Money is a litmus test of our true character. It is an index of our spiritual life. Our stewardship of money tells a deep and consequential story. It forms our biography. In a sense, how we relate to money and possessions is the story of our lives.

If this is true of all men in all ages, does it not have special application to us who live in a time and place of unparalleled affluence? Take a man or woman who works from age twenty-five to sixty-five and makes $15,000 a year. In his lifetime this person of modest income by our standards will handle well over half a million dollars. He will manage a fortune. And if Scripture is true, and men must give an account of their lives to God (Rom. 14:12), then one day this man must answer these questions:

• Where did it all go?

• What did I spend it on?
• What has been accomplished for eternity through my use of all this wealth?

In the account of the poor widow, Mark wrote, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury” (Mark 12:41). Notice we are not told, “Jesus happened to see….” No, it seems he deliberately watched to observe what people were giving.

Jesus was interested enough in who was giving what to make an immediate object lesson to the disciples about the true nature of trusting God as demonstrated in sacrificial financial giving.

If we stop to think about it, this passage makes all of us who suppose that what we do with our money is our business and only our business feel terribly uncomfortable. On the contrary, it is painfully apparent that it is God’s business-that God makes it his business. He does not apologize for watching with intense interest what we do with the money he has entrusted to us. If we use our imaginations, we might even peer into the invisible realm to see him gathering some of his subjects together this very moment. Perhaps you can hear him using your handling of finances as an object lesson. The question is this: what kind of lesson?

Read More…

2010 Lottie Moon Offering ~ Are We There Yet?

God knew and was preparing His people, calling across denominational lines to focus their attention on bringing all the world’s peoples to worship Him. Southern Baptists, along with our Great Commission partners, have followed His lead, tackling the ever steeper climb to fulfill the Great Commission with renewed vigor.

Scores of dedicated churches have provided a continuous foundation in a supporting role, giving faithfully to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Many churches have looked further up the climb, exploring how they might take on a more direct role reaching people groups. Through partnering relationships, some churches have taken bold steps forward, personally engaging the unreached. And several have broadened the base camp by equipping other churches to become strategically involved, thus multiplying churches in the climb.

Are we there yet? Not yet.

But for the first time in history, we can identify the people groups that remain untouched by the Gospel. We can get there in our generation! But that last part of the journey will be the hardest. It will take all of us — our churches, our missionaries, our national partners, our Great Commission partners.

Our church goal in giving to this mission effort is $1240.00

More about Lottie Moon

At age thirty-three, Lottie heard a call to missions “as clear as a bell.” In July 1873 the foreign mission board of the Southern Baptist Convention appointed her its first unmarried missionary to China. She tirelessly advocated for the needs of the people of China. In 1888 she persuaded SBC women to take an annual missions offering on Christmas Eve. By 1912, despite such gifts, thousands of people were dying every day in famine-ravaged Shantung Province. At seventy-two, Lottie Moon was coming home. But that same night, aboard a ship off Japan, she died—of complications from starvation. A few months before she had written, “If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for the women of China.”" The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering continues to this day.

Lottie Moon Quotes

“How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”
Tungchow, China,Sept. 15, 1887

“When the gospel is allowed to grow naturally in China, without forcing processes of development, the „church in the house. is usually its first form of organization. God grant us faith and courage to keep „hands off. and allow this new garden of the Lord.s planting to ripen in the rays of the Divine Love, free from human interference!”
Pingtu, China, Sept. 10, 1890

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 1 Ch 16:34(NIV)

What a blessed time of year! As we approach the holiday season, we are thankful for God’s goodness to us in the gift of His Son and for all the many blessings that He bestows on us. We want to share His love and remember our church family Shut Ins – to call, visit, or send cards – just to let them know that we care and that they are missed. Although the holidays can be lonesome and difficult times for many, our goal is to encourage and lift up those who can’t always fellowship with us.

We have recently visited with Cleo Allen, Bob Atchison, Doris Larsen, Vivian Prater, Irene Tucker-Riley and Sybil Wooldridge. More Shut In visits are scheduled as we continue this outreach.

If you have an interest to serve in this ministry or if you know someone in our body in need of encouragement, please contact Alice Potts or Nancy Byars

Merry Christmas blessings to all!

Pick up Jared Casey’s Christmas wish list in the lobby if you would like to contribute to this 17-yr-old’s Christmas through our church.

Save your receipts! Surrender wrapped gifts and receipts to Linda Riley in early December. She will gather the items for Jared together and deliver them before their Christmas Party on December 12th.

We’ve had 89 boxes that are now packed and ready to be delivered–praise God!

Many thanks to all those who donated items and who volunteered their time to make this mission effort a success.

The absolute last day to drop off donations of complete boxes (wrapped) is Sunday, November 21st. Delivery is Tuesday, Nov 22nd.

Please hold onto any boxes that miss the Nov 21st deadline for next year.

Now is the time to take a fresh look at the challenges ahead and be ready to finish the task of reaching all peoples. Here’s a global snapshot of the work ahead of us:

4,743 people groups not engaged at all with the Gospel

6,426 unreached people groups (those with less than 2 percent of people
who profess to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ)

1.7 billion with little or no access to the Gospel

1.5 billion Muslims – 22 percent of the world’s population

950 million Hindus in the world

There is much work to be done. With 45,560 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention, the task is doable, but it will take all of us, starting with our own church!

“… Let us now fear the Lord our God, Who gives rain in its season, both the autumn rain and the
spring rain, Who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” Jeremiah 5:24 NAS

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, let’s be especially mindful of the bountiful harvest for our community farmers this season ~ to mightily praise our God for His awesome creation, for His majesty in nature, for keeping our farmers and families safe, for His continuous provision for all of us.

Please remember our Shut-Ins. Give them a call or stop by for a visit. Keep them in prayer for health needs, comfort and encouragement.

If you have an interest to serve in this Shut-In Ministry, or if you know someone in our body in need of encouragement, please contact Alice Potts or Nancy Byars through the church office. Please contact the office through our Contact Page.

Posted on behalf of the SHUT-IN MINISTRY

Such a beautiful fall we are enjoying and indeed the start of a busy time mission-wise.

First, thanks to all who prayed and gave to State Missions throughout and beyond September. We exceeded our goal of $440 with giving so far at $520!!! Praise the Lord! Pray as we seek to do God’s work throughout Illinois.

October was World Hunger. Our gifts go to help feed others and to teach and equip them to grow their own crops and raise animals for food. So far no totals…but pray and remember to give.

At the same time the AMA local food pantry inventory is very low. So…continue to fill the baskets in the foyer with canned goods, baking items and paper products.

Please no perishable or outdated items!

We will fill our Samaritan Christmas Shoeboxes on November 3rd and 10th . Continue to bring necessities to fill them. Also, one can sponsor a box with postage of $7.00/box. All checks must be made payable to: First Baptist Church for the project so we can send one check. The absolute last day boxes will be accepted for delivery is November 21st as they will be delivered November 22nd .

Pray for each child getting packages too.

Coming soon we should have a child’s name for Christmas from the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home (BCH). I will let you know of the date to deliver the Christmas gifts donated and all other items to BCH and Angel’s Cove.

In December it is the Lottie Moon Offering to help support our many foreign missionaries. All money goes directly to that purpose. Pray and give as God directs you. Our church goal is $1,240.

Please remember love offerings to missions should always be beyond the tithe to do our Lord’s work at First Baptist Church of Altamont. Also, remember a clinched fist can neither give a gift nor receive a gift (or blessing). Pray always before giving….

In Jesus’ love and service – Your Missions Team

Born into privilege on a Virginia plantation, Charlotte Digges Moon was a smart, forceful woman who could have achieved most any goal. But God’s call focused Lottie’s life on sharing Christ’s love with China’s lost masses.

For 37 years she endured hardship and danger in a land oppressed by famine, disease and war. In the end, she loved the Chinese people more than life itself, giving her own food to starving neighbors – eventually dying of starvation herself.

Why is Southern Baptists’ international missions offering named for this early missionary?

Throughout her career, Lottie wrote numerous letters home urging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters, excerpted below, triggered Southern Baptists’ first offering for international missions in 1888 – enough to send three more missionaries to China.

“How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”

Originally found at: http://www.gospelines.com
≈ Devotional for Monday, July 28, 2008

A new day has dawned! Behold the handiwork of our awesome God once more.

Standing outside my office I was amused at the swirling leaves mixed with debris, twisting tornado-like through the parking lot. I smiled as the whirlwind danced its way from car to car, effortlessly shaking antennas on this cloudless autumn day. When it stopped, a lady who was sitting in her car rolled her window down long enough to shout my direction, ‘Isn’t God a trip!’

GospeLines Prayer: “In all things give thanks to the Almighty, for he IS an awesome God.” Thank you, Father, for displaying your omniscience through nature. You really are a TRIP! Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison, D. Min.

tommy@gospelines.com

Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Living a Christian life gets misunderstood as having to give up things, but it is a life that frees from the burdens that would otherwise make us miserable. This entire passage is all about living a life of richness. A Christian life is one of emotional and spiritual well being. It is the kind of rich living that never depends on how big your bank account is. It all starts with having Jesus fill your life.

Get more of the details by reading the entire chapter of Colossians 3. Verses 16 and 17 sum up the whole thing in a nutshell. Abide in Jesus. Let his teachings, ways, and attitude sink in.

Read More…

2 Peter 3:8-9

3:8. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

This is a message that is being written to a group of believers who are growing a little complacent. They are letting some of the doubts of the world creep in, and having their patience stretched. Their minds need to be stirred up. Take time to remember the words of the prophets of old, the words of the apostles, the commandments, even the words of the savior himself.

It’s easy to say to ourselves that God spoke to early, ancient people, but they are long dead and the world keeps plugging along without much change. Seasons come and go, years come and go, and miracles seem to not happen anymore. Where are the things promised, When is the last days going to be? Don’t rush things. The earth was created long ago, and was designed to endure for a long, long time. In fact the promise is that seasons will continue for as long as it takes. the earth will continue, just as it has, preserved, until God destroys it with fire, when he comes to judge all people.

Read More…

Statistically, most people will become married in their lifetime. Being married is how we pass on the family name and traditions, and leave a legacy behind us. Before a person gets married though, it takes getting to know that special person to share in your lifestyle. Maybe you are reading this and in a relationship, that’s a place to start.

The main purpose behind this writing today is for those who are not in a relationship, not dating anybody, and maybe have no clue about whether there is even anybody out there for you. No prospects at all, or know how to even get started in that direction.

You know who you are. You’re not married? Not even dating, or in a relationship? But you want to be? No garantees but here’s some tips and questions to ask yourself to help you focus.

Read More…

Colossians 1:15-17

1:15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
1:16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
1:17. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
–NKJ

The great thing we have about the Bible is that we can read God’s word in human language. The trouble with it is that human language is sometimes barely adequate to describe things in this world, and has trouble describing things on a spiritual, or Godly level. The Bible teaches that there is only one God, God is one. Christian teaching claims that Jesus is God. In describing such things words are used to describe, as best as possible, images and concepts that humans can understand. There are people who stumble over the language of calling Jesus a “firstborn”, or if he is his own person, how can he also be God. It can be hard to understand. Teachings like this have their root in the things that Jesus taught, and what the Old Testament hints at.

In verse 15 we find that Jesus is the image, or icon of God. God is spirit and invisible. Moses was told that nobody has ever seen the face of God, and nobody can and live. Have you ever wondered what God looked like? old testament prophets did. I’ve wondered that many times, and I’m sure most people have. If God had a tangible form that we could see, if God was to let people see him face to face, he would look like Jesus. The image of God that we can touch, taste, smell, see and hear.

Read More…

Leviticus 6:2-5

6:2. “If a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor,
6:3. “or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins:
6:4. “then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore what he has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found,
6:5. “or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering.
–NKJ

In this key passage, the key point is in the last two verses. In the first part we have an outline of some finer points of doing things that defraud your fellow man. It contains a nasty mixture of lies, theft, trust, extortion, and other such things. The main point of these few verses is to point out that there are consequences for our actions. Sometimes the punishment for breaking a law are serious, and get the death penalty. Most have a lesser punishment such as this one about lieing and stealing Crime and sin have consequences, and deserves punishment.

We are told of these harsh things because unfortunately, in our society there are some people out there who just don’t abide by the ethical and moral teachings of either God’s law, or any law. The punishments need to be fair and fit the crime. The punishments also serve to protect the guilty party to a degree. Maybe the person will consider it a wake up call and learn to reform his ways. It should at least be fair based on the extent of the crime that was done. From the victim’s point of view, there might be a large amount of emotional sentiment attached to the item lost, or devastation at being violated. The punishment is to regulate the punishment and not punish the guilty person beyond the real weight of the crime.

Read More…

Exodus 17:12. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
–NKJ

Let’s look at this in backward steps. It’s a snapshot of cooperation. Two men supported the hands of moses so he could hold them up all day. “Until the going down of the sun.” They even gave Moses a stone to sit on to be comfortable. Hey, it’s pretty hard to hold up your hands all day without help. But why were the hands of Moses heavy anyway? What was he doing, and why? Look at the earlier part of the chapter.

Read More…

Genesis 14:20  and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
–NKJ

Stewardship is taking care of the things God has given us, and managing them well. Here Abraham gives money, a tythe back to God. OK, question time, but first read the entire chapter of Genesis 14.

What happened here? Abram is in conversation with a local priest of God named Melchisidek. The first phrase is the tale end of the words being spoken by this high priest. “blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” The short answer is that we give back to God not only for what he has given but also for the protection he offers to us.

Read More…

Galatians 1:6-10

1:6. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
1:7. which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
1:8. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
1:9. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
1:10. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
–NKJ

This passage picks up right after Pauls opening greeting to the Galatian church, and where he has come to them with Jesus as the sole authority behind his message. He cuts right to the problem the people were having with falling away from their faith.

Read More…

Deuteronomy 4:1-14

4:1. “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you.
4:2. “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
–NKJ

Let’s look at some keywords in this passage. Listen, observe, live, possess, given, add, take, keep, and command. If you notice, these are all verbs. All but two are things that we humans are to do. The others are A promise from God and his command that this is true, and the right things he wants for us.

God is speaking to the nation of Israel as they are about to enter the promised land. They have been wandering in their sins in the desert, and are on the threshold of something good. It is a message that we can still experience in our own parallel lives. We get into a rut of daily drudgery, but that isn’t what God wants for us. At some point he gets our attention. Are you out there, blaming God, or going through thoughts of doubt. Good, that means that thoughts of God are going through your mind. He has blessings and promises he wants to give.

Read More…