Good Tidings Issue 4, WWW.HFBCMINISTRIES.ORG MARCH 2014 Looking Back, And Moving Forward! HFBC 2013 AWARDS HFBC S I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E HFBC Featured Event Our True Motives A Word from the Mothers Our First Lady Getting Ready 4 Revival Spring Revival Bible Study/ The Pledge Welcome to the Ministry Super Sunday Teachers Pastor s Appreciation Good Tidings 1
Our True Motives All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Prov. 16:2 Pastor Q. R. Smith How quick we are to question the motives of others, yet, we are so slow to question our own! When others harm us, we may assume the worst of intentions. When we are guilty, we often excuse our offences, concluding that others are far too sensitive! Regardless how we monitor our motives, God weighs them in His scales of righteousness. Is it possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason? Of course! You can attend worship services with a heart that is far from worshipful (Is. 1:10-17). Could you pray with wrong motives? James said you can (James 4:3). Many things cause us to do what we do and we can be motivated by the Good and the Bad. When the Lord measures our motives He looks for one thing, LOVE. All that we do should proceed from our love for God and others. Ask God to show you what He sees behind your motives. Good Tidings 2
A Word from The Mother s Time! One of the most valuable thing in our life, but most of us put no value on it. Have you ever taken an inventory of your day and have you used up all the time God had given? Dictionaries define it as duration or a continuance, in other words it never stop until God says stop. Ecclesiastes (3: 1-8) has given us an outline regarding time. How we spend our time in a Christian s life is very important. Jesus gave us a very good example. No, we are not divine as He, but we should have some of HIS traits (Christian- Christ like). No time to read? Try this, each morning as you ready yourself for the day, take time to read your favorite scripture. Ask Jesus for understanding, read it every day until you get your understanding. Somewhere in your day, especially when people get on your last nerve says your scripture. Also when you say something ungodly, remember your scripture. Don t know what to do? Take time and ask Jesus, one of the great privileges we have is going to God with all our cares and concerns. When you spend time with Jesus it is always a gain and never a lost. Spend your time where it means the most and that is studying the Word of God. The Word contributes to our life, rather than spending time on things that only takes away. Don t waste your time, there is no going back, it s gone. Have you wasted your time on things that has no value or have you used your time wisely gaining spiritual enrichment studying and spending time with God? Try a little tea time with Jesus and at the end of your day reflect back on it. You will see that God s Word made your day better. Take time with Jesus, He s waiting to spend time with you. Good Tidings 3
Our First Lady. ARMED AND DANGEROUS Lady Kathy Smith spoke the Word of God, issuing an invitation that was just too good to miss! Right here, right now, even in the midst of the challenges faced every day, God has equipped us to withstand the test and trails of this life because Greater is He that is in me We continue to thank everyone who support Historical First Baptist Church with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to your support and fellowship and the many Blessings God has in stored for our church family. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit www.hfbcministries.org or contact the church finance office for more information. Good Tidings 4
God s Will: Romans 8:26-28 26. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God s will. 28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Prayer for Revival We are convinced that there is real power in preparation for revival. Planning for the details of the meetings is critical, but if we cross all the T s and dot all the I s of preparation and miss the Heart preparation we will have nothing but an empty shell where revival could have Flowed. Holy Spirit: Luke 10:8-11 8. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10. Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Unity: John 17:20-23 20. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21. that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Transformation: Romans 12:1-2 1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. 2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Boldness: Ephesians 6:19-20 19. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. 20. for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Fruit: John 15: 4-7&16 4. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 16.You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name Good Tidings 5
HFBC SPRING REVIVAL 23 25 APRIL 2014 GUEST SPEAKER: YANNIK MCKIE Special Guest Min. Ronald Benton Macedonia M. B. Church San Antonio, TX and Other Guest Soloists Yannik Mckie is an author and vibrant speaker with an extraordinary ability to reach and inspire people of all ages to eliminate excuses and take responsibility in their lives. His amazing story has been featured on numerous media outlets including Fox 5 Morning Show, Good Day Atlanta, New York Daily News, The Huffington Post and The Hamptons. Come Be Revived Each night @ 7:00 p.m In his book, Living in the Shadows, Min. Mckie tells the captivating story of how he became one of the first children in America to lose both his parents to the deadly AIDS disease. Overcoming such adversity has helped Min. Mckie earn his reputation as an expert on how to overcome life's toughest challenges. We believe that testimonies raise faith in people's lives to believe God for His goodness and mercy towards all. "Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" Galatians 3:5 (NEV) We believe that not only do testimonies touch people, but they cause the enemy to be defeated in our lives. "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death." Rev. 12:11 (NEV) Good Tidings 6
continued from page 1 Plant the seeds share the Joy! Planting the seeds of discipleship Nurturing the growth of His mission Sharing the joy of abundance Good Tidings 7
Minister Jessie Jones Minister Smith Good Tidings 8
i As President of Christian Education I would like to thank all those Super-Teachers who instructed us in the teaching of God s word during our mass Sunday School for January/February. The vision here at Historical First Baptist is to Seek and Save Lost Souls...To Educate and Disciple Believers for The Growth and Success of Ministry. All of you have contributed to this vision by your efforts you brought to the teaching of our lessons. Thanks, and God Bless each of you!!! If you have a story or article you would like to share and have published in HFBC Good Tidings Newsletter email to: HFBCpr@gmail.com. Min. Jessie, Min. Smith, Bro. Allen, Mother Curry, Sis. C. Sanders, Sis. Wilmer, Mother Brooks, Sis. Lea...Job well done. As we prepare to move into our new building in the coming weeks, I ask all believers to focus on our Church Covenant: We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of our church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote it s prosperity and spirituality; to sustain it s worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry. All believers should have a desire for Christian Education that moves them in the support of the things of God. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by fulfilling the great commission in accordance with: Worship-Evangelism-Ministry-Discipleship-Fellowship. Let us come together that God may get the glory. In His Righteousness; D. Burnett, Christian Education Good Tidings 9
Give up a snack, a cup of coffee or a donut for 24 days and bless the Pastor and Wife with $24.00. What a small sacrifice to give up something that only hinder your body and cost $1.00 or more. Why not make that donation go toward showing a little appreciation for feeding your spiritual body. EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL the 2nd Sunday in May. DEACON Wilmer and Sis Tori will be in the vestibule for those who would like to give their gift of $24.00 for Pastor & Wife Anniversary month. We will celebrate Pre-Anniversary Sunday May 18, 2014. The 24 th Anniversary Celebration will be May 25 th. Make plans to attend, but give up that snack until then!!!! Good Tidings 10
Deacon s Corner Greetings from the HFBC Official Board...First I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of my fellow Deacons to say thanks to all the members and visitors of our congregation for your support and the commitment you have shown in kingdom building for the glory of God...Remember, Only what you do for Christ, will last. At the last supper Jesus said these words to his disciples: I give you a new commandment; that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. As Christians, we are identified by the way we show love one to another. Let s continue to ask ourselves this question; Is Love In That. 1 Cor. 13 Finally, our Multi-Purpose Building is fast approaching it s completion date and we look forward to the on going work of the ministry...we ask that all ministries of HFBC would commit their fundraising efforts as a means of supporting our church spiritually and financially. In His Presence: R. Wilmer, Chairman Historical First Baptist Church If you are a member and have an ad or article you would like to share and have published in HFBC Good Tidings Newsletter email the correspondence to: HFBCpr@gmail.com for review and approval or contact Sis Solero. Good Tidings 11
March 29, 2014 Sponsored by the Ushers Ministry We sometimes think of our spirit, body, and mind as three separate things, but they are intimately connected. Any change in one affects the others. Mental stress shows up in our face, skin, and graying hair, and can even cause us to gain weight. A sagging spirit can easily take down our bodies with it. But the flip side is true, too. We've had the experience of feeling sluggish or depressed and of thinking we just want to sleep, but then we do something active, like take a walk and our entire outlook changes. Suddenly, we have tons of energy and the future looks a whole lot better! We managed to revive our mind and spirit through the body! Sign up for the Walk-a-Thon, it is a perfect place to start to make this come true. For more info please see Sis. Marsharrie or Sis Rebel Good Tidings 12