Afterwards, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, "The LORD has helped us to this point." So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israel's territory again. The LORD's hand was against the Philistines all of Samuel's life. The cities from Ekron to Gath, which they had taken from Israel, were restored; Israel even rescued their surrounding territories from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites. (1 Samuel 7:12-14)
The word Ebenezer is a Hebrew word, which means “Stone of Help.” The context is when the Israelites finally defeated the Philistines, and took back the Ark of the Covenant. To remember their victory, Samuel set up a marker-stone, naming it "Stone of Help.”
An Ebenezer is a reminder of God’s presence and divine aid in our lives. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: those things which serve as reminders of God’s love both for us and for our families.
This Thanksgiving let’s give thanks to God for the wonderful Ebenezers that God has given us in our lives! We’ve got a special opportunity for you and your family to be involved in during our Thanksgiving Service on Sunday morning, November 23. This week we would like for you and your family to prepare your own Ebenezer to bring to the service on the 23rd. It can literally be a “stone of help” on which you could write family bible verses and passages that are meaningful to you or could it be something else that is symbolic of a way that God has delivered your family or shown himself faithful to you over the years. During the service this Sunday we will have a time for your family to bring your Ebenezer forward and for us as a congregation to give thanks to God together.
May each and every one of us always be blessed by the grace and peace of Jesus Christ through the Ebenezers that God has placed in our lives!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
True or False
Tim Shaw
Education Pastor
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” Acts 17:24-26 (ESV)
On Paul’s second missionary journey he finds himself in the middle of downtown Athens. He spends time observing the people and his heart is broken over how blind and lost they are. Then in Acts 17:16-33 Paul teaches them who Christ is. I love the section in verses 24-26 where Paul teaches them about the character of God. Paul tells them that God is superior to His creation. He is over and above all that He has created and He needs nothing to support His existence. But at the same time He is intimately involved within His creation. It says that He gives life to all things that have life. Paul goes on to tell them that from one man, Adam, He has brought all people into the world and formed nations. He not only formed the nations, He determines how large or small that nation will be. He determines how long that nation will be in existence as well.
I think this passage is extremely relevant for us today. Especially having come through an election this week where we observed a major shift in our nation’s government, where the short-term and long-term effects are yet to be determined. But from Acts we see that God reigns whether the Republicans or Democrats have the majority voice in government. God is on the throne if there is prayer in schools or not. He is on the throne even if the definition of marriage is changed to adapt to the worldview of today.
I received this email which I found to be quite timely and it gives us some perspective. I want to share it with you. I do not know who wrote it. It is a True/False test that you don’t even have to study for. Good luck! Or better God Bless! Or even better God REIGNS!!!
True/False: Regardless of who won the election, Jesus will still be King.
True/False: Regardless of who won our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my primary citizenship will still be in this order - (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the tomb will still be empty.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
True/False: Regardless of who won, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)
True/False: Regardless of who won, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.
True/False: Regardless of who won, "Jesus Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.
True/False: Regardless of who won, we will still know that God is in control.
The answer my friend is “TRUE”. I pray that you will remember who you are and who He is.
Education Pastor
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” Acts 17:24-26 (ESV)
On Paul’s second missionary journey he finds himself in the middle of downtown Athens. He spends time observing the people and his heart is broken over how blind and lost they are. Then in Acts 17:16-33 Paul teaches them who Christ is. I love the section in verses 24-26 where Paul teaches them about the character of God. Paul tells them that God is superior to His creation. He is over and above all that He has created and He needs nothing to support His existence. But at the same time He is intimately involved within His creation. It says that He gives life to all things that have life. Paul goes on to tell them that from one man, Adam, He has brought all people into the world and formed nations. He not only formed the nations, He determines how large or small that nation will be. He determines how long that nation will be in existence as well.
I think this passage is extremely relevant for us today. Especially having come through an election this week where we observed a major shift in our nation’s government, where the short-term and long-term effects are yet to be determined. But from Acts we see that God reigns whether the Republicans or Democrats have the majority voice in government. God is on the throne if there is prayer in schools or not. He is on the throne even if the definition of marriage is changed to adapt to the worldview of today.
I received this email which I found to be quite timely and it gives us some perspective. I want to share it with you. I do not know who wrote it. It is a True/False test that you don’t even have to study for. Good luck! Or better God Bless! Or even better God REIGNS!!!
True/False: Regardless of who won the election, Jesus will still be King.
True/False: Regardless of who won our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my primary citizenship will still be in this order - (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the tomb will still be empty.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
True/False: Regardless of who won, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)
True/False: Regardless of who won, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.
True/False: Regardless of who won, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
True/False: Regardless of who won, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.
True/False: Regardless of who won, "Jesus Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.
True/False: Regardless of who won, we will still know that God is in control.
The answer my friend is “TRUE”. I pray that you will remember who you are and who He is.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Washed By The Water
Nathan Stam
Children/Commun. Pastor
Even when the rains fall
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
These lyrics come from a song called “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe. They are a great band out of South Carolina and their album “The Heat” is definitely worth checking out! It’s one of my favorites from this past year.
Haven’t we all experienced the rain falling in our lives? Sometimes it can be a sprinkle, or come in intermittent bursts. And sometimes it can be a flat-out deluge. Sometimes the water can rise up so fast that it sweeps us away before we even know what’s happened. Before we know it we’ve been carried so far away from where we were and pounded against the rocks so many times that it’s hard to know the right direction to move, much less how it is we are supposed to get back.
Storms are hard. Real hard. But you know what? As followers of Christ we’ve already gotten wet.
The writer of Hebrews says that since, as believers, we’ve already been washed by the water, we can draw near to God. And we’re encouraged to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (despite the winds that buffet us and the troubles that assail). Why?
Because he who promised is faithful.
He is faithful to carry our sorrows, our hurts and our tears. He is faithful to resurrect our dead and stony hearts. He is faithful to keep us until the end. And he’ll never let us go—even when the water starts rising.
And we are not of those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. Apex Baptist Church, hold unswervingly to God. Don’t fear the storm. Be encouraged. He who promised is faithful.
Children/Commun. Pastor
Even when the rains fall
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
These lyrics come from a song called “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe. They are a great band out of South Carolina and their album “The Heat” is definitely worth checking out! It’s one of my favorites from this past year.
Haven’t we all experienced the rain falling in our lives? Sometimes it can be a sprinkle, or come in intermittent bursts. And sometimes it can be a flat-out deluge. Sometimes the water can rise up so fast that it sweeps us away before we even know what’s happened. Before we know it we’ve been carried so far away from where we were and pounded against the rocks so many times that it’s hard to know the right direction to move, much less how it is we are supposed to get back.
Storms are hard. Real hard. But you know what? As followers of Christ we’ve already gotten wet.
The writer of Hebrews says that since, as believers, we’ve already been washed by the water, we can draw near to God. And we’re encouraged to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (despite the winds that buffet us and the troubles that assail). Why?
Because he who promised is faithful.
He is faithful to carry our sorrows, our hurts and our tears. He is faithful to resurrect our dead and stony hearts. He is faithful to keep us until the end. And he’ll never let us go—even when the water starts rising.
And we are not of those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. Apex Baptist Church, hold unswervingly to God. Don’t fear the storm. Be encouraged. He who promised is faithful.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Parenting Is Not For Cowards
Peter Dubbelman
Family Life/Administration Pastor
Insuring that our words as parents don't fall to the ground means so much when developing children. This is especially important in a child’s younger years. Therefore, in order to raise our kids with wisdom, in our hearts parents must mean what they say but not always say what they mean.
Naturally, a compatible lifestyle for parents will also go a long way; however, that’s not my point today. It's extremely important that parents let their yes be yes and their no be no. When we draw the line, it must be courageously maintained, like a middle linebacker on his own ONE YARD LINE. If our children learn at a young age that our words don't mean anything, why should they listen to us or anyone else in their teenage years?
Whether our children are old or young the key to keeping our stand is to take a position only in important matters—areas that will impact their lives. Whether your child has long hair or not will not be that impacting, but who they hangout with will! Whether your child plays soccer or baseball is not that important, but it is essential that they learn to respect authority, especially yours.
Family Life/Administration Pastor
Insuring that our words as parents don't fall to the ground means so much when developing children. This is especially important in a child’s younger years. Therefore, in order to raise our kids with wisdom, in our hearts parents must mean what they say but not always say what they mean.
Naturally, a compatible lifestyle for parents will also go a long way; however, that’s not my point today. It's extremely important that parents let their yes be yes and their no be no. When we draw the line, it must be courageously maintained, like a middle linebacker on his own ONE YARD LINE. If our children learn at a young age that our words don't mean anything, why should they listen to us or anyone else in their teenage years?
Whether our children are old or young the key to keeping our stand is to take a position only in important matters—areas that will impact their lives. Whether your child has long hair or not will not be that impacting, but who they hangout with will! Whether your child plays soccer or baseball is not that important, but it is essential that they learn to respect authority, especially yours.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The First "Go Week" Coming Soon!
"Gather, Grow, Go" is the mission statement of Apex Baptist Church. We believe that as a result of our 'Gathering and Growing' we should be 'Going' with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the town of Apex. As the church, it is our duty and privilege to be Christ's messengers. People in our community should be impacted with the Gospel of Christ because our Church is in existence. It is the role of the church to proclaim the Glory of Christ to everyone, in words and actions.
We believe that sharing the love of Christ with our community, in word and deed, should be an intricate part of our Church's DNA. That is why we are committing the 4th week of every month to actively and creatively sharing the love of Christ with the town of Apex. We will not be having our regular Wednesday night activities on the 4th week of every month so that we may give our full focus to spreading the love of Christ.
Each month we will be providing the congregation with two main service opportunities along with other creative ideas for life groups and families to do during the 4th week. These are the two main service opportunities for September:
1) Feeding the Firemen - On Wednesday, September 24, we will be feeding the firemen of Apex at the Fire Station on Salem St at 5:30pm. Everyone can get involved in cooking the meal because we will be doing it 'pot luck' style. You can sign up to cook a main dish (meat), a side dish, or a desert. All the food will need to be dropped off at the front of the church at 5pm. Then we will take the food down to the Fire Station. You can also sign up to help with the set-up at the station, serving the food and drink to the firemen, and the breakdown process as well. We will also be giving a free ticket to see the movie Firepoof that is coming out on Friday, September 26th, to any fireman that wants to go see it. This is a great opportunity for us to thank the firemen for their service to us and show them the love of Christ in a practical way!
2) Apex Nursing Home Ministry - We will be going to all three of the nursing homes in Apex during the 4th week of September. We will go and sing hymns with the residents, read them stories, paint fingernails, do skits, and visit the residents that are visited the least. Each one of these nursing home visits will be on separate nights and you can sign up for them individually.
We will be going to Spring Arbor Rest Home on Monday, September 22nd at 7pm.
We will be going to Rex Wellness Center on Tuesday, September 23rd at 6pm.
We will be going to Atwater Rest Home on Wednesday, September 24th at 6pm.
If you would like to sign-up for one of these events, or have any questions, please contact Matthew Bradham at 362-6176 x. 236.
If your family or Life Group is looking for other creative ways to share the love of Christ with our community here are a couple of ideas.
1) Your family or your Life Group could throw a block party in someone's neighborhood. The Moonwalk, popcorn machine, and sno-cone machine will be provided for you by the church. This is a creative and easy way for you to share the love of Christ with your neighbors.
2) Your family or your Life Group could help a family in need do some much-needed yard work. I have placed a sign-up sheet in the Western Wake Crisis Ministry for families to sign up for yard work during the 4th week of September. This is a great opportunity to serve and build relationships.
3) Your family or your Life Group could collaborate in providing breakfast or lunch for the teachers of a local school. This would be a great way to say 'thank you' and share the love of Christ in a practical way.
If you have any questions about these three ideas and would like help in putting them together, please contact Matthew Bradham @ 362-6176 x. 236
We believe that sharing the love of Christ with our community, in word and deed, should be an intricate part of our Church's DNA. That is why we are committing the 4th week of every month to actively and creatively sharing the love of Christ with the town of Apex. We will not be having our regular Wednesday night activities on the 4th week of every month so that we may give our full focus to spreading the love of Christ.
Each month we will be providing the congregation with two main service opportunities along with other creative ideas for life groups and families to do during the 4th week. These are the two main service opportunities for September:
1) Feeding the Firemen - On Wednesday, September 24, we will be feeding the firemen of Apex at the Fire Station on Salem St at 5:30pm. Everyone can get involved in cooking the meal because we will be doing it 'pot luck' style. You can sign up to cook a main dish (meat), a side dish, or a desert. All the food will need to be dropped off at the front of the church at 5pm. Then we will take the food down to the Fire Station. You can also sign up to help with the set-up at the station, serving the food and drink to the firemen, and the breakdown process as well. We will also be giving a free ticket to see the movie Firepoof that is coming out on Friday, September 26th, to any fireman that wants to go see it. This is a great opportunity for us to thank the firemen for their service to us and show them the love of Christ in a practical way!
2) Apex Nursing Home Ministry - We will be going to all three of the nursing homes in Apex during the 4th week of September. We will go and sing hymns with the residents, read them stories, paint fingernails, do skits, and visit the residents that are visited the least. Each one of these nursing home visits will be on separate nights and you can sign up for them individually.
We will be going to Spring Arbor Rest Home on Monday, September 22nd at 7pm.
We will be going to Rex Wellness Center on Tuesday, September 23rd at 6pm.
We will be going to Atwater Rest Home on Wednesday, September 24th at 6pm.
If you would like to sign-up for one of these events, or have any questions, please contact Matthew Bradham at 362-6176 x. 236.
If your family or Life Group is looking for other creative ways to share the love of Christ with our community here are a couple of ideas.
1) Your family or your Life Group could throw a block party in someone's neighborhood. The Moonwalk, popcorn machine, and sno-cone machine will be provided for you by the church. This is a creative and easy way for you to share the love of Christ with your neighbors.
2) Your family or your Life Group could help a family in need do some much-needed yard work. I have placed a sign-up sheet in the Western Wake Crisis Ministry for families to sign up for yard work during the 4th week of September. This is a great opportunity to serve and build relationships.
3) Your family or your Life Group could collaborate in providing breakfast or lunch for the teachers of a local school. This would be a great way to say 'thank you' and share the love of Christ in a practical way.
If you have any questions about these three ideas and would like help in putting them together, please contact Matthew Bradham @ 362-6176 x. 236
Passing over the Impassable Rivers
Alex Cosio
Pastor of Hispanic Ministries
All of us in someway have been confronted to an impassable river, it may be a difficult person to deal with, it might seem to be our spouse, or a family member, a son, a daughter or a relative. It may be an addiction or a bad habit. It seems that we have tried all but still are unable to conquer. It might be a job situation or a financial difficulty. What is your impassable river?
The book of Joshua chapters three and four tells the story of Israel before the Jordan River. They left behind the desert where they wondered for 40 years and before them was the Promised Land, a land flowing milk and honey. God is about to perform one of the great miracles for the people of Israel, dry up the Jordan River so that his people could come out of the dessert and conquer Canaan to enjoy the abundance of the promise land.
How can you and I conquer and enjoy a fruitful Christian life? There are three principles found it the next verses of Joshua 3:
First, spend time early with the Lord (v.1). The Lord Jesus exemplified this habit in his life. Joshua also was an early riser, (Joshua 6:12; 7:16; 8:10). God has given us the ability to present ourselves before Him. Because you and I can, let us take advantage of this privilege and get close to Him.
Second, set our eyes in the Lord (v.3). Peter asked to walk on water, and at the command of the Lord he stepped down the boat but when he looked away from the Lord and focused at the waves, he began to sink. I wonder if we fill that we are sinking in the middle of the river. Let us keep our eyes focus on the Lord and his Word for us.
Third, sanctify ourselves for the Lord (v.5) the reason is that God wants to do wonders. The New International Version translates this word as “purify.” God still does wonders. He takes a sinner, forgives him/her and makes him/her brand new for him. What a great reality, philosophies try to offer change, but God erases our sin by the blood of Jesus and makes people completely new, this is the wonder of God.
If a river is impassable; how can someone pass over it? Remember these three principles: Spend time with the Lord, Set your eyes on Him and purify yourself from un-confessed sin.
Pastor of Hispanic Ministries
All of us in someway have been confronted to an impassable river, it may be a difficult person to deal with, it might seem to be our spouse, or a family member, a son, a daughter or a relative. It may be an addiction or a bad habit. It seems that we have tried all but still are unable to conquer. It might be a job situation or a financial difficulty. What is your impassable river?
The book of Joshua chapters three and four tells the story of Israel before the Jordan River. They left behind the desert where they wondered for 40 years and before them was the Promised Land, a land flowing milk and honey. God is about to perform one of the great miracles for the people of Israel, dry up the Jordan River so that his people could come out of the dessert and conquer Canaan to enjoy the abundance of the promise land.
How can you and I conquer and enjoy a fruitful Christian life? There are three principles found it the next verses of Joshua 3:
Joshua started early the next morning and left Acacia Grove with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and stayed there before crossing. After three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God carried by the Levitical priests, you must break camp and follow it. But keep a distance of about 1,000 yards between yourselves and the ark. Don't go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven't traveled this way before." Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, because the LORD will do wonders among you tomorrow."
First, spend time early with the Lord (v.1). The Lord Jesus exemplified this habit in his life. Joshua also was an early riser, (Joshua 6:12; 7:16; 8:10). God has given us the ability to present ourselves before Him. Because you and I can, let us take advantage of this privilege and get close to Him.
Second, set our eyes in the Lord (v.3). Peter asked to walk on water, and at the command of the Lord he stepped down the boat but when he looked away from the Lord and focused at the waves, he began to sink. I wonder if we fill that we are sinking in the middle of the river. Let us keep our eyes focus on the Lord and his Word for us.
Third, sanctify ourselves for the Lord (v.5) the reason is that God wants to do wonders. The New International Version translates this word as “purify.” God still does wonders. He takes a sinner, forgives him/her and makes him/her brand new for him. What a great reality, philosophies try to offer change, but God erases our sin by the blood of Jesus and makes people completely new, this is the wonder of God.
If a river is impassable; how can someone pass over it? Remember these three principles: Spend time with the Lord, Set your eyes on Him and purify yourself from un-confessed sin.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A Hand of Hope
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