Our Sunday morning message was brought to us by a guest preacher, Evangelist Rome Wager from Dulce, N.M.
Brother Ryan had each of us introduce our friends we had brought for Friend Day.
Our choir sang a special, "What a Lovely Name."
Our special musical guests, "Revived Bluegrass," presented several special songs.
Prayers requests were taken. Please remember to pray for friends, family and our church.
We stood for opening prayer.
Brother Rome had us turn to Judges 6:11-13, which tells the story of Gideon.
"And there came the angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all this miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?"
Brother Rome has been in the ministry 31 years. He described himself as a short, little kid growing up who had a self-esteem problem, wore "coke bottle" glasses and had holes in his jeans. Growing up as a poor kid, he walked to church after being invited by a friend.
"Back in those days, there was no bus route to pick children up for church," he reminded us.
He arrived at the church and heard the singing had already started. He knew he was late. He went to turn the handle of the church door but heard a small voice from within say, "Everyone will turn and look at you. They will ask why you are late. 'We arrived on time!,' they'll say. 'Why couldn't you get here on time?'"
The longer he stood there wanting to turn the handle, the more unable he was to do so. He knew that the adults' words could be harsh, just like the children who made fun of him. He walked around to the window of the church to hear the congregation singing "Amazing Grace." He knew there was something in that building he needed, but he walked away from the church brokenhearted. His life fell apart from that moment on.
Having trouble in school, he turned to drinking alcohol by the age of 14. He became an alcoholic by 18.
Brother Rome was formerly a bull riding and saddle bronc pro, but life as a cowboy was empty. He was looking for meaning, and one day in the drunk tank in a jail in Montana, he found himself reading the pages of the Bible.
"I looked at that book in jail and saw then that He'd established me a house in heaven," Brother Rome recalled. "He came into my heart."
Gideon had many questions for the Lord. Why me? Why are things that are wrong going on?
"Doesn't this make you think of America today?" Brother Rome asked us.
Often, when something is laid upon our hearts, such as witnessing to another person or feeling compelled to invite someone to church, we, like Gideon, have questions such as "Why me, Lord?"
The Lord had Gideon bring the people down to the river. Watching the way they drink told him a lot about the person. If they drink like a dog lapping up water, they were unable to watch for the enemy. If they drink water from their cupped hands, they could see the enemy coming over the horizon. Gideon started out doubting God. After losing most of the people and only having a small amount stay with him, he realized these were the ones who were called.
Just like Gideon, has God called you to go to church, invite a friend to church or witness to a person? Are you that one person standing between them and going to hell? Brother Rome reminded the young people of our church.
"You need to find Jesus," he told them.
Through his personal testimony, he stated, "It is a horrible road without Jesus."
So, on this Friend Day, if they are your friend or loved one, invite them. Remember, be single minded and have faith in Jesus Christ. Your life will be different. A closer walk with the Lord will change your life through grace, mercy, truth and salvation. Just like God used Gideon, he can use us. Have you trusted God as your personal savior?
Have you read your Bible today? If not read James 1:8.
Be sure to thank a veteran Friday, Nov. 11.
Please remember the Royce Family in your prayers. They leave for the El Salvador/Costa Rica Mission Trip Nov. 14.
First Baptist Church will hold the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the public from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24.
If you do not have a home church, please come visit us at Pineville First Baptist Church at 206 E. Fifth St. in Pineville. We are one of the friendliest churches in town. Sunday school is at 9 a.m. and morning worship at 10. AWANAs is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday night. Wednesday Night Church/Bible Study starts at 7 p.m. Friday night Bible study will resume beginning in 2017.
The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. The next meeting is Nov. 19.
Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.
The Woman's Christmas Party will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the gym.
All Bible verses are from the KJV.
You can hear a rebroadcast of one of Dr. Larry Crawford's services on KURM radio, 100.3 FM, at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. Or listen to our pastor's service at www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com/Sermons.html.
Religion on 11/10/2016