At Bible Baptist Church, being fundamental and Bible-believing is not just an idea, it is our practice. We have a strong Bible-based teaching ministry and believe in saturating everything we do in the Word of God.

Believing that Christians are to witness of the saving power of Jesus Christ, Bible Baptist Church practices weekly soul-winning and visitation. Our Sunday School, Bus Ministry, Nursing Home, Retirement Home and Prison Ministries are centered on declaring the Gospel message. Our bus and van volunteers provide transportation to the church, encourage and give Godly examples to some children.

            Mark 16:15 is one of the verses in the Bible that Christians refer to when they speak of the Great Commission. Most of contemporary Christianity has relegated the command to evangelize the world to being the church’s Great Omission. Sadly, instead of seeking opportunities to spread the Gospel message around the world, we are content to trying to keep the local ministries viable.

            The local church cannot be neglected. The saying that “the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home” is true. We need strong, Bible preaching and teaching centers of evangelism that are actively attempting to reach their own Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). However, we must not center all of our resources on our immediate locale. The mission of the church is to go. There will be a cost to be paid. Going will require the people of God to extend outside their comfort zones. But we need to remember that the Great Commission is a commission! The command of the Lord is not a request.

            When Jesus told the disciples to go to every creature, He was not neglecting any person on the planet. The message of John 3:16 is that God loves the world. If we are viewing the need through the eyes of our Heavenly Father, we will understand that everybody, regardless of nationality, should have the Gospel presented to them. 

            The preaching of salvation to “the regions beyond” (2 Cor. 10:16) is not to be viewed merely as the duty of the church. It is really an act of delight! Have we become so mature in Christ that we have lost the joy that comes from seeing individuals trust Christ as their Savior? Let us pray for a revival. Let us pray that God will open our eyes of understanding to see the wonderful opportunities that He has given to us. May we stop forgetting the Great Commission and start seeking to fulfill it.

The concept of work is not popular in our society today. My father told me when I was a lad that if I would put in as much effort to do my work as I did to avoid it, I would finish my tasks and be better for it. I hope that I have learned some of that valuable lesson.

            The Scriptures mention work early in the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 2:2 we find God finished His work of creation. The Word of God declares that God did His work well (Gen. 1:31). As His followers, we should dedicate ourselves to perform our tasks to the best of our ability.

            Paul wrote to the congregation at Thessalonica to require individuals to work if they desired to eat (2 Thess. 3:10). Work is a part of God’s plan for peoples’ lives (Gen. 3:17-19). When one learns to appreciate the true value of work, he or she understands the intrinsic worth of labor. Work assists in giving meaning and direction in life, as well as, satisfaction.

            We cannot forget that God has promised to reward our work for His cause (Heb. 6:10). The prospect of hearing “well done” (Mt. 25:21) from the lips of our Savior should lift our spirits, lighten our load and lead us to appreciate the opportunity to work!

The Bible teaches that it is good for a person not to speak excessively. Proverbs 10:19 declares that within a multitude of words, sin will be present. The wise man, Solomon, warned people to have few words (Eccl. 5:2). The church at Thessalonica was instructed to be quiet (1 Thess. 4:11). Our Savior encouraged simple conversation to avoid evil (Mt. 5:37).

            Believers are encouraged to witness of Christ (Lk. 24:48) and to declare the Gospel message (Rom. 1:15-16). Every follower of Christ knows that God wants him or her to speak up for Him. But the Lord also wants a balance in our lives (Prov. 11:1; Phil. 4:5). A wise man once reminded his congregation that God gave people two ears and only one mouth – the Lord must want us to listen twice as much as we speak! James said much the same thing when he recorded the admonition to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19).

            It would do us all well to pray like David did in Psalm 19:14. David’s petition was that God would find the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart to be acceptable in God’s sight. May God give us the discernment to know when to speak and what to say.

As we begin 2010, many Christians are considering the concept of making “New Year’s” resolutions. There is freshness about the beginning of a new year and a new decade. The Bible always encourages individuals to turn to the Lord and conform to His desires. Therefore, it would be difficult to find fault with a child of God who is using this time of the year to assist in his/her spiritual motivation.

The only warning that needs to be given is provided for us in Ecclesiastes 5:4: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” God is clear in expressing that He does not want us to make excuses or delays in the performance of things which we have promised to Him.

Christians should periodically examine their lives (2 Cor. 13:5). After reviewing our conduct and beliefs, decisions may become necessary to align ourselves with the tenets of Scripture. A vow (sacred promise) will aid the believer in expressing his or her determination to do that which is right. A good idea would be for the believer to write down his or her promise to God and then keep it in his/her Bible as a reminder. It could be used as a book mark for daily Bible reading.

Do not let the fear of failure hold you back from making promises to God. We live in days that lack commitment. This is true of most relationships: family, friends, and churches. As we start this New Year, may we earnestly vow to God to live for Him. And then may we perform it (2 Cor. 8:11)!

Who is a friend? Prov. 17:17 defines the need for a friend to stand with someone in the time of trouble. Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:29-37) to demonstrate that one’s neighbor is not just one who shows an interest, but one who is willing to sacrifice to assist someone in need.

            Brothers and sisters in Christ must be willing to sacrifice of themselves and their ministries in order to be real friends. Friendship must be determined, and then it must be demonstrated. Too many believers operate in a secular mindset. Friendship is only extended if it brings good things to the one who is offering it. As soon as your friend experiences a problem, the world says to cut him off. Many Christians are guilty of this and justify themselves by declaring the need not to embarrass the “work of God”.  In reality, they are worried about someone thinking badly about them. Pride then becomes the deciding factor. Is it not the “work of God” to help those in need? Does not the essence of Prov. 17:17 imply that one should stand with someone in friendship?

            We are not to be partakers of other’s sinful habits and actions. We must maintain personal holiness and strive to please the Lord first of all. Jesus is the prime example of a Friend. One person suggested that if we need a friend, then we should go out and be a friend. May we, by God’s grace, be faithful friends.