Peace of Mind

Weekly Update – January 18th, 2023

Just like that, we are now in the third week of January. Many of us set goals and in our minds, we perhaps proclaimed that this was going to be the best year yet.  But maybe you are like me as I look back at the last few weeks and you notice that the goals you set for this year, are not really being accomplished.  Personally, I have already found myself behind on my Bible reading plan, behind on my workout plan and behind in other areas as well.  Even bigger though, this concept might expand beyond the New Year.  It is easy to look back on our lives and have a goal as to where we would like to be and as we evaluate, we see that we are far from it.  This type of introspection can cause a minor degree of disappointment if you think of it only in terms of goals set for the New Year.  But it can cause a major degree of anxiety and despair if we continue to evaluate ourselves and see that we have fallen short of life expectations that either we have set or others have set before us.

Matt Perman wrote a book titled, What’s Best Next. It is a book on productivity and practices that are useful for diligence as you work for the Lord. He said something striking on page 119 about how we should view our work as Christians. He says,

“The ultimate solution to the dilemma I faced is basing our ultimate peace of mind on something other than our own efforts.  Making our peace of mind dependent on what we do is ultimately a law-based approach to the Christian life, just as basing our acceptance by God on our good works is a law-based approach to justification.”

For someone like me who finds a lot of peace based upon being productive and accomplishing tasks, this is extremely enlightening.  Like our faith, our peace of mind should not be based upon anything we do, but based upon Jesus Christ and what he has already done for us.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  To experience peace, we are called to lift up our hearts to God in prayer.  Then in verse 8, Paul continues, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”  So lift your requests, your fears, your despair, your unfulfilled desires and your anxiety to the Lord, but then, fill your mind with truth and excellence based upon Jesus Christ and his gospel. 

When we are unable to keep up with the tasks and events in our life, or when we fail to reach the goals that we have set before us, we can still take heart.  We can take heart through seeking the Lord because we know that our identity is not defined before God in what we do, but through what Jesus did for us.  It is true that we should have a sense of satisfaction from our work and in achieving goals, but our peace of mind should never be determined by what we do.  Our peace of mind should always be found outside of ourselves.  And when it is, that is when we truly find ourselves free to serve God and others the way that God created us to. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- John 14:6

Announcements:

Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, January 14th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4 week class (1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.

Men’s Bible Study: Starting on Wednesday, January 24th, there will be a new men’s study beginning. The study will be based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. From here, the study will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study will begin on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions will be offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Greeting Team: If you are interested in joining the greeting team, there will be a sign up sheet in the hallway this Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.

Home Groups: A potential new group will be forming for this coming spring. If you are not in a home group but would like to join one, look for a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. You can find more information about home groups HERE.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm. There will be no evening activities on Wednesday, December 27th.