March 2011
Life Signs: Contemporary without Compromise
When we love those who are undeserving, it is an act of mercy. But loving God is an act
of worship.
MGBC Home Page
Comparisons
When was the last time you looked up in the sky at night and it was lit up by an infinite
number of stars? Have you ever tried to count those stars or did you give up and say, ‘let
NASA do it?’ God knows how many stars are there! He knows each of those stars by
name. Isaiah 40:26, speaks of the work of God as the Creator of all things. All of these
‘things’ are exemplified through the existence of what you see, hear, touch, taste, and
smell. Isaiah 40:22 says, “He is the One who is “enthroned above the circle of the earth
(earth is NOT flat), and its people (that’s you and me) are like grasshoppers.”
Look at Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His
eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has
been made, so that people are without excuse.” How great is that – and it’s so simple?
Our God is wrapped in majesty. Many times in the Bible; the egotistical kings of antiquity
tried to compare themselves to or with God. They can’t even get close to His majesty!
They are mere men. What happens when we try to compare ourselves to others? The first
problem happens when we find that others have things we do not have. When we compare
ourselves to others and find that they have more (possessions, money, spiritual gifts, etc.),
we almost always find ourselves being jealous. This jealousy leads to ungratefulness for all
of the things that God has given us. Obviously, this is dangerous. The second problem
happens when we find we have more than others. When we compare ourselves to others
and find that we have more (possessions, money, spiritual gifts, etc.) we could begin to feel
prideful – obviously another dangerous place to be. As you can see, either way you go,
comparing ourselves to others and especially to God leads to sin.
What if instead of comparing ourselves to others, we compare ourselves to God’s
standards? Keep in mind that God’s standard is perfection, which is pretty hard to live up
to. As a simple way to illustrate this, take a look at the Ten Commandments. When was
the last time you violated one of these? By God’s standard, the answer to that would be
never. By God’s standard, anyone who violated a single one of these commandments
would be forever separated from Him. That is, until Jesus Christ came along. Jesus Christ
allowed us to bridge the gap between us and God. God knew that none of us could be
perfect, so He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He had to
make this sacrifice for us because He knew we could never live up to His perfect standards.
When you think of it like this, it makes it pretty hard to feel ungrateful about what He did for
us, and it also makes it pretty hard to feel prideful for what we have done compared to what
He did. Instead of worrying about what other people have or don’t have, ask yourself how
you compare to what God wants and how your life compares to Jesus Christ. If we ask
ourselves these questions daily, we will yearn to grow in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
All Things Really Are Possible
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. John
14:29.
Peter starts off well, takes a few steps, and begins to sink. Jesus asks, "Why did you
doubt?" I pause and ponder, "Who did Peter doubt? Jesus or himself?"
And it seems there's a whisper in response...Same thing.
What I mean is this...
I no longer live but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20.
I'm still quick to protest, "But I have so many weaknesses!"
And then I remember that every promise given and every truth declared was for us, all of
us, and none of us have it together. Our humanity isn't too much for God. Many are the
plans in a man's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21.
There is nothing God can't do through a heart fully surrendered to Him - Nothing.
He lead an entire nation through a desert. Knocked down a giant with a single stone.
Fulfill His purpose for your life.
Let's believe that in us, through us, in spite of us...With God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
What does this sound like in our everyday lives? "This seems impossible for me. But
nothing is impossible for the God who lives in me. That means all things really are possible
for me too. I can do this with Him." Now that's good news!
Can I get an "amen" and a "woo-hoo" too?
--by Holley Gerth
Brother’s Keeper
Would you say that you were your ‘brother’s keeper?’ Who is your brother anyway? “While
they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to
Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from
the ground. Genesis 4:8-10.” To answer the second question of who is your brother –
the answer should ultimately be ‘as far as you can see.’ No, your brother doesn’t need to
be blood related. It is the neighbor that never speaks to you or even the old lady that sits
on her front porch sipping tea all alone.
Do something for that neighbor or the elderly lady that sits by herself sipping tea. You
might end up finding something new about either of them. The little things can mean the
world to someone. Say, “hello” as your passing the house on your way to run with your dog
on the track. Pick up the newspaper and hand deliver it to your neighbor.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world. Make a
difference in someone’s life – you’ll never know where it may lead!
Upcoming Events
Event:
Free Marriage Seminar:
Location:
Pensacola Bay Baptist Association, 9999 Chemstrand Road, Pensacola, FL
32514
Time:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Date:
Monday, 7 March, 2011 – Monday, 18 April, 2011
Event:
Community Gardening Day
Location:
Bayview Community Center
Time:
TBA
Date:
Saturday, 12 March, 2011
Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. Lunch is included.
Event:
Spring Panhandle Job Fair: Panhandle Job Fair Foundation
Location:
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
Time:
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Date:
Monday, 14 March, 2011
Event:
Mark Schultz in Concert
Location:
Seville Square, Historic District, Pensacola, FL
Time:
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Date:
Thursday, 17 March, 2011
Event:
78th Annual Dinner Pensacola Historical Society
Location:
Museum of Commerce, 201 East Zaragoza Street
Time:
6:00 pm
Date:
Monday, 21 March, 2011
When we love those who are undeserving, it is an act of mercy. But loving God is an act
of worship.
MGBC Home Page
Comparisons
When was the last time you looked up in the sky at night and it was lit up by an infinite
number of stars? Have you ever tried to count those stars or did you give up and say, ‘let
NASA do it?’ God knows how many stars are there! He knows each of those stars by
name. Isaiah 40:26, speaks of the work of God as the Creator of all things. All of these
‘things’ are exemplified through the existence of what you see, hear, touch, taste, and
smell. Isaiah 40:22 says, “He is the One who is “enthroned above the circle of the earth
(earth is NOT flat), and its people (that’s you and me) are like grasshoppers.”
Look at Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His
eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has
been made, so that people are without excuse.” How great is that – and it’s so simple?
Our God is wrapped in majesty. Many times in the Bible; the egotistical kings of antiquity
tried to compare themselves to or with God. They can’t even get close to His majesty!
They are mere men. What happens when we try to compare ourselves to others? The first
problem happens when we find that others have things we do not have. When we compare
ourselves to others and find that they have more (possessions, money, spiritual gifts, etc.),
we almost always find ourselves being jealous. This jealousy leads to ungratefulness for all
of the things that God has given us. Obviously, this is dangerous. The second problem
happens when we find we have more than others. When we compare ourselves to others
and find that we have more (possessions, money, spiritual gifts, etc.) we could begin to feel
prideful – obviously another dangerous place to be. As you can see, either way you go,
comparing ourselves to others and especially to God leads to sin.
What if instead of comparing ourselves to others, we compare ourselves to God’s
standards? Keep in mind that God’s standard is perfection, which is pretty hard to live up
to. As a simple way to illustrate this, take a look at the Ten Commandments. When was
the last time you violated one of these? By God’s standard, the answer to that would be
never. By God’s standard, anyone who violated a single one of these commandments
would be forever separated from Him. That is, until Jesus Christ came along. Jesus Christ
allowed us to bridge the gap between us and God. God knew that none of us could be
perfect, so He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He had to
make this sacrifice for us because He knew we could never live up to His perfect standards.
When you think of it like this, it makes it pretty hard to feel ungrateful about what He did for
us, and it also makes it pretty hard to feel prideful for what we have done compared to what
He did. Instead of worrying about what other people have or don’t have, ask yourself how
you compare to what God wants and how your life compares to Jesus Christ. If we ask
ourselves these questions daily, we will yearn to grow in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
All Things Really Are Possible
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. John
14:29.
Peter starts off well, takes a few steps, and begins to sink. Jesus asks, "Why did you
doubt?" I pause and ponder, "Who did Peter doubt? Jesus or himself?"
And it seems there's a whisper in response...Same thing.
What I mean is this...
I no longer live but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20.
I'm still quick to protest, "But I have so many weaknesses!"
And then I remember that every promise given and every truth declared was for us, all of
us, and none of us have it together. Our humanity isn't too much for God. Many are the
plans in a man's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21.
There is nothing God can't do through a heart fully surrendered to Him - Nothing.
He lead an entire nation through a desert. Knocked down a giant with a single stone.
Fulfill His purpose for your life.
Let's believe that in us, through us, in spite of us...With God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
What does this sound like in our everyday lives? "This seems impossible for me. But
nothing is impossible for the God who lives in me. That means all things really are possible
for me too. I can do this with Him." Now that's good news!
Can I get an "amen" and a "woo-hoo" too?
--by Holley Gerth
Brother’s Keeper
Would you say that you were your ‘brother’s keeper?’ Who is your brother anyway? “While
they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to
Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from
the ground. Genesis 4:8-10.” To answer the second question of who is your brother –
the answer should ultimately be ‘as far as you can see.’ No, your brother doesn’t need to
be blood related. It is the neighbor that never speaks to you or even the old lady that sits
on her front porch sipping tea all alone.
Do something for that neighbor or the elderly lady that sits by herself sipping tea. You
might end up finding something new about either of them. The little things can mean the
world to someone. Say, “hello” as your passing the house on your way to run with your dog
on the track. Pick up the newspaper and hand deliver it to your neighbor.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world. Make a
difference in someone’s life – you’ll never know where it may lead!
Upcoming Events
Event:
Free Marriage Seminar:
Location:
Pensacola Bay Baptist Association, 9999 Chemstrand Road, Pensacola, FL
32514
Time:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Date:
Monday, 7 March, 2011 – Monday, 18 April, 2011
Event:
Community Gardening Day
Location:
Bayview Community Center
Time:
TBA
Date:
Saturday, 12 March, 2011
Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. Lunch is included.
Event:
Spring Panhandle Job Fair: Panhandle Job Fair Foundation
Location:
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
Time:
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Date:
Monday, 14 March, 2011
Event:
Mark Schultz in Concert
Location:
Seville Square, Historic District, Pensacola, FL
Time:
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Date:
Thursday, 17 March, 2011
Event:
78th Annual Dinner Pensacola Historical Society
Location:
Museum of Commerce, 201 East Zaragoza Street
Time:
6:00 pm
Date:
Monday, 21 March, 2011