Time and money are very similar. We have them both in limited quantity. There never seems to be enough. And we usually have trouble finding out where they went. There are two ways though, that time and money are different. Unlike money we all have the same amount of time to spend and money cannot be saved. Rather than spending our time, why not invest it in people?

This happens to be one of the busiest Summers I can remember. It began with the end of year activities with Student and Children's ministries. Vacation Bible School came just three days after school ended followed by Student Summer Camp then the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas. After a short week in the office we were off to Children's Camp (1st and 2nd graders). As I write this I am preparing for our Student Leadership Retreat with our high school Juniors and Seniors in our Student Ministry. Next week we will be helping at camp as volunteers then we will have our annual Church Camp Out. The last couple of weeks in July my family and I will take a vacation in Alaska with Grandma and Grandpa before school starts again in August. It seems that the Summer is already gone. As I think of where it went though, I am pleased. I think of the ten children that became Jesus followers in Vacation Bible School. At Student camp, one of the students decided it was time to get serious about walking with Christ. Just two days ago, a first grader asked Jesus to be his "boss" in addition to forgiving him for his sin. Tonight I get to empower our team of seven student leaders as we prepare for the coming school year in student ministry. Next week I will be able to encourage campers and staff at Sivells Baptist Camp. Then we get to hang out together as a church family at the camp out spending time with God in His Word and encouraging one another.

Yes, the Summer is almost gone. Or is it? Rather than spending the Summer doing things, I believe I have invested it in the lives of others. Already I have seen some of the returns. I know I will see more in the days ahead.

How about you? Are you spending your time or are you investing it? Why don't you join me in asking God how we can invest our time in the lives of others? Let us be encouraged by the Apostle Paul through his words to Timothy.

2 Timothy 2:2 "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

Titus Part 4 - Instructions in Godliness

Christianity from the Inside Out

Titus 2:1-10ESV

1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

"Why do we call it 'Good Friday'? It is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. What is 'good' about that? "

If you have ever asked that question, you are not alone. It seems counter-intuitive that we should celebrate Jesus being crucified on the cross. In fact, the "Good Friday" service usually ends on a down note. Everything in the service leads up to the cross, Jesus is crucified, and we all leave quietly with thoughts of the crucifixion on our mind. What is "good" about that? In order to answer that question, it is important that we understand what happened on the cross.

Jesus' crucifixion on the cross wasn't simply Him dying in our place. Yes, He was physically beaten beyond recognition. He did suffer and die because of His love for us, but it was so much more. Jesus wasn't a martyr, He was the sacrifice for our sin.

What makes Good Friday "good" is what was accomplished on the cross. Namely, Jesus took the wrath of God for our sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21

"For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Colossians 2:14

"by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside nailing it to the cross."

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ."

1. He was the perfect, sinless, sacrifice.

2. He became our sin.

3. He paid the penalty for our sin.

When we gather to celebrate "Good Friday," we remember the price that was paid for our sin was paid by Jesus.

We are so excited to present our newly designed website. As you can see, it has a fresh new look and easy navigation to help you get the information you need quickly and efficiently. Many thanks to the ChurchSpring team for helping us launch such a beautiful new church website. To God be the glory!

First Baptist Church's mission is to meet people at the crossroads of life with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help one another along the journey of spiritual growth. Please let us know how we can help you.

There's still a lot of information to be added, and we hope to keep the site fresh and up to date. If you have any ideas about how we can improve the site or use it better, please leave a comment below.

If you're a first time visitor to our website, we would love to have you visit our church this Sunday. You'll get a warm welcome and a wonderful Gospel message. Feel free to browse our new website and get to know us. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to give us a call at 575-681-2763 or send us an email.

From all of us at First Baptist Church, welcome to our new church website.