Bixby Baptist June 2018 Newletter Bixby Baptist VBS June 4th-8th Bro. Matt will be holding our VBS again this year. Please pray that we reach children in our community with the gospel! We will be honoring dads on June 17th. Invite your father to be a part of service. Revival Services with Bro. Brenton McEntire this month 18th-22nd. Birthdays: Theron - June 22nd 1
Page 1...Events and Birthdays Page 2...Index Page 3..Wives, Mother s, and Home Page 4-7...Releasing Control of Anxiety Page 8-10.....To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo Part 2 of 8 Page 11...June Recipes Page 12...Scripture Writing Page 13....Nursery Schedule Page 14-18..Kid s Korner 2
Wives, Mothers, and Home Words from the Pastor s wife Misty Cross Overwhelmed? There is an overwhelming feeling at times that comes with having a family. Laundry, dishes, housecleaning, schooling, meal planning, decluttering, baths, showers, yardwork, discipline and laundry (I mentioned that once already didn't I)? There's so much more to list, so many kids to care for and mouths to feed. I can become obsessed and crazy trying to get everything done (if that's possible). I would really like to enjoy a moment sitting in a perfectly clean house. I wish I could say my house was spotless but we actually live at home, school at home etc. I used to say if I could hire someone to help me with one thing it would be my laundry. No matter how hard anyone tries this is one area that is never truly caught up. You can have the "last load" in the dryer for the day only to turn around and have 11 people take off dirty clothes that evening. Yeah...my definition of laundry being caught up has changed. I dream about my house, I obsess to have it perfect, but perfection is what I make it. I can only strive for what is possible. There is so much we can say, so much we can do but without God leading and guiding us we will never be the housekeeper God intended us to be and we can t do it on our own. We can have the best plans, the best meals, the best homeschooling schedule, best cleaning schedule but none of it profits anything without Christ. I need Him in order to be the best housekeeper, teacher, Christian, cook etc. So as I feel overwhelmed in life, why? Because my perspective is all wrong, I can't do all the things that need to be done everyday but God can give me the strength needed to carry on. He is my motivation so instead of feeling overwhelmed by not being perfect I need to feel content. Content that not everything will be perfect all the time, content that I can sit and take a break to enjoy a little one in my lap with a story or have a conversation with an older child. God is good, he loves us and we should strive to please him in all that we do. We can be content in the fact that we have done our best for Jesus. 3
Releasing Control of Anxiety Pastor Jeremiah Sargent From The Plains Baptist Challenger, 2015 Emotions play a huge role in our lives they greatly influence how we think, how we make decisions, and ultimately how we act. At times it seems that our emotions are more detrimental than beneficial, but they are a gift from the Lord. God created us with emotions so that we could enjoy life, relate to other people, and draw closer to Him. But the problem with our emotions comes when we lose control of them and they begin to control us. A good example of this is the emotion of anger. Anger is not a sin, but uncontrolled anger will certainly lead to sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. This scripture does not condemn anger, but simply teaches us how to respond to it and reminds us that the devil is seeking to gain the advantage in our life. Unfortunately, many emotions have received a bad label anger, depression, jealousy, and the one this article will address: anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most prominent emotions people struggle with today. Just look at what is going on around your world it s hard not to be anxious! But once again, it is important for us to realize that feeling anxious is not a sin; it IS a sin to continually live in a state of anxiety. Here is the reason why: I Peter 5:7 instructs us to Cast ALL your care upon him. Philippians 4:6 says Be careful for NOTHING; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. God has a remedy for anxiety and as His children, we should be looking to His Word for help: II Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: Victory over anxiety is available to all who believe in the sufficiency of scripture and depend upon the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. We don t have to be labeled with an anxiety disorder! THE CAUSE OF ANXIETY Most psychological diagnoses list worry as the primary cause for anxiety, but according to the Word of God, anxiety is rooted in fear. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us on three occasions to take no thought meaning don t be anxious or fearful; I will take care of you. In theory, many believe that God will take care of them, but fear keeps them from releasing full control of their life to the Lord. Notice that before Jesus told us to take no thought, He addressed the issue of control: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. There is only room for one master! 4
Anxiety is born out of our own fears a fear of not being in control, a fear of feeling vulnerable, a fear of being rejected by others and a fear of not knowing what our future holds. These fears pull us away from the peace that Christ offers and sends us down the road of anxiety. Until we release control of our life to the Lord, we will not be released from anxiety. Every day we must lay our fears at His Throne (Hebrews 4:16) and deliberately leave them there. When we don t deal with anxiety this way, it takes up long-term residency within us and causes all sorts of emotional, physical, and spiritual problems. THE CONSEQUENCE OF ANXIETY Proverbs 25:28 offers a good description of what happens when we allow anxiety to control our life: He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Anxiety breaks us down and leaves us with a huge list of problems: PHYSICAL PROBLEMS: Our body reacts to anxiety. According to medical research, people who allow anxiety to control them will often experience headaches, back pain, upset stomach, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, elevated blood pressure, muscle tension, and fatigue. When Jesus described the end days, He spoke about the physical effects of anxiety: Luke 21:26 Men s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: Many physical symptoms are connected to anxiety. EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS: Since anxiety is an emotion, it often negatively impacts other emotions. That is why many who allow anxiety to control them will experience feelings of dread, worry, nervousness, stress, depression, hopelessness, and overwhelming thoughts. Psychologists label these emotional responses as disorders (separation disorder, OCD, social phobia disorder, claustrophobia), but readily admit that the root cause is anxiety. Remember how the Prophet Elijah s emotional state changed after hearing that Jezebel planned to kill him? On Mount Carmel he experienced the emotions of boldness, confidence, joy, and peace. Why? Because Elijah knew God was in control. But once he allowed anxiety is dominate his mind, he asked God to kill him. Anxiety and control are two sides of one coin. When we can t control something, we worry about it, but when we hand God the controls, our emotions rest easy. SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS: The most damaging aspect of anxiety is what it does to our spiritual life. Those who are dominated by it often struggle in their walk with the Lord. Prayer and Bible reading become sporadic, church services are no longer a priority, guilt overwhelms the mind, selfish desires increase, and even a spirit of anger towards other Christians and God begins to grow. In the New Testament, the word care means to be distracted or pulled apart. Anxiety distracts us from our high calling and steals the fruit of peace and joy. It is impossible to walk intimately with Christ when anxiety is pulling you in a different direction. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3) 5
God is not the author of anxiety and anxiety does not fit our identity as followers of Christ. II Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. If you are battling with anxiety, let the Lord remove it from your life and replace it with His truth and the promises of His Word. Trust me, you will feel much better! THE CURE FOR ANXIETY With so much at stake, it is foolish to give in to anxiety or seek a quick, temporary fix. So what should you do? Thankfully the Bible has the answer! Philippians 4:5-9 provides us with a remedy for anxiety and it is a little more than just telling God all about your fears or praying that you won t be overwhelmed with worry. When you carefully study this passage, you will notice three commands: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF: Verse 5 says Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. The word moderation implies self-restraint. Stop making excuses for your anxiety; stop playing the victim! Take responsibility for how you are responding to the difficult situations in your life and determine to make a change. In this verse, the Apostle Paul gives us some great motivators for change: Unto all men Do you want others to view you as a fearful, anxious person? The Lord is at hand Is this how you would like to live your last day on earth? Change begins with you only you can determine to cast down anxiety and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. GIVE CONTROL OF YOURSELF TO THE LORD: Verses 6 and 7 instruct us to Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Which God are you going serve: the idol of anxiety or the God of the Bible? This may sound shocking to us, after all, we don t consider anxiety to be an idol (it s not made of wood or stone!) But anxiety becomes an idol when we allow it to control our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions. A true worshipper of God will obey His command and He says Be careful (anxious) for nothing. You must choose: Who will be your Master? God or anxiety? Matthew 5:24 Which Master will you magnify? God or anxiety? I Kings 18:26-39 Which Master will comfort you? God or anxiety? II Corinthians 2:3-7 The words of Joshua come to mind: Choose you this day whom ye will serve. God will not take control of your emotions until you give Him the controls. TRUST AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD: Verses 8 and 9 show us how to keep anxiety at bay: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. The Christian life is a life of discipline we must discipline ourselves to follow God s Word every day. Start by obeying verses 8 and 9. 6
Remove the wrong influences from your life thinking on and involving yourself in the wrong things will only intensify to your anxiety. Follow and meditate on the whatsoever things. Remain faithful to the house of God forsaking times of worship, preaching, and fellowship are detrimental to your spiritual life and will only cause more anxiety. God has something for you every time you attend church. Rely on the promises of God when God says He will do something, He will do it! If He said that He will bless you with peace then believe Him. Remember, no one has to live in a state of anxiety. It is a dark, dreadful place to be. Freedom and peace await those who will give their fears and worries to God and leave them in His hands. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28) All Your Anxiety 1. Is there a heart o er bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down by care? Come to the cross, each burden bearing; All your anxiety leave it there. 2. No other friend so swift to help you, No other friend so quick to hear, No other place to leave your burden, No other one to hear your prayer. 3. Come then at once; delay no longer! Heed His entreaty kind and sweet, You need not fear a disappointment; You shall find peace at the mercy seat. Refrain: All your anxiety, all your care, Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there, Never a burden He can-not bear, Never a friend like Jesus! 7
To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo Part 2 of 8 By: Terry Watkins taken from the Baptist Pillar BLOOD-LETTING AND DEMON POSSESSION Mark chapter 5 contains the familiar account of the devil-possessed man of Gadera. Notice in verse 5, among the demonic acts, and a tell-tale sign of possession cutting himself with stones. 1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. (Mark 5:1-9) It s also interesting that this "cutting himself with stones" was associated with a man possessed not with one, but legions or many devils. Luke describes the same account as "...a certain man, which had devils long time..." "And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs." (Luke 8:27) The morbid practice of cutting oneself and blood-letting has a long and dark history in the demonic pages of Satanism, demonism and the occult. Under the definition of "Satanism", the highly-acclaimed, Encyclopedia of American Religions, lists among the activities performed by Satanists is "bloodletting": "In this branch of Satanism...one can expect to find those individuals engaged in grave robbery, sexual assaults and the ritual bloodletting..." (Melton, Gordon, Encyclopedia of American Religions, 3rd Edition, Gale Research Ltd., 1989, p. 145) An article in The Independent newspaper, acknowledges the pathway from blood-letting to Satanism found on web sites aimed toward children. "The Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the popularity of children's programs and books featuring witchcraft could encourage children to search for sinister material on the internet. Researchers for the union found websites promoting Satanism, blood-letting and Wicca (witch)...one website found by the union describes in detail how to carry out blood-letting and blood drinking..." (Buffy 'prompting pupils to access the occult", Ben Russell, Education Correspondent, The Independent, April 22, 2000, www.cesnur.org/testi/ buffy_001.htm) 8
In 1996, the satanic, Kentucky vampire cult led by the self-acclaimed 500-year-old vampire and Satanist, teenager Rod Ferrell brutally murdered two people. Ferrell began his dark journey of blood, Satanism, vampirism and murder by walking around cemeteries at night, cutting himself and practicing blood-letting. ("Vampire Cult Slaying Case," Court TV [Online]. www.courttv.com/verdicts/vampire.html) TATTOO: A TRAIL OF BLOOD-LETTING There s no question that tattoos originated from the satanic ritual of blood-letting and cutting of the flesh as described in 1 Kings 18. In fact, in Leviticus chapter 19 verse 28, where the Lord clearly condemns the tattoo, "Ye shall not make any...print any marks upon you." Notice what else is included in the same verse...obviously, by the context, the Lord connects the forbidden "marks" or tattoo, "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh..." (more on Leviticus 19:28 later) "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:28) TATTOO: AND THE BLOOD FLOWS Perhaps it would be a good time to give a few brief descriptions of the tattoo procedure. May I remind you again, these are all from pro-tattoo resources. "Early people cut open their skin and rubbed soot into the wounds to mark themselves. They punctured their skin with the bones and teeth of animals." (Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p. 28) "You ll see little drops of blood emerge from the freshly tattooed spot...how much you bleed has a lot to do with your personal physiology as well as outside factors (like the presence of alcohol in your bloodstream, which can make you bleed like a stuck pig). Usually your blood will coagulate within a few minutes, clotting up the tiny punctures that have been made... When your tattoo is finished, the artist will clean it gently with an alcohol/water solution. Once that dries and little blood bubbles have ceased rising to the surface, the artist may want to snap a few photos of your piece." (Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, pp. 97, 98, 99) "The tattooist guides the tattoo machine over the skin. He or she stops the needle every minute or so to wipe the blood and ink clean. The amounts of bleeding and pain in the tattoo process differ according to each person...after the first two hours, remove the bandage and wash away any collected or dried blood." (Bonnie B. Graves, Tattooing and body piercing, p. 22, 24) "As soon as he stops working with the needle, the sailor s skin sends up its blood beads...the eagle s eye reddens but there is now no telling blood from ink...carmey floods the flesh behind the eagle with red and the finished eagle poises on a red sky, born and baptized in the blood of its owner." (Ronald Scott, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 19) "The reasons why puncturing the skin should be regarded with some degree of awe are not far to seek, for in the first place, there is the drawing of blood, which to the savage world over is full of significance as a rejuvenating and immortalizing factor. 9
There is in addition the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter." ([Hambly Wilfrid D. 1925. The History of Tattooing and its Significance, p. 233] (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 162) Rolling Stone magazine gives a first-hand description of the blood-letting tattoo procedure: "Evan Seinfeld, the bassist for Biohazrd, sits in the chair, offers his hand and waits for the bleeding to begin...the instrument whirs to life, humming across Seinfeld's hand, creating a vibrating pool of blood and ink."(rolling Stone, March 28, 2002, p. 40) Beware the tattoo procedure is a fashion of the satanic practice of blood-letting or cutting of one s flesh. Rubbing a little ink or pigment in it doesn t change the fact you are cutting your flesh you are practicing blood-letting. Don t take my word for it. Here s what the pro-tattoo, historians write. By far, the most extensive work ever published on tattoos was Dr. W.D. Hambly s, The History of Tattooing And It's Significance. Author Steve Gilbert, in his popular Tattoo History: A Source Book, writes, "Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting..." "Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158) Did you also notice in the above quote, that Hambly also concluded that tattoos were "associated with religious practices?" Hmmm Now I wonder what kind of "religious practices" would practice "blood-letting?" Hint: If you forgot, go back and read 1 Kings 18. There s no doubt that the cutting and marking of one s skin [tattooing] is connected to and associated with the Satanic and demonic practice of blood-letting. Author Gilbert again links the tattoo to blood-letting, and magic. And even gives an enlightening and frightening description of a modern day blood-letting, blood-licking, satanic, tattoo procedure. Notice, the connection to the demonic "spiritual manifestations." "In northwest Alaska, traditional practices of tattoo and ritually induced bleeding were often related and may have even overlapped to some extent. Around Bering Strait, shamans commonly performed bloodletting to relieve aching or inflamed parts of the body. Nelson watched a shaman lancing the scalp of his little girl s head, the long, thin iron point of the instrument being thrust twelve to fifteen times between the scalp and skull [which is the identical technique for tattooing It is plausible that the release of blood functioned to appease various ills and spiritual manifestations. For instance, several St. Lawrence Islanders explained to me the importance of licking the blood that was released during tattoo operations." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 181) May I again remind you all this information and documentation are from books promoting and glorifying the tattoo! These are not Christian authors writing with any anti-tattoo slant. But this is hard, documented facts from tattoo artists, tattoo historians and people who endorse tattoos.you can try to justify and close your eyes to the documented FACTS but the FACT is the tattoo is clearly connected to satanic blood-letting. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 1 Kings 18:28 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:6 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 10
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JUNE 2018 NURSERY SCHEDULE Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat No nursery during VBS. Nursery Schedule subject to change if we have visitors when teens are scheduled. 1 2 VBS Visitation 10:00 3 AM: Mal PM: Bessie 4 VBS 5 VBS 6 VBS 7 VBS 8 VBS 9 Revival Visitation 10:00 10 AM: Sam PM: Misty 11 12 13 Lucy 14 15 16 Revival Visitation 10:00 17 18 Revival 19 Revival 20 Revival 21 Revival 22 Revival 23 AM: Misty Avryl Bessie Lucy Stephanie Misty Visitation PM: Emily Theron s 10:00 Father s Day B-day 24 AM: Ike PM: Mal 25 26 27 28 29 30 Visitation 10:00 13
Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 14
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Waiting for a ride! 18