Happy Anniversary
Marriage is a picture of the gospel. Wives are called to submit to their husbands. Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church. These commands are impossible to obey in our own strength. We must be Spirit-filled.
Archive for month: May, 2021
A Never-Ending Love Story
There are many reasons to find the Bible beautiful. One reason is because of its captivating storytelling. The beloved disciple John paints a breathtaking picture of the life of Jesus and the love he has for his disciples, his Father, and for you. Graham Faulkner helps us consider the never-ending love of Jesus.
God’s Ultimate Demonstration of Love
I love you are three powerful words. Even more powerful is demonstrating the love we have for someone with actions- even more so when that love seems unwarranted. God showed his love for us when we were still sinners, when we were his enemies, when we had nothing to offer him. He loved us and gave us his only son!
College and Singles Weekly Update – May 20-27th
BFG Back to Rm 202 on June 6
IMPORTANT:
Our College and Singles BFG will be back to Rm 202 on June 6.
The college BFG will meet at 9:00 am.
The Singles BFG will meet at 10:30 am.
For our first week back on June 6th, we will have a big breakfast for everyone above the main lobby!!!
Summer Schedule
The Summer schedule is finally here.
As we come out of Covid we are looking at spending time together in the word and having some fun in the sun! Be sure to mark off the following dates on your calendar-you won‘t want to miss them!!
June 2- Singles Girls and Guys Bible Studies
June 9- College Girls and Guys Bible Studies
June 13- College Cookout
June 16- Singles Girls and Guys Bible Studies
June 23- College Girls and Guys Bible Studies
June 26- Singles Cookout
June 30- College Activate Games
July 7- Singles Girls and Guys Bible Study
June 14- College Girls and Guys Bible Study
July 17 – Singles to Mammoth Cave
July 21- Singles Girls and Guys Bible Study
Aug 4 – College Girls and Guys Bible Study
Aug 10 – Combined Outing to see the Louisville Bats Baseball Game
~Be sure to note which events listed above are for college, singles, or both~
Weekly Word- Don’t Waste Your Summer:
Brought to us by Philip Brown, Singles and College Pastor.
It was 2003 and I was in my second year in seminary when this little book came out called Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. At that time I really didn’t know much about Piper except that he was a pastor and a great speaker that I had heard from the Passion Conferences.
But…there was that speech about the couple collecting seashells when they retired vs. missionaries giving their life to serve people until they had died in a car accident. Hmm. Wow!. That message challenged my thoughts that day…maybe the tragedy was actually the senior adults collecting seashells. Were they wasting the life they had left during retirement?
So what was the background passage that led to this powerful message? It was Galatians 6:14 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”. Are you ready to only boast in the Cross this summer? For the world offers nothing to us that is satisfying. So…
As we come out of covid and enter into the summer, many of you are rethinking life and thinking maybe how to start over and do better.
My challenge is the same. Start by not wasting your summer. Get involved in serving the church as much as you can. Boast only in the cross by serving the Lord even in the basin and towel ministries. If there is not a teaching position, then pick up trash for the glory of God around your church building for the 3 months you are there!
If you would like to listen to an abbreviated version of Piper’s message, click here.
Pomp & Circumstance
Frequently, Christians wish we could receive a diploma to let us know we’ve accomplished some spiritual phase. We want some evidence of God’s conferring a level up to the next rank in the Christian life. But that’s not how it works in God’s economy. God’s grace brings us into God’s kingdom, and God’s grace will see us through until our faith becomes sight. God’s very nature is to love us and to care for us. Derek Riley reminds us of these hopes and promises from Galatians 2:20.
God is Rich in Mercy
I need mercy. You need mercy. There is a mercy shortage in the world today among sinners. Good news, God is rich in mercy, and he loves to lavish it upon all who ask. Come to him for mercy today!
He’s Still Working on Me
The Lord loves his children. He disciplines us in his love to continue to make us what he wants us to be. He is merciful.
Mega-cognition
Do you ever think about the way the Lord works? Do you try to understand his ways? Brandon Pisacrita helps us consider these questions today. Isaiah 55:8 tells us God’s thoughts and ways are higher. We find comfort in trusting that God will always have our best interest for us if we are in a right relationship with him.
College and Singles Weekly Update – May 13-20th
Singles BFG to Kart Kountry
All right everyone! The Singles are going go-carting this Saturday, May 15. We will meet at the church at 3 pm for carpooling/caravaning to Kart Kountry in Shepherdsville. If you want to meet us there that will work as well. See you there! Here is the link to find out what they offer!
BFG and Service back to Pre-Covid Status Starting June 6
We have survived a summer of BFG on zoom, a fall of small groups on Zoom, a winter in a big white tent… FINALLY, we are going back to Rm 202 for BFG on June 6th! (and yes there shall be food!) Many of you haven’t even experienced what some of us know as a normal naobc Sunday morning. We are stoked to show you!
The only switch will be that our college and singles BFG hours are switched.
College BFG will meet at 9 and the singles at 10:30.
We also will be doing more lunches after church. I know many of you have been doing this but our family is looking forward to joining you again.
Thank you again for your faithfulness over this past year and we are looking forward to the weeks to come.
Summer Plans for College and Singles
There will be plenty to do in June and July for both Singles and College Students at NAOBC. We will be doing a blend of Bible Studies and Fellowships starting that first Wednesday night of June. The final schedule is not out yet but there will be studies for guys and girls groups and combined activities about every other week. If you have any ideas for a great time of fellowship, please let us know by sending us an email at pbrown@naobc.org
Weekly Word: Disciplines, Habits, or Life.
Brought to us by Philip Brown, College & Singles Pastor.
I was reading an old devotional book this morning for my quiet time called Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. My Grandfather and parents always read this with their Our Daily Bread. The challenge by Oswald Chambers was pretty simple but posed a simple question. If I create a Habit of a daily quiet time have I actually achieved a better spiritual life? The answer is not so easy, is it?
As much as I try to be disciplined for the sake of Holiness I can many times judge my personal walk by how many times I read my bible or even how many bible verses I know. On the other hand, if I don’t get in God’s word and take it to heart then the Holy Spirit can’t do the work it needs. Ugh!
So, as you try to get into a new schedule for the summer and covid diminishes- be sure that we all are in God’s word but also be praying for yourself and other believers to be transformed into His likeness. Take longer walks, read longer passages and check up on people that you have not heard from in a while. May we all have the desire to follow the Lord and be drawn into a closer relationship with Him.
-Pastor Philip
