First Southern Baptist Church 1524 N. State Route 89 Chino Valley, AZ Mark A. Reeder, Pastor

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1 February 2018 Newsletter - Spreading The Light First Southern Baptist Church 1524 N. State Route 89 Chino Valley, AZ Mark A. Reeder, Pastor Know Jesus, Love our Neighbors, Share Jesus 9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever. Amen Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV

2 Pastors Paragraphs Last month I mentioned that we would be placing emphasis on spiritual warfare and by the time you get this I should have already preached the first message from Ephesians 6:1020. Much has been written and preached from this passage, some very helpful and some not so much. Fact is we re in a war and battles come daily. Whether that is personal struggles with sinful tenancies or with corporate and political forces that affect us that have no biblical world view, it just never seems to let up. So, we must be prepared! The whole book of Ephesians was written to prepare believers for what the conclusion of the book calls...the schemes of the devil... (verse 11b). It makes it clear that our enemy is not flesh and blood, but it is against (word shows up 5 times in verse 12)... For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. We re gonna learn that this is a battle within us and a foe around us, and that there is only one way to fight this foe, in the Lords strength, (vs10) dressed in the full Armor of God, 11:17, and we must pray and stay alert, It s going to take a couple (or a few) weeks to unpack all this so I hope that if you miss one of the messages you ll listen to it on line. I believe it is an understatement to say that this generation of believers is not well equipped to face the battle. Thank God we re promised, II Corinthians 4:8 says... We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair... Prayer is a critical part of this victory, and our prayer team is working on getting organized to pray regularly, powerfully, and strategically. Also our personnel Team is finishing up a job description for an Assistant Pastor so please keep them in prayer as they work to get us some help on the field here!! This month our sponsorship of the Good News Club at Territorial School begins, so pray that Pam Bennett and the rest of the team will start connecting with the children in the club and their families!! I trust that you are praying with us that God will do all He purposes to through this church to reach this community with the Gospel!! Lets Run to the Battle Pastor Mark

3 From the Corner... By A.Little Churchmouse Well Folks, One whole month has gone by, wow! WMU met twice in January. The second meeting was actually a Baby Shower for the new Pregnancy Center here in Chino Valley. The ladies from there came and shared what was going on, and their need for volunteers. There were loads of gifts for the Center, most of which they did not have, some beautiful baby outfits, some quilts and hand made baby blankets. There was also a delicious lunch following, Yum! The ladies will be meeting twice this month, beginning on the first, and then on the fifteenth. All ladies are invited! I promise you won't even see me! The choir sang on the 21st, a number of wonderful old hymns! It looks like Attendance has been down in Bible School classes, likely due to the flu and such that was going around. Hopefully everyone will be well again and it will be back up soon. There are classes for all ages, and everyone is welcome! Well, until next month, I'll try to stay out of your sight! A.Little Senior Adult Ministry In February, we will be meeting on the 17th, at 5:30, in Bldg C, for our Valentines Day Dinner. Our kitchen crew will be cooking, so we know that it will be wonderful. We really appreciate them cooking for us. Watch for more information on this, in the foyer and bulletins. A nice meal and date with your sweetheart. See you there. Carlene Gillo ckgillo@gmail.com

4 Youth Group Annual Youth Cowboy Dinner and Pie Auction. Friday Night February 23rd at 6:00 pm. All you bakers start planning what to donate for the Auction! This is the main fundraiser for Summer and Winter Camps. BALANCES as of December 31, 2017 C BUILDING LOAN BALANCE: $418,166 GIVING Based on current giving rate, estimated Total Income_Budget (YTD): $ 270,750 payoff date is: November, 2031 Total Income_Actual (YTD): $ 247,818 (at end of November, this was September, 2031) Income LESS THAN Budget (YTD): $22,932 PARKING LOT RESTORATION ($30,000 total) 17.5% was donated in Calendar year 2017 (no increase) (at end of November, this number was $18,027) NOTE: These numbers do NOT include 'Designated' income of $62,480. While not a part of the Annual Budget (that is, the General Fund) these funds can, and often do, off-set some of the Budgeted funds. February Birthday s 2nd 6th 7th 9th 15th 19th 21st 22nd 28th Luke Anderesh Mary Thompson Steve Ross Michelle Thompson Evelyn Crabb Heather Hanson Gage Anderesh Mark Reeder Brandon Hamen Jerry Donaldson Denise Spinler

5 Men s Ministry 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 King James Version (KJV) We're officially one month into the new year, how are you doing with your life changes you tried to make? Are you already losing hope? Haven't seen the progress you hoped for? Have seeds of doubt began to creep into your mind? It's so easy to lose focus on our goals. Especially when we don't feel like there are any gains. When one day you got distracted and didn't stay committed to your New Years resolution. Just one lousy day, you fell short allowing doubts to plant a seed into your mind. I've worked really hard for seventeen days, I deserve a cheat day? Just one day won't hurt anything? Why should I continue when I know I'm just gonna fail? One seed of doubt will bring about a harvest of negative thoughts and a crop of negative results. How do we stay committed to our goals? The first step is to visualize what your end goal is. What are you trying to accomplish? King Solomon wrote Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV). In order to obtain a goal, one must first be able to see what the end product is. A furniture maker doesn't just throw a bunch of stuff together and bang, beautiful furniture. Quite the contrary. The craftsman clings to the vision in his mind on what the finished product is supposed to like so as to not lose hope. The second step is to not entertain negative thoughts. Do not allow thoughts of failure to enter into your mind. Thoughts that tell you to cut corners or to give up. The apostle Paul writes it like this Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 (KJV). Keep your mind focused on the positives of life. Always tell yourself I Can!. I can accomplish this goal. I can do this. The third step is to find someone to help hold you accountable. Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (NASB) Surround yourself with at least one person who will encourage you to continue moving forward. If you can find a support group, even better. Let go of your pride and share your goals with others. Ask them to be your support as you try to make changes in your life. If your best friend is always telling you to give up or trying to lead you away from your goal, find another person to support you. You need someone one who not only encourages you but also drives you to continue even when your tired and feel like quitting. The closer you get to accomplishing your goal, the easier it becomes to stop. Marathon runners, as they get closer to the finish line, fatigue and mental weariness begins to set in. If not for a support person to push the runner to continue and finish, many runners would give up. Always remember, any goal worthy of accomplishment is only achieved by maintaining a clear vision of finishing, a positive attitude towards accomplishing, and a desire to cross the finish line. You have to keep on keeping on. Joe Dirt. Heavenly father, As we seek to make life changes, Father we ask for your help. We know that we will need your strength, wisdom and focus. Lord we also ask that you would bring someone into our life to be part of a support group. In all things Lord, your will be done. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Ken Miller

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February :00 am WMU 2 Pastor Off 3 Pastor Off 4 Lord s Supper 11:45 am PCLT 5 5:00 pm Oathkeepers Pastor Off 10 Pastor Off 12:30-4:30 pm Oathkeepers / Bldg C :00 pm Ministry Team :00 am WMU 16 Pastor Off 17 Pastor Off 5:30 pm Valentine Dinner Happy Birthday Pastor Mark pm Sr. Luncheon 23 Pastor Off 6:00 pm Youth Pie Auction 24 Pastor Off 12:30-4:30 pm Oathkeepers / Bldg C