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How
To Become a Follower of Jesus
The
Bible declares that “all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). This
just means that when God created you and me He had something
really amazing in mind. The problem is, none of us have
all He planned for us to have – in this life,
or the next!
The
big issue is presented later in the book of Romans (6:23):
“The wages of sin is death…” Want
it straight? We’re walking dead men (and women).
There are lots of ways for human beings to be “dead”
and still walking around suffering through life. I’ll
wager you know what I’m talking about.
The
solution is pretty simple: “The gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.” (Same
verse)
There
is a problem though. Jesus said, “God so loved
the world (that’s you and me) that He gave His
only Son (that’s Jesus) that whosoever (you and
me again) believes in Him should not perish (experience
that living death I told you about) but have everlasting
life (beginning here and now).” (John 3:16). THE
PROBLEM is that believing in Jesus means buying in to
what He said, what He did, and what He offers in exchange
for your allegiance.
How
To Become Part of the Body of Christ at Atwater Baptist
Church
Once
you’ve acknowledged Jesus as your Savior and the
Lord of your life (determined to be obedient to His
guidance for your life), and have decided you want to
be part of our “body,” we’d love to
talk to you about joining our fellowship. We’ll
want you to follow the Lord in believers’ baptism
(if you haven’t already) and commit yourself to
an active ministry in our fellowship. That’s it.
We’re not a club or an organization to join. We’re
a ministry family, serving the Lord together to join
Him in His mission: to become famous in Atwater and
the surrounding area, to extend His kingdom (and reduce
the enemy’s kingdom), and reconcile the world
to Himself. That’s it! Contact pastor Paul to
get the ball rolling! And welcome!
How
To Contact Us:
Telephone
Office (209) 358-5427
Fax
(209) 358-5425
Email:
atwater_baptist@yahoo.com
Mailing
address:
Atwater Baptist Church
2124 First Street
Atwater, CA 95301
Is
Your Heart Ready for Disaster?
Accepting
the Gospel truth essential now and for eternity
(CEN,
Oct. 5) PHOENIX, Ariz. – With Christian
relief and development agencies continuing their deployment
throughout the Gulf Coast region of the United States,
Christian Emergency Network (CEN) CEO and Founder Mary
Marr said that Christians must see this time for the
opportunity it is – to share the hope found only
in Jesus.
Marr
said, “CEN partners such as the Salvation Army,
Convoy of Hope, Strategic World Impact and others are
now on the ground earning the right to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. Their steps have been primed with prayer,
they have provided care at every level – physical,
emotional, and spiritual – and they have the answer
to the problems and questions that no government or
secular agency can answer. That is Jesus Christ.”
She
added, “It is no secret that today in America,
as throughout the recorded history of humanity, there
are those opposed to Christians sharing their faith.
However, we answer to a higher authority. Jesus commanded
– yes, commanded – us to share our faith
as we go through life. Certainly, one way to do that
is to provide financial support for those ministries
that have proven that they are prepared, capable and
excellent, but that also do not waver in obeying the
Great Commission.” She continued, “Even
those not directly impacted by the storm are questioning
where God is in all of this. There is no better time
than the present for us to share with our families,
friends, neighbors and coworkers this truth about Jesus
– ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for
there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved'"(Acts 4:12).
Marr
remarked, “So, we encourage Christians throughout
America to ask those they know and love, ‘Is your
heart ready for disaster?’ Helping those you know
to acknowledge and deal with that question may very
well lead them to accept the truth of the Gospel, so
that they can experience a purposeful life in the present
and eternity in the presence of God.”
Marr
noted, “Our own personal testimonies are likely
our most powerful witnessing tool. However, Scripture
promises it will not come back void. So, do not hesitate
to open your Bible so that others can read for themselves
the truth of Scripture.” She pointed to several
verses, that used in order, can lead a person quickly
through the core Gospel message. Those verses are: Romans
3:23; Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 3:19; Ephesians
2:8; Romans 10:9-10; and, Romans 10:13.
Prayer
Reminding Christians that CEN’s ministry is focused
on conveying the hope of Christ through a prayer-care-share
message, Marr asked that Christians consider each of
these prayer requests and following information.
-
Pray
that God will enable and embolden Christians to
share their faith with non-Christians.
-
Pray
that Christians will abandon idols and other temporal
pleasures that stand in the way of their own witness.
-
Pray that God will shake Christians from their complacency
and comfort and would adopt the same sense of urgency
demonstrated by Jesus in His ministry.
Share
Meanwhile, Strategic World Impact, an international
ministry, has moved into areas devastated by Hurricane
Rita, helping in a number of ways, including removing
debris and bringing in generators. To learn more, visit
www.swi.org
SHARE
TIP: Join with CEN in committing to a lifetime
of adopting the biblical response of prayer-care-share
by becoming a CEN partner.
Pray-Care-Share
Inspiration
SCRIPTURE: “And let the peace
(soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as
umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling
with finality all questions that arise in your minds,
in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's]
one body you were also called [to live]. And be
thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]"
Colossians 3:15.
Outlook: We turn our eyes, hearts and
minds to You, Oh God, for in our weakness You are strong.
Song: “His Strength Is Perfect,”
by Steven Curtis Chapman and Jerry Salley |
