Very simply, baptism is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer’s life. Christian baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord after salvation; although baptism is closely associated with salvation, it is not a requirement to be saved. The Bible shows in many places that the order of events is 1) a person believes in the Lord Jesus and 2) he is baptized. This sequence is seen in Acts 2:41, “Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized” (see also Acts 16:14–15).

A new believer in Jesus Christ should desire to be baptized as soon as possible. In Acts 8 Philip speaks “the good news about Jesus” to the Ethiopian eunuch, and, “as they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’” (verses 35–36). Right away, they stopped the chariot, and Philip baptized the man.

Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Everywhere the gospel is preached and people are drawn to faith in Christ, they are to be baptized.

The preceding wast taken from GotQuestions.org. You can read the entire post including more on Christian Baptism by clicking here.

Grace Bible Fellowship’s position on baptism says:

About Baptism by Immersion – We believe that scriptural baptism must be: (1) by being completely immersed under the water and (2) after salvation. Baptism has no saving power but is the first act of obedience symbolizing (1) the believer’s faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, (2) the believer’s death to sin and resurrection to walk anew in Christ, and (3) the Christian’s belief that he will die, be buried, and that Jesus will resurrect him from the dead. Acts 8:26-39; Romans 6:4, 5; Colossians 2:12

 

Check out Grace Bible’s monthly newsletter at the link below!

GRACE NOTES FEB 2016

We often view sports as the best example and teacher of teamwork. I’m not sure that’s always true. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the entertainment value of sports, and the many things they can teach us. But more and more the emphasis is placed on individuals rather than the team. Look at pro sports — Manning vs Brady, Manning vs Newton, Curry vs Lebron, who was better Jordan or Kobe? Individual stats, celebration dances, big $$ contracts, galore. All about the team, right? Eh, maybe not so much. We (or maybe it’s just me) even sometimes rationalize the over-programming of our kids lives with sports by saying it will “teach them teamwork”.  There’s truth to that! But maybe sports aren’t the best place for kids to learn the value of selflessness through teamwork.

The first place that “teamwork” should be modeled is in one of the basic institutions that God gave us, the family. And within the family, the most obvious example of good teamwork for our kids and others, ought to be the team that exists between a husband and wife (Gen 2:24). In one sense, marriage is a team sport. A biblical marriage is two people walking in God-glorifying unity, seeking the good of one another, making necessary sacrifices, loving unconditionally, forgiving and being forgiven, for a LIFETIME! (Eph 5:22-33) — now THAT requires some teamwork.

So, married folks — if you missed the tee-ball sign up deadline and are worried where your kids will learn teamwork this Spring, fear not. The greatest opportunity to teach teamwork won’t require any new sports gear for your child, but it might require a renewed perspective on you might be a better teammate to your spouse.

Below is a link to a great post from Focus On the Family, by Greg Smalley, with practical ways for husbands and wives to “Establish a teammates mentality”. Check it out:

You’re On the Same Team.

 

 

I recently read a post about a startling, unbiblical parenting paradigm — Family physician, psychologist and author Leondard Sax says parents are “raising kids wrong.” You can read the entire post here, but here’s an excerpt:

“Parents are incapable of speaking to their children in a sentence that ends in a period…Every sentence ends in a question mark…Some parenting experts told adults that they should offer their children choices instead of telling them what to do and parents believed them…The hierarchy of parent over child no longer exists…Instead of parents exercising their authority because they know what’s best, they are focusing on making children happy and boosting their self-esteem…They now see their job as facilitating whatever a kid wants to do…” 

He’s right. That’s wrong. Constantly giving a child their own way while failing to provide instruction and correction is an act of neglect by us as parents and an injustice to the child. The Bible is clear that much of our role as parents is that of loving, guiding, disciplinarian. (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13-14, Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 29:17)

BUT–we are also warned not to exasperate our kids (Ephesians 6:4) or cause them to grow bitter toward us (Colossians 3:21)! How do we do both??? How do we act as the disciplinarians to sinful hearts (like ours) and at the same time keep them from hating us for fulfilling our role??? Well, there’s no short answer to that question. But we know it includes experiencing God’s corrective love and grace in our own life. The closer we are to God, the more instep we are with our Heavenly Father, the better we’ll parent. But what about some practical steps, some “how to” tips for scenarios that many parents face? I heard what I thought was a great radio program on this subject this morning from Focus on the Family and Psychologist and author Dr. Henry Cloud. One phrase that stuck out to me was “be hard on the problem, without being hard on the child”. You can listen to the episode here: Raising Kids With Healthy Boundaries (Part 1 of 2) It’s well worth your time!

Also, here’s a link to some helpful Focus On The Family Apps that you might be interested in downloading.

 

 

Grace Bible Family,

As I shared in our members meeting yesterday morning, after a period of deep prayer and reflection, Adam will be stepping away from his role as Family Pastor of Grace Bible — effective Feb. 1, 2016. Furthermore, Adam will be stepping into a new role. Adam, Magan, and their two daughters (Elliot and Haddon) will be moving back to Southeast Asia to serve as missionaries. In this role, Adam will be helping to manage an international church-planting network, located in one of the largest urban centers in the world.

While this may come as a surprise to many, it is no surprise to the Lord. The timing and circumstances are not something anyone originally anticipated, but this is exactly what the Lord had in mind.

Please know that this is not a separation. This is actually a continuation of ministry, albeit in a different role. The elders and I stand by and support Adam and his family. There is a great affection and love for one another.

Adam and Magan will continue to call GBF their church home. They’re still family. Please pray with us as we ask the Lord’s blessing on this big step of faith for them and prayerfully consider how the Lord may lead you to encourage, bless, and support them during this time of transition.

Blessings,

Roy

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” -CS Lewis

In the video below, funny man Jim Carrey gives a seemingly impromptu speech before he announces nominees at the Golden Globe awards. Amid Carrey’s sarcasm you can hear the dissatisfaction that comes from the ongoing pursuit of what he knows “won’t ultimately fulfill” him. On a different occasion, Carrey said “I hope everybody could get rich and famous and have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that it’s not the answer.” He’s right. Wealth, fame, possessions, they’re not the answer. But there is an answer.

“Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you…” -Augustine

A relationship with God in Christ Jesus is the answer. Nothing else will truly satisfy or bring peace the hearts of humans .

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col 1:15-20

Faith in Christ makes sense of life. Jesus teaches us who we are, why we are here, what is wrong with the world, and what can be done about it. He is the answer. He’s the ultimate fulfillment.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” -Jesus (John 14:6)

 

“Fathers, be good to your daughters. Daughters will love like you do” -John Mayer, Daughters

One of the greatest privileges of my life is being a dad to 4 great kids. One boy and 3 girls. Naturally, my son and I share a lot of “guy things” in common. But I share a very special bond with my 3 daughters that my son and I don’t have. It’s hard to explain, but daughters soften a man’s heart like nothing else can. Daughters know their dad is the last man on earth who would ever hurt them, and the first man who would lay down his life to protect them.

Dads sometimes think that raising girls, especially as they get older, is a mothers work. Moms fill a necessary and special role for sure, but girls always need their daddy too.

 

Below is a link to a post that every dad of a daughter needs to read. For me, the post is especially impactful, because it was shared with me by my older sister. As a faithful aunt to my 3 girls, my sister wants me to get what this post is saying!
The author rightly says, “Fathers, more than anyone else, set the course for a daughter’s life…If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughter’s life, you would be overwhelmed.”

Check it out: Why Daughters Need Their Dad

 

This am at Grace Bible I shared a couple of quotes from notable voices suggesting that something may be missing in our modern expression of our Christian faith — that we have overemphasized conversion and left people without much expectation for the PASSION we see in the life of believers in the Bible, and in Christian history.

“I am fearful that, in general, modern evangelicalism has become uncomfortable with this sense of all-consuming passion for God….I think we often misunderstand our faith and put all the weight on our conversion, with very little expectation for what comes afterward…pressing the dominion of the gospel into the deepest reaches of our hearts and lives will involve lots of dying-to-self moments. ” -Matt Chandler

“The whole transaction of religious conversion has been made mechanical and spiritless. Faith may now be exercised without a jar to the moral life and without embarrassment to the ego. Christ may be “recieved” without creating any special love for Him in the soul of the receiver. The man is “saved” but he is not hungry nor thirsty after God. In fact he is specifically taught to be satisfied and encouraged to be content with little.” -AW Tozer

Their search for passion comes from seeing things like what David said the Psalms:

Ps 42:1-2 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.3  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

And, also the passion we have seen in the life of Christians historically. Like these words from Jonathan Edwards:

“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.”

And this from Samuel Chadwick:

“Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God.”

And from martyred missionary Jim Elliot:

“God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus.”

The good news is that God is just as worthy of our passion as he’s ever been! The Cross is awe inspiring. Grace is amazing. Salvation is glorious. The wisdom and knowledge of God is as DEEP as ever. AND…we are a people who are erupting with passion! People are passionate about all kinds of things — politics, sports, work, physical fitness, healthy eating, parenting, education, entertainment, hobbies, just to name a few. These are all good things, but none are soul satisfying! None come close to the passion that God is worthy of! And all need to be prioritized and rightfully place behind Him.

 

I believe in an approach to ministry that is biblical, relational, and fun. I love that our student ministry and student ministry leaders never apologize for having fun with the kids. Check out this video that one of our leaders and my good friend, Jason Carney made.

GBF Student Ministry 2015 from Jason Carney on Vimeo.

 

Recently I warned my mom, when she came to watch one of my son’s basketball games, that sometimes a fan can get out of hand at these games…and sometimes, I’m that fan. It’s funny. But it’s not. Getting emotionally involved to the point that I act like a fool is dumb, unpleasant for the people around me, and misrepresents God. Below are 6 reminders that I need before watching kids play sports.

1. The game is between two groups of kids, not me and the referees. — Maybe it’s because my competitive spirit wants to play, or my inner Uncle Rico wants to come out? So, I’m tempted to compete against the refs by yelling at them? What if they DID miss a call? Does yelling make them ref better? Would I do my job better if people yelled at me while I worked?   
2.  They have a coach, and it’s not me. — I’m not a sports coach of any kind. I haven’t spent time with the kids in practice. I don’t know the big picture. Coaches put their time, talent, and heart into their teams. They’re doing the best they can, definitely better than I would do.
3.  Coaches are people too, created in the image of God. — Your occupation should not make you a target for verbal abuse. There’s no justification for me yelling at people made in God’s image. And it probably says a lot more about my lack of character and self-control than it does their lack of coaching ability. People, all people, get their value from God, not their ability to perform.
4. Referee’s are people too, created in the image of God. Again, your occupation should not make you a target for verbal abuse. See #3 above.
5. They’re just kids. Sports should be a fun, character building experience for kids. Me yelling negative things at them doesn’t help, that. It hurts it. That goes for my kids, other kids on our team, and kids on the other team. 
6. It’s just a game. Wether my team wins or loses. If the game is played with excellence, or not. Nothing is more important than the PEOPLE who play it, coach it, and officiate it — their safety and wellbeing, their hearts, souls, and feelings.

It’s easy to write these things now, but not so easy to remember them in the heat of the game. But it’s not as if I have to sit in silence and watch. I can, and should, ENCOURAGE the kids, APPLAUD good play and excellence, and CHEER for the team.

I wrote these reminders first and foremost, for me. They’re things I’ve felt convicted of. If they’re helpful to you, good! But please don’t think that I’ve nominated myself the “spectator conduct police” at sporting events. That wouldn’t be helpful either. I’m not gonna get in your business, look down on you, or think less of you. Clearly, I have plenty of work to do in my own life. The struggle is real.

See ya at the game!