In The Dark "The Dark Side Approaches"

In The Dark "Assessing Your Anger"

Where's my Bailout "Facing Economic Fears"

Where's my Bailout "Taking the Green Challenge"

Where's My Bailout "Can You Have Enough?"

Someone very wise once told me that worrying is a lot like rocking in a big ol’ rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t accomplish much. Rocking may burn a few more calories than sitting does, but it won’t tone your body or help you train for endurance. If you get in the habit of rocking, after a while you won’t even realize you’re doing it anymore. It’s the same way with worrying. God’s word has a lot to say about worry. This week’s study is taken from the Sermon on the Mount out of Matthew’s Gospel. I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about Jesus’ unique understanding of people and their tendency to worry. I mean not only does He know exactly how God put us together (John 1:1-3), but He also wore our flesh and knows our frailties (John 1:14). That being said, Jesus takes a definite stand on our inclination to worry and His Father’s faithfulness to provide for His children.

Read Matthew 6:25-34

What is Jesus’ stand on the subject of worry?

How would you define worry?

Do you struggle with worry?

Check the statement that most closely describes you:
__ I can’t help it that I worry, it is simply my nature. (I come from a long line of worriers!)
__I do occasionally worry, but when I realize it, I give my concern to God in prayer.
__Worry is not something I struggle with.
__Other – I would say …

What specifically in this passage does Jesus tell us not to worry about? Do you think that there is a difference between general concern and worrying about our life, food and clothing? Explain.

How is planning for our future different from worrying about it?

The references to the “birds of the air” and “the lilies of the field” are especially meaningful to us. These would not be birds that are cared for by man, and the lilies are not grown in gardens. Both of these creations of God are dependent solely upon His provision and accomplish what they are created for … to be a bird and bloom in season.

What are the birds not able to do for themselves?

Whose job is it to provide for the birds?

Why should that realization bring us peace about God’s provision for us?

In verse 32, what assurance does Jesus give us concerning our needs?

How can we separate our needs from our wants?

How are we told in verse 33 to order our lives?

What does “His Kingdom” and “His righteous” mean to you?

Constant worry causes us to miss out on today, and it hinders our Christian witness. (Think about it - why would anyone want to hear about your Savior and Lord, if, all you do is worry about everything?!) You can’t have faith and worry at the same time. Worrying is a choice and so is trusting. Choose wisely.

Where's My Bailout "Gotta Serve Somebody"?

Encounters "Authentic Faith"

Encounters "Quench Your Thirst"

New Greifshare Group

A new Griefshare group is beginning on Monday nights at 6:30. For more information, contact Gary Funderburk at gfunderburk@eastbayou.org or 337-984-8291.

Encounters "I Don't Know"

Mark 10:17-22 "Being a Good Ole Boy"

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to do right, except in letting yourself think that being a good ole boy or good ole girl will be the means of your salvation. In the Bible, Jesus encounters a good ole boy who claims to have followed every commandment of Moses since birth and wants to know what must be done to inherit eternal life. By his own claims if anyone deserved a gold star from God and had earned his way to salvation, it would have been this young man. Unfortunately, the young man goes away sad because Jesus tells him that salvation is not something we can earn but it is instead a gift from God when we choose to believe in Him. Beyond belief, salvation leads to the sacrifice of worldly treasure and pleasures for future riches in heaven. For those of us who wish to see the difference between just being good and being saved begins and ends with Jesus Christ.

1. What makes so many of us chase the idea of acting perfect instead of being perfected through Christ? How is the rich young ruler an example of this type of good ole boy thinking and living?

2. Jesus asked the rich young ruler to go and sell everything he had and give it to the poor which made the young man sad. What would you be sad to give up if it was requested of you? Why do you think that Jesus makes this request of him?

Men's Retreat

Hello everyone,
Here is an update on last weekends men's retreat. 184 men attended and 8 accepted Christ! WHat a great weekend!

Encounters "Being a Good Ole Boy"

Men's Retreat

Hey everyone,
We have 190 men signed up for this weekend! It is going to be a great weekend! It's not too late to come. Call the church office and speak to Andy or Jonathan if you would like to attend.
Please be in prayer for us this weekend also.

Encounter Eternity - 3/8/09

This week our topic is one that is not too popular…death. But, you know where death is concerned, the stats tell the story…one out of one dies. For each of us on this side of heaven it is the only way out unless Christ comes back. For most of us it’s not so much being dead that concerns us, but how death will happen and what happens after that. Thankfully God knew that we’d have questions about what comes after this life is done, and the bible is filled with answers to that all important question…

What’s next for me when I get to the end of this life?

Encounters "Encounter Eternity" - March 8, 2009

Bridge Ministries

Men's Retreat

Hey Guys,

It's the last weekend to get signed up for the Men's Retreat. If you want to get in, see one of the guys at the Welcome desk Sunday or call Andy or Jonathan at 3370984-8291.

Encounters - "Life 2.0"

Mess up!

Hey everyone,

Last week when I wrote the questions for the curriculum, I put the wrong gospel in. It is supposed to be Mark NOT Matthew! Sorry about that.

Please make the correction on your lessons!

AT