May 1st, 2008

Hey, how are you doing with your purple bracelet? We've been at this for about 6 weeks - already had one success story! Keep it up! "Complaint free is the life for me!"      Being complaint free reveals a good deal about our inner character. One thing it reveals is our level of contentment. I wrote in a recent daily posting about this. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."      Being able to live complaint free means we are demonstrating faith - that we are trusting in God to help us and encourage us in any and all circumstances. We need to internalize the intent of verse 13 above - "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." God is faithful to us - he is going to be there for us. Paul truly lived by this reality - he knew he could accomplish great things through the power of the living God!      Being able to live complaint free means we have assimilated a realistic view of life. We understand that not all things will go exactly the way we want. We understand the limitations of this life. Paul expressed this reality in I Timothy 6:6-7 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." This is not a negative statement, or a statement of a desire for more, it is simply a statement of the reality of life that we need to understand. There are things in life that will not go our way. There are also things in life that we think we need, but we don't. Living without these things will not be detrimental. Living this way will help us to be more dependent upon God, to live more faithfully before God, and to be less prone to complain about circumstances. Dr. Steve Willis - Pastor

Key Truths for Biblical Cristians Key Bible Events Account of Creation - Genesis 1 & 2 Account of the Fall - Genesis 3 Account of the Flood - Genesis 6 - 9 Account of Abraham - Genesis 12 Account of Moses - Exodus 4-10 Account of Joshua - Joshua 1 Account of David - II Samuel Account of the Captivity - II Chronicles 36 Accounts of the Captives - Daniel, Esther Account of Rebuilding - Ezra, Nehemiah Account of the Birth of Jesus - Matthew 1 & 2; Luke 1 & 2 Accounts of the Early Church - Acts Key Bible Doctrines 1) Inspiration of Scripture - II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; John 17:17 2) Virgin Birth of Christ - Isaiah 7:14-15; Matthew 1: 18-24; Luke 1:26-38; Galatians 4:4 3) Substitutionary Atonement - Isaiah 53:4-5; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:1-14; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:26; I John 2:2 4) Bodily Resurrection - Romans 1:4; Romans 4:25; Romans 8:11; I Corinthians 15:20-21 5) Literal Return of Christ - John 14:1-6; Acts 1:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19 Key Bible Scriptures Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 7:13; Matthew 11:28-20 Matthew 28:19-20;Mark 8: 34-38; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10 John 1:14; John 3:16; John 10:27;John 14:1-6; Acts 1:8 Romans 1:16; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8 Romans 8:26-39;I Corinthians 12:27; I Corinthians 13 II Corinthians 5:17;Galatians 3:6; 3:36-29; Ephesians 2:8-10 Philippians 2:1-4; Philippians 4:13;Colossians 1:15-20 I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 13:5 James 3:9-12; I John 1:9; Revelation 21:1-6; Revelation 22:17 Key Bible Activity 1) Pray about the one whom you would like to speak with about Christ. 2) Share your story about how you received Christ. 3) Invite them to accept Christ into their heart as Savior and Lord. 4) Pray with them about this decision. "Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart as my Savior and my Lord. I accept you know as my Savior. Thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life." 5) Assure them of the decision they have made - use John 3:16 & 6:47.