Lose Your Life

"Jesus said that if you are not willing to give up your life for His sake and His Kingdom, you will lose it ( Luke 9:24) . But if we deny self ; if we follow the example of Christ and put the welfare of others before our own desires; if we repudiate self and give our lives for the salvation of others , we will find our lives and, in the end come out winners~~ Leroy Elms"

Urgent Need

There is a family of six that is in URGENT need of food or gas cards.There is also a need for girls clothing, size 18 husky. The mother of the family has gotten a new job, but won't get a paycheck for another few weeks. This is a very time sensitive need. If you're able to help, please bring stuff to Stephanie Simmons on either Wednesday night or Sunday. Anything that you can do will be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Paradox

"It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn’t want our success; he wants us. He doesn’t demand our achievements; he demands our obedience. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of paradox, where through the ugly defeat of a cross a holy God is utterly glorified. Victory comes through defeat; healing through brokenness; finding self through losing self. -- Charles W. Colson

The Fruit of Faithfulness

“The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness...” Galatians 5:22b

 Faithfulness flows from the fruit of the Spirit’s vine with divine fidelity. It is the ability to stay the course in a crisis or to correct a corrupt circumstance. Faithfulness is a personal resolve to stay committed in marriage through “sickness and health, richer and poorer and to death do us part.” Faithfulness feels a compelling call from Christ to stay put in a career, especially when it’s not easy, knowing perseverance leads to righteous rewards.
 
Are you at the crossroads of a commitment? Will you remain faithful, even though it is unfair and hard? It is easier to follow Jesus when He heals and forgives. It is harder to be a dedicated disciple when you are persecuted for your faith and demeaned for doing good. However, because Christ remained faithful to the Cross, on the Cross and after the Cross, you remain faithful to bear your cross for Christ. Faithfulness finds faithfulness by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” Romans 3:3

Moreover, make sure to keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the unfaithfulness of others. People will let you down; so do not place them on a pedestal. A friend’s unfaithfulness, even betrayal is your opportunity to remain faithful, as you lean into the Lord’s faithfulness. Scared friends may scatter and an insecure family member may gossip, but you still model loyalty to those you love. Love is faithful in the face of unfaithfulness.
 
Furthermore, you can rely on the faithfulness of your heavenly Father. He is faithful when you are not faithful. He is faithful to give you courage when you face fearful situations. He is faithful to give abundant grace in your time of great need. He is faithful to give you wisdom for the best decision. He extends you mercy, so you can be merciful. The Lord’s faithfulness facilitates your faithfulness. So, stay faithful to Him and them!

“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
                                                                                                            -Boyd Bailey

Engage Jax

EngageJax Conference - September 9

On Sunday evening, September 9 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, we will be hosting here at First Baptist Church of Orange Park, the annual EngageJax Conference. This annual conference is sponsored by the network of churches in the Jacksonville Baptist Association. This year, the focus is "Domain Engagement."
Our guest speaker this evening will be Bob Roberts, Sr. Pastor of NorthWood Church in Keller, Texas and Chief Visionary Officer of Vision360. For a better description of how the church must embrace domain engagement, watch Bob in the video linked here.
This concept is key to winning this city and community for Christ.
Mark your calendars and get your child-care secured (there's no child-care available at the church this evening) and plan to join up to 200 other churches this evening.
Leading us in worship this evening will be Ascension Worship. This group of worshippers from various Jacksonville-area churches, are gifted and anointed by God. The worship is fresh and worthy of the One who is our audience

"I think it is valuable to be poked at and I think - and this is obviously where things are headed-it's going to be much harder to be a Christian in America … which means to be a Christian you actually have to think it's worth it. You actually have to think it through, you actually have to process it." - Phil Vischer
"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."- Luke 9:23

Isaiah 41:10