the fields with clean hands, wearing a perfectly-pressed laborer costume…surveying the crops, criticizing the harvesters, or just waiting for the after-party.

God is calling us to something serious. It is time to work in the fields. This is no costume party. This is the real thing. And if we are going to respond to His call, we must do more than just dress the part. We need to get our hands dirty.

Prayerful Preparation

2009-01-14T10:08:00.001-08:00

Proverbs 16:9 says “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Have you become the prayer warrior this past week like Nehemiah? I know I have given extra, knee-time……….but look back at Chapter 1 of Nehemiah. What happens after Nehemiah prayed? NOTHING!!! Well, at least not right away. After studying a bit more closely this week, I have learned that Nehemiah’s story opens in the month of Chislev (December) and resumes in the month of Nisan (April). Therefore, there were four months of where nothing seemed to happen.

Well, nothing outwardly was happening! Nehemiah was doing more than just praying for those four months……he was planning. Planning means that Nehemiah had faith that God would indeed open the door to his prayer. He knew God would let him go!

Taking a leap of faith doesn’t mean you are going out in a disorderly, fly-by-your-seat manner. You must think through the project and count on the cost. You must think through the questions and do your homework!

Read back at Nehemiah 2:7-9. These are practical and well planned out request from Nehemiah. God will honor this type of planning, as he did for Nehemiah. Wise planning on our part gives the Lord more opportunity to accomplish His goals. And if the best plan is missed, I would sure hate to know that it was because I failed to put prayerful preparation behind the actions!

Something to think, pray, and plan about…………

Let Us Rise Up

2009-01-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing…?” -Nehemiah 2:18-19

The context of this verse is of course when Nehemiah has shared his vision to rebuild a city and he has gained some much needed affirmation from his listeners by them saying in agreement “Le us rise up and build”.
Have you ever had your heart break for something, shared it with someone else, and watch their face light up and hear them say “well let’s do something about it together!”, ever experienced that? What an awesome feeling right?
Well if you’ve experienced that, then you very likely seen some of what Nehemiah experienced from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, and that of course is CRITICISM. The Bible says that they “jeered” and “despised” Nehemiah and his team.
Criticism of the people doing the work was common in Nehemiah’s day and it’s still common today. It seems the only way to avoid criticism is to not do anything at all! But that’s not an option for us as Christians. We have been called, commissioned, and commanded to do the work of our Lord to the best of our ability, and we can’t let any amount criticism hinder us from doing that. Remember what Peter said to his critics when he was criticized to the point they were threatening to beat him? “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”-Acts 4:19-20
Peter did not quit preaching, Nehemiah did not quit working, and neither can we. Ben Franklin was right on when he said “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” So let’s keep eyes on the GOD OF THE CITY and give our ears a rest from the THE CRITICS OF THIS WORLD and press on with the work that our King has called us to.
One last thought, is it possible that you have a critical spirit? Are you many times the one pointing out the negative side of things? If so take some extra time to look up and meditate on Philippians 4: 8. Living by the words that Paul writes here can change your life and the life of those around you.

Perspective

2009-01-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

As we've been studying Nehemiah, one thing we can be sure of is that he kept had a good perspective of his surroundings, God's call, even his enemies! Remember at first, he was ignorant to the conditions of the wall, but as soon as he knew what they were, he didn't bellyache. He went straight to God to find out what to do. He gained insight and perspective by going to the One who had all the answers. When he went before the King not only was he equipped to answer the king, but also to ask for the appropriate things he would need for the trip. Can you imagine if he had gone before the king and quoted off a list of unreasonable requests? Yet, he had the right perspective on the rebuilding process and new what God had told him to do. There are countless illustrations of his good perspective, but one last one is how he responded to the nay-sayers. Remember there is no record of him getting angry, cussing anybody out, or a flying fist hitting anyone! He kept focused on working God's plan. He didn't let the negativity of the enemy get to him.

WOW! What a concept! In my own life I struggle with this sometimes. Things are going along great and out of no where something very negative and discouraging comes along and then I have the choice; stay focused on the call of God...or....get bogged down in the pity, discouragement and negativity of the enemy. I'm going to be working hard to stay focused on the call. God wants to use US! His call is the loudest voice we should be hearing! All other voices should be background music in our lives.

Let's encourage each other this week to stay focused on the call God has on us and our city. Be prepared that soon or later there will be people who don't understand or appreciate it, so get your perspective grounded in what God wants you to do so you won't get sidetracked and waste needless energy on the enemy!

Praying for you...have an wonderful week!

God of This City Powerpoint

2009-01-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday Bruce promised to have the God of this City Powerpoint on the website. You can download it right here.

How's Your Week Been?

2009-01-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

Well, it's time to close out the work week. How's your week been? Have you viewed Gunter a little differently? I know I have. Driving around town, through Hidden Lakes, Maples Ranch, Main Street and Autry I see needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - staring us straight in the eyes. It excited me to know that we are becoming more aware of how God can use us to meet these needs.

As we get ready to meet again on Sunday, will you please read over Nehemiah 1:5-2:16? Pray that your heart will be ready to receive what God has for you. As we saw last week, the enemy is ready to distract us in any way that he can. Let's all be on guard and ready to stand together. As Nehemiah stood before the king, we can also stand in confident humility knowing that God has called us to do something bigger than we could ever imagine doing without Him.

I'm praying for you and am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

John 2:1-11

2009-01-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

The wedding was in Cana, a town so insignificant that John felt is was necessary to give a further explanation of its location, “in Galilee.” Jesus was invited to a wedding there. John doesn’t tell us the names of the bride and groom. Maybe John forgot them. Maybe he thought they were as unimportant as the town in which they lived.

Sometime during the feast a crisis occurred. The wine ran out. The new couple was facing not only embarrassment, but financial ruin. In their culture, neglecting to provide an adequate meal to guests was an offense which could have lead to prison. At the very least, the couple would have begun their lives together in debt to their neighbors.

The servants no doubt had run out of options. They went so far as to involve another invited guest in the crisis. Mary couldn’t help, but she knew someone who could. She told Jesus about the wine problem.

Jesus stepped in and performed a miracle. He asked the servants to fill pots with water, to draw some out, and to bring it to the headwaiter. To the amazement of the disciples and the servants, the water had turned into wine. Not just any wine, but the best wine. And not just enough for the party, but an amazing amount…enough to save, to sell, and to provide a great start for the new couple.

Only the disciples and servants saw what happened. Only those who listened to Jesus and filled the pots realized the miracle. The newlyweds never knew what Jesus had done for them. They were saved from a disaster unaware. Not only saved, but blessed with extra. And the party went on. Everyone in town was blessed by a miracle, and most weren’t even aware of it.

We live in a small town “in north Texas” not unlike Cana “in Galilee.” Perhaps we feel a bit insignificant at times, as a town and as individuals. But God knows right were we are, and He knows our names. He loves us, and He loves our small town. He is working here, and He is looking for servants obedient enough to witness a miracle. He wants to bless this town. Not just a little bit, but overflowing, to the brim, and with enough to share.