First Baptist Family of Asheboro, NC

 In the past year we have been concerned about how to stay connected to people, to church, to our families and to our friends.  Today, on Valentine's Day we are reminded we want to be connected to the people we love.  As kids we passed out Valentine cards to our class as an expression of caring.  We have love for one another because God first loved us.  God sent His son into the world for us, Jesus was resurrected for us.  How do we stay connected to God?  Colossians 4:2-4 will help us today.   Keep talking to God.     As we talk to God we have questions about how we get through times like these.  The church at Colossae had challenges and so do we.  The church at Colossae is similar to us today.  They had a good economy, good jobs and people would travel to their area.  People enjoyed living there.  Believers were in the minority in their community.  It was difficult.  How do we serve God in a wo...

  In Psalm 22:3 the KJV reads, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel .” Other translations translate the word inhabitest as enthroned.   In practice, that’s not necessarily what we mean.   If I’m praising my child, I’m giving an affirmation to them.   It means god is present in moments when we are lifting ourselves up to Him.   God inhabits this space when we meet together.   God is always available.   God gives His presence to us.   We are no longer strangers to God.  Have you ever been in a group and someone introduced you to someone you already know?  It’s a good feeling when we already know someone.  Paul says you are no longer a stranger to God.  You know God.  This is a good reminder for us that we come to God not as a stranger.  In Colossians 1 God is the Creator of everything. Jesus takes first place.  What does it mean for God to be first in our lives? Follow Jesus. Who a...

  Psalm 84 is an image of people going to worship together and as they go it’s raining.   As they approach Jerusalem the rain reminds them of God’s strength.   May the rain remind us of God’s peace and strength today. A couple of weeks ago I ordered lunch and it came.   Everything was in order but there were 2 milkshakes we didn’t order!   We didn’t pay for those.   We got more than we deserved.   That’s grace!   God has given us so much more than a couple of milkshakes. In Colossians 1:1-14 Paul is writing from prison.   As he writes to the people of Colossae he reminds them of the grace and power of God. Paul was in prison for several years, quite a long time. God spoke to him and he wrote these letters.   If Paul wasn’t in prison we wouldn’t have these letters today.   In our imprisonments, in our times when we aren’t doing what we think we should be doing, God uses these times. Growth begins when we embrace grace.  ...

The second part of Romans 8 is a song, a victory song from Paul.   This isn’t intended to be looked at for logical reasons.   This is a praise, a victory that Paul has found in Christ.   This is a product of a life of walking with God.   What’s it mean when God is for us?   Does God really care about us?   Paul has learned God cares for us and is with us.   If God is for us, what does this mean for us?   This transforms our lives. It’s like in the recent movie The Lion King.   Simba learns Mufasa cares about him.   His dad is with him.   That changes everything for him.   What difference does it make to know God is for us?   All things happening are in God’s control.   Paul knows there will be challenges in life.   It doesn’t matter what’s against us if God is for us. It doesn’t matter who is against us.                 ...