Christ’s Disciples: Andrew (part 1)

There are many of you who will be able to identify with the fact that often God creates in siblings to be polar opposites in their personalities. In my family there are several illustrations of this. My brother and I have some personality traits that are completely opposite of each other. He is a saver and I am a spender. He is more reserved while I am a little more outgoing. It is also amazing how early on you can see these types of traits developing in your own children. My two son’s are polar opposites in several areas. Cody is a party looking for a place to happen. He smiles at people and has a great time. Gabe, while being quite active, is not as comfortable around people. These kinds of personality opposites often are found in marriages. One of the spouses will be outgoing and talkative, while the other is quieter. One will be a spender, while the other is a saver. One is often a realist while the other is a dreamer. It is amazing that God created us all in these unique ways and then uses each of the qualities that He created in us for His glory.

Andrew was Peter’s brother and we see in these two significant personality opposites. We know Peter to be the aggressive, bold leader of the disciples who struggled with his instability, speech, and a host of other sinful traits, but whom God used in some amazing ways. The New Testament speaks much about Peter. His brother Andrew though was not like him, and in many ways was the polar opposite.

Christ’s Disciples: Peter (part 2)

Although I enjoy living in an era where news is passed along at the speed of light, I believe that there are some drawbacks of living in our information age. Fast news combined with postmodernistic thinking has created a generation of individualized experts. Sitting and learning is something at which we chafe, whereas we relish the opportunities to pontificate about what we think we know.

The more we look at the character of the disciples the more we see the natural man revealed. In the case of Christ’s disciples (and hopefully ours as well), the more we see the natural man revealed the more we glory in the power of Christ to change mankind. Not only do we find Peter to be sinfully unstable, but also we find him to be humbly teachable.

Christ’s Disciples: Peter (part 1)

In the last couple of months we at Bethel Baptist have been learning about discipleship from the disciples. There is much in their lives as well as their interactions with Christ that can be of great benefit to our own walk with the Lord. May these character studies be a blessing to you in your own walk with Christ.

If you know anything about Peter you would have to agree that he is definitely a dominant type of person. He is considered to be the leader of the apostles and is the most frequently mentioned of all the disciples. In a lot of ways Peter was the public face of the disciples of Jesus. One commentator put it this way.

“Peter’s name is mentioned in the Gospels more than any other name except Jesus. No one speaks as often as Peter, and no one is spoken to by the Lord as often as Peter. No disciple is so frequently rebuked by the Lord as Peter; and no disciple ever rebukes the Lord except Peter (Matthew 16:22). No one else confessed Christ more boldly or acknowledged His lordship more explicitly; yet no other disciple ever verbally denied Christ as forcefully or as publicly as Peter did. No one is praised and blessed by Christ he way Peter was; yet Peter was also the only one Christ ever addressed as Satan. The Lord had harsher things to say to peter than He ever said to any of the others.”(MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men. P 39)

What are the Baptist statistics in Idaho?

I am curious.

Please see this post.

Rays’ Teton Valley News, 20

Devotional Thoughts by Ray Hatfield in Victor, Idaho

God the Creator — Psalm 76:4
 
One of the great blessings of living in the Teton Valley is seeing the beauty of the nature around us.  In my opinion, God has provided for us one of the most beautiful places in the world to live.  However, many people get so wrapped up in the beauty of nature, that they lose sight of the Creator of the nature.  What we see around us is only magnificent because of God - the One Who spoke it into existence.  Psalm 76:4 reminds us of this, “Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.”  Nature is to be enjoyed, but not at the expense of worshipping God.  It is good to enjoy the creation, but it is better to get to know the Creator.  Nature can be a blessing, but the Creator can change your life.  Please visit the Victor Bible Study and learn more about God, your Creator.

Head Knowledge or Heart Belief — James 2:19
 
Most people will say that they believe there is a God.  Many may say that they recognize the God of the Bible.  However, far fewer people will recognize Him as the God of the Bible.  They say He is a higher power or an intelligent being, but they do not want to see Him the way the Bible describes God.  This is largely because they do not want to recognize His authority in their lives.  James 2:19 gives us a very interesting thought, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”  It is not enough to believe that there is a God somewhere.  You must believe that He is your Creator.  You must believe that He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for you.  Do you believe in God as the Bible describes, or as man wants Him to be?

Boldness to Trust — Hebrews 4:16
 
I have heard many people say that faith in God is a crutch, or something that weak people use to make them feel good.  As a Bible believing Christian, my faith is my source of strength to get through the events of my daily life.  I know personally that I must depend upon God at all times and in all things.  Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  This means that any Christian can come to God in prayer at any time and for any thing.  To some this might sound like weakness.  However, to me it is a recognition that the God of the universe cares for me.  That is an awesome reality.  Prayer is to be the daily lifeline of the Christian.  As a Christian, Who is your source of strength today?

Are You Right with God — First John 1:9-10
 
Are you satisfied with the quality of your daily relationship with God?  Do you feel there could or should be more to your Christian life than what you have?  Oftentimes this feeling of something missing is not due to not being saved, but rather it is due to unconfessed sin in a person’s life.  First John 1:9-10 says how the Christian is to handle this, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  If you truly desire a close relationship with God, you must allow Him to examine your heart and see if there is any unconfessed sin in your life.  If He reveals to you that there is, deal with it right now.  What kind of relationship do you want with God?

You are Not Alone — Proverbs 27:17
 
Do you feel discouraged and alone?  It is very easy for any Christian, no matter how committed they are to living for God to become discouraged.  It is very easy to have the feeling they are alone.  The church should be a spiritual oasis of sorts.  A place where they hear the Word of God taught, and also a place where the Christian can gain strength and encouragement from fellow believers.  Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  No matter who we are, we all have times that we just need to know someone cares.  Fellowship is one of the primary needs in the lives of every person.  At the Victor Bible Study, we unite in the study of God’s Word and in fellowship with other believers.  Come fellowship with us.

The Constant Word of God — Matthew 24:35
 
One of the most important truths about the Word of God is that a person can depend upon it.  The Word of God contains principles for one’s relationship with God, his relationship with other people, how to be a good employer or employee just to name a few.  What makes the Word of God so dependable is that it does not change.  It was written by human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Since God cannot change, it stands to reason His Word cannot change either.  In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”  In times of great change, such as we are in today, we need something to turn to that remains consistent.  That something is the Word of God.  God speaks to you through His Word.  Are you listening to Him?

Love You Can Trust — Psalm 36:7
 
How do we as Christians living in the Teton Valley in 2009 know that we can truly trust God with our lives?  Many people say they trust in God.  However, based on how they live, it would seem that their trust in God is only when they feel they have no other choice.  They have done all they can do to handle a situation, but to no avail, so then it is time to turn to God.  Psalm 36:7 tells us this about God, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”  To put it simply, the Christian can trust God because of His excellent love for them.  God’s love is unconditional, everlasting, boundless, and never based on the merit of a person.  We can trust God because He loves us.  Are you trusting in God for today?

Christ Our Strength and Righteousness

“Do not be afraid, Christ is your strength and righteousness.  A wave comes against the side of the ship, but it does not hurt the ship, it only drives the wedges in tighter.  The master is at the helm–will not that assure your heart?  It has floated over so many billows–will not that increase your confidence?  It must, indeed, be a strong billow that will sink it now; there never shall be such an one.  Christ presents the perfect number of all his people to the Father in the last day; not one shall perish.  The ark of our salvation shall bring all its living freight into the haven of everlasting rest.” – C. H. Spurgeon

“The love of Jesus Christ is to be seen in that warm affection for him which leads the faithful to wish that his soul may become almost a part of that of Christ, and that the living principle in the Lord may be reproduced in himself, not in the way of external image, but as an inward and divine inspiration.  This love is omnipotent, uniting the creature with the Creator.  Man, in fact, rises continually from humanity to something divine when he is animated by this love, which is the sweetest of all affections, penetrates the soul, acquires a mastery over the body, and causes the faithful to walk on earth, wrapt as it were in the Spirit.” – Savonarola

- Taken from The Standard (the Baptist weekly from Chicago, April 29, 1899)

Brothers and sisters, I remember standing at the spot where Savonarola was burned at the stake.

Thinking of heart issues,

Todd

The very first SBC church in Idaho(?)

Am I correct?

Is it Calvary Baptist Church (1951 & initiated by Arizona) in Idaho Falls?

Would the Utah-Idaho team correct me if I am wrong?

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

“All Christ’s subjects enjoy the right of access to him.  We may enter his throne-room at all times, and hold fellowship with our Prince.  In ancient days kings sat in the city gates, and subjects were permitted to state their grievances and present petitions.  This is impossible to-day; the people are too numerous and the kings too busy.  Yet, while upon Jesus the affairs of a universe hang, his meanest subject may lift the veil, and reverently entering the presence-chamber, stand face to face with God.  Nor only is it blessedly true that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” but the individual, the solitary man, with aching heart or sin-stained soul, may silently creep to his feet and tell his sorrows to his Lord.  He permits us not only to enter his presence but to remain there.  It is our privilege to abide “under his shadow,” to dwell in the secret of his pavilion.  We wear his livery, we become his pages, lords-in-waiting; ours is the honor of being courtiers to the king.  Men who dwell in courts insensibly adopt courtly manners and polished language; there is an indescribable grace and charm about them not perceived in other men.  Those who abide in Christ must become unworldly.  They grow like their Lord, breathing his Spirit, catching the very accents of his voice, learning to imitate his deeds, and carrying ever with them an unmistakable fragrance, the very atmosphere of heaven.” Rev. E. G. Gange

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“Lord, I have tried how this thing and that thing will fit my spirit.  I can find nothing to rest on, for nothing here hath any rest itself.  O center and source of light and strength!  O fullness of all things! I come back to join myself to thee.” Arthur Hallam

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“Hawthorne compares Christianity to a grand cathedral with divinely pictured windows.  Viewed from without, it is impossible to gain the slightest conception of the beautiful forms and radiant colors manifest to those who look at them from within.  So it is with Christ.  There is a glory in him not visible to those without, but revealed to those who dwell in his heart of hearts.”

- Taken from The Standard – A Baptist Newspaper (Chicago, March 4, 1899)

Some of my Baptist heritage

1.  I had lunch today with Pastor Chris Leavell and his wife, Michelle.  They are leaving the Berean Baptist Church family (whom they love dearly)  in Ashton, Idaho and headed down to Arizona for ministry.  We will miss them in S.E. Idaho, but Chris will still be linked closely with us on I4HG and HI4LDS.  That is fantastic.

2.  I was telling Chris, today, about some of my Baptist heritage.  My great, great grandmother, Anna E. Lee served Jesus in the First Baptist Church of Webster City, Iowa around 100 years ago.  At a recent Wood family reunion in Prineville, Oregon, I collected . . .

• Sunday School Papers – (1) “The Well-Spring“, Nov. 12, 1858, (2) “Child’s World”, (3) “The Young Reaper” (April 1, 1867; September 15, 1868; April 15, 1869)
• a Weekly Offering Calendar of First Baptist Church.  On it is a picture of Pastor J. B. Smith and the church building (built in 1889).
• an Iowa Souvenir Song Book for 1896 (Sixth International Convention, B.Y.P.U.A. – Milwaukee Wis., July 16th – 19th, 1896) (see here an abstract of the 1st annual, 5th annual, 7th annual, and the ending of hard feelings of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1903)
• A Souvenir card book of the First Baptist Sunday School program in 1898, listing teachers and members of these classes: Bright Jewels, Bright Lights, Pearl Gatherers, Dew Drops, Little Helpers, Bible Class, In His Name, Star of the East, Heralds of Zion, Sunbeams, Young Reapers, and The King’s Messengers.
• The Baptist Record, Vol. XIII, Pella, Iowa, No. 20 (For Week Ending May 18, 1912), a special edition announcing the Northern Baptist Convention in Des Moines, IA, May 22-29, 1912.
• Baptist Sunday School pins and an Iowa Baptist Convention Delegate pin (78th Annual Meeting, Oct. 22-26, 1919, Sioux City, Iowa)
• Marjorie Mae Stearns as a teenager, My grandmother’s Iowa Baptist Assembly notebook (Webster City, July 19 – 31)
• F.B.C.  Bulletins dated in March of 1937
• A 140th Anniversary Glass Dish commemorating First Baptist Church in Webster City (1858-1998)

Interestingly, I think that my family has been giving to Baptist missions for around 150 years.  Also, I have these national Christian newspapers with gaps (they came off the press weekly)

• “The Independent” (from January 1, 1874 to July 31, 1890) straight from New York
• “The Standard – a Baptist Newspaper” (from Feb. 4, 1899 to December 16, 1911)

It has taken some time for me to place these newspapers in the right order, but I plan on reading each of the newspapers and then very carefully wrapping or enclosing them safely for historical preservation.

What do you all think?

Intermountain Western Worship

1. Good statement by Pastor Chris in Ashton, Idaho on “Church“.

2. Just a few days ago, I wished I could have sat there with my sister, Debbie, and my little nephew, Ocean and worshipped God.  Read this post by my sis.

3. The Northwest Baptist Missions churchplanters are gathering in Rigby, Idaho next month for the annual Christian fellowship.  Come join us as we worship God.

4.  And believe it or not, Doug Wilson, up in northern Idaho shares with us:  ”Unleashing Your Inner Fundamentalist“. (HT: SI)