September 19 – November 21

Sunday Evenings, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm

Practical Instruction for Lifestyle Evangelism (300)

Instructor: Dr. Shawn Merithew
Textbook: The Complete Evangelism Guidebook, edited by Scott Dawson
Room: 330

Course Description: Have you ever passed up a witnessing opportunity because you didn’t know how to begin a spiritual discussion?  This class is for you! The class will explore specific, practical ways to engage lost persons in witnessing conversations. We will establish the basic message of the gospel and discuss hospitality evangelism, servant evangelism,
and marketplace evangelism.  We will explore how to initiate encounters and witness to people in different vocations, religions, generations, and ethnic groups.

Theology of Evangelism (200)

Instructor: Rick Quave
Textbook: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
Room: 329

Course Description: God has spoken and is speaking to His creatures.  What is the essence of that communication and what are we as believers to do with what has been communicated?  In this class, we will examine what the whole Bible teaches about the content of the gospel and the command to go and make disciples of all the nations.  The study will seek to establish a summarization of what is taught by the relevant passages in the Bible on the subject of evangelism.

Evangelizing Your Children (300)

Instructor: David Hardgrave
Textbooks: Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes and A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent
Room: 331

Course Description: Do you want to learn how to be more faithful in evangelizing your children? This course is for you! We will examine the biblical issues surrounding sharing the gospel with children in the context of the home.  Special attention will be given to methods for developing a gospel culture within the family as well as methods for discerning a child’s comprehension of the essential truths of the gospel itself.

SIGN UP THIS SUNDAY!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Led by: Bill Haynes

Session I – Philippians 3:1

MP3: Men’s Conference 2010 session 1

Session II – Ephesians 2:1-10

MP3: Men’s Conference 2010 session 2

Session III – John 10:27-30

MP3: Men’s Conference 2010 session 3

Session IV-V – Luke 18:9-14

MP3: Men’s Conference 2010 session 4-5

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Morningview will be hosting its own Parenting Conference on Saturday, November 6th.  Our pastors will be leading us through key principles of a Christian Home.
Please save this date on your fall calendar!  You will be glad you did! Look for more information in the weeks to come.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, September 26

If you are interested in the membership process of Morningview, plan to be part of the New Beginnings class, Sunday, September 26, 3:00 – 7:30 pm.  All six lessons will be taught during this time.  Childcare will provided if needed.

In order for us to have adequate materials and childcare available, we ask that you register for this class by calling Sarah Jones at the church office, 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Our problem in prayer is we say the same old things about the same old things.  Praying that way is often boring.  When prayer is boring, we don’t feel like praying.  And when we don’t feel like praying, it’s hard to concentrate in prayer and to pray for very long.  Our problem is not that we pray about the same old things.  To pray about your Family, Future, Finances, Work, Schoolwork, Church,  Ministry, and the “current crisis” is normal.  If you’re going to pray about your life, these things are your life.  So our problem in prayer is not that we pray about the same old things, but that we say the same old things about the same old things.  That’s boring.  When prayer is boring we don’t feel like praying.  And when we don’t feel like praying, it’s hard to pray for any length of time or with much consistency.

What’s the solution?  Whatever it is, it must be fundamentally simple.  For God has children of all ages, IQs, educational levels, etc.  If He expects (and invites) all His children to pray, then consistent, meaningful prayer must be doable by all kinds of people.  And if it were not possible for you—with all your Christian advantages (such as proximity to good churches, accessibility to Christian books, recordings, and other media, etc.)—to have a meaningful prayer life, then what of the tens of millions of Christians without these things?  Here’s the solution:  when you pray, pray through a passage of Scripture, especially a Psalm.

Let the words of Scripture become the words of your prayers.  For example, if you pray through Psalm 23, read “The Lord is my shepherd,” and thank Him for being your shepherd.  Ask Him to shepherd your family that day, to guide, protect, and provide for them.  Pray that He will make your family members His sheep; that they will look to Him as their shepherd.  Ask Him to shepherd you through the decision you must make about your future.  Pray for Him to bless the undershepherd at your church, shepherding him as he shepherds the church, etc.  When nothing else comes to mind, go to the next line—“I shall not want”—and continue to pray.

Simply go through the passage, line-by-line, praying what you find in the text or what it brings to mind.  If nothing comes to mind, or if you don’t understand the verse, go to the next.  You might choose to linger long on one verse.  Conversely, there may be only a handful of matters that prompt prayer as you go through many verses.  Nothing says you have to pray over every verse.  Continue in this way until (1) you run out of time, or (2) you run out of Psalm.

One approach to choosing a Psalm to pray through is the “Psalms of the Day” approach.  This divides the 150 Psalms into 5 Psalms for each of 30 days in a month.  Take the day of month as your first Psalm.  Then keep adding 30 to that number until you get 5 Psalms. So on the 15th of the month, your first Psalm is Psalm 15.  To Psalm 15, add 30 to get the next one, Psalm 45.  These would be followed by Psalm 75, then 105, and 135.  (On the 31st, use Psalm 119.)  Take 30 seconds to scan these five Psalms, then choose one to pray through.  One advantage of this method is that gives you direction when it’s time to pray and defeats aimlessness.

The Psalms are the best place in Scripture from which to pray Scripture.  This is because of the original purpose and usage of the Psalms.  The Psalms were songs inspired by God for the purpose of being reflected in song back to God.  Moreover, there’s a Psalm for every sigh of the heart.  The entire range of human emotion is recorded in the 150 Psalms.

Perhaps the second-best place in Scripture from which to pray Scripture is the New Testament letters.  These are so densely packed with truth that virtually every verse suggests something to pray about.  It is also edifying to pray through the narrative passages of Scripture.  Unlike praying through the Psalms or New Testament letters, however, a different approach must often be used with the narrative passages.  Instead of looking at each verse almost microscopically, in a narrative passage it’s usually easier to consider it paragraph-by-paragraph, looking for the “big ideas” of the story.

Once you actually experience praying through a passage of Scripture, you’ll likely be able to turn to any part of the Bible and pray through it.  You won’t need these notes to remember how to do it the second time.  Like riding a bicycle, you never forget.  By praying through a passage of Scripture, you’ll find yourself praying about most of “the same old things,” but in brand new ways.  You’ll also find yourself praying about things you would never think to pray about.  Jesus prayed the Psalms.  The early church prayed the Psalms.  Great Christians like George Mueller prayed the Psalms.  Why not you?

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 48 (ESV)

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain,

2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.

6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

7 By the east wind you shattered
 the ships of Tarshish.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen
 in the city of the LORD of hosts, 
in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah

9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
 in the midst of your temple.

10 As your name, O God,
 so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
 Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

11 Let Mount Zion be glad! 
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
 because of your judgments!

12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
 number her towers,

13 consider well her ramparts,
 go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation

14 that this is God,
 our God forever and ever.  He will guide us forever.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 48:10

As your name, O God,
 so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
 Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 48:1-3

Consider:

For Adults: In this Psalm we find a celebration of God’s protection of His Holy City, Jerusalem. As the Psalm progresses, we see that while the psalmist may have been inspired to praise for a specific act of deliverance, he speaks of the earthly “Zion” in terms of the Heavenly Zion and is looking to greater “cosmic” realities rather than just to one circumstance. As you read our psalm this week, consider how God’s dealings with Zion here are reflective of His dealings with all of His people (past and present) and how God dwells uniquely in and with the Church as His eternal and ultimate “Zion.”

Older Children: “Zion” here is not only a reference to the historical city of Jerusalem, but also to the place where God dwells in a special way, that being with his people, the church. How do you think “Zion” might have been the “joy of all the earth” in history? How do you think God will bring that reality to pass FULLY in the future?

Younger Children: A “citadel” is a place where people would go to be protected from the attacks of an enemy. How do you think God shows Himself to be a “fortress” and “citadel” for His people today?

Family Application: Talk together about how God delights to show His glory in His people today just as He delighted to show His glory in hearing and responding to the repentant prayers of His old testament people, Israel. Talk about ways in which God shows His glory in His new covenant Israel, the Church.

Pray: Praise God for how He has made Himself known on the earth, first through the nation of Israel, and now, more completely, through His people, the Church. Pray that God would help our church and others to be the “support of the Truth” (I Tim. 3:15) that He has called us to be and that God would be seen as glorious in the lives of His people and in your family this week.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 48:4-8

Consider:

For Adults: In this section of the Psalm, the psalmist turns our attention towards the war that powers of earth wage against God. As is often seen elsewhere in scripture, the conflict is brought directly to the people of God on their own “home turf.” Though the scene described is similar to some of the Biblical conflicts from which God delivered the historical Jerusalem, it is best understood here as metaphor for God’s ultimate protection of His people in the cosmic struggle against the powers of sin and darkness. Note the language of eternity in verse 8 and the hope of God’s promise that comforts His people in the present. As you think of the forces that may seem arrayed against you today (see v.4), think of God’s eternal promise to deliver His people and trust your struggles to Him today in prayer.

Older Children: Can you think of some times when you saw God answer your prayers or the prayers of His people? Look at verse 8 again. How does God strengthen our souls by showing us answered prayers?

Younger Children: Read verse 7 again together. What part of nature did God use to save His people in this verse? Can you think of other times when God showed His power in nature to save His people? How does this show God’s glory?

Family Application: Talk together about how God’s people have always been the persecuted by those held under the power of sin and Satan. Talk about how God rescues sinners from this power (think of Saul in Acts) and how God will ultimately rescue His people when Jesus returns to the earth for the final defeat of Satan.

Pray: Praise God for how He rescues His people and how He never disappoints those who trust Him and make Him their refuge and their God. Pray that God would grow your faith this week and that you would trust Jesus more. Pray for those you know who may know about God, but do not trust Him with their lives in saving faith. Pray that they would come to Him and find trust in Him to rescue them from their sins!

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 48:9-14

Consider:

For Adults: In these concluding verses of the Psalm, the psalmist turns his attention back to the city of Zion as the visible evidence of God’s love. As he ponders the glory and fame of God, God’s own righteousness, he looks to the day that God will be praised in all the earth, just as earlier, he looked towards the day Zion would be the “joy of all the earth.” Thus he continues here to find present joy in eternal realities that are for him yet future. In other words, he views the present in light of God’s promise. As you consider your present, how might consideration towards God’s promises change your perspective for the better? How is God showing you “glimpses” of His eternal promises today in your life and in your church family?

Older Children: Why do you think that God’s righteousness is connected to His Glory and praiseworthiness so often in scripture? Why is the righteousness of Jesus so important for the Christian?

Younger Children: Read verse 14 again. In what ways did God guide His people in the Old Testament? How does God guide His people today?

Family Application: Talk together about how God is using the Church to spread His glory among all the peoples of the earth. Talk about how God’s glory is only properly seen through Jesus and about how important it is that we spread the Gospel to all the peoples of the Earth.

Pray: Thank God for how He has established a people for Himself and moved in history so that His glory and fame came through the witness of His people eventually to you and your family. Pray that He would help you to be a faithful follower of Jesus and that He would help you in spreading the gospel of His glorious grace to all those that you know.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/g/l/glorious.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Your Words Reveal Your Character

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Friday, October 8, 2010
Fayetteville, Georgia – Gone with the Wind with Peter Bonner: Part II Connections (Don’t miss this trip with Peter Bonner who was our tour guide on our last Gone with the Wind trip to Jonesboro) • Cost: To be determined

Friday, November 19, 2010
Cullman, Alabama – Ave Maria Grotto – Lunch and Shopping at historic Warehouse Shopping District • Cost: To be determined

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Revelation Study 20100825

Author:  Dr. Shawn Merithew

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

The term Reached refers to an area where over 2% of the population are believers.  This term does not mean that the task of reaching people is complete, but it is simply a category that missiologists use to describe a population where the missionary task has surpassed the 2% mark and much of the focus is on discipleship.  Our Ecuador seminary partnership falls into this category.  Steve and Carol from Ecuador will be with us for our missions conference and you will have the opportunity to hear the latest about what is going on in Ecuador–specifically with the work at the Ecuador Seminary.

Another area of partnership is with the Unreached.  While there are many individual unreached people around us, including here in Montgomery, this category refers to a people group or ethnic group where less than 2% of the population are believers.  We have adopted an unreached people group in Central Asia, and our missions partner for our adopted people group, Ted, will be with us for our conference as well.

Our third missions partnership is with a Last Frontier group.  A Last Frontier group is the term used when there is no gospel witness among a particular ethnic or people group and there is no work being done to reach them.  Our Last Frontier group is also located in Central Asia, and we are partnering with Jeremy to reach them.  Jeremy will also be with us during our missions conference, and we will get to hear more about the future of our partnership with him to reach this people group.

Ken will also be speaking, and I know you will appreciate hearing from him once more.  There will be breakout sessions for adults, youth and children in K-6 grades.  This will be an exciting opportunity for our children to hear directly from the missionaries for whom they have been praying.  Childcare will be offered for those with nursery age children, but you must sign up for this.  There will be fellowship dinners on Friday (5:15 pm) and Saturday (5:30 pm).  Saturday’s dinner will be from Chick-fil-a and will also include a sampling of foods from the regions where our missionaries are serving.

This is an exciting time in the life of our church and we are blessed to have a senior pastor and staff who have a strong biblical understanding of missions and therefore have a passion for missions as well.  Please make our Third Annual Global Missions Conference a priority and set aside September 10-12 to be with us.    If you plan to attend either of the dinners or require childcare for the conference, please call the church office at 272-2304 to sign up.  I am looking forward to seeing you at the conference.

Jonathan

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

6:00-9:00 pm in the Chapel

If you are interested, sign up is necessary to be a participant in the class. Due to the nature of content there will be a limited number of students in each class.  *Monday, August 3oth childcare will be provided by reservation only. *Call the church office 272.2304 or e-mail kem.holley@morningview.org.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

September is Morningview’s month to collect food for the Hands of Christ Ministry.  We will have blue buckets at the north and south entrances from August 22 – September 19 to receive these.   We will also take monetary donations.

Self rising corn meal – 2 lb. bags
Self rising flour – 2 lb. bags
Sugar
Salt
Canned vegetables
Instant grits (boxed with individual servings)
8 – 16 oz. packs of spaghetti noodles

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

M.I.T. Courses Fall 2010

September 19 – November 21

Sunday Evenings, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm

Practical Instruction for Lifestyle Evangelism (300)

Textbook: The Complete Evangelism Guidebook, edited by Scott Dawson

Instructor: Shawn Merithew

Room: 330

Theology of Evangelism (200)

Textbook: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer

Instructor: Rick Quave

Room: 329

Evangelizing Your Children (300)

Textbooks: Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes and A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent

Instructor: David Hardgrave

Room: 331

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, August 29

2:00 – 6:00 p.m. • Pete Peterson Lodge

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and all the sides

Adults – $4.00 • Children – $2.00

Family maximum of $14.00

Bring a dessert and a two liter drink or a gallon of iced tea.  Come enjoy this fellowship time with your church family.  There will be no evening service at the church.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 34 (ESV)

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
 and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant,
 and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
 and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps
 around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
 Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
 for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
 but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
 I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 What man is there who desires life
 and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil
 and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;
 seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
 and his ears toward their cry.

16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
 to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
 and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
 but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;
 not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
 and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
 none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 34:22

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 34:1-8

Consider:

For Adults: This psalm is a joyful celebration of God’s graciousness in answering the prayers of His people. The original title tells us that it was composed by David on the occasion of his escape from Achish of Gath (“Abimelech” is most likely a family title for Achish in 1 Sam. 21:13) and it shows us the worshipful disposition of a heart humbly fixed upon the Lord. As you read this psalm this week, you should quickly see that it breaks easily into two parts; the first (1-10) where the psalmist recounts his own testimony of God’s praiseworthiness and the second (11-22) where the psalmist becomes the teacher and makes theological application of God’s acts of deliverance. As you read, consider the specific ways in which you have seen God’s mercy and deliverance in your own life. Praise Him for them and for the love that He constantly demonstrates for His children.

Older Children: Read verse 2 and verse 6 again. How does the psalmist refer to himself and what type of people is he calling to worship God? Why do you think humility is an important part of prayer?

Younger Children: Have you ever said something or done something that made you feel so bad that you wanted to go and hide? How did Adam and Eve feel and what did they do after sinning against God in the garden? Read verse 5 again. Is there anymore shame or fear for those who repent of sins and trust in Jesus?

Family Application: Talk together about all the ways in which you have seen God answer prayer and how being one of His people means that we can humbly call out to Him without fear or shame.

Pray: Praise God today for how He answers the prayers of all of those who humbly call out to Him through faith in His son, Jesus. Pray that God would help you to keep an attitude of constant praise this week (v.1). Pray that as you meditate upon Him, your heart would be filled with reverential joy in His love for you. Thank the Lord for how He delivers His children from all their fears and for how He tenderly watches over them. Bring your burdens before Him and trust Him to take of you.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 34:3-10

Consider:

For Adults: As you read today’s selection, notice especially the impassioned evangelistic call of the psalmist, “Taste and see . . .” The idea here of “taste” is often used by the apostles and is one of personal experience. The psalmist tells us in no uncertain terms that to commune with God is not a matter of religious formalisms, but rather a casting of one’s whole life upon God in faith. The call to “fear” the Lord that we find here is not an admonition to sentiment, but rather a call to cast the whole of one’s life upon the Lord in reverential faith and obedience. Are you trusting and believing Christ this way today? If not, do so now and see that He is good!

Older children: Have you ever eaten something that looked really good, but tasted really bad? How did you feel? Most people would feel “disappointed” because the look of the food promised a good taste that didn’t come. What does the Bible say about God and disappointment in these verses? Does saving faith ever truly disappoint?

Younger children: Read verse 9 and 10 again together. How do you think God takes care of His people. Does the Bible promise that God will give His people everything they “want” or everything they “need?” Why?

Family Application: Talk together about how knowing facts about God and even knowing the facts about the Gospel of Jesus does not make someone a Christian. Talk about what the psalmist calls us to do in these verses and about how true faith doesn’t just “know”, but it actively “trusts” and acts according to its trust.

Pray: Praise God for how He is truly good to His people and how He never disappoints those who trust Him and make Him their refuge and their God. Pray that God would grow your faith this week and that you would trust Jesus more. Pray for those you know who may know about God, but do not trust Him with their lives in saving faith. Pray that they would come to Him and find out how good He really is!

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day one that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 34:11-22

Consider:

For Adults: In this final section of the Psalm, we see the psalmist become our instructor in the “Fear of the Lord.” In these verses we see that the one “fears” the Lord lives in faithful trusting obedience to God. Note that a life free of affliction is not promised to the faithful, but rather the Lord’s presence, comfort and deliverance is his reward. As you read these verses(especially 21-22), hear the words of Christ from the book of Romans echoed that for those in Him, there is NO CONDEMNATION and rejoice!

Older children: What does verse 19 tell us about “affliction” and God’s people? Why do you think God let’s His people have difficulties and troubles?

Younger children: How would you feel if you got hurt and no one was around to hear you cry or call out for help? Did you know that God always hears the cries of His people?(v.15) How does that make you feel about Him?

Family Application: Talk together about how “the fear of the Lord” shows itself in our lives by faithful loving obedience and trust in God even when things are hard and when we have trouble. Talk about God’s promises here and how He saves His people from condemnation.

Pray: Thank God for how He tenderly cares for His people and saves them out of troubles now and from the “troubles” of judgment through the forgiveness Jesus won at the cross. Ask Him to help you to trust and obey him more faithfully this week as you look to Jesus.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/f/tfountfb.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: The Unpardonable Sin

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

2010 Men’s Conference: Living in Light of No Condemnation

Led by Bill Haynes

Scenes from the Men’s Conference:

Check out all the photos here.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Revelation Study 20100818

Author:  Dr. Shawn Merithew

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

We will also have the immense blessing of having all of our mission partners here with us.  Ted, Jeremy, and Steve and Carol will all be joining us from their respective fields and they will be leading the breakout sessions for adults, youth, and children.  We will have the privilege of hearing first-hand reports of what God is doing in them and through them as they seek to raise up disciples of Christ among their people groups.  Having them here will also help us develop a more detailed vision of how we will be partnering with them in 2011.

We will also have the blessing of fellowship with them and with each other as we gather for 2 different meals in the course of the weekend — Friday and Saturday evening.  At the

Saturday evening meal, we even plan to have some foods from our partner regions so that you will be able to sample local cuisine.  You won’t want to miss it.
Another new aspect of this year’s Global Missions Conference is the consolidation of our annual SBC offerings into a single World Missions Offering.  Every year, we have the blessing of giving above our normal tithes and offerings to support our Lottie Moon offering for the International Mission Board and our Annie Armstrong offering for the North American Mission Board.  This year, to coincide with our annual conference, we will receive one World Missions Offering that will cover both.  It will be divided between them based upon our historic giving patterns.  For example, our goal for Lottie is usually about 4 or 5 times larger than our goal for Annie, so we would distribute the offering to the respective agencies based upon that historic ratio.

We are making this change because we want these offerings to receive even greater emphasis.  Normally, the promotion of these offerings is overshadowed by annual holiday preparations and celebrations at Christmas and Easter.  By linking a World Missions Offering with our Annual Global Missions Conference, we will foster and undistracted focus on world missions efforts.  Furthermore, our congregation will have the privilege of coupling their missions giving with hands-on experience and eyewitness reports from those who are serving in the field.  It will be a blessing to have our missions giving coincide with our missions emphasis.

On a final note, it would be wonderful if we could celebrate the Grand Opening of our Mission House with a ribbon cutting ceremony the same weekend of our conference.  The house has come together so well, but there are still some items we need:  One Queen mattress set, mattress covers ( 3 twin, 1 queen), a vacuum, mop and broom, bathroom towels, flatware, glassware, pots and pans, blinds for 3 bedrooms and kitchen, 8 pillows, cooking utensils, a TV stand, a floor lamp, a chair for the master bedroom, and 3 rugs.  If each of us just took responsibility to purchase one of these needs, the house could be fully finished by next week.  What can you contribute to its completion?  If you feel led to take care of one or more of these items, call Heidi at our church office and let us know which ones.

I am truly excited about all that God is doing in and through us, especially how He is shaping and sharpening us as a force for world missions.  So join me in praying for this event and participating in it when it arrives.  It will be an incredible time together!  I love you all dearly.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Friday, September 10 – Sunday, September 12

~ Schedule ~

Friday, September 10

5:15 pm    Dinner in Armstrong Hall (sign-up required)

6:00 pm    Conference Opening

7:10 pm    Breakout Session #1

Saturday, September 11

3:00 pm    Opening Assembly

3:25 pm    Breakout Session #2

4:30 pm    Breakout Session #3

5:30 pm    Dinner/Worship (sign-up required)

Sunday, September 12

9:15 am    Sunday School

Children, Adult 4, Adult 5 classes on normal schedule

Youth – Steve (Ecuador)

Adult 1/Adult 2 combined – Jeremy (Central Asia)

Adult 3/Fellowship Class/Singles – Ted (Central Asia)

10:30 am    Morning Worship

Global Missions Offering

4:30 pm    Meet and Greet the Missionaries

5:00 pm    Breakout #4

6:00 pm    Meet and Greet the Missionaries

6:30 pm    Evening Worship

Youth will attend Breakout Sessions with Adults.  Separate Breakout Sessions are planned for children ages K-6th grade.  Nursery available for children ages 0-4.
*** Call the church office to make your reservations for dinner and childcare.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 33 (NASB)

1 Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.

2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.

3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men;

14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth,

15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.

16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,

19 To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.

22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 33:10-11

The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 33:1-6

Consider:

For Adults: This Psalm begins with a jubilant call to God’s people to rejoice in Him.  In the very opening words, it dismisses any notion of a true believer who can withhold his praise, for it says that “Praise” is nature or “becoming” of the upright.  As you read through this Psalm today and this week, consider God’s glorious works and attributes and pay careful attention to your heart’s proclivity to arise in worship.  If you find your heart lacking in praise, prayerfully read and meditate upon your Lord, asking for the Holy Spirit to awaken your soul anew to His beauty.

Older Children: Have you read a story that did not have a happy ending?  Why do you think we like stories that have good endings?  Why do you think most people want to see the bad punished and the good rewarded?  How do you think it is related to what we read in verse 5 of this Psalm?

Younger Children: The Bible tells us that every good gift that we have comes from God (James 1:17).  How has God “filled the earth” with His Lovingkindness(v.5)?

Family Application: Talk together about praise.  It is something that should naturally arise from the hearts of God’s people.  Talk about all things that God has done that deserve our worship and, most importantly, talk about why God deserves our worship simply because of who He is.

Pray: Pray today that the Holy Spirit would work in your hearts helping you to see more of the beauty and worthiness of Jesus.  Pray that God would help you to develop habits of daily worship and that in doing so, God would graciously increase your joy as part of your visible witness to the world.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 33:6-12

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses the Psalmist expounds upon his call to worship by showing how God is not only due praise from His people, but also why God is due praise from all of creation and all of mankind.  Notice in the verses how the world owes its existence to the creative power of His word and is held sway under His sovereign decree.  Notice also the special status that God’s chosen people enjoy.  Consider today what it means to receive an inheritance from God as your Father and delight in His mercy!

Older Children: In the time of the Old Testament, God had a special relationship with the citizens of the nation of Israel as He prepared history for the coming of Jesus, but we know that while some of them loved Him, many others of them did not.  What do you think makes someone a part of God’s true people?  (hint read Matt 5:3-10 and John 3:16)

Younger Children: Read verse 9 again.  What are some things in creation that are created by “speaking?”

Family Application: Talk together about how the world owes honor and praise to God, but how the sinful nature of people prevents them from offering God the praise that He is due (Romans 1).   Talk about how God’s Holy Spirit helps His people (those who have believed in Jesus) to see God’s glory and beauty and want to worship Him.

Pray: Praise God for how He is sovereign over all of creation and how He created the world by the power of His word.  Thank Him for sending His spirit to open the eyes of sinners to His glory and beauty to lead them to have trust in His Son.  Pray that God would help you to worship Him with joy this week and to be a witness to others by your joy in Him.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse.  Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 33:13-22

Consider:

For Adults: In this final section of the Psalm, we specifically see God’s intimate knowledge of man, even in his fallen state and sinfulness.  Just as the psalmist notes all of the things that men put false hope in, consider the things that those around you tend to put false hope in.  Are you tempted to hope in those same things?  Look at the response of the Godly in verse 20-22.  As you do so, ask God to cultivate and grow your faith and joy in Him today.

Older children: Read verse 21 again.  What does “trusting in God’s Holy Name” lead His people to do?  What are some actions that you think should flow out of someone who is truly trusting in God?

Younger children: Have you ever obeyed your parents, but had a “mad” or “sad” heart while you where doing what they told you to do?  Do you think God knows what is in your heart? (v.15) How do you think God wants our hearts to feel when we obey?

Family Application: Talk together about what “false hopes” is and some of the false hopes that people today have.  Talk about why it is always wise to hope in God and to follow His word even when it is hard to or doesn’t seem to make sense.

Pray: Thank God for being a sure foundation for His people and the only true hope of eternal joy and blessing.  Pray that God would guard your heart and your family from putting your hope in anything other than God Himself.  Pray that God would help you to follow Him closely and carefully and that He would be honored and glorified by how your family trusts in Him.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse.  Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Mp3: Pslam 95

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Psalm 95

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Revelation Study 20100811

Author:  Dr. Shawn Merithew

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Awana Kick Off Wednesday, August 18

5:00 pm Supper Starts • 5:30 pm Awana Meeting for Parents

Please remember to make your supper reservations!  For this week only, supper will begin at 5:00 pm.  While you are finishing your meal, at 5:30 pm Awana Leadership will share important information in an effort to start off the new year smoothly.  Parents, if you cannot come to supper please try to be present for the meeting.  Our Awana Clubs will begin at 6:00 pm with Puggles and Cubbies going to the preschool hall, and Sparks and Truth in Training in the Chapel.

————————————————

Wednesday Night Supper Menu

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers (and all the trimmings), Baked Beans, Potato Chips, Ice Cream, Tea/Lemonade

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

PRAY for Bill Haynes to be used as God’s mouthpiece in the delivery of the Word and in the exhortation to faithfulness.  He will be speaking from Romans 8, and our desire is that we as men will be challenged and equipped by God’s truth to be the disciples we are supposed to be.

PRAY for God to give all of us open, humble hearts.  Conviction of sin and inspiration to pursue discipline are 2 key things that each man needs.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to fall upon us with the full weight of God’s truth and to stoke our hearts with Christ’s power as we seek to fulfill the reality of our calling as men.

PRAY for our fellowship with one another.  Pray that we would put aside all of the normal, superficial trappings of our egos so that we can really experience biblical love, accountability, and encouragement as we are involved in one another’s lives.

PRAY for all our church families.  Strong churches are composed of strong families.  God’s design for men is that we serve Him as the pastors of our homes.  Thus, pray specifically for changes to be implemented in our families as God continues to develop this ethic of family leadership in our midst.  Some men may need to drastically reorient their lives and even their jobs to fulfill what God puts on their hearts about leading their family as their first spiritual priority, so pray for Christ’s strength and grace to be evident as such changes are made.

The decisions that are being made right now in our homes have a determinative effect on the future health of our families and upon our church as a whole.  I often think back to what my life would have been like if I had been raised in an atmosphere of godliness.  I love my mother and my father dearly, and I do remember us all going to church together when I was very young.  However, church was the only place where expressions of faith were evident.

I often wonder what my home might have been like if my dad had been a man who loved God and walked with Him as his first priority.  I wonder what our home life would have been like if my father had taught us the Word, led us in worship, and prayed audibly over each of us throughout the week.  Maybe my parents would have stayed together; maybe my family would not bear the deep scars of an ugly divorce; maybe my siblings and their children would be walking with God today.

I do not doubt the sovereignty of God in all of my family circumstances; on the contrary, I know every experience of my life has been the result of His precious providence bringing me to exactly where I am as a husband, father, and pastor.  Yet, to reflect upon what “might have been” is of benefit for making us realize the incredible significance of our present actions and decisions.

What would Morningview look like if every man was pressing hard after the glory of God in his life?  What would we look like if every man was loving his wife as Christ loved the church?  What would it look like if every man was making it his personal responsibility to teach the Word to his children and to raise them up to truly walk with God?  I am not saying that we do not have some good, godly men in our church.  I am truly blessed by the maturity of the men in our church, but none of us has “arrived.”  None of us are doing all we can possibly do to lead our families and our church in pursuing the ultimate priority of Christ.  Thus, please pray for Christ to renew us to our calling through this weekend.  I love each of you dearly!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Save the dates for the Global Missions Conference: September 10-12.

Friday, September 10
5:15-8:00 pm

Saturday, September 11
3:00-7:00pm

Sunday, September 12
Regular Schedule Times

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 29 (ESV)

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders,
 the LORD, over many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.

8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
 and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 29:1-4

Consider:

For Adults: In this Psalm, we see the power of God exemplified in the metaphor of a storm moving into the land from the Mediterranean sea in the East and traveling across the Holy Land to eventually capture the vista of a worshipper observing from the temple in Jerusalem. As the Storm moves across the land, we see its awesome power unfold and in each facet of the storm, the believer is reminded of the power of God. With the Psalmist, we see here that power of nature which often leaves us breathless in awe is but only a glimmer of the power of God. Consider the power of God today as you read these verses and ascribe to Him the Glory due His name.

Older Children: Verse 2 tells us to ascribe to God the Glory that is due to Him. How do you think we do that? How does nature help us to understand God’s glory and power?

Younger Children: Have you ever listened to a powerful thunderstorm as you lay in your bed at night time? How did it make you feel? What does it teach us about the one true God who made the storm?

Family Application: Talk together about how you have seen God’s glory together in nature and about how we should train our hearts to quickly rise to God in worship when he see His witness in creation.

Pray: Praise God today for His absolute sovereign power and for how he exercises His power in mercy to all of Creation in His common grace. Thank God for His kindness to your family and and pray that He would give you grace to better see His glory and beauty in all that He has made.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 29:5-8

Consider:

For Adults: In this section of the Psalm, we see God’s voice personified in the great storm moving across the land and we see the storm make the mountains (Lebanan and Sirion) appear to shake from their foundations. We are reminded of the God who regards them as dust in His hands. As you read these verses, consider what adversaries or trials you face that can match such power. Rest today in the“Awe-ful” power of a God whose heart is always and only moved with love and compassion for His people.

Older Children: In these verses we see more examples of the power of God and how a storm shaking the forests of the mountains (Lebanon and Sirion) shows Gods command over nature. Think of the person or thing that you are afraid of most and then think of God’s power shaking the mountains. If the one true God is your God, is there any reason to really fear anyone or anything that may be against you?

Younger Children: These verses are all about the power in God’s voice and thus, the power in God’s words. Can you think of some things that God used His voice and His words to make or do in the Bible? Why do you think it is important for us to listen to God’s voice?

Family Application: Talk together about How God always uses His incredible power in ways that reflect His Love for His people. Consider the power that God displays when He brought His people out of Egypt and the power that God displayed in the work of Christ on the Cross.

Pray: Praise God for how He wields His power against His enemies and the Enemies of His people, namely Satan, Sin, Death and Hell. Thank God for how He defeated them all on the cross and pray that He would help you to trust Him and rejoice in Him more in your daily worship and living.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 29:9-11

Consider:

For Adults: In this final section of the Psalm, we see the reaction of those in the temple to the coming storm. The power of God on display leaves them recognizing and crying out “Glory!” in praise of the great God whose voice holds the power to both create and destroy. The Hebrew word for “flood” here (only used otherwise to refer to the Noahic flood) further suggests the awesome power that God wields in judgment is one from whom His own people are spared and delivered and thus endowed with peace.

Older Children: What do God’s people in the temple call out in response to God’ s Awesome power? When we see God’s power, what should our response be?

Younger Children: Do you remember the story of Noah and the great Flood? Who sent the Flood and told it where to go and what to do? How do you think Jesus is for us like the ark was for Noah?

Family Application: Talk together about how God shows His power in judgment, like in the great flood, but also how God always makes a way for the righteous to escape judgment and to rest in His mercy. Talk about how God makes sinners “righteous” through Jesus and how repentance and faith in Him saves a sinner from the judgment he is due.

Pray: Thank God for his Awesome and “Awe-ful” power that wield in strength and glory. Thank Him for always providing a way for His people to escape the judgment they are due as sinners and thank Him for sending Jesus as the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of all who would but come to Him.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/m/i/mightyfo.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Luke 22:14-20

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: The Love of God

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Revelation Study 20100804

Author:  Dr. Tom Hicks

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Francis Schaeffer
True Spirituality

Men, we are called to be faithful leaders and examples for our families, our church, and our world.  In this generation, Satan is using various means, including media and technology, to entangle us and to render our leadership inept.

A “White Stone Man” is a man who truly wants to overcome the entanglements of sin and walk a pure and righteous walk in God’s army (Revelation 2:17).  We must understand if our inner man is defiled by sin then everything we do is defiled.  The war can only be won by a single minded purity that is focused on Christ our General.  Our vision for White Stone Men is a serious group of men holding each other accountable to an ever-increasing higher calling, men who want the Holy Spirit to have a strong and pure weapon to deploy.

White Stone Men will begin as a 10 week class, starting on Sunday, September 19 and ending on Sunday, November 21 during the M.I.T. time slot from 5:00 until 6:15.  Those who attend the class will have the option of continuing to meet with White Stone Men indefinitely for the purpose of continued accountability and encouragement in godliness.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

12:00 Noon

This months speaker will be Bella Epps.  She will speak about her missionary trips.  Sign up in Sunday School or by calling the church office at 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

The word “Fellowship” in Scripture comes from the Greek word Koinonia which denotes a social partnership or relational participation.  In the Christian context, it more specifically denotes a shared relational communion established on the basis of a common Lord and faith.  In his first epistle, the Apostle John writes, “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) A few verses later, he continues, “But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1:7)

These verses, and many others like them, set forth very clearly the fact that our vertical relationship with God through Christ results in a horizontal relationship with all believers.  We embrace those horizontal relationships as we identify with the local church and enter into a body of fellowship governed by the Word.  One of the clearest pictures that Scripture gives us of this community is found at the end of Acts 2:

And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.  And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts2:42-47)

In this passage, we see the activities of biblical fellowship.  First, they gathered regularly to devote themselves to biblical teaching.  The community established by the Word of Christ has an identity defined by continuing in the Word of Christ – the bride will love the sanctifying truth of her husband.  Second, prayer was also integral to their fellowship.  In prayer, we express worship and dependence to our sovereign God as we adore Him and trust every necessity to His hand.  As we pray for one another, we are also to confess our sins to one another as a matter of horizontal accountability (James 5:16).

Third, we see the observance of the ordinances in the body.  In this particular passage, the first mention of the “breaking of bread” refers to the Lord’s Supper.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are living pictures of the grace of Christ given by Him as tangible worship experiences that project our identity as His body.  Fourth, we see how needs were met in the fellowship – earthly goods were provided by the body for anyone who had need.  1 John 3:17 says that meetings the needs of our brothers is evidence that we abide in the love of God.

Fifth, we see that they were intimately involved in one another’s lives as they went “from house to house” enjoying the fellowship of the Spirit and growing in the grace of Christ.  I’m afraid that we often allow the pace of our lives to cut us off from the simple beauty of having brothers and sisters in Christ regularly in our homes.  This reality serves to limit our accountability and the depth of love we are to manifest in our churches.  Home-based hospitality fosters a joy and unity between families that strengthens churches.  Thus, let me encourage you to recover the real depth of biblical fellowship – open your home and your heart more often to those who are part of our covenant community.  Forsake not the gathering (Heb 10:24-25) and fail not to love as Christ has loved you (John 13:35).  I cherish you all!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

5:00 – 6:15 pm on 3rd floor, room 321

Infant – 6th grade

For veteran and first time teachers alike, important and necessary information as we gear up for the new year.  Curriculum and a variety of useful items will be discussed.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 24 (NASB)

1 The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.

3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?  And who may stand in His holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face–even Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!

8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 24:1

The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,The world, and those who dwell in it.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ The Holy Creator of World

Read: Psalm 24:1-4

Consider:

For Adults: This Psalm is a celebration of the fact that the God who is the creator, and thus the God above all, is the very same God who is in a Covenant relationship with Israel. In these verses we see not only a hint at God’s majestic personhood, but also in glimpse into how He is approached. We see that He is holy and is approached only in holiness. As you read these verses consider whether holiness is the qualification for admission to His presence, the evidence of one admitted to His presence, or somehow both. Do you see Christ here? How?

Older Children: Verse 1 tells us that God is the creator and owner of the world. What do verses 3 & 4 tell us about Him?

Younger Children: Have you ever made something you really liked? What? Did you know that when you make something you own that thing? What does that mean? What does it mean that God made the world and us?

Family Application: Talk together about what it means for all people that God both created the world and is absolutely holy and without sin. Talk about how sinful creatures relate to Him and why “justification” in Christ is so important for the Christian.

Pray: Praise God today for His absolute sovereign power and for His perfect holiness and unblemished, beautiful character. Thank God for providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself through the cross and pray that the message of the Gospel would go forth to the ends of the earth.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 24:3-6

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses we see the description of the one who is granted access to the presence of God and receives the blessing God gives. As we read these verses, we should be both challenged in our hearts to be more like Christ who exemplifies purity of heart perfectly and at the same time, as believers, we should rejoice with overwhelming joy that the righteousness that God requires here is ours, in Christ, completely apart from our works! Consider the outflow of your worship and communion with God today? Is it merely a mood, or is instead the outpouring of righteousness of Christ into your daily living?

Older children: In the book of Hebrews, it tells us that Jesus entered into God’s heavenly place as a perfect priest and sacrifice so that we can be made righteous in God’s sight. For those who trust Christ as Lord and Savior, how does the “new covenant” of righteousness work itself out in our lives? (Read Hebrews 8:10-12 for the answer).

Younger children: What would you think if you took a big bite of an apple, but it tasted like mashed potatoes? What if you took a bite of a peach, but it tasted like Brussels sprouts? Would you eat those fruits again? How do you think God’s love in someone’s heart should affect the way that they act on the outside?

Family Application: Talk together about how trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior causes a person to have a new heart and all that that means for how they act, think, and feel.

Pray: Praise God for how Jesus satisfied the righteousness requirement of God’s law on behalf of sinners and for how He offers justification as a free gift for all those who come to Him. Pray that Jesus’ righteousness would be more present in your lives and that God would be honored in your home as the works of Jesus are ever more present there by His grace.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 24:7-10

Consider:

For Adults: In this final section of the Psalm, the scene changes from the approach of the worshiper to the approach of the divine object of all worship, the LORD, the King of Glory. In historical context, this could have been sung to celebrate the coming of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, but in the larger context of scripture, it points us to a celebration of Christ’s triumphant taking of the Heavenly throne. As you read these verses, consider gravity and majesty of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem before His victory over sin at the cross and consider how He is your “King of Glory.”

Older Children: In ancient cities, the “heads” of the gates were the top parts that would have to be removed if something too tall had to come through. What does this part of these verses suggest about God’s character? (hint: read Isaiah 66:1)

Younger Children: “Glory” is sort of like greatness, majesty and power all rolled into one. What are some of the ways you can think of that God is glorious? How do you see it in creation? What about in Jesus?

Family Application: Talk together about how God makes himself known not only in mercy, but also in judgment. Talk about how God made himself known in Jesus and how we are to spread this “gospel” of God’s free grace to those who do not know Him.

Pray: Praise God today for how He is the majestic King of Glory. Praise Him for how His glory is shown in the triumph of Christ on the cross and the redemption of His people from their sins. Praise Jesus for His promise to one day finally and fully rid the universe of the curse of sin and for how He will reign unchallenged in that final day. Pray that His joy would fill your hearts and that your home would be founded on the hopeful peace that comes from a confidence in His sovereignty and final return.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh061.sht

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Acts 6:1-7

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Behold the Messiah

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

6:30 pm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

When you sign up, we will contact you with further information about how to access the prayer room (the door code) and get you information about how the prayer room works.  We understand that everyone has different responsibilities; so, not everyone can give an hour each week to the prayer room.

Among the slots available, we have:
Tuesday    3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday    2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday              11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday         6:00 am – 9:00 pm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

August 1, 8, 15, & 22 from 5:00 – 6:15 pm in the Chapel
All four classes are necessary to complete the course, however arrangements can be made to make up any one of the four if necessary.

Awana Leadership

August 4 & 11 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, 3rd Floor Awana Game Room
Leader training for all clubs
Both nights nursery and children’s activities will be provided.  Kindergarten – 6th grade, 2nd floor north

Awana Kick Off

August 18 5:30 pm – Parents and Clubbers meeting in Fellowship Hall
Awana activities will begin at 6:00 pm with Cubbies on the preschool hall and Sparks and Truth in Training in the Chapel

Preschool and Children’s Sunday School Leadership

August 8, 5:00 – 6:15 pm on 3rd floor, room 321 – Infant – 6th grade
For veteran and first time teachers alike, important and necessary information as we gear up for the new year.  Curriculum and a variety of useful items will be discussed.

“…and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  II Timothy 3:15

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

If you turn to Ephesians, chapter 5, you see Paul giving instructions to husbands and wives about how they should relate to one another in light of Christ.  Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.”

These verses direct us as husbands to follow the example that Christ set in sacrificing Himself to accomplish the redemption of His bride, the church.  You will notice at the heart of this text the phrase, “having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”  This refers primarily to how Christ cleansed us and set us apart through the Word of truth — the Gospel.  But secondarily, this phrase also points to the ongoing ministry of the Word that Christian husbands are to have toward our wives in the home.  We are called to regularly part the pages of Scripture so that we may speak the Word of life into hearts and minds of our brides.

If you go a little further in Ephesians, you see Paul also give husbands and fathers the primary responsibility in washing the children with the Word.  After commanding the children to obey their parents “in the Lord,” it says in Ephesians 6:4, “And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  This admonition means that, as fathers, we also have the responsibility to set our children on the path to godliness by loving them and teaching them and disciplining them according to God’s instructions.  We are to show them a living picture of Christ in the way we love and lead them.

I know that hearing this is challenging, because all of us struggle at different points with maintaining our spiritual leadership in the home.  We struggle to find the time and confidence to roll up our sleeves and undertake this spiritual ministry of “washing” our loved ones in the truth.  But let us make no mistake, if we work hard to provide all the earthly necessities and opportunities for our families yet fail in our responsibility to shepherd them spiritually, we have cheated them of that which is most important and contributed grossly to the endangerment of their souls.  So let me encourage you to a few things.

1.  Make reading and praying the Scriptures a central activity in your home.  You don’t have to be prepared to expound deep matters of theology — just take up your Bible and impart its contents to those you love.  Read it to them at the table, or together before bed time, and then pray those same words over them.  It really is that simple.

2.  To lead spiritually takes TIME.  Guard the time it will take to read and pray together.  In our contemporary culture, we allow family time to be regularly decimated by individual interests and entertainments.  Turn off the electronics, take a break from other pursuits, and invest yourself in what is eternal.  Even just one hour (total) out of the 168 hours we have every week is a small investment with infinite returns.

3.  Be accountable to a group of fellow believers.  Have men in your life who will ask you about your purity, your devotion to Christ, and your leadership in the home.  We most often resist accountability when we are not pursuing God, so get serious about what you need to do.

4.  Take advantage of church training and retreats that will sharpen your skills as the pastor of your home.  Our men’s retreat is just a couple weeks away — sign up!  In MIT this quarter, we will have a class on leading your children to Christ — take it!  We have a ministry for men’s accountability that is getting started — Whitestone Men — be a part of it!  Avail yourself of training that will grow you and thus grow the ones you love.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

More Details Coming……..

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Warm Springs Georgia-Little White House

Lunch (Bullock House) & Shopping in Warm Springs Village

Cost: $25.00/person

Friday, October 8, 2010

Gone with the Wind with Peter Bonner: Part II Fayetteville, GA Connections

Don’t miss this trip with Peter Bonner who was our tour guide on our last Gone with the Wind trip to Jonesboro

Cost: To be determined

Friday, November 19, 2010

Cullman, Alabama, Ave Marie Grotto

Lunch & shopping at historic Warehouse Shopping District

Cost: To be determined

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 16 (ESV)

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ God’s Goodness In His People

Read: Psalm 16:1-4

Consider:

For Adults: This Psalm is a celebration of God’s goodness (v.2) mediated to the believer through His people (v.3), His providence (v.5-6), His counsel (v.7), His promise (v.9-10), and His presence (v.11). As you meditate upon this Psalm this week, consider how God provides blessing to you in each of these ways. Start today by considering your relationships with those in your church family. Are you delighting in them today or is your heart tempted to find comfort with those who are running after “other gods?”

Older Children: In these verses, the psalmist delights in God by delighting in God’s People. He contrasts the “faithful” in the land of Israel with the “unfaithful” in the land of Israel. Do you think that there are both “faithful” and “unfaithful” in churches today? How are they different from one another?

Younger Children: Do you like to give gifts to your friends, siblings, or parents? How does it make you feel when they like your gift and tell you that they like it? Did you know that God is the source of all the things in our lives that are truly good? How should that make us feel toward God?

Family Application: Talk together about how God’s goodness is showered upon us in all the ways listed above. Talk about how you can follow God in being His blessing to those around you in need.

Pray: Thank God today for how He showers His children with His goodness and pray that He would open your eyes to see His glory in the blessing that He has bestowed upon you. Pray that God would help you to seek Him for your joy and to guard your heart from the temptation to seek false joy in running after “other gods.”

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ God’s Goodness in His Providence

Read: Psalm 16:5-9

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses, we see how God’s goodness is mediated to the believer through both God’s providence and His counsel. Knowing that his life is entrusted to the care and providence of God, how is the believer comforted even in times of struggle and sorrow? How do you think it can help in these times to both consider the inheritance God has for His people and to recount His word to oneself, even in the quiet moments of the night?

Older Children: Look at verse 6 again. What is an “inheritance?” In these verses, the psalmist imagines the promise that God has given Israel. What is the future inheritance that the New Testament makes clear that God is preparing for all of His people?

Younger Children: Have you ever had a teacher who taught you about exciting and wonderful things? Did you know that God’s word is like a teacher to us? How does God show us His goodness through His word as our teacher?

Family Application: Talk together about how the Christians can be comforted by thinking of how we not only hold Him in His sovereign goodness in the present, but also prepares for Him and joyful rest in the future. Talk together about how Jesus purchased this inheritance for His people and how sinners become His children by trusting Him in repentance and faith.

Pray: Praise God for how He sovereignly holds His children in His tender care and for the beautiful inheritance that He has prepared for all of them through the purchase of Jesus’ blood. Pray that God would help you to trust Jesus more today and to look to Him for your joy and peace.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ God’s Goodness in His Presence

Read: Psalm 16:10-11

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses we see the psalmist celebrate God’s goodness mediated to the belief in His promise and His presence. These verses are quoted by both Peter and Paul in the New Testament in reference to the resurrection of Christ, through them, we understand these verses to point us to the promise of a bodily resurrection of all believers, among whom Christ stands alive as the “first fruits” of what God has yet to come as a part of the great inheritance prepared for His people. Are you seeking to know the joy of His presence today? Seek Him for “fullness of joy” and experience a foretaste of the inexpressible joy that is even yet to come!

Older Children: What is the “Path of Life” that God makes known to His people? Read Matthew 7:14, Prov. 15:24 & 10:17 for help. What does God provide for those who walk this path? Can you stay on it in your own strength? Consider Phil. 2:12-13 as you answer.

Younger Children: Have you ever been lost in a big store where you couldn’t see your parents ? How do think being alone and “abandoned” would feel? Look in these verses again. Does God ever abandon his children, even after they die?

Family Application: Talk together about how God makes Himself known not only in mercy, but also in judgment. Talk about how God made Himself known in Jesus and how we are to spread this “gospel” of God’s free grace to those who do not know Him.

Pray: Praise God for His promise to never abandon or forsake His people and praise Him for the joy that He promises to all those who walk in convent faithfulness to Him in the “Path of Life.” Thank Him, Christ, our great covenant-keeper and pray that He would strengthen you for more faithful obedience in the days ahead and pray that thesein He would grant you an ever more full experience of His joy!

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/o/j/ojordsbi.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Laboring on the Sabbath

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Tuesday, July 27 • 12:00 Noon
Speaker:  Patsy Smith, Food Author and Columnist

She will speak on preserving our heritage by saving family recipes.  Patsy is the daughter of James (deceased) and Geraldine Porter  (old and precious Morningview members) and lives in Greystone (Birmingham).  She has written several books and also writes a food column for Prime Montgomery. Geraldine and Margaret Ann McGregor (her granddaughter) will also be attending.

Sign up in Sunday School or by calling the church office at 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Morningview is known to be a church that loves children and families, and now we have the opportunity to be examples when it coming to loving children without families.  In fact, I was at the Executive Board Meeting for the Montgomery Baptist Association this week and they made it a point to express their thankfulness to Morningview for hosting Foster Parent Training through DHR this past year.  Our example has now led other churches in our city to host this training and to develop foster care and adoption ministries.  To God be the glory!

As we now prayerfully consider how to further develop an ethic that supports adoption at Morningview, there are some specific ways that each of us can be involved.

First, we must PRAISE God.   Adoption is a beautiful picture of the gospel.  Formerly, each of us were children of wrath, deserving eternal separation from God and eternal suffering in hell because of our sinfulness.  We were spiritually destitute and wrapped in the filth of worldliness.  Yet while we were yet enemies of God, Christ died for us, to reconcile us to God.  He sacrificially bore the wrath that we deserved, purchasing our salvation with His own blood.  And when we repent and believe in Him, we are adopted as God’s own and made co-heirs with Jesus Christ.  Praise God for the fact that He has adopted YOU!

Second, we must PRAY.  Pray for mothers and families even now who, because of great difficulties, are surrendering their children for foster care and adoption.  Pray for these children, especially the older ones, as they are torn and heartbroken by such choices.  Pray for homes where these children will be loved and cared for; specifically, pray that they would be placed where they will hear the gospel.  Pray for families in our midst who are considering and who are actively involved in adoption.  Pray for God to provide the necessary finances, the wisdom to love and lead these children through the transition, and for godly patience to persevere through the legal process.  Pray for God to raise up more men and women in our congregation who will have a heart for this gospel ministry.

Third, we must RECEIVE.  We have already experienced the blessing of having adopted children of all different nationalities and ages in our midst.  May God bring us even more!  We as a church must be prepared to receive them, to love them, and to support their parents with prayer and fellowship and accountability and encouragement.  We must be committed to embodying a true faith, grounded in the Word, walking like Christ, and proclaiming the gospel in all we do.  We must welcome them into our homes, cherish them as if they were our very own, pray for their salvation, and even petition the Lord for godly spouses for them when they reach adulthood.  In this way, we show these children a picture of grace by truly being their extended family.

I love you all dearly!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

The mission house is not yet complete but we want you to come out and see how much progress has been made.  We are so excited about how it has taken shape and the privilege we will have to host one of our missionary families this fall.  So, come tour the house and see how you can continue to support the completion of this work.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 9 (ESV)

1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
 they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause;
 you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
 you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
 their cities you rooted out;
 the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
 he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness;
 he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
 a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
 for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
 Tell among the peoples his deeds!

12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
 he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O LORD!
 See my affliction from those who hate me,
 O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may recount all your praises,
 that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
 I may rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
 in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.

16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
 the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol,
 all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
 and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail;
 let the nations be judged before you!

20 Put them in fear, O LORD!
 Let the nations know that they are but men!

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 9:9-10

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
 a stronghold in times of trouble.  And those who know your name put their trust in you,
 for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 9:1-8

Consider:

For Adults: This psalm is a celebration of how God executes His justice against the wicked and specifically those who oppress His people. As you read today’s verses, notice the great contrast between the fate of God’s enemies and the eternal majestic existence of God. How should this strengthen your heart to worship God “wholeheartedly” as the psalmist declares in verse 1?

Older Children: Look at the fate of the “enemies” in these verses. What do you think makes people “enemies” of God? What does the scripture promise for them?

Younger Children: Have you ever seen someone do something wrong and not get caught or get in trouble for it? How would it make you feel if what they did was against you? Since God knows everything, do you think that God ever ignores sin? What does every sin deserve?

Family Application: Talk together about How God’s justice is not only a reason that we must turn to Jesus for forgiveness, but it is also a reality in which saints can rest, rejoice, and even worship.

Pray: Thank God today for how He is infinitely worthy of our praise because of His holiness and His perfect just rule of the whole world. Confess to Him any struggles that you may be having in trusting Him this week and pray that He would help you rest in the knowledge of His goodness and worship Him wholeheartedly in the days to come.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 9:9-14

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses of the Psalm, we learn that the enemies mentioned earlier are not just adversaries, but they are oppressors and, most likely, even murderers. Given the encouragements here, it is probable that God’s people are struggling to remember that God is still sovereign even when their afflictions lead them to believe that He is distant and unconcerned. Do you need to be reminded of God’s sovereign goodness this week? Remember what He has done (v.11) and call out to Him! (v.13-14)

Older Children: Read verses 13 and 14 again. What does the psalmist expect to do after God saves him from his enemies? What does this suggest to us about why God is a God who saves all those who trust in Him?

Younger Children: Do you remember the last time that you cried really hard? How did you feel? Did you know that the Bible teaches that God always hears the cries of His people when they are hurt? (v.12) How does that make you feel?

Family Application: Talk together about how God is a stronghold for all of those who trust in Him. Talk together about how trusting in God involves believing in His goodness and justice even when we do understand how He could be working for good in our present circumstances.

Pray: Praise God for how He truly is a stronghold for all of those who trust in Him and for how He never turns away anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. Pray that God would help you to have greater faith in Him even when your circumstances don’t make sense to you. Thank Him for how He sends trials to His people not to harm them, but to teach them how to be more like Jesus.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 9:15-20

Consider:

For Adults: In these final verses, we see the concluding warning to the afflicters, oppressors, and the enemies of God’s people and emphatic declaration that the injustices of this present age will soon be vanquished in the final triumph of God’s perfect justice and judgment. How is the curse of sin afflicting you this week through nature, through others and even within your own soul? As you read these verses be encouraged that the triumph of God is already on its way! Trust Him until it is complete!

Older Children: Read verses 15 and 16 again. What does God cause to happen to the wicked people who are planning evil in these verses? What does this teach us about how God deals with those who plan evil both today and in eternity?

Younger Children: Do you think there will be anyone needy or hungry in Heaven? What are some of the other effects of sin that God will wipe away in Heaven?

Family Application: Talk together about how God makes Himself known not only in mercy, but also in judgment. Talk about how God made Himself known in Jesus and how we are to spread this “gospel” of God’s free grace to those who do not know Him.

Pray: Praise God for how He will one day set all things right that are wrong. Thank Him for how He offers free grace and pardon through Jesus to all who would come to Him and pray that He would help you to be more faithful to tell other about His justice and free grace.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/t/o/togodbe.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Lord of the Sabbath

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Tuesday, July 27 • 12:00 Noon
Speaker:  Patsy Smith, Food Author and Columnist

She will speak on preserving our heritage by saving family recipes.  Patsy is the daughter of James (deceased) and Geraldine Porter  (old and precious Morningview members) and lives in Greystone (Birmingham).  She has written several books and also writes a food column for Prime Montgomery. Geraldine and Margaret Ann McGregor (her granddaughter) will also be attending.

Sign up in Sunday School or by calling the church office at 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

If we look in the New Testament, we can see a couple different examples of how the local church functioned as it followed their leadership’s example and the guidance of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.  The first example is in Acts 6 when the first lay-leaders were set apart by the church to meet the needs of the Hellenistic widows.  In Acts 6:2-4, the Apostles developed a plan to address the need and presented it to the whole congregation.  In Acts 6:5, it says that this “statement found approval with the whole congregation.”  This text reminds us that when decisions need to be made about functional/leadership matters where no specific guidance is given in Scripture, we as the gathered “congregation” play a significant role in prayerfully applying scriptural principles and considering how God can best be glorified in such situations.

A second example is in 1 Corinthians 5:4 when the Apostle Paul was calling the church to assemble and corporately enforce his apostolic teaching by removing the incestuous man from membership.  It was the congregation’s responsibility to be obedient to God’s Word and purge the sin from their midst.  Once again, the assembled congregation of believers was responsible for prayerfully submitting to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word as it deliberated and followed through on specific decisions.

In both cases, human leaders, set apart by God, offered leadership to the church.  This reminds us that Godly leadership can and should be offered through those God has called to such roles, and the congregation should respect the opinions and decisions of those men who lead from godly, humble hearts.  The church has the dual responsibility of submitting to leaders and holding them accountable.  But also realize that the most basic element of church government is still the gathered congregation.  It is YOU!

We as Baptists have always boasted about the superiority of congregationalism and the local autonomous church, but rarely do we take our responsibilities seriously by investing a proper level of spiritual discernment in the process we claim to value so highly.  The whole congregation cannot be involved in the minutia of what it takes to lead an entire church body or in what it takes to maintain its resources.  To attempt to function in this manner would place us in perpetual congregational chaos.  That’s why the church body votes to approve guidelines for functioning and finances, and why the church elects its leaders and holds them accountable for following the Word, obeying those guidelines, and protecting the interests of Christ’s church.

I lay all of this before you today because I want you to take your personal responsibilities as a member of this church more seriously.  Congregational votes are not simply to be rubber stamps on whatever is presented.  Once again, it is the responsibility of leadership to carefully weigh all matters according to Scripture and present the best option(s) to the church.  It is likewise the congregation’s responsibility to respect and value the leadership of those in whom they have recognized God’s calling.  But as I have set forth here, YOU, the members of this congregation, have the responsibility of being present, submitted to the Holy Spirit, steeped in God’s Word, and carefully evaluating what is set before you for consideration.

God is doing so many wonderful things in the life of our church, so plan now to be a part of the business meeting this Sunday night.  Pray, attend, listen, and participate as we together seek to follow Christ our King.  Come with a heart rightly prepared to seek God’s glory as you fulfill your role in the earthly stewardship of His church.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 2 (ESV)

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 2:10-11

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ An Earthy Turmoil

Read: Psalm 2:1-3

Consider:

For Adults: This psalm fits into a category known as the “Royal Psalms” in that it explores the covenant that God made with David (and his heir) and understands the fate of the whole of God’s people as being connected to the Lord’ s “Anointed.” In these verses we see an uprising of vassal kings against the earthly Davidic King, but in the bigger picture, we also see the world powers arrayed against Christ, the son of David. As you consider this psalm this week, consider the vanity of revolting against Christ and pray that God would give you a settled peace in face of sinful men and a compassionate heart for those you know are bound up in hopeless sinful rebellion.

Older children: The “Anointed” that this psalm talks about is the King that God placed on the Throne of Israel who was to rule in God’s place as His representative. What rulers has God put in place in your life? How does God expect you to act toward them?

Younger children: Can you ever think of a time when you disobeyed your parents on purpose? Why do you think children sometime choose not to obey? Why do you think people choose to not obey God?

Family Application: Talk together about the terrible vanity of living in rebellion against God and His Anointed One, Christ Jesus. Speak about how God’s sovereignty should give Christians a settled peace in the face of persecution and how they should pity their persecutors.

Pray: Praise God today for His sovereign reign over all the universe and for how He can never be threatened by any earthly power. Ask God to help you discover the seeds of rebellion in your own heart and thank God for sending Jesus to conquer the power of sin and how He will one day return to finally and fully end all rebellion of sinful man.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ A Heavenly Perspective

Read: Psalm 2:4-9

Consider:

For Adults: In today’s verses we see that in contrast to the turmoil on earth, God sits ever triumphantly on the throne of Heaven. In verse 7 we see the voice of the psalmist shift to that of the King who receives the promises of the Davidic covenant and thus comforts himself in the knowledge that the purposes of God can never be thwarted by man and that God will ultimately bring all earthly powers into subjection under the rule of the heir of David. Consider how the coming of the nations under subjection to the rule of Christ is actually for their benefit (Rom. 1:5) and how Jesus is accomplishing this even now through the proclamation of the gospel.

Older children: Read verse 7 -9 again. In these verses, we hear the Israelite King begin repeating the promise that God made to him (see 2 Samuel 7:14), calling him God’s own Son. Did you know that this promise is ultimately to Jesus and, through Jesus, to all of God’s people? How do you think that God is, even today, working to give Jesus the nations as His inheritance?

Younger children: Read verse 4 again. Why do you think all the Kings rebelling against God causes God to laugh? Think about things that make you afraid? Do these things scare God? Can anything scare God? Why?

Family Application: Talk together today about how the things that scare us, worry us or saddened us all look different from God’s Heavenly perspective. Talk about remembering how things look to God can give us hope and encouragement when we are discouraged.

Pray: Praise God for how He is working out His eternal plan to bring all the world under the rule of Jesus even when it doesn’t seem like it us. Pray that God would help you to be more faithful to be a part of carrying His gospel of peace to all that nations and pray that God would empower all those serving Him in that mission.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Way of the Wise

Read: Psalm 2:10-12

Consider:

For Adults: In these final verses, we see psalmist return to his voice as preacher, and we read his final admonition to the earthly powers of verses 2 and 3. How do you think these verses contain both LAW and GOSPEL? Consider how your hope in the Gospel should lead you to a reverent keeping of the law of God.

Older children: In the ancient world, a servant would often show submission to a master by kissing his hand or even his feet. According to these verses, what will happen to those who do not submit to “The Son” who is Jesus? What decision does the wise man make concerning King Jesus?

Younger children: What does it mean to serve God with fear? Ask your parents how that is like the word “reverence” and talk about ways you can “reverence” God in your family.

Family Application: Talk together about how Jesus is a refuge for all who come to Him in repentance and faith and how obedience and reverence should mark the lives of all believers.

Pray: Praise God today for how He is refuge and a fountain of grace and mercy for all those who come to Him. Pray that He would help you to trust Him more today!

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/a/c/acoogak.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Christ, Our Comfort and Rest

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Friday & Saturday, August 13 & 14
Auburn Conference Center
Led by Bill Haynes
Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky

Speaker:  Bill Haynes

Bill Haynes has served as the Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church since 2006.  He is a native of Alabama, a graduate of Jacksonville State University, and he received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  During his ministry, he has pastored churches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky.  Pastor Haynes has also served with the American Center for Law and Justice and is currently a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He was also Shawn’s pastor at his home church in Orlando, Florida.

~ Schedule ~

Friday, August 13

4:00—4:30 pm             Depart from church

5:00 pm                         Supper

6:30 pm                         Arrive in Auburn and check into hotel

7:00—8:20 pm               Session I

8:40—10:00 pm            Session II

10:15—until                  Prayer time/Free time

Saturday, August 14

7:30—8:30  am           Breakfast

8:30—10:00 am          Session III

10:20—11:30 am         Session IV

By 12:00 Noon           Checkout of Hotel Room

11:30—12:30 am       Lunch

12:30—2:00 pm        Fellowship/Discussion

2:00—3:30 p.m.        Session V

Cost per person:

1 person to a room—$130

2 people to a room—$70 per person

3 people to a room—$55 per person

4 people to a room—$45 per person

Please come prepared to sign up this Sunday!

Please note: Men are responsible for their own meals.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

in the Chapel

August 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd

The Journey of Faith Class is a four-week course designed for children who are interested in knowing what it means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.  All curious children, K-6th grade, are invited!  This class is especially designed for children who think they have already come to faith in Christ and who are interested in seeking baptism and church membership.  It will help them come to a biblically grounded assurance of salvation.  The Journey of Faith class is prerequisite to any child’s baptism and membership.  We’re also asking that at least one parent attend the class with the child.  Please register for the course by calling the church office at 272-2304 by July 30.  Adult M.I.T. does not begin until September 19th.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 146 (ESV)

1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.  The Lord sets the prisoners free;

8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.  Praise the Lord!

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 146:3-5

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.  Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~

Read: Psalm 146:1-4

Consider:

For Adults: This psalm both begins and ends with “Praise the Lord!” which is the one-word-sentence in Hebrew, “Hallelu-yah.” The psalmist calls all who hear to worship the one true Sovereign God as the sure hope for those who are suffering or oppressed. As you meditate upon this psalm this week, examine your heart to see if there are things other than Christ from which you are looking for security. Consider verse 3 and resolve to make the LORD your only hope.

Older children: How do you think we are tempted to put our trust in things and people (even leaders) other than God? What do these verses tell us about trusting in heroes or leaders over God?

Younger children: Have you ever been given a toy that broke right after you started to play with it? How did (or how would) that make you feel? Were you disappointed? Did you know that sometimes we are tempted to trust in our leaders or other people to save us rather than God? Does the Bible say (v.3) that we should do this?

Family Application: Talk together about all of the things that people put their hope in other than Jesus? Talk about why we are tempted to hope and trust in things that we see or things that may bring temporary joy and how important it is to remember the truth of who God is whenever we find ourselves doing so.

Pray: Praise God today for His sovereign reign over all the universe and for how only He is a sure hope of salvation. Pray that He would help you to not trust in things that are temporary and passing away.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~

Read: Psalm 146:5-7

Consider:

For Adults: This section of the psalm frames the great contrast between placing vain hope in earthly powers (as described in verses 3 & 4) and placing one’s trust in the living God. As one reads these remaining verses of this psalm, the excellencies of God’s character are unfolded to him and thus the reasons for trusting in Him are made clear. As you meditate on this psalm this week, let the character of God again lead you to worship Him and rest in Him as your sure hope and comfort.

Older children: Why do you think that governments of cities, states, and nations almost always have a police force? How are police supposed to uphold justice and why is that so important? How does God “uphold justice for the oppressed?”

Younger children: Did you know that “blessed” means something like “happy,” “joyful” and “content?” How does trusting in God make people “blessed?”

Family Application: Talk together about the attributes and acts of God that we see here that prove God is worthy of our trust. Consider how each of God’s attributes here both show His glory and comfort for His people.

Pray: Use your time of prayer today as an occasion to worship God specifically for the attributes we see in these verses. Consider giving each member of the family a different attribute to praise and thank God for as you pray together.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~

Read: Psalm 146:8-9

Consider:

For Adults: In these concluding verses, the psalmist crescendos his litany of God’s excellencies as upholder of justice, healer of the blind, and liberator of the captive. Why do you think a proper understanding of the cross is so important to help us love and celebrate God’s justice rather than to flee from it in fear and terror? Why must the work of the cross be applied even (and especially) here when we read that God loves “the righteous?”

Older children: These verses say that God set prisoners free. Can you remember a new testament story where God did this (literally)? What “prison” does the Bible say that all mankind is bound to because of Adam’s sin? How does God set prisoner’s free in this way? How did Jesus set prisoners free (as he promised)?

Younger children: Have you ever heard the stories of how Jesus healed the blind and returned their sight? Did you know that God is full of compassion and that He loves to help those who call out to Him in their need? Can you think of something that you should pray about this week for God’s help?

Family Application: Talk together about how God is both a glorious savior to the righteous and yet a terrible enemy to the wicked. Talk together about the cross, the gospel and how God invites His enemies to become His children.

Pray: Praise God today for how He reigns, bringing both salvation to all the needy who call upon Him and terrible retribution upon all those who delight in evil and injustice. Pray that God would magnify His own praise in your heart and that you would more faithfully and boldly speak the gospel to all those held prisoner under the power of sin.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/g/f/gfathers.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: When the Son Rises on a Nation

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010

Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: 6250 Monticello Dr

Ladies, plan to come for a night of fellowship and FUN! There will be a panel of ladies answering questions (prepare your list!) as well as some inspiring testimonies. If you can attend, please bring a dessert or snack to share, plates, cups, utensils, napkins, etc.  See you there!!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Monday, July 12

6:00 pm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

6:00 p.m.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, July 11

10:30 am

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

This week, we continue our look at the GCR report with Challenges for Individual Families.  Again, I would ask you to read these and prayerfully consider how they might apply as a challenge to your family.

Challenges for Individual Families
14.  Emphasize biblical gender roles with believing fathers taking the lead in modeling Great Commission Christianity and taking the primary responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their families.

15.  Recognize that parents have the primary responsibility of educating their children and helping them to cultivate a Christian worldview way of thinking and living.

16.  Build gospel saturated homes that see children as a gift from God and our initial mission field. Consider, in this context, the vital ministries of adoption and orphan care.

17.  Make prayer for and the evangelism and discipleship of children a family priority that begins with parents and is assisted by local churches.

18.  Develop strategies as a family for praying for, serving, and sharing the gospel with neighbors, coworkers, and others with whom family members come into regular contact.

19.  Adopt a different unreached people group each month and pray as a family 1) for IMB missionaries working with the people group, 2) for the conversion, baptism and discipling of countless individuals within the people group, and 3) for the establishment of biblical churches among the people group.

20.  Adopt a different North American church plant each month and pray as a family 1) for the church’s leadership team, 2) for the conversion, baptism and discipling of countless individuals in the church’s region, and 3) for the birthing of future church plants from the church.

21.  Spend a family vacation participating in a local church or association sponsored mission trip.

22.  Consider setting up a mission’s savings account for each of your children that would enable them to spend six months to a year in a North America or International Missions context soon after graduating from high school.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Membership Class
July 11 – August 15

We will begin another membership class July 11 at 9:15 am in the New Members Room on third floor south.  If you or someone you know would like to participate in this class, please call Sarah at the church office so we can have materials prepared.  The class will meet each Sunday morning during Sunday School through August 15.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 139 (ESV)

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!

20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 139:13-14

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ The Wonderful knowledge of God

Read: Psalm 139:1-6

Consider:

For Adults: This Psalm is all about God’s omniscience (His knowledge of all things) and what that means for His children. As you consider today’s verses, notice how God’ s knowledge not only encompasses where you are in geography(space), it also encompasses where you are in chronology (time). Consider verse 6 and meditate on all the reasons that this should cause the Christian to rejoice.

Older Children: Have you ever wondered if God knows your thoughts? Read verse 4 and then verse 2. What does the Bible teach us about how deeply God knows us?

Younger Children: Have you ever had your Mom or Dad tuck in your covers nice and tight on a cold night so that your bed felt especially nice? Read verse 5 again with your parents. How is God’s care of His people like being tucked into your bed?

Family Application: Talk together today about how God is intimately acquainted with the small details of our lives and how even in the smallest things, He cares for His people. How should this change the way we feel, think and act?

Pray: Talk together thanking God for His wonderful knowledge of our lives and His tender care. Pray together that God would help us to honor Him in the little things we do, the things we say and even the things that we think.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ The Inescapable Knowledge of God

Read: Psalm 139:7-16

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses we find the famous affirmation of the creator’s touch and tender forming of children even while still in the womb. Consider how this relates to God’s knowledge and think about how God’s knowledge not only pursues us wherever we go, but it actively forms us. Just as God shapes our bodies, scripture also affirms that God shapes our destinies (v.16). Consider the trials you face today in light of this. Is there any trial in your life that God has not designed for your ultimate joy in Him?

Older Children: Is there any place on earth that a Christian can be taken that is apart from God’s presence(v.7-12)? Is there any day or time in a Christian’s life when God is not working out His plan for them? How should this bring comfort to believers?

Younger Children: Have you ever seen what mothers look like and how their bodies are different the months before their baby is born? What does the Bible teach us that God is doing inside the mother? Why do you think babies (and people) are so precious to God? Why should they be precious to us?

Family Application: Talk together about how God’s knowledge isn’t passive, but how it is active and how God works to not only shape our bodies, but to shape our lives according to His good will. Read Romans 8:26-30 together.

Pray: Thank God for how He has made man in His own image and for how He tenderly cares for His people and shapes their lives for His glory and their greatest joy in Him. Pray that God would have you to rest in this wonderful knowledge and that He would increase your love for Him.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Sanctifying Knowledge of God

Read: Psalm 139:17-24

Consider:

For Adults: In these final verses, we see the psalmist 1) delighting in God’ s omniscience, 2) declaring His loyalty to God’s decreed purposes and 3) inviting God’s further examination into his own life. Given that between our perspective and the perspective of the psalmist, the Cross stands high declaring the satisfaction of God’s justice and His free offer of mercy to sinners, how should you articulate your loyalty to God’s purpose and character today?

Older Children: Read verses 19 and 20 again. What types of things are the enemies of God doing in these verse? If they do not turn to Jesus in repentance and faith, what will happen to these people when Jesus finally returns to the earth as Judge? How should Christians pray for these people and show them pity even while hating their unrighteousness?

Younger Children: If a person loves God and loves God’s goodness, how should they feel about Satan and sin and unrighteousness? Since we know that Jesus died to save sinners from being prisoners to the power of sin and Satan, how should we pray for them today?

Family Application: Talk together about how God’s justice is fully satisfied in the cross of Jesus for all those who come to Him in repentance and faith. Talk about how we should pray for and pity those who make themselves God’s enemies by their unrepentant sinfulness.

Pray: Pray verses 23 and 24 together, asking God to give you hearts that hate sinfulness, but love mercy. Pray that God would restrain evil all over the world and that he would compel sinners to turn from their rebellion and to trust and follow Jesus.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/m/a/amazing_grace.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: When Judgement Falls on a Nation

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Please note that Sunday evening worship time is 6:00 pm beginning this Sunday and continuing throughout the summer.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Kim & Robert Covan

Matthew & Amanda Cox

Elisha Hollis

Jonathan Vega

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

The section begins, “We hold to an ecclesiology that honors and affirms both autonomy and cooperation.  The Great Commission Resurgence Task Force is well aware of this, and we realize that we cannot direct individual Christians, local churches, associations or state conventions to take any particular or specific action. This is as it should be.  However, our doctrine of the church does not prevent us from challenging and encouraging, admonishing and advising, one another at all levels of SBC life for greater passion and effectiveness in pursuing the Great Commission. We are a convention of churches with a missional vision to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations. With all of this in mind, we wish to put forth the following as challenges for the future of the SBC that we might bring greater glory to the Lord Jesus as we seek to disciple all nations in the fulfillment of Matthew 28:18-20.”

Challenges for Individual Christians:
1.  Return to God in deep repentance of and brokenness over sin, denying self, and coming to God with complete humility.
2.  Commit to the total and absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of your life, understanding that Christ’s lordship is inseparable from all aspects of the believer’s life, including family obligations, business and profession, and recreational or leisure pursuits. We especially call on men to respond to this challenge.
3.  Devote yourself to a radical pursuit of the Great Commission in the context of obeying the Great Commandments of loving God and loving others.
4.  Participate in a local church sponsored evangelism training class sometime during 2011 and make this a regular component of the discipleship process in your life.
5.  Develop strategies as an individual for praying for, serving, sharing the gospel and discipling neighbors, coworkers, and others with whom you come into regular contact.
6.  Bear witness to the Gospel through personal evangelism, seeing every individual as a sinner in need of the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ alone.
7.  Participate in a North American or international mission trip sponsored by your church or association at least once every four years.
8.  Grow in giving as a faithful financial stewardship with at least 10% of your income going to your local church. However, see 10% as a place to begin in grace giving but not the place to stop.
9.  Determine to exercise a greater level of stewardship through estate planning and planned giving, leaving a percentage of your estate to your local church, the Cooperative Program, and to a faithful Baptist entity such as NAMB, IMB, a Baptist college, or our seminaries.
10.  Devote yourself to a radical pursuit of the Great Commission in the context of obeying the Great Commandments of loving God and loving others.
11.  Give serious consideration to adoption and orphan care as a component of Great Commission living.
12.  Determine to develop a well-rounded Christian worldview that allows you to clearly articulate both what you believe and why you believe.
13.  Repent of any and all sin that has prevented you from being fully used by our Lord in fulfilling the Great Commission. This includes sins of idolatry, pride, selfish ambition, hatred, racism, bigotry and other sins of the flesh that dishonor the name of Jesus.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

12:00 noon

~ MENU ~

Fried Chicken

Turnip Greens

Squash Casserole

Potato Salad

Rolls/Cornbread

Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream

Tea/Coffee

We will be serving a lunch to all adults 55 and older.  Please sign up in Sunday School or by calling the church office at 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 138 (ESV)

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 138:6

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,but the haughty he knows from afar.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ The Lord, who answers prayer

Read: Psalm 138:1-3

Consider:

For Adults: This Psalm of thankfulness may have been one of the regular temple “Thank-Offerings” and as such has a clear emphasis on the “public” nature of the praise being offered. The Hebrew word translated“gods” here could refer to either angels, princes/rulers, or even idols. As you consider this call to bold thankfulness, consider the public testimony of your words this week. Do/will those around you know of the God you worship and thank for your blessings?

Older Children: Why is it a good thing that God has exalted “above all things” His name and His word? How do you think He does this? (v.2)

Younger Children: Have you ever called someone who didn’t hear you or would not answer you? How did it make you feel? How does it make you feel to know that God answers prayers and is always listening to the prayers of His people? (v.3)

Family Application: Talk together today about how God answers the prayers of His people and how the fact that our God is a real and “Living” God should lead us to worship Him in our words and actions.

Pray: Talk together about all of the specific needs that your family has today and assign different family members to pray out loud about each of the needs. Thank God that He hears and answers the prayers of His people and ask Him to grant your family greater faith as you learn to wait upon His answers.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ The Lord, who regards the lowly

Read: Psalm 138:4-6

Consider:

For Adults: In these verses of this week’s psalm, we see another strong scriptural call to humility based upon the character and greatness of God. While the term “lowly” is in one sense a contrast to the “Kings” who worship in verse 4, it is also a counter point to the “haughty” also mentioned in verse 6. Thus, we see the Royal Psalmist (King David) knows that in comparison to God, all members of mankind are only properly related to God when they understand and embrace their “lowliness.” Consider how you relate to others and to God this week in light of this fact, and resolve, by faith, to cultivate a God-pleasing “lowliness” in your character.

Older Children: After reading today’s verses, read Philippians 2:9-11 to your family. What does verse 4 mean in light of these verses in Philippians?

Younger Children: Have you ever felt that adults and older children ignored you because of how small you are? What do our verses today say about how God thinks of small or “lowly” people? How did Jesus feel about children?

Family Application: Consider together how one day, every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will confess His glory and Lordship. Talk about the blessedness of living in light of this fact today and talk about how you can honor God in acts of worship and humility this week.

Pray: Thank God for how He regards “lowly” sinners like us and how He calls us to become His sons and daughters by faith in Christ. Pray that God would help you to cultivate a humble and worshipful spirit and an atmosphere of humility and deference in your home.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Lord, who protects his children

Read: Psalm 138:7-8

Consider:

For Adults: Just as verse 4 looks to God’s faithfulness to the psalmist in the past, so these verses assert the psalmist’s faith that God is acting to preserve him according to God’s own divine plan even in the present. Often our circumstances challenge our assumption of God’s watch-care over us, but yet the scripture (and our experience) affirms that God is always working for His glory and the good of His people in all things and often in ways beyond our understanding. Consider today what God’s greatest good is for you (hint – see Philippians 1:21) and consider how your circumstances today may be working toward that end.

Older Children: After reading today’s verses, Read Philippians 1:3-6. What does this teach about the way God works in our lives? Does God ever leave His children to fend for themselves? What are some things that you know God has planned for you that He is working out in your life according to His word?

Younger Children: Have you ever felt that your room was so messy you could never clean it up? How would it make you feel better to have your Mom or Dad there with you to help you clean it up? Did you know that God helps His people through every trouble? How should this make us feel?

Family Application: Talk together about how God often works in way that we can never understand, but how he also works for His glory and the good of His people.

Pray: Thank God today for how tenderly He cares for His children, and ask Him, together, to strengthen your faith in Him and His divine plan for your family.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comethou.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: The Biblical Definition of Greatness

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, June 20
No evening service

“God our Father,
in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless these men,
that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honor them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen”

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

MP3: Matthew 26:26-29

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: Defeating Doubt

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

This past Sunday, we had 63 in Sunday School attendance in our Children’s Department, and during our worship service, we had 61 in attendance in our Preschool.  It is now a rare occurrence for us not to have at least 125 present in the age range from birth to sixth grade, and some Sundays we reach upwards of 140.  If you factor in our Youth Department, it means that on a regular basis, over 50% of our Sunday morning attendance is under age 18.

These children and youth are a precious stewardship entrusted to us by the Lord, and they are the future of Morningview.  If the Lord tarries, they will be the ones leading and teaching and ministering here (and hopefully, around the world) when Morningview reaches its 100th anniversary (in 2049).   Given that reality, it is important that we continue laying a biblical foundation in them for their good and for the glory of Christ.

First, we need to pray regularly for them.  They are growing up in a world with a media machine that will virtually suffocate them with temptations.  Illicit sex, materialism, self-centeredness, worldly entertainment, and host of other idols will be regularly be paraded before them.  We need to pray for spiritual protection for them as well as praying for their salvation.  Hearts and minds informed by the Word of God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be their best protection and the best foundation from which they can engage the world with the gospel.

Second, we need to be found diligent in teaching them.  Our instruction comes in two primary forms — accurately and continually communicating the eternal truth of God’s Word, and faithfully embodying examples of godliness in our homes as well as in church.  We must continue working with them to memorize Bible verses and catechism questions.  We must talk with our children about how to apply God’s Word to everyday situations and temptations.  Even our discipline of them must be grounded in the eternal truth of the Scriptures and modeled after the gentle love and patience of Christ.

Family worship is key in this regard.  The ministries of the church are secondary and only intended to support the primary spiritual instruction that is taking place in the home, so make times of Bible reading and discussion and prayer a regular part of your week.  We all have much to do, but no other involvement or priority will serve your children as well as this one.  And even if you don’t have children or don’t have them at home anymore, your example still matters.  We are all part of one body, one household of faith, and your life and your example impacts every other person who is in covenant with you in this church.

Third, we need to continue to invest our labors in these young ones.  This week during VBS, it has been such a blessing to see how so many adults and youth are pouring their time and energy into ministering to the children that have come.  Likewise, we have so many faithful Sunday School Teachers and Leaders and Childcare Servants who give so much of their time to teaching and caring for our young ones.  Our worship Care workers regularly sacrifice a Sunday each two months to care for our little ones during worship.

I commend all of you who serve so faithfully, and I ask that we all consider how we may join their ranks, in large or small ways.  Remember, they are gifts from God, a precious stewardship, and our future.  In what way are you investing in eternal things by pouring yourselves into their lives?  I love you all dearly!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

In the morning service

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Tuesday, June 22

12:00 Noon

Our guest speaker this month is Peter McCoy.  He is the president of Freedom Forums and liberated here from Germany during WWII.  He will speak on freedom as he knows how precious freedom truly is.  Sign up in Sunday School or by calling the church office at 272-2304.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, June 13th at 4:00
Kem’s Office, 2nd Floor

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 119:137-152 (NASB)

137 Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments.

138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness.

139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

140 Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.

145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Your statutes.

146 I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.

148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances.

150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Your law.

151 You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.

152 Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 119:151

You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ The Word and Its Author

Read: Psalm 119:137-140

Consider:

For Adults: Read these verses today and consider how God’s word and His character are tied together. What can we learn about God’s word when we consider it in light of His character and nature?

Older Children: Look at verse 140 again and read it together with Psalm 12:6. What does it mean that God’s word is “Pure.”

Younger Children: Can you think of a person that you know that always tells you the truth? How is God like that? What does “Who God is” say about “What God says?” (v.137)

Family Application: Talk together about some of the attributes of God like His eternality, His omniscience, and omnipotence. After talking about each of His attributes, consider how each one is borne out in some way in His word.

Pray: Thank God for the wonder of who He is and how He has communicated the glory of His person and nature to us in His word. Thank Him that His word is secured by His person and for how we can rest surely upon all His promises as resting in Him.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ The Word, That We May Live

Read: Psalm 119:141-144

Consider:

For Adults: Notice how the writer of the psalm portrays himself as “small,” “despised” and as one with trouble and anguish. How does he comfort himself in these moments? How could memorized scripture help you is such moments?

Older Children: Look at verse 144 again. What is the “understanding” that God’s word can give you that makes you to “live?”

Younger Children: Do you ever wish that you were bigger or taller? Did you know that everyone feels “small” or “little” sometimes? (v.141) How does it make you feel to know that God is greater and “bigger” than anything or anyone who might want to harm us? Isn’t it good to serve such a “Big” God?

Family Application: Consider together how the word of God as “Truth,” “Righteousness,” and the “delight of soul” were the hope of the psalmist. Consider how God’s word can help your family this week and consider how it leads us ultimately to Christ, that in understanding the Gospel, we can live.

Pray: Thank God for how His word is an anchor to our souls in times of trial and how it leads us to Jesus. Pray that you would delight in His word this week and that it would do it’s healing work in your soul as you read and memorize it together.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Word, Eternal Truth

Read: Psalm 119:145-152

Consider:

For Adults: As you read this subset of Psalm 119, notice that it takes the form of a prayer for deliverance. What is the hope in which the psalmist rests that we see articulated in verses 149, 151, and 152? What is your hope when things look impossible for you today and where is your trust? Consider the generations who have gone before and found God’s word to be well tried (ESV v.140) and completely true. Remind yourself today of the sure foundation that God has laid for us in His eternal word and resolved to know it better that it would be a rock to your soul in times of trial as it has been to so many who have gone before.

Older Children: Read verse 150 again. In this verse, what is the only description of the “wicked” who are pursuing the psalmist? What does this suggest to you about the fundamental nature of wickedness?

Younger Children: How old is God’s word? Do you think that it is older than Moses or Noah? Ask your parents to read John 1:1. Are you surprised? Since God’s word has lasted so long and it comes from God, how long do you think it will last in the future? (v.152)

Family Application: Talk together about how God’s word is eternal and a sure foundation for our souls. Consider how it strengthens the believer to memorize God’s word and how God’s word ministers to the Christian’s soul in every hardship and circumstance.

Pray: Thank God for how His word is a an anchor for our souls and though Heaven and Earth should pass away, His word stands firm and unshakable. Ask God to help you build your life on His word and to likewise build your family on His word. Thank Him for revealing His truth to sinners in His word and thank Him most of all for sending Jesus, the word incarnate, to win salvation for all who would repent and believe according to His word.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/h/chofound.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: The Rewards of Receiving

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Sunday, June 13

6:00 p.m.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Monday, June 14

6:00 p.m.

Fellowship hall

Bring your supplies, a snack, and come share the fun.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

The Old Testament has continuing authority, but the New Testament must be our authoritative guide to interpreting the Old Testament.  We can only really understand the beginning of the Book in light of the end.  The end of the Book provides clarity and perspective on the beginning.  Thus, we should read the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament.  Augustine understood this and said, “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.”

Even though the New Testament treats the Old Testament as authoritative, it also explicitly repeals some aspects of it.  So we need to interpret the Old Testament according to this rule: We continue to practice Old Testament principles and laws, unless the New Testament repeals them.  When we apply that rule to Old Testament law, it turns out that the civil and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are fulfilled and abrogated in Christ, but the moral law of the Old Testament continues.  Here is an explanation of that threefold distinction of the Old Testament law.

First, the Old Testament contains “civil laws” (or “judicial” laws), which were for national Israel.  The civil laws describe the details of the national government, judicial system, penal code, and case laws of the visible structure of God’s Old Testament people (see Deut 1:9-17; 17:14-20; 20:1-20; etc.).  But with the cessation of the structure and polity of the Old Testament people of God, and with the institution of new covenant church polity, there is also a cessation of the Old Testament “civil laws” (Eph 2:14-16; Jn 18:36, etc.).  The moral principles standing behind the civil laws, however, are still instructive and binding for us (1 Cor 9:8-10).

Second, the Old Testament provides “ceremonial laws,” which outlined the system of Old Testament worship.  Ceremonial laws included detailed descriptions of the priesthood, the structure, and articles of tabernacle and temple worship, as well as the sacrificial system (Exodus 35-40; Leviticus).  These were types and shadows of Christ prefiguring and anticipating His first advent.  But now that Christ has come, the shadows of the old covenant are no longer necessary.  Hebrews teaches that Christ is our Great High Priest (Heb 7:15-17, 23-25), the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Tim 2:5); so, we have no need of the old priestly system.  With the coming of Christ, the sacrificial system is fulfilled and abolished since “by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb 10:14), and “where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering of sin” (Heb 10:18).  Jesus fulfilled and did away with the ceremonial law.

Third, the Old Testament reveals the “moral law” of God.  The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments, which have continuing authority according to the New Testament (Matt 5:17-19; Rom 13:8-10; Jas 2:8-11).  This moral law has three uses:

First, there is the “civil” use of the moral law.  The moral law is a permanent manifestation of God’s eternal mind, which is written on the consciences of all men as His image bearers (Rom 2:14-15).  God’s moral law is the ethical standard by which everyone will be held accountable, including believers and unbelievers, individuals, families, churches, businesses, and governments (Rom 13:4; Eph 5:22-6:9).

Second, there is the “pedagogical” (preparatory) use of the moral law.  Romans 3:20 says, “Through the law comes the knowledge of sin” (cf. Rom 7:9).  The Ten Commandments expose sin and show men their need of Christ’s blood and righteousness to save them from God’s judicial wrath.  This is why we must preach the law before we preach the gospel (Mk 10:17-21).  People must understand their sinful condition before they will see their need of a Savior.

Third, there is the “didactic” (instructive) use of the moral law.  The moral law of God is the rule of life and conduct for all believers (cf. New Hampshire Confession of Faith, chapter 12).  Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jn 14:15).  In the new covenant, God writes the Old Testament “law” on the hearts of believers (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10).  We’re told that the Ten Commandments are no longer merely written on tablets of stone outside of us, but are now written on the “tablets of human hearts” inside of us (2 Cor 3:3), such that keeping them is “not burdensome” (1 Jn 5:3), but flows from love to Christ and longing to become like Him for our joy and God’s glory.  My prayer is that God will use His moral law to drive us to Christ for justification by faith alone and to teach us to become like Christ in sanctification as we obey His gracious commands in our homes, our church, and in the whole community.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 119:25-40 (NASB)

25 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes.

27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders.

28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word.

29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law.

30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.

31 I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!

32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart.

35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain.

37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 119:37

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ The Ministries of the Word of God

Read: Psalm 119:25-32

Consider:

For Adults: In this psalm, we find the psalmist distressed and struggling to hold onto the promises and truth of God’s word. Notice how the psalmist answers his struggles by praying for God to minister to him by His word. What ministries do you see the Word preforming in these verses? Do you need these ministries this week?

Older Children: Look at verse 9 and read it again. What do you think the “false way” could be? Have you had to have help removing a “false way” from your own heart? Who and what has God given us to help with removing “false ways” from our hearts?

Younger Children: Have you ever been scared and grabbed onto your Mom or Dad really hard? Why do you think that you held close to them rather than something else like a stuffed animal or another toy? What did the psalmist “grab onto” for his security? Why?

Family Application: Talk together about all of the ways that God ministers to us by His Word (i.e. correction, strengthening, refreshing) and consider together which of those ministries your family stands in need of this week.

Pray: Thank God for how He works so powerfully through His written word and praise Him for his mercy in sending it for us. Pray that God would help you to draw near to Him through His word this week and that it would perform its ministry in your home this week.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ Help for Understanding

Read: Psalm 119:33-36

Consider:

For Adults: It is interesting to note that in verse 35 the psalmist prays for God’s help to make him walk in His paths even though he says that he delights in it. Do you ever find yourself struggling to make the righteous choice that you know will bring you joy and delight? How do you think the power of indwelling sin affects your choices and how do you think that reality should affect your prayer life?

Older children: Read today’s verses then read 1 Corinthians 2:14. Why do you think that the psalmist prays what he does in verses 33 and 34. Why do you think that you should be praying this way?

Younger Children: Have you ever been somewhere with your parents where they made you hold their hands and kept you walking close to them, even though you wanted to go somewhere else? Why do you think your parents did this? Does God do that to us sometime too? (v.35)

Family Application: Talk together about how the Word of God is spiritual and how it can’t be truly or fully understood without the special work of God’s Spirit upon the heart. Talk about why it is important to approach the word of God with prayer and humility.

Pray: Praise God for not only sending His word, but for also sending His Spirit to open the minds of sinful human beings and to teach us the Word of God. Pray that His Spirit would be active in your minds this week as you look into God’s word and that He would give you the strength to apply and obey what we read in God’s word.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ God’s Reviving Righteousness

Read: Psalm 119:37-40

Consider:

For Adults: Look closely at verses 39 and 40. The “reproach” in question is most like that which is justly due to acts of unrighteousness. How does God’s righteousness save His children from such reproach? Are you trusting Christ’s righteousness available to you through the cross today? How does this righteousness revive us?

Older Children: Read verse 38 again. What is reverence for God? How do you think God’s word produces “reverence” for God in our hearts?

Younger Children: Do your parents let you watch ANYTHING on TV or do they only let you watch what they say is O.K? Why do you think parent do this? Do you know that we can become like what we watch? Read our memory verse again. What sort of things do you think that God wants us to watch, think about, and be like?

Family Application: Talk together about what fruit reading God’s word together is producing in your home. Talk about how you are growing in reverence for God and in trusting in Christ for your needs and your joy.

Pray: Thank God again for sending us His word to show us the Gospel and for sending Jesus to earn righteousness that revives dead sinners. Thank God that all the reproach of His people was laid on Jesus at the cross and worship Him for providing us a way to share in his everlasting glory and joy.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/t/btmvison.htm

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Series: Christ in Real Life, Real Life in Christ

MP3: The Priorities of Discipleship

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Pastoral Training Resourses

Classic Christian books for pastors and leaders are one of the most important aspects of our Ecuador Mission trip next month. We’ve assembled a good set of solid biblical resources in Spanish that we feel will be helpful in encouraging and equipping the Ecuadorian pastors and leaders teach their families and lead their churches. We would like each of our Morningview families to look over the list of books below and consider giving to help provide these books for the pastors/leaders. Each ‘Pastor Training Pack’ contains key theological books, family shepherding books, and pastoral reference books in Spanish. The retail value for each packet is about $85.

Here are the books each pastor or leader will receive in Spanish:

For Biblical and Theological Training:

Finally Alive by John Piper

Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

Let’s Study Ephesians by Sinclair Ferguson

For Biblical Pastoral Ministry:

Introduction to Biblical Counseling by John MacArthur

All Round Ministry, 2 Vols by Charles Spurgeon

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

For Biblical Family Training:

Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Please prayerfully consider how you can give towards a ‘Pastor Training Pack’ to help us provide these great resources to the church leaders in Ecuador. Each family may want to consider giving half of the cost of a packet, which is about $40. Sunday school classes can sponsor a pastor for $85; we’re training (30) pastors in total. Whatever part you can have in helping us will be greatly appreciated. These packets will be an excellent resource for the Ecuadorian church leaders for many years to come. Thank you church family for your prayerful support of this ministry. Please mark your giving envelope, ‘Ecuador Pastor Training Pack’.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

We’ll be having a 7th and 8th Grade Bible study for girls this summer on Tuesdays, starting June 15th.  Emily Cox will be leading this study through the end of July.  Sign up this Sunday in Sunday School.

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church