Expectation

Hello Friends,

A word of encouragement as we head into another weekend and church Sunday. Very often we receive what we expect in life. There is an old proverb that states, "He who expecteth nothing shall not be deceived!" Are we receiving nothing because that is what is fated for us or are we expecting nothing therefore we are receiving nothing? Scripture tells us that in the latter days it would be common in the church for there to be a form of Godliness but no power. The power of God would be absent from Christ's body, the church. Maybe that is because we are not expecting anything.

We encourage you to attend church Sunday with an excitement of expectation.

Heb 10:19-22 KJV
9 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

A full assurance of faith that God, Himself, will confirm His Word with signs following!

Love in Christ,

Pastors Frank and Judi

P.S. Don't forget Sunday is Breakfast Sunday! Bring enough for yours and a little more and come fellowship with us!

Abiding

Hello Friends,

You cannot have faith without abiding in the source of faith.
Scripture is called the Word of Faith
Jesus is called the Living Faith.
We need the book but We must go from a book of faith to a person of faith.

John 15:4-5 KJV
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

What have you been abiding in this week?

Looking for you in church tomorrow!

Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org

Focus on the eternal

Hello Friends,

We receive a stern warning from our Lord in the book of Matthew:

Matt 24:37-39 KJV
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Have you ever been driving down the road and someone with you asks, "Did you see that person (or animal) standing in the edge of the road?"
and you have to admit that you didn't see anything? It is scary to realize how close we might come to running over something and never having seen it at all because our concentration was on steering the automobile.

Jesus warns us not to get so busy with the daily routine of life that we miss the Author of Life, Himself!

We look forward to gathering with you in church Sunday to rekindle the flame and keep it burning brightly!

In His service,

Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org

A Way Of Escape

Hello Friends,

God told Abraham before Isaac was ever born that his children would be enslaved for four hundred years. The fact that Egypt held the children of Israel captive and used them as slaves did not catch God by surprise. Not only was He aware of it, He had prepared a way of escape long before they ever needed it.

If you are a child of God, He not only is aware of your problems, He has already prepared a way of escape! Your part is not to figure out how God will do it but simply to trust and look to Him.

1 Cor 10:13 Weymouth

No temptation has you in its power but such as is common to human nature; and God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. But, when the temptation comes, He will also provide the way of escape; so that you may be able to bear it.

We are looking forward to seeing you in church tomorrow. Come expecting!

Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org

Father's Day

Hello Friends,

This Sunday is Father's day! Father's day does not compare to Mother's day in the number of cards mailed, flowers sent, dinners bought, phone calls made, money spent or any other way you want to compare the two days.

It is always amazing to me how over-sized football players being interviewed after some great feat on the field often respond, "Hi Mom" into the camera. It is not that they don't love or appreciate Dad. Dad's program after a son is born is to raise a man. To mom, he may be six foot five and weight over 300 lbs but he is still her baby and always will be.

Eph 6:2-3 KJV
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Don't forget to at least call dad Sunday and let him know how much you appreciate him!

In His Love,


Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org

Diet

Hello Friends,

Diet is a very important part of our earthly walk. Growing up in the south everything was seasoned with such seasonings as fat back or streaked meat. If it was not fried we didn't want to eat it. Oven baked, grilled or roasted was unheard of. God began to deal with me years ago that if i wanted to walk in divine health I would have to judge my diet and eat properly. It was not easy and I am still working on it.

Every time God changed where Israel was to exist He had to change their diet. Egypt was one diet, the wilderness was another and the promise land was still another. The object was to move them from milk to meat and then strong meat. That is what would be required for them to defeat the devil.

Heb 5:12 KJV
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Judge your diet so you may be ever ready to fight the good fight of faith!

Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org

PS Don't forget this is Breakfast Sunday. See you in the fellowship hall 9:30 A.M.

The Engrafted Word

Hello Friends,

James 1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Two things we are instructed to do in this verse, separate ourselves from filthiness and the overflow of wickedness and to receive the engrafted or implanted Word and thereby saving our soul (our mind, will and emotions). The Father has saved our spirits but left our souls up to us. It is a process that requires time and the encouragement of other Christians. Hang in there don't give up! The only way Satan can defeat you is for you to give up and quit.

Pastors Frank and Judi
ffc-upstate.org