Monday, February 25, 2013

The Joy Of Being A Child Of God

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I trust you have had a good week; mine has been tremendous. Nothing much really happened, it’s just that I could sense the joy of the Lord. I’m thankful for His daily presence. Even in my time of grief and sorrow, I can still say with full assurance, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Oh the delight of walking with Jesus! I have two Miniature Schnauzers --- Bubba and Frazier. Sometimes as I am walking, they get right under my feet. Sometimes we collide. That is how I want to walk with Christ. I want to be right under His feet colliding with Him more often than not.

All I can say about the service at Friendship Harmony is “WOW!!!” What an incredible service! The LORD’S presence was so real. The congregation sang with such warm feelings. It was awesome. Eleanor McDonnell sang a special about “The Love Of God.” You could tell from her singing that she knew exactly what she was singing about. As some of you know, for several years I traveled and sang Southern Gospel music. I can tell you from first hand experience that some of those I have sung with only did it because it paid well. They sang the right words, but it was not from the heart. As we were singing together yesterday, it was as if our hearts and spirits all became one. You would have had to be there to understand. Perhaps you do understand. Perhaps you have experienced this in your Church. I hope so. This is pretty much how Friendship Harmony operates from week to week.

After the wonderful singing, came the preaching service. I preached part three of four in the series, “God’s Open Doors.” I really enjoyed the message today. I must confess to you that I am my own worst critic, and that most times I go home and pick my delivery apart. Today was different. I thoroughly enjoyed the preaching even if I did do it. You can view the message at www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. You will be able to find yesterday’s message as well as those from the past week. Yesterday’s message will likely be posted by Tuesday or Wednesday. Uploading is much slower than downloading, but Jim and Gwen Cook are doing a fantastic job of keeping the video ministry up to date. The notes are below, and you can find parts one and two by scrolling down. I hope the notes help you as you study God’s word. If you are able, why not print them, then follow along with the online video. Even if you were at Friendship Harmony yesterday, seeing it again and following the notes might help with either something you might have missed, or clear up something that was said. Here are the notes.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
3 of 4

Intro: Over the past two weeks we have examined seven open doors that God provides for His people. Again they are: a door of answered prayer, a door of utterance, a door of service, a door of Heaven, a door of opportunity, a door of faith, and a door of hope. Today we see a door of safety, a door of aid, a door of comfort, a door of judgment, and a door of invitation. As with the first seven, these doors are open, and waiting for you to walk through.

I. A door of safety. Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
A. God opened the door by making the blueprints available.
B. God opened the door by instructing the provisions to be brought aboard.
C. God opened the door by calling Noah to preach repentance.
1. “Stubborn refusal to pass through a door God has opened has disastrous consequences and cannot be blamed on God!” Pastor Vic Cooper
D. The Psalmist David knew of the open door of safety. Too many Psalms to list here speaks of it. The 23rd Psalm is the most famous of David’s open door of safety examples.


II. A door of aid. Genesis 19:10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
A. Sodom was a city of wickedness.
B. Lot was a wishy-washy believer.
1. He hated the sin of Sodom, but
2. He loved the good life the city afforded him.
a. He was a city ruler. He sat in judgment at the gates, i.e. the city meeting place where business matters were settled.
B. Like most politicians, Lot was wishy-washy.
C. The angels “pulled Lot into the house…”
1. This shows the selection of God.
a. It was God’s choice, not Lots.
b. He was rescued due to God’s grace, and for no other reason.

III. A door of comfort. Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
A. “Jesus makes the offer. Do you want the comfort or the complaining rights?” Pastor Vic Cooper
B. Jesus is saying, “I have a door of comfort open for you. Trust me and come in.”

IV. A door of judgment. Numbers 12:5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
The patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful… God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets…. Let Miriam and Aaron consider whom it was they insulted. We have reason to be afraid of saying or doing any thing against the servants of God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary
A. Aaron and Miriam had challenged Moses authority in such a way that God was displeased.
B. God called them to judgment and it was a door they had to pass through.
C. When God calls you to judgment you will respond.
example: The rich man of Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
1. He did not want to be there.
2. It was his judgment and his wishes and desires did not matter.
3. “God has never been heard to say, “Does this meet with your approval?’” Pastor Vic Cooper

V. A door of invitation. Rev. 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
A. The invitation was to an open door.
B. The invitation was to come through the door and see some things.
1. The invitation to “come in” is implied, but an open door is always an invitation to enter.
C. The Book Of The Revelation could also be called The Book Of The Invitation.
1. One example: Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
2. The door of invitation is open , but one day it will close.
3. “What you do with Christ Jesus in this life determines what God does with you in the life to come.” Pastor David E. Miller


Conclusion: What will you do? You must not only go to the door, but through the door. Looking into the door is not good enough - that’s window shopping. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

As you go about your upcoming week, why not ask God for some open doors. He will open them and walk with you on the journey. In I Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prayed such a prayer, and “… God granted him that which he requested.” He will do that for you too. Oh the exciting journeys that lie ahead as you walk through God’s open doors. Write me and let me know about your journey.

We are in week two of our building fund campaign. I have set a challenge goal of $5000. Can you help us? If you could send a check to the church marked “building fund,” it would be appreciated. Your donation is tax deductible, and is confidential, known only to you and our treasurer. Send your gift to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida, 33956. Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers. Who knows? This might be a door God has opened for you: The Door of Assistance.

Have a good week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Happy Second Anniversary!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

Last week you did not get a Monday Morning Blog. I was having computer issues, but I believe the kinks have been worked out. Last week Friendship Harmony celebrated its second anniversary as a fully constituted, fully functioning church. It doesn’t seem like two years, but indeed it has been. Friendship Harmony was actually launched on August 29, 2010, but it takes several months to work out the legalities. Sister Jennifer Horton of the Royal Palm Baptist Association was our guide through the process. I speak for our entire Church when I say, “Thank you,” to both Jennifer, and our local Director of Missions, Everett Rafferty. Without them, the process would have been very difficult.

This year we celebrated with the music from Fiddlin’ Bill. Bill sings and saws a hot fiddle. The folks jumped in with him and sang along to most of his songs. It indeed was a Christ honoring time.

What Christian celebration would be complete without food? There was a ton of it! The meal featured turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, and other delicious items. Desserts? There was enough to raise you blood sugar to a thousand. I took it easy on the desserts, but our Associate Pastor, Bob Felber, made his “Black Walnut Cake.” It is by far and away my favorite. I love black walnuts however you care to use them.

Yesterday, I continued the sermon series, God’s Doors. It was number two in a series of four. The notes are below and the video should be on YouTube by mid week. If you missed the notes from message one, from this blog scroll down to the blog from Monday, January 28. The video from part one, as well as other videos can be found at www.youtube.com. At their home page, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into the banner. Here are the notes from yesterday’s part two.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
2 of 4

Intro: Last time we saw four different open doors. To refresh our memory they were a door of answered prayer, a door of utterance, a door of service, and a door of Heaven. Today we will look at a door of opportunity, a door of faith, and a door of hope.

I. A door of opportunity. Rev. 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
A. Note: The Lord opened the door and put it in place.
B. Note also: The open door is a reward for faithful service.
1. “In this life, the greatest reward for faithful service is more opportunities for service.” Pastor Vic Cooper
2. In the life to come the reward will be the crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:8a Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…
C. Pray and ask God specifically for a door of opportunity.

II. A door of faith. Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
A. You cannot come to Christ without faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
B. You cannot have faith unless God gives it. (v27)
C. What it teaches is that, “You had no more to do with your spiritual birth than you did your physicial birth. Pastor B. J. Thomas
D. Pray and ask God for a door of faith.

III. A door of hope. Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
A. Israel is being promised a future reversal of God’s attitude toward them.
1. The vineyards will grow in the very wilderness through which once they wandered.
2. The Valley of Achor was the site of Achan’s sin. Then it was a door of disaster. (Joshua 7) In the future it will be a door of hope.
B. Israel will be restored - God said so!
C. Pray and ask God for a door of hope.

Conclusion: A door of opportunity, a door of faith, a door of hope. The door is there - the door is open; what will you do.

I hope you are staying warm where you are. It is even cold here. As I write this blog, it is 49 degrees. I know for some of you that might seem warm right about now, but for us 47 feels like 27. By Tuesday we should be back into the low 80’s. By way of an announcement, we are trying raise $5000 for our building fund. Right now, Friendship Harmony meets in rented space. Because of that, we are limited as to what we can do. Many times we would like to have something on Saturday evening, or through the week, but we cannot. If you would like to help, please send your check to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida, 33956. Your gift is tax deductible, and a receipt will be returned to you. Please help us reach our goal! Have a good week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Video From February 3rd Is Posted

Just a note to let you know that the video from February 3 is posted on YouTube. To view it go to www.youtube.com. At their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. Scroll till you find us, but it should come right up. It features Pastor Bob Felber preaching How Far Did Adam Fall? You will be blessed by Pastor Felber's preaching. I always am.

Don't forget if you are in town, our second anniversary homecoming will be this coming Sunday Morning. It will feature music by Fiddlin' Bill and a fellowship meal afterward. Come and join us!

I'll see you right here next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

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Monday, February 4, 2013

I'll See Ya Soon

Good Monday Morning To You!

Due to Pastor Vic being out of town on family business, there will be no post this week. An announcement will be posted when yesterday's video is ready for you to view. It features our Associate Pastor, Bob Felber. Pastor Vic should be back by this weekend.


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Sunday, February 3, 2013

Video For January 27 Is Now Posted

Just a note to let you know that last Sunday's video called God's Open Doors is now posted on YouTube. To see it, or any of the others, go to www.youtube.com. On their home page next to the logo, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. Then simply click on our name and select the video you'd like. Thanks for watching! I'll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

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