FBC Loganville

Do You See What God Sees?

stephanie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:02:10 +0000

Came across this blog entry today from Jess Barnett, a member of FBCL, and thought it was very insightful and timely after Ronnie’s sermon on Sunday. Enjoy!

Do You See What God Sees?

From Words For the Kingdom

Are you living up to your potential? I would venture a guess that the large majority of us would have to say that we are not. Potential is defined as “qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.” Another definition is “having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.” Very few of us set out to be unsuccessful or unable to attain that which God has for us. Yet somehow we have an incorrect view of ourselves. We have allowed others to paint a picture of ourselves that taints our potential.

We have allowed ourselves to settle for good enough, when God wants to give us the extraordinary. He has promised us that He has plans for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11) The last part of this verse states that these plans are for a “hope and a future.”

This must mean that God sees us as worthwhile. By that I mean that He sees something in us worth planning and preparing for. If something has no future, it is discarded and cast aside. We are far from cast aside by God; in fact quite the opposite is true. God sees value and worth in us. He sees us as capable and important. He has chosen us for a purpose. Most importantly, He sees us as unique individuals perfectly created and cast for our role in His drama.

So the question becomes, do you see yourself as God sees you?

If not, you are going to continue to live below your potential. Good enough will continue to be good enough. It will be sufficient to just get by with our minimum duty as Christians, because when we don’t see ourselves the way God sees us, just getting by is all right. Furthermore, the world only expects us to be successful in worldly ways; it knows nothing of obedience to God and success as a Christian.

I have it written in my Bible, “Success in God’s eyes is obedience.”

When we see ourselves as God sees us, we strongly desire to obey Him. We want to follow Him down the adventure He leads us on. Following Him, we know we are capable and filled with His power and Spirit. Going where He sends us, although sometimes fraught with spiritual danger, is always worth it in the long run. And when we take the path that He puts us on, there is no doubt that He will place us exactly where we ought to be.

Father, create in me a clear vision of myself. Help me to strip off the lenses that hinder my vision of myself. Help me to realize that in You, I am a new creation. In you, I have power and strength. I have been created for a purpose. I am made for a reason. Help me see the talents and abilities that I have been given as the gift from you that they are. Help me use them for your glory and your honor so that I reach my full potential in this world as I prepare for the next.

Wild Game Dinner

stephanie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:18:56 +0000

Just try to name any other social event where:
1. You do not have to shower before going
2. Burping and other male noises are not only acceptable but actually encouraged and
3. You can walk away with door prizes like a big jar of deer urine?

Hopefully, there is no other.

(Could the world even handle that much testosterone in more than one place at a time??)

Where is this outdoorsmen’s paradise? This mecca for manly men?

FBCL’s Annual Wild Game Night.

Here’s the important stuff to know:

Tickets sell out every year! Purchase yours here »

Hello world!

chase_adams — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:53:04 +0000

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

All-ladies Mission Trip to South Asia

stephanie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:55:00 +0000

Here is a video on First Baptist Church Loganville’s first all-ladies mission trip to South Asia in November of ‘09.

Latest View of the New Building:

stephanie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Traditions and A Christmas Carol

Keith Wages — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! The weather is getting colder, basketball season is here, and Christmas is just around the corner!!! Now, I know my family is strange in many ways, but one of the things that makes us so close is the fact that we have many family traditions that we do this time of year. I want to share with you one of the many…simply because it is so special to me personally.

About 9 – 10 years ago (depends on who you ask) my family began going to see A Christmas Carol live at the Alliance Theater downtown at Christmas. If you have never gone, it is truly one of the best plays you will ever see!!! For years we have taken many people with us to share in this family tradition. However, 4 years ago it was even more special. December 3rd, 2005 was the day that I asked Mattie to be my wife. I did it after an incredible steak dinner at a nice restaurant. On the way to the play Mattie said, “I really thought you were going to propose at dinner tonight!” With my heart beating out of my chest, I simply replied, “I told you…just wait, I have a plan of when I want to do it!” Little did she know that the others who went with us that year ALL knew what was about to happen (that year we took 48 people total!!!).

At any rate, here we are 4 years later (she did say “Yes”) and this past weekend we went to see the play again. It was awesome as usual. But it made me wonder…part of the reason it is so special is because of the tradition. I just tagged onto it to make it a more memorable evening. But every year, we go back down memory lane and remember that day 4 years ago. It’s a great memory!

My Pops always says, “Let’s make a memory”…what are some of your traditions that your family does that helps make memories for your kids? As we enter into the holiday season…have you considered starting another tradition for your family this year? I love stories and I love traditions…share with me some of yours!

Keith Wages

Children’s Pastor

770.466.4250 ext. 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Update from South Asia

stephanie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:09:00 +0000

An Update from Suzanne Roberts, one of our members who just returned from an all-ladies mission trip to one of the world’s most densely populated Muslim countries:

I just wanted to say that I am thankful that God allowed me and my daughter, Myla, to go and experience South Asia.. .WOW… what an experience!!!

Although, we’ll never see all the GLORY that HE received .. because of our obedience to Go… I know that we, nor the people that we shared with, will NEVER be the same again.. There is just no way to GO on a mission trip and not come back changed..

It has been said.. that God does his most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desperation, Jesus is. And that’s where his people(a group of 10 women) belong (in South Asia) — among those who are vulnerable, who think nobody cares. What better place for the brilliance of Christ to shine?

Before we left.. I was told by two different prayer warriors… that our main goal was to ENCOURAGE the full-time missionaries that God has put into place in Bangladesh.. And I feel that our team did just that.. The prayers we prayed for them, and over them… will do much more than we could ever accomplish “in our own strength” in one week.

Upon our return home, Myla was still overwhelmed with tears as she laid her head down in her beautiful room, on a clean bed (where only she sleeps) that we are SO BLESSED.. that we have SO MUCH.. and they have SO little.. I know that the trip made an impact on her little life.. and she will never be the same again.

Thank you …Jesus.

Suzanne Roberts

Blessing Baskets

dCannon — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Blessing Baskets was a great thing to be a part of this year. Many were served and hopefully many felt the love of Christ through this annual ministry. Here are a few photos from the event:

Help support the Children's Ministry

Keith Wages — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Hey there everyone…how many of you shop online? How many you purchase things online from Amazon, iTunes, ebay, shop.com, etc.? This week I wanted to bring something to your attention. There is a website that is a referral based program that helps raise funds through people who shop online. Of course this time of year is the busiest for online shopping! It is so simple that even a child could do it! Just go to: http://sendthemforhim.com/files/Groups/LoganvilleChildren/Categories.html

Choose a category and click on the store you want to purchase from. The cool thing is this: it does NOT charge you any more money than you would if you went to the regular store online in the first place. However, by going through this website FIRST…we will receive a “finders’ fee” for bringing the shopper there. So, help support the Children’s Ministry by going through this website for all your online shopping…and try to remember to do it throughout the year as well. It’s a great way to help us…without costing you any extra money whatsoever!!!

Keith Wages

Children’s Pastor

770.466.4250 ext 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Women Reaching Women :: South Asia Missions

stephanie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:55:00 +0000

In 2 days, a group of 8 ladies and 2 girls will travel to South Asia to minister to Muslim women and girls. Because of the gender dynamics within Islam, only other women are able to connect with these precious people. Kathy Ramsey, who will be leading our group, wrote the following reflection in her journal this week. (While we are there serving we will continue to post updates on this blog so that you can follow along with what God is doing.)

“For You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline.”

And it is in this spirit we must follow You to the hard places

because what the world calls impossible situations-

God who is ABLE,

performs wonders!

The Koran teaches that most of the people in hell will be women.

It teaches that she is helpless even in earning her salvation,

but must depend on the good works of her spouse or father.

We go with beautiful feet,

We go with beautiful news;

carrying a light within us that brings hope to her soul.

There is a man who did the work for her!

A man she can depend upon.

A man who calls her to His side to be His bride.

There is a man

whom calls her by name.

He is Isa Masiah,

Jesus the Messiah!