Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord

Our church family has experienced the loss of two men this week. One went home to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness, the other after a tragic accident. We are praying for each of these families, for the comforting power of the Holy Spirit to be present in their lives. When one part of the body sorrows, we all sorrow. The church is the family of God.

Encountering death reminds me of several life truths:

1)Life is brief- Whether you are blessed with 86 years or only 45, it is still short in light of eternity. The Bible describes life as a vapor. It is here today and gone tomorrow.

2)We are not guaranteed tomorrow- Jesus said do not worry about tomorrow because today has enough trouble of its own. How much of our time do we spend today with the concerns of tomorrow when we are not guaranteed we will have it? Live today, for the glory of God.

3)For the believer in Jesus Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning- It is the beginning of life with God in Heaven. It is a life that we cannot fully comprehend on this side of eternity, but one that the Bible gives us a preview of. Life in the presence of God forever. What a thought.

In the meantime, we are to live our lives for the glory of God.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them! Revelation 14:13

CLBC Worship and Bible Fellowship- New Schedule

For the past three years at CLBC, our Sunday morning schedule has been 8:30 AM Worship, 9:45 AM Bible Fellowship, and 11:00 AM Worship. Due to continued growth and development of the Bible Fellowship Ministry, we made the decision a little over a year ago to transition to two Bible Fellowship Hours along with two Worship Hours.

Starting September 7th, the Sunday Morning schedule will be as follows:

9:00 AM Worship & Bible Fellowship

10:30 AM Worship and Bible Fellowship

I am really excited about this as we move into the future. Change for the sake of change is not worthwhile. Purposeful change however, with clear goals in mind, in order to fulfill God's plan for this church, will bear much fruit.

God has grown the Bible Fellowship Ministry (Sunday School)at CLBC, in an era when many say it can't be done. I have heard all of the reasons (excuses), and they just aren't valid for the most part. It takes work to accomplish anything worthwhile. Just because you want something to happen does not mean it will. Church work is no different. We have to put our hand to the plow and not look back.

Bible Fellowship is built on three main principles, which are all biblical principles. It exists to REACH people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It exists to TEACH people the Word of God so they can grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It exists to MINISTER to the needs of people. As a church grows larger, it must grow smaller.

So I am praying for great things in the days ahead!

Pray for the Students

Most college students have already made their way to their respective campuses. School has already started back for the fall in many places and our elementary, middle school, and high school students are preparing to start school next week.

This is a difficult day that we live in. There are many challenges and potential pitfalls for young people.

Pray for their health and protection.

Pray for wisdom to make good decisions.

Pray for perseverance and good study habits.

Pray for spiritual strength, that all of our students will be salt and light on the campuses where they go to school.

Pray for parents.

Pray for teachers and school leadership.

The Olympics and I Corinthians 9:24-27

The 2008 Olympics are well underway. Athletes from all over the world are competing for medals and recognition as the "best of the best" in their sport. Some of the physical feats that are being accomplished are truly remarkable. World records are being broken on a daily basis.

There are many lessons to be learned from the athletes. Excellence, perseverance, dedication, and hard work are just a few. The stories that are coming out of the games are truly inspiring.

The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 9:24-27 used an athletic comparison to make a spiritual application:

Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals of this life will eventually fade away. Even the greatest of today's athletes will one day be nothing more than a name in a record book.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to discipline ourselves and run with a greater purpose. We run for the glory of God and to fulfill His calling and purpose for our lives. We are to see life with an eternal perspective.

So, as you watch the games, enjoy. They are intriguing. But watch them and see them through a spiritual lens and the race that God has called you to.

War, West Virginia Mission 2008

For the past six summers, a team from Cross Lanes Baptist has journeyed to War, West Virginia. War is the southern most town in West Virginia and is located in the coal fields. Debbie King faithfully ministers there through the Big Creek Team Center and has a heart to reach her community for Christ, and minister to them through meeting practical needs.

The War Mission work this week includes approximately 35 people from CLBC. Part of the team is working on a construction/repair project. Another part of the team is conducting Backyard Bible Club in Coalwood, West Virginia. Coalwood is home of the Rocket Boys of October Sky fame. A Dental Clinic will be conducted on Thursday by a dentist in our church family and we will conclude with a "Meet the Owls" event at Big Creek High School on Thursday evening.

It has been a blessing to work in this community and we look forward to a continued partnership with the Big Creek Team Center.