The Battle Is The LORD's!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Last week I posted a prayer request concerning a family in our church, Claude and Ann Ogle. Their daughter, Brandy Ward, was trapped under the mud in the Washington mudslide. Her husband, Tim, is in a Seattle hospital with a broken back and pelvis. As of the date of this writing, Brandy has not been found. They are bringing in a dog to see if it can pick up on her scent. Pray that the LORD uses that dog to accomplish His will. Please also continue to hold up this family in your prayers.

Another lady from our church, Barb Radcliffe, asked if I could use the blog to request prayer for her son Mark, who is having heart surgery on April 15th. I also promised her that I would keep you informed of his progress. ABSOLUTELY I will share prayer requests and updates. I cannot think of a better purpose this blog can have than that. If you have a request, send it to me at fhbcsjc@gmail.com, or preachercooper@hotmail.com. You may also call me at 239.283.8331. This blog is currently reaching over 22,000 readers in places like The United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, China, India, as well as countries from the former Soviet Union. Your brothers and sisters around the globe stand ready to pray for you. Share your request with me and let me post it so others can be praying. If yours is an unspoken request, we will also let others know to be praying for you.

Yesterday was a fantastic day at Friendship Harmony. Most of our services are truly enjoyable, but some days seem to be a notch above. Yesterday was one of those days. What did we do that was different? Nothing! It’s just that the glory of the LORD was present and He decided to make Himself known and felt. I was hopping He would. The last few weeks I have been preaching messages of encouragement and hope. I preached from 1 Samuel, chapter 17 where a young shepherd boy named David, steps into a seemingly impossible situation. He asks, “Is there not a cause?” He is saying, “Is their not a cause to stand for? Is our God worthy of our taking a stand for Him?” Each of us come face to face with our Goliaths frequently. Does Goliath cause you to fear and tremble, and become paralyzed as he did the army of the Children of Israel, or do you go face him with what you have and the LORD at your side. All David had was a slingshot and five rocks, but he trusted God, faced the giant, and declared victory in the name of the LORD.

I put a statement in the bulletin in big bold letters. I encouraged the people to cut it out and put it on their refrigerator. It said, “Child of God do not be downhearted. The victory is yours because the battle is the LORD’s.” You think about that.

May the LORD bless your week. Do what you can to keep yourself healthy and safe. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Don’t forget to send those prayer requests!!!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Good Monday Morning To You!

When I write this blog, I try to keep it light, enjoyable, and refreshing. Many of you begin your week by reading this, and I want to help you start your week on a cheerful note. Today, however, I cannot do that. Instead, I have a prayer request to pass along to you. As you have heard, a mudslide in the town of Oso, sixty miles north of Seattle, Washington, has destroyed that entire neighborhood. Many have been injured, some have been killed, and numerous more are missing. Believed to be trapped under the mud is Brandy Ward. Brandy is the daughter of some of our church members, Claude and Ann Ogle. Brandy’s husband Tim is in a Seattle hospital facing reconstructive lower body bone surgery. Claude told me that Brandy and Tim were in different parts of the house when the mud hit. The part of the house where Tim was, was pushed by the mud several hundred yards, while Brandy’s location was engulfed by the muck. I’m asking you to pray for Brandy and Tim Ward, Claude and Ann Ogle, and Tim’s parents as well. This is a devastating time, and even though I too am a dad, I cannot begin to imagine the mental anguish this family is experiencing.

I will write a special mid week edition, so please check back on Wednesday morning. Hopefully I will have some good news to report to you, at least on behalf of this family. While you are praying, be sure to lift up the other victims and their families as well.

I’ll see you Wednesday morning right herte on Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

The Trucker And The Pup!

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Today I’m going to do some bragging. I will not brag on myself because I have no reason, but I have to brag on a truck driver I have never met and likely never will. My middle son, Kevin, is an over the road trucker, and he met this man somewhere out west. Many truck drivers take a pet along with them for company. Our dog, Bubba, goes with him often, so when Kevin meets a driver with a dog, he pets their dog and tells them about his. This particular man had two dogs, which is somewhat rare. The inside of a semi is really not that big, so a driver and two dogs is a bit cramped. The driver introduced his dogs to Kevin and explained that one of his dogs had just become his. The driver told Kevin that he had found this dog alone, scared, and walking around in a rest area. The man asked the attendant whose dog it was, and was told that hours earlier a car pulled into the rest area, let the dog out of the car, then drove off. The driver put the dog in his truck and told the attendant he would take care of the dog and wait to see if the people returned. He thought maybe a child had let the dog out and the parents drove off without knowing. After several hours it was certain no one was coming for the dog, so the driver told the attendant that from that time on, the dog was his. The attendant agreed. Kevin was outraged when he heard how the dog had been abandoned, but thanked the other driver for rescuing that scared dog.

As a minister I understand the depravity of man. Let’s face it --- sinners sin! Sometime, however, they take it to a lower level of iniquity. With all my theological degrees, and years of experience, I still cannot fathom how anybody could be so cruel to a helpless, defenseless little animal. A dog will love you unconditionally. They are love with four legs wrapped in fur. To repay their love with cruelty in unconscionable. If you have a pet, love it and take good care of it. If you no longer can, help that pet find someone who will. God created the animals first, then charged His final creation, man, with the responsibility of their care. That has never changed. Treat them with all the love they will show you.

Yesterday was an excellent day at Friendship Harmony. Attendance was very good, and we were blessed with lots of visitors. The presence of the Holy Spirit was very evident in the service, and it was so good to be in the house of the LORD. I preached a message titled, “We Would See Jesus.” The sermon notes are below, and the video will be available by Tuesday Morning. The video, which we try to keep to about ten minutes in length, can be found at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Remember, you do not need a Facebook account to view the video. After you watch it, let me know what you think. You can contact us at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. All replies will be answered. If you have any questions about something you have read in the Bible, or have heard, use that same e-mail address. Again, all replies will be answered.

We Would See Jesus
John 12:21
By Victor Cooper
03/15,16/14

Intro: Greeks were wanderers and seekers of truth.
Greeks would have been drawn to Philip due to his Greek name.
The Greeks coming to Christ was symbolic of the coming of the Gentiles to worship God through Christ.

I. They had heard of His fame.
Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
A. His crowd appeal.
B. His miracles.
1. The Jews (Eastern Civilization) understood God by what He did.
2. The Greeks (Western Civilization) understood God by what He said.
C. His conduct.
1. The Jews were arrogant toward Gentiles.
2. Christ was loving and welcoming toward Gentiles. Example: Christ healing the daughter of the Gentile woman.

II. They had heard of His aim.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
A. That included both Jew and Gentile.



III. They had heard of His claim.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
A. He was claiming exclusivity; a foreign concept to the Greeks.
1. The Greeks believed there were many avenues to truth.
B. To the Jews this was blasphemy.

IV. They had heard of His name.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Conclusion: Are you a seeker of truth? Are you willing to accept Jesus not only as the source of truth, but truth itself? Do you want to see Jesus?

May the Lord Jesus bless your upcoming week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Re-Living The 50's

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I’ve got to tell you about some new friends Miss Bessie and I met the other day. I’m talking about all the good people at the Starlight Diner on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, Florida. This new restaurant, which has only been open a week, is a 50’s themed diner where the atmosphere is as fun as the food is delicious. When you walk up to the front door, you are met by a life size statue of Elvis. As you enter, you hear the tunes of the 50’s and early 60’s. I could just imagine dropping my dime into the juke box and selecting Fats Domino, Dion and The Belmonts, and Chuck Berry. I found myself singing along with Little Richard as he sang Long Tall Sally. I would have crooned on, but then came the food. Wow!!! Delicious is not the right word. Not only was the quality of the food 5 star, but the serving sizes were very generous. They offer an extra patty of meat on the burgers, but just a single burger is thick, juicy, and as they said in the fifties, “the cat’s meow.” Their secret to success is simple: all the food is fresh. The burger meat was not pre-pressed and frozen, and the fries and chips were made from fresh cut, real live, honest to goodness potatoes. Along with many different burgers, there are other sandwiches, soups, salads, and of course no 50’s diner would be complete with out the Blue Plate Special. I can’t wait to try the meatloaf, and Miss Bessie has her eye on the liver and onions. They also serve breakfast, and have a nice kid’s menu. They are located at 1141 SW Pine Island Road, in the plaza across the street from the Bonefish Grill. Look for the Fitness Center, and the Starlight is located on the west side of the complex. There is plenty of parking, so if you’re anywhere near Cape Coral/Ft. Myers/ Pine Island, stop in and meet these folks. I promise you a great experience!

We had a good service at church yesterday. Fiddlin’ Bill sang for us, and with his easy going, sincere style, not only sang, but led us in worship. We sang, clapped, and sincerely enjoyed being a Christian. Christianity is not supposed to be a sour puss religion. It is to be enjoyed and celebrated. As you think of all the LORD has done for you, and ponder the promises He has made, you cannot help but to have joy in your heart which overflows into everyday life. As I told the congregation, if you ever find yourself down, depressed, or just plain blue, here are some words from the Book of the Revelation which, if you are a believer, should jump start your joy. If you are not saved, or are unsure, please contact me at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I’d be happy to show you the way.

Rev. 21:1-5
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. [2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. [4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

I’m giving final exams at the Seminary tonight, so I guess I’d better head that way. I’ll let you know next week how the finals went, but I have an excellent class of students, so I fully expect to be impressed. Also I’d like to say thanks to all of you who prayed for me, called me, and e-contacted me while I was ill. I feel much better. Thank You!!!

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

Pastor Bob Felber Does It Again!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope you have had a good, safe, and happy week. Did you get to go to church yesterday? Many of our northern churches had to close due to the harsh winter weather conditions. If yours was one that closed, I hope next week will be better. I trust you are one of those people who enjoy going to church and feel bad whenever you have to miss. May I make a suggestion to you? If you missed hearing a message this week, I’d like to invite you to listen to and view the message preached from our church this past Sunday. It is a short message of about ten minutes and was preached by our associate pastor, Bob Felber. Our video messages are a brief synopsis of the sermons delivered in the morning worship services at friendship Harmony by either Pastor Felber or me. You can see it at www,facebook.com/friendship harmony. You do not need a Facebook account to view any of the messages. All of us here at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church hope the video ministry is a blessing to all who view it.

If you are anywhere near Friendship Harmony this coming Sunday, let me invite you to come and join us as we conclude our Gospel Music Series with a visit from Fiddlin’ Bill. Bill is always a favorite with our people and I couldn’t think of anyone better to sing for us at our final concert of southern gospel music for the 2013/2014 season. The day is also the day of our monthly fellowship carry in dinner. It is shaping up to be a great day, so I hope you can be with us.

I want to thank you for your prayers. I still feel horrible and my voice comes and goes. I am grateful to have a dear friend and colleague like Bob Felber. Whenever I call upon him, he is always so faithful to step in and fill the FHBC pulpit. I totally trust him with the pulpit because I know his desire is to preach God’s word to the very best of his ability. If you have never heard him preach, check out the video at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. It should be ready for viewing by Tuesday morning. Bobby’s preaching will bless your soul. It certainly does mine.

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