This Sunday at Grace:
Live Stream Worship
10:50 am
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Like many of you, Robbie and I are watching the news and remembering what happened 20 years ago on this day. I was at work in Atlanta at the Georgia Baptist Convention when I first heard planes had deliberately crashed into the World Trade Centers. It was so far away in New York, but it felt like it was downtown not far from where I was. Our nation was under attack.
The Executive Committee was meeting that day. When the news flashed across the multiple television screens in our building, the first thing pastors and leaders did from all across Georgia was fall on their knees and begin to pray. Rather than watch the attack unfold, our first priority was to pray. That's what believers in Jesus do. Rather than watch everything happen, rather than cow-down in fear, rather than wonder or hide, believers turn to their Heavenly Father in prayer.
As I am watching and remembering this morning, I am also thinking about preaching in the morning on the kingdom of God. Jesus told us to pray, "...Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
I have been praying that all week:
"Lord, let your kingdom and will take over this world. May your will and kingdom take over my heart. Father, I want your kingdom to rule and reign right now in our church just like it does in heaven where you are. Father, bring heaven to this earth and let it start in my home."
What if 9/11, even the memory and aftermath of it, could be transformed into the perfect, holy, and everlasting kingdom of God?
What if all the heartache, tortured lives, maimed and disfigured veterans caused by that terrible day be changed into happy, peace loving, and perfectly healthy people who are a part of God's kingdom family?
What if the only thing that prevents the coming of God's kingdom on earth is the prayers of God's people?
Would you pray more?
Would you believe in prayer more?
Would you teach your children how to pray?
Be at Grace in the morning. We're going to pray together, "Thy kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" just like Jesus taught us to pray. What better way to remember all the lives lost 20 years ago, what better way to cleanse our souls and spirits of the terrible aftermath of that day, what better way to practice our faith than to join believers together in church tomorrow morning to pray. We're going to take Jesus at His word by believing together that His kingdom is better and higher than this world can ever be. We're going to say, "Jesus, we believe in the power of prayer." We're going to agree that WE WANT THE KINGDOM OF GOD RIGHT NOW to reign and rule in our hearts.
The Executive Committee was meeting that day. When the news flashed across the multiple television screens in our building, the first thing pastors and leaders did from all across Georgia was fall on their knees and begin to pray. Rather than watch the attack unfold, our first priority was to pray. That's what believers in Jesus do. Rather than watch everything happen, rather than cow-down in fear, rather than wonder or hide, believers turn to their Heavenly Father in prayer.
As I am watching and remembering this morning, I am also thinking about preaching in the morning on the kingdom of God. Jesus told us to pray, "...Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
I have been praying that all week:
"Lord, let your kingdom and will take over this world. May your will and kingdom take over my heart. Father, I want your kingdom to rule and reign right now in our church just like it does in heaven where you are. Father, bring heaven to this earth and let it start in my home."
What if 9/11, even the memory and aftermath of it, could be transformed into the perfect, holy, and everlasting kingdom of God?
What if all the heartache, tortured lives, maimed and disfigured veterans caused by that terrible day be changed into happy, peace loving, and perfectly healthy people who are a part of God's kingdom family?
What if the only thing that prevents the coming of God's kingdom on earth is the prayers of God's people?
Would you pray more?
Would you believe in prayer more?
Would you teach your children how to pray?
Be at Grace in the morning. We're going to pray together, "Thy kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" just like Jesus taught us to pray. What better way to remember all the lives lost 20 years ago, what better way to cleanse our souls and spirits of the terrible aftermath of that day, what better way to practice our faith than to join believers together in church tomorrow morning to pray. We're going to take Jesus at His word by believing together that His kingdom is better and higher than this world can ever be. We're going to say, "Jesus, we believe in the power of prayer." We're going to agree that WE WANT THE KINGDOM OF GOD RIGHT NOW to reign and rule in our hearts.
Pastor Mike
Note: Dishes of food for the family meal should be delivered to the funeral home by 4:00 pm on Thursday, August 12th.
It is important during these days of concern over the Coronavirus outbreak in our country for all of our families, members and guests to be as cautious and safe as possible. According to the CDC website at Coronavius.gov we should be taking the following steps:
- Wash your hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If using a hand sanitizer, use one that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Do your best to keep your hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact. Stay at least 3 feet away from other people whenever possible.
- If you develop a fever, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone. Your doctor will advise you appropriately.
- Cough or Sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands.
Keep praying for the health of our church family, for all those who have contracted the virus and for our officials across the country who have the great responsibility of dealing with this health emergency. PRAYER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Sundays Are Great At Grace
Welcome to Grace Baptist Church. Of all the names given to churches everywhere, the name chosen by this congregation over 50 years ago says everything about the heart of God whom we serve. God's purpose of Grace was in His heart before sin was ever in the heart of man.
Grace expresses the eternal purpose of God to redeem us from our sins: "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8, NASV). Grace is the glorious display of God' sovereign goodness.
The character of Grace Baptist Church is not only conveyed in the gospel we preach, but in the manner by which God's amazing grace is shown through our fellowship and sharing with others. Our church is committed to not only proclaim the message of God's amazing grace, but also to show it by the way we live for Jesus every day. We truly want to be people who are filled with God's grace and freely give it away.
We invite you and your family to come attend our services and see if we are the people we propose to be. Better yet, come join with us and help us become more and more a people who are like what our name says we are, "...much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17b, NASV)
I pray God's grace for you. It will abundantly save you through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7, NASV). God's amazing grace will bless your life, your family and friends, as you daily live for Jesus. I look forward to seeing and greeting you soon in the name of Jesus. "...Grace be with you" (Colossians 4:18).
Pastor Mike Williams
Grace expresses the eternal purpose of God to redeem us from our sins: "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8, NASV). Grace is the glorious display of God' sovereign goodness.
The character of Grace Baptist Church is not only conveyed in the gospel we preach, but in the manner by which God's amazing grace is shown through our fellowship and sharing with others. Our church is committed to not only proclaim the message of God's amazing grace, but also to show it by the way we live for Jesus every day. We truly want to be people who are filled with God's grace and freely give it away.
We invite you and your family to come attend our services and see if we are the people we propose to be. Better yet, come join with us and help us become more and more a people who are like what our name says we are, "...much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17b, NASV)
I pray God's grace for you. It will abundantly save you through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7, NASV). God's amazing grace will bless your life, your family and friends, as you daily live for Jesus. I look forward to seeing and greeting you soon in the name of Jesus. "...Grace be with you" (Colossians 4:18).
Pastor Mike Williams