From Panic To Praise

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Our youth returned from Church Camp with a renewed Spirit. Thirty-one children were saved at camp, two of whom were our very own.

This morning we had some very special guests. Tom and Wanona Koeppler, who are in-laws of Brother Ryan Crawford.

Our congregation was led in song service by Brother Jay Varner and accompanied on the piano by his wife Dede. The song was "Love Lifted Me."

Our Sunday morning message was brought to us by our Associate Pastor Ryan Crawford, reading from 2 Chronicles 20:1-20.

Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa. He was the fourth King of Judah, and he reigned for 25 years. He was a good King. People began to "get right" with God during his reign.

Jehoshaphat told the King of Israel, Ahab, if he wanted to go to war with me he should inquire of the Lord first. Jehoshaphat had a great Kingdom because of the Lord. No one had been to war with Judah. He had peace with them. The only battle he had been in was with the King of Syria. He was given blessing to go with Ahab by the man of God, Micarah. In that battle King Ahab was killed, even after disguising himself.

"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah," chapter 20:3. Jehoshaphat finds that Moah and Ammon are coming against him. The Bible says that he feared and as we continue to read chapter 20:21-22, they were praising the Lord and that caused them to be victorious. So what can we learn from this story?

"From Panic to Praise," Jehoshaphat fought his fear. He sought the Lord and asked all of Judah to fast. God sent a messenger and told Jehoshaphat that He would deliver Judah. Jehoshaphat placed all his trust in the Lord to overcome his fear. When looking for a second opinion, make sure you have a "bird eye's" view, God's.

Jehoshaphat went out to battle with singers leading the way, singing praises to the Lord. The alliance of nations turned against each other and began to kill each other. Jehoshaphat had perspective thru prayer. Ask God to guide you and trust him with all your heart.

The men of Judah spent three days collecting the spoils of war that was abandoned by their enemies.

Have you ever started your day by "getting up on the wrong side of the bed"? It seems once your day starts like that it continues to go downhill. The children are fighting, your spouse and you can't agree on anything, and you burn your breakfast! As you get in the car for work, you start to sing "Amazing Grace" and your problems seem to float away. Remember praise doesn't change the situation, it changes your attitude.

We all know it is easy to praise God when we are on the top of the Mountain. When you are down in the valley, do you praise him?

If the mountain was smooth you couldn't climb it.

Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. WMU meeting is the second Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.

Have you read your Bible today if not read 2 Chronicles 17:20.

Since school is dismissed for the summer, we will be having special events for the children throughout the summer.

If you have no home church of your own, we would love for you to join us at First Baptist Church, east of the Museum Square in Pineville. Just behind the US Bank. No friendlier, down-home church can be found in the four state area. Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.

All Bible Verses are from the KJV, The King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Religion on 08/03/2017