Whats Happening Yall

We are headed full speed into spring. 80 degree days, more hours of daylight at night, soccer, basketball, track, stars, concerts, Easter, Graduation, deadlines, papers, tests, final exams, and oh yeah thats just what other people have for you to do. Stop for second....breathe deeply.....close your eyes (wait, then you can't read this) second thought keep your eyes open....Ok remember this. Phil 3:12-21 says that we are to press on toward the goal, like we are in a race and straining for the finish line, so have you got your feet set (study God's word), have you got your eyes focused (on God's purpose for you specifically), then your are ready, you are set, now GO!

Where you ask?

• Our Student Led Monday Night Bible Studies
• Our SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE every Sunday at 6:30 pm
• Our Sunday morning bible study
• Our Wednesday Night Youth Group

Our special events like....

Here are some upcoming dates to know:

• Disciple Now 2009 - March 25 Wednesday night rally at Parkway Life Church in Lumberton 6:30 - 8:30pm
• Disciple Now 2009 - March 26 Thursday night rally at North End Baptist Church 6:00pm to 8:30pm
• Disciple Now 2009 Weekend - March 27-29. student orientation at 6:30 Sign up now!

• Youth Camp Sign up deadline April 1 for Glorieta, New Mexico

• Youth Choir/Summer Mission Trip - April 1 - meeting in RT 56 room

• Dodgeball Fellowship - April 24th 7 - 10pm Church wide.

Rising Son

This past Wednesday night we had an awesome night. Rising Son, which is Lila, Josh, Tomas Rueda, and Robert led us in worship. It was there first time to lead worship and they did great. Then to top it all off Lila shared the bible study dealing with the difficult subject of personal prayer. Even though it was spring break we had a real good turn out. One thing that amazes me about out youth group is the genuine love that we have for each other. It isn't easy to sing in front of a group of people or to lead a bible study sitting on a stage with all the lights blaring down on you, but kudos to Lila. The message itself couldn't have been more sincere, or relevant to our lives today. Prayer has a real purpose, it isn't just an act of talking into space to an almighty God who knows everything and may or may not listen or respond, it is stopping and talking with God, but He is always listening. He always answers, and His answer is always exactly what we need. Sometimes we get the idea that we don't need to bother God with the things we are going through, or we don't bother to pray unless things start to go wrong, but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing. To always be in prayer, always talk it out with God first.
You know how when you can't wait to talk to your best friend about something that is going on and get her/his opinion on it before you do it? Yeah, let God be first, then your friend, then your parents, then your youth minister if you dare. But stopping to talk with God is what makes the difference.
If you really want God to make a difference in your life, You have to put God first on your best friend list. If you can talk to God like you can talk to your closest friend, imagine the life you would have if you followed His advice every time....WOW!!!
Give it a try, He has already given you a detailed book of good advice, getting to know the bible is more than just old stories about old people, good life lessons if you can figure them out, it is also a place where you can get answers to the things that matter most to you.

The Crux of the Gospel

Last night we talked about what the bible says that is basic beliefs of the Baptist church and evangelical churches. We talked about the difference between the truth and the doctrines of other faiths like, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Muslim faith, the church of Scientology. If you take time to find out what people and faiths believe about Jesus you can figure out if it is actually true. The Bible says that Jesus Is God (John 1:1;17), Jesus is God the Son sent from Heaven to Earth (John 3:16) that whoever will believe in Him, (how? by acknowledging your a sinner -Romans 3:23, Confessing your faith in Jesus' sacrifice and victory of death -Romans 10:9, repent and follow God - acts 2:38) will be saved (Romans 10:13). Other faiths may say Jesus is just a prophet, or an angel, or a good man, but the truth is Jesus is the Almighty God and it is only by the cross, His cross, that we can be forgiven, changed, and saved. Last night we had fun and we looked with respect on what others may be teaching, but in the end we discovered that the truth is the truth whether you believe it or not. For one young man last night, the truth became real to him as he asked Jesus into his heart.

In the last few weeks starting with Winter Retreat there has been an awesome change in our youth group. We are pumped to be here, we are really having fun being together, worshiping, playing, studying, and learning together. People's hearts are being touched and changed each week. AND the CRAZY thing is...its only the beginning.

If you are looking for a youth group, for a fresh start, or just for some answers, then come check us out. www.nebcbeaumont.org this website will give you all the latest on whats going on and where you can plug in.

Let's Get Fruity

John 15:8 says "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

It is easy to look around and see who God's disciples are. They are the ones bearing fruit. Last Sunday in the boys morning bible study we talked about fruit that lasts, highlighting John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last". What gets me so pumped up to be here is that in the youth group we are starting to see fruit, and not just fruit, but fruit that lasts. Since Winter Retreat, we have seen recommitments to Christ, we have seen changes in character, in motivation, and in the attitude of our group. God has been heard, and we are starting to respond.

Question: Have you responded to what God is trying to do in your heart and in your life?

This monday night we are having a monday night bible study in the youth room. Free Pizza, Music, videos, and student led Bible study. You don't want to miss this one. That's what I am talking about, fruit that lasts.

One of the fruits has been a bible study being formed on the campus at Hampshire-Fannett High School. Another is the vision to get a toy drive together to send to African children. Because of what we heard from our girls who went to the Revolve Tour, we are also looking at hosting a Hoops for Hope event. When you look in the eyes of the students whose lives have been radically changed by God, you see true fun, excitement, and passion. If someone could guarantee that type of fun every time we met, we would need a bigger building. As it is, we are starting to see new students visit, old students return, and in the weeks and months to come, there is going to be REAL fruit to look at, Fruit That Lasts. When that happens, as its happening, remember, it is and has always been Christ working in us and through us. It is God's power, it is God's idea. And for that we worship and praise Him. Come and join us: Wednesdays at 6:30pm, Sunday Morning at 9:15.

WINTER RETREAT ROX

We just got back from my first Winter Retreat. RV Brown was the speaker and he was powerful, literally, benching over 400 pounds at 56 years old. The band did a good job in leading in worship, but it was this one song, Our Great God, that blew me away. I don't normally raise my hands or make a big scene in worship because I don't want to draw attention to me; but I couldn't help it, my bones and my heart and my mind were practically screaming for joy in worship to God.

Thought:
Jesus was sitting on a mountain side, He knew He was going to die. He knew that His death would provide forgiveness for anyone who would have faith and believe. After He died, He woke up, got up, did some more ministry, then went back to heaven. As if that's not amazing enough:
(there is a seat in heaven, the one who is sitting in it controls the universe, he can stop gravity, photosynthesis, he could just take a break and the laws of physics, the laws of science, and the existence of all life would end) So when Jesus got HOME to heaven, God said, "here, sit at my right hand, its now yours." The same guy who saved everyone who believes, is now running things in heaven and earth. And when we worship, we are going before Him on His throne, He is listening to us, and the best I can do is sing, smile, raise my hands, and offer this broken vessel, that is full of mistakes and failures.

So back to Winter Retreat, we had 84 people participate, we had 94 there including the bible study leaders, worship band, speaker, and the youth. It was incredible. If you were there, God did some pretty awesome stuff. I am changed, some of our students are changed. I hope in some small way, that we were all changed.

If you know what I am talking about, then tell me about it, reply to this post with what God is doing with you....