- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

On May 3rd, I attended a City Council meeting to address the alcohol agenda in our community.  The items of business centered on expanding pouring hours for alcohol and to decrease the food-to-beverage ratio for restaurants in Douglasville.  When I arrived, the hallway leading up to the City Hall’s meeting room was already full of people, and I noticed that it was standing room only in the meeting room.

The City Council heard the respectful complaints, disapproval, statistics, and concerned hearts of citizens for 30 minutes (maximum allotted time).  The Council then allowed those who supported the alcohol expansion to speak, but the entire 30 minutes was not needed because there were only a few supporters in the building.

The Council heard from several pastors, citizens, business owners, a Douglas County deputy who came with the blessing of the Sheriff, and a retired law enforcement officer.  The deputy who spoke in opposition works on the Heat unit, whose job is to arrest DUI offenders.  He provided startling statistics that show the massive increase of DUI offenders who are arrested in our community between midnight and 3:00am.  It was apparent that our community doesn’t benefit and is not in favor of the expanded alcohol sales and lower food-to-beverage ratio ordinances.

On May 7th, I attended the voting session of the City Council as they voted on item 20-12-28 to allow pouring of alcohol for an additional 2 hours on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Councilman McLain read the Public Safety Committee’s report which contained valuable information regarding the wellbeing of our community, and he explained that the conclusion of the committee was to oppose the ordinance.  After the report was read, the Council voted 5-2 to reject the committee’s report. Mayor Pro Tem Larry Yockey then turned and reintroduced the item 20-12-28 with a motion to approve since the Public Safety Committee’s report was rejected.  After a bit of clarification, the vote was taken and the identical 5-2 vote approved the expanded alcohol ordinances.  Immediately Larry Yockey wanted to speak to this decision.  He said, “Not only will this help the restaurants, but it will help our small businesses, motels, gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, shopping and much, much more.”  He went on to say, “And this is a huge step in that direction.”

Is that true?  Is it the right direction for Douglasville?  What’s the big deal?  It’s just a couple of extra hours – right?  Wrong!  I stand in opposition to the alcohol agenda in our community for the following reasons:

• The Council members who voted in favor of approving this extended alcohol pouring ordinance are:  Larry Yockey, Carl Pope, Samuel Davis, LaShun Burr-Danley and Doug Lequire.  They heard the voice of money rather than the voice of the people of this community.  If this is going to help so many business owners as Larry Yockey suggests, why were there only 2 business owners in our community present at the May 3rd meeting to show approval?
• My father is a 35 year veteran of the Douglas Co. Fire Dept.  He has seen his fair share of alcohol related accidents, and they are always increased during the late hours. The fact is, increasing our pouring hours in this community will do nothing but contribute to drunkenness and increase the level of danger on our streets.  It’s a known fact that most people don’t go into a restaurant / bar and order a hamburger and a beer at 2am.  The truth is, this decision will cost people their lives.
• As a pastor in this community, I desire the best for our people.  Douglasville should have a family atmosphere where young families will desire to move-in rather than move-out.   When dealing with the deep pain of alcohol related tragedies, families don’t go to Larry Yockey’s office to sort out their most difficult moments. They sit in the offices of pastors in our community looking for answers. When families are riddled with alcohol abuse that leads to verbal and physical abuse – they don’t seek out the five Council members who voted to approve this ordinance.  Those hurting people spend time in the offices of pastors in our community looking for help.  These expanded ordinances will harm our community, and we will have Larry Yockey, Carl Pope, Samuel Davis, LaShun Burr-Danley and Doug Lequire to thank for it.

I’m not a transplant pastor living in this community from another state.  I grew up in Douglas County. I have had family members who owned and operated businesses downtown.  I remember walking down the sidewalk of Douglasville as a young boy on Saturday mornings looking for baseball cards and bicycles!  I window shopped at Western Auto for new riding toys.  I purchased camouflage from the army surplus store, and my parents purchased my blue jeans and shoes at O’Neal’s store when I was a boy.  I now live here as a father and husband.  I serve as the pastor of families who live and work in the city of Douglasville, and own businesses here.  I have a heart for our city!  I speak for many concerned citizens when I say this decision will not lead us in the right direction.

No one on the City Council, including Larry Yockey, would trade $1,000,000 in added revenue in our city for one single life that will die as a result of this bad decision.  I urge our citizens to voice their opinions and push a family agenda into our community rather than what is obviously taking place now.  I am concerned – I am standing unashamedly in disapproval – and I will continue to voice my opposition to the bad business agenda of alcohol in our community.

I hope this decision can be overturned!  Please join me in calling the Council members and expressing your displeasure with the fact that they ignored the voice of the people.  They can be reached through e-mail found on the City of Douglasville’s website, or you can call them (770-920-3000).

Proverbs 20:1 – Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Thank you,

Pastor Josh Buice

Acts 9:19 - And taking food, he was strengthened.  For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Acts 9:26 – And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

Notice that after Saul was converted, he identified himself immediately with the disciples in Damascus.  After a bit of study, we learn that he remained there for a period of three years.  After being ran out of town for his bold proclamation of Jesus as the Christ of God – he went to Jerusalem.  It was there that he immediately tried to join the disciples (followers of Christ).  In both cases, we see the converted Saul trying to identify, associate, and join up with the followers of Christ.  We see urgency in Saul’s identity with the disciples in these two cities.  That urgency and commitment by Saul is often overlooked as it falls in the shadow of his massive conversion.

What can we learn regarding Saul’s commitment and urgency for identifying with a visible group of disciples?

1.  Membership Matters

When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible clearly says that He died for the church (Ephesians 5:25).  If God places such high focus and priority upon the church, we should do the same!  Mark Dever writes, “Jesus said, ‘I will build My church’ (Matt. 16:18). If Jesus is committed to the church, should we be any less committed to it?“1  It was Martyn Lloyd-Jones who once said, “We must grasp once again, the idea of church membership as being the membership of the body of Christ and as the biggest honour which can come a man’s way in this world.”2

2.  Membership is God’s Plan

While nothing but Jesus’ blood is sufficient and necessary to save lost sinners, God has never saved one single person and designed them to be a lone-ranger Christian.  Membership is essential to spiritual growth, healthy relationships, and spiritual accountability.  We should place urgency in our pursuit of a local church.  Charles Spurgeon once said, “I well remember how I joined the church after my conversion. I forced myself into it by telling the pastor, who was lax and slow, after I had called four or five times and could not see him, that I had done my duty, and if he did not see me and interview me for church membership, I would call a church meeting myself and tell them I believed in Christ and ask them if they would have me.”3

Spiritual Growth:  God has designed His church to operate as a called out assembly who gathers for corporate worship.  This assembly submits to the preaching of God’s appointed servants known in the New Testament as elders or pastors (Hebrews 13:17).  These elders preach the Word and deacons (the only other office specified for the local church) are set apart for service (1 Timothy 3; Acts 6).  The early church was gathered around the preaching of Scripture as the centerpiece of their worship (Acts 2).  Therefore, God’s design is for His people to gather for worship as a body and to grow in the knowledge and truth of God’s amazing grace.

Healthy Relationships:  At the end of Acts 2, we see the church gathered around the teaching and preaching of the apostles.  Beyond that picture, we also see that they enjoyed the fellowship of one another.  As my grandmother always taught me when I was a boy, “Birds of a feather flock together.”  That is a true statement regarding the people of Christ.  We need healthy relationships in order to grow in grace, sharpen one another, and to encourage one another in difficult times.  As creatures who are easily influenced, we must make sure we are placing wholesome influences before our eyes and the eyes of our children.

Furthermore, these relationships are not only necessary for spiritual progress, but for times of need.  When death comes and visits your home unexpectedly, when the doctors diagnose you with the “C” word (cancer), or when you find out that you have lost your job and you have a family of six to feed and house, you need the church.  An old song was once popular back some years ago titled, “People Need The Lord” – and while that is a true statement indeed – we must come to grips with the reality that people need the church!  God never intended us to be islands floating around alone in the Christian life.

Spiritual Accountability:  Since God never designed His church to operate as lone-ranger believers roaming the earth, we must have firm accountability.  In 2 Timothy 4, we see the apostle Paul (the converted terrorist) informing Timothy regarding his role as the pastor of Ephesus.  Part of that role involved rebuking those who were living in sin.  In Hebrews 13:17, we see that the elders are to provide oversight, guidance, and leadership – even correction.  In Matthew 18, we see that the entire church body should be involved in the discipline of one another.  Jesus Himself laid out the proper method of church discipline so that the bride of Christ would remain pure.  As in all cases of accountability, we should strive to live according to the Word of God rather than legalistic rules of man.  However, we should take membership seriously in order to properly submit ourselves to accountability from the Word preached, the leaders who oversee, and faithful loving fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Spiritual Giftedness:  God has saved people and called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.  The church is the “assembly” of believers.  That assembly functions through different gifts of the Spirit of God.  Not all are called to preach or serve, but all Christians have a spiritual gift that should be exercised in the life of the church for God’s glory.  The apostle Paul properly described this process by using the description of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

To the professing Christian who refuses to assemble and serve, how good is your spiritual giftedness benefiting the cause of Christ on your sofa or at the lake on Sunday?  Mark Dever rightly says, “If the church is a building, then we must be bricks in it; if the church is a body, then we are its members; if the church is a household of faith, then we are part of that household. Sheep are in a flock, and branches on a vine. Biblically, if we are Christians we must be members of a church. This membership is not simply the record of a statement we once made or of affection toward a familiar place. It must be the reflection of a living commitment or it is worthless.”4

3.  Membership Creates Visible Identity

The invisible church of God around the world is made visible by the local church.  Dr. Don Whitney writes, “When you join a church, you make it visible. You give a living demonstration of the spiritual reality of the body of Christ. You show that even though you are an individual, you are a part of the body; you are joined together with others. You take the body of Christ out of the realm of the theoretical (1 Cor. 12:27) and give it a meaning that people can see.”5  This is important for the witness of Christ as the church seeks to reach the neighborhoods and the nations with the gospel of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).  Membership also allows you to identify with a group of people who are all different in many ways but centered on the gospel of Christ.  The church is made up of a group of diverse people who are imperfect but serving the King who is absolutely perfect and worthy of all worship and praise.

People who refuse to join a local church have missed the plan of God for their lives as Christians.  Either they will repent of their stubborn pride, or they will prove themselves to not be genuine believers (1 John 2:19).  It is impossible to live the Christian life apart from the church.  Those who believe it’s within the framework of God’s will to be “regular attenders” but not members have also refused to submit to biblical leadership.  While we should make sure we know what a church believes and how a church seeks to accomplish the mission of God in their local neighborhoods and outward to the nations – it should not be a decision that a person drags their feet in making.

Make your church membership a priority – all for the glory of King Jesus!  I leave you with a quote from the “Prince of Preachers” – Charles Spurgeon:

I know there are some who say, “Well, I’ve given myself to the Lord, but I don’t intend to give myself to any church.”  I say, “Now why not?”  And they answer, “Because I can be just as good a Christian without it.”  I say, “Are you quite clear about that?  You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s commands as by being obedient?  There’s a brick.  What is the brick made for?  It’s made to build a house.  It is of no use for the brick to tell you that it’s just as good a brick while it’s kicking about on the ground by itself, as it would be as part of a house.  Actually, it’s a good-for-nothing brick.  So, you rolling stone Christians, I don’t believe that you’re answering the purpose for which Christ saved you.  You’re living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live and you are much to blame for the injury you do.”6

Pastor Josh Buice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.  Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Crossway, 2000, p. 145.

2.  Knowing the Times, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1989, p. 30.

3.  Charles Spurgeon at His Best, Compiled by Tom Carter, Baker, 1988, p. 33-34.

4.  Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Crossway, 2000, p. 148-149.

5.  Why Join a Church?  Originally written in: Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, Moody, 1996, www.BiblicalSpirituality.org. Used by Permission.

6.  Charles Spurgeon at His Best, Compiled by Tom Carter, Baker, 1988, p. 34.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Importance of Church Membership – Sermon by: Pastor Josh Buice

Recently while studying through Exodus in preparation for my sermon in chapter 7 where we see God promising Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart, I was forced to consider the greatness and depths of God’s amazing grace.  God specifically said to Moses in Exodus 7:3, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”  When I traced that subject to Romans 9, I found Paul’s explanation sobering.  Paul said, in Romans 9:15-18, “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.”  While I have read and studied that section of verses many times, it was at that moment that I was forced to revisit the depths of God’s wells of mercy.

Our salvation was not dependent upon our human will or good deeds.  According to Romans 3, none of us were seeking God.  Therefore, as we read in Scripture, we see that God’s grace includes the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).  God was not obligated to give us the ability to repent.  God was not forced to give us the gift of saving faith.  If God had left us all alone in our state of sinful flesh, we would still be dead spiritually and deserving of God’s wrath.  That’s what grace is!  God’s grace is a rescue mission whereby He sovereignly snatches us from our sin and saves us through the blood of His Son.  The mercy of God is where God looks upon us as spiritually dead sinners, shackled to our sin, and completely guilty and deserving of His eternal punishment.  In that moment, God chooses to bring us to life spiritually, dash our shackles from our soul, forgive our trespasses through the blood of His Son, and bring us into His family as children for all of eternity.

Perhaps the next time we hear a message on John 3:16 our minds will revisit the depths of God’s amazing grace!  In that quiet moment while reading our Bible over coffee in the early hours of the morning, rather than skipping over the “easy” texts such as John 3:16, we will ponder the extreme measures that God took to set us free and save us by His marvelous grace.  In those moments of consideration, perhaps we will realize that we deserved what Pharaoh received, but instead, God gave us mercy, love, and grace.  To Him be all glory, honor, and praise – forever!

Pastor Josh Buice

This coming Sunday is the annual “Sanctity of Life” Sunday.  This day is usually filled with awareness of the realities of abortion.  It has been my pattern in ministry to make awareness of this important reality each year on “Sanctity of Life” Sunday, and this year will be no different.  This year, “Sanctity of Life” Sunday falls on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, January 22, 1973. In preparation for this message, I want Pray’s Mill to be aware of a few things:

1.  We will continue the study through Acts as planned.  God has arranged our schedule to be in Acts 7:1-8 in our study and we will focus on the birth of Isaac and make application to the sanctity of human life.

2.  We all need to be aware of the seriousness of abortion.  This includes those considering abortion and those who have had an abortion.  It should be our job to point people to hope, truth, and restoration in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3.  The goal of my message on Sunday will be to explain the bold defense that Stephen was giving to the Sanhedrin regarding the false accusations he had received.  In this message, a portion of time will be spent discussing the sanctity of life as the speech of Stephen centers on the story of Abraham and Sara.

4.  The goal in my comments on the sanctity of life will be to direct people to hope in God, trust in His sovereign rule over the womb, and restoration for those who have no ability to turn back time and make a different choice.

5.  I will place in the hands of every attendee important resources regarding abortion, women’s resource centers, truths about adoption, and positions of upcoming political candidates for the 2012 election.

Please invite people to attend this important service with you on Sunday at 10:45am and pray with me leading up to this week for God’s will to be done in the hearts and lives of men and women (young and old) who may be struggling in this area of social and spiritual life.

Pastor Josh Buice

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray that God will provide discernment and wisdom for those involved with this effort of cleanup and construction.

God bless!

Pastor Josh Buice

That was the urgent message I received from Dr. Manuel earlier in the week.  I scrambled to call him and when he got on the phone he told me that there in Zhud Ecuador the people have experienced three weeks of steady rain.  This caused an apparent mudslide that pushed the church building down.  At the time of my call, Dr. Manuel was on his way to survey the damage.  We need to pray for the people of Zhud, the church plant, and Pastor Lucas as they sift through the damage and survey the scene.

What we don’t know

• We are not sure how bad the damage is, but we are expecting total destruction based on the early statements given by Pastor Lucas and Dr. Manuel.
• We are not sure how much of the church building materials are going to be able to be reused in the construction process.  We know that some of these materials will be salvageable – but we have no idea how much.
• We are not sure why God allowed this tragedy to take place.  It was the day of our Ecuador presentation to our people here at our church and the 56th anniversary of Jim Elliot’s martyrdom in Ecuador.

What we do know

• God is bigger than mudslides and falling buildings.  God has demonstrated that fact all throughout history.  He is sovereign over all natural disasters – not “mother nature.”

Mark 4:39 - And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

• God is gracious.  He could have had all 40 of the new believers in Zhud gathered in the building when it collapsed, but for reasons that bring Him glory – He allowed the building to be empty.
• The building will be replaced.  This is a fact and one that is already underway in Zhud.  The building will be replaced.
• The church is not destroyed.  Dr. Manuel’s message read, in broken English, “We are craying (crying), the mountain fall (fell) down and destroy (destroyed) the church.”  What we need to realize is that “the mountain fall down and destroy the church (building).”  The church is still alive and well in Zhud and it will be the church that mobilizes, rallies together, and rebuilds this building for the glory of King Jesus.

Please join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in Zhud Ecuador who are devastated under the reality of this massive disaster.  They know how much our church has sacrificed.  They know how delighted we were at the dedication service.  They know how excited we are as a congregation about God’s work in Zhud.  And now – they are facing a massive project of cleanup, organization, prevention tasks for future mudslides, and then construction.  They need our prayers.  As we pray – we will trust in our sovereign God to give strength and vision for this massive task.  We will also trust that behind this frowning providence He has hidden a smiling face.

Jerry Bridges said, “Confidence in the sovereignty of God in all that affects us is crucial to our trusting Him. If there is a single event in all of the universe that can occur outside of God’s sovereign control then we cannot trust Him. His love may be infinite, but if His power is limited and His purpose can be thwarted, we cannot trust Him.”

Our dedication celebration video that was shared with the church on the day of this disaster:

*As I receive pictures, I will share them with you.  I am hoping to have more information before Sunday.

For the glory of His name!

Pastor Josh Buice

As we have just watched the 2012 year arrive a few minutes ago – I pray that you will set major goals for your spiritual growth.   2012 marks the 170th year of ministry for Pray’s Mill, and we will be celebrating that corporately in a special fall service.  It is my prayer that God will pour blessings upon the family of faith at Pray’s Mill in 2012 in order to bring Him all glory, honor, and praise.

As we consider making new year’s resolutions that are usually broken within the first 30 days – we should read over Jonathan Edwards’ list and consider setting similar goals in this 2012 year for our personal lives, family, and church family.

By:  Jonathan Edwards – April 17th 1723. (modified by John Piper on the DG site)

—————–

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Overall Life Mission¹

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

Good Works

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

Time Management

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking.Jan. 7, 1723.41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.50.Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.51.Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

Relationships

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.May 12, July ii, and July 13.66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Suffering

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

Character

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.July 8, 1723.63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ’3′ 1723.27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Spiritual Life

Assurance

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

The Scriptures

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Prayer

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

The Lord’s Day

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

Vivification of Righteousness

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found inSaturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.

Mortification of Sin and Self Examination

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination.July 4, and 13, 1723.68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Communion with God

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.Aug. 17, 1723

________

God bless and happy new year!

Pastor Josh Buice

He said, ”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

All through Scripture, we see that Jesus is more than a good man or gifted teacher.  Often, when we see pictures about the birth of Jesus, we almost get a faulty view of a glowing baby that was almost a “super baby” that didn’t appear to be normal.  I think that’s the wrong picture of the birth of Christ.  Yes, the baby was God in human flesh, but the truth is – Jesus was a normal baby that cried, needed food from Mary, and needed provisions such as clothing for heat and other necessities.  Jesus was God, but Jesus was a baby – a real baby indeed!

J.I. Packer said, The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.

As we move through the gospel story, we also see that Jesus grew into a man.  He was a real man, but a perfect man!  As we look at the truth of who Jesus is, we see a clear picture of his miraculous birth that we celebrate at Christmas and His miraculous life that is described in the pages of the Bible.  Jesus is the God who created the entire world (Colossians 1:15-23).  Jesus was before John the Baptist (John 1:15) and Abraham (John 8:58).  Jesus is the Mighty God and is worthy of all praise and worship.  Therefore, as we prepare to worship around the communion table on Saturday evening, this service is not a waste of time on our Christmas weekend – it’s precisely the reason for our Christmas weekend.  As we prepare to worship on Christmas morning, we must remember that Santa is not worthy of more time and honor than Christ.  Everything we are doing this weekend is because of the finished work of Christ Jesus on our behalf.

On another note, if you are preparing to gather with your family this weekend and you anticipate opportunities to talk with unbelievers about the reason for the season, I encourage you to look at Dr. Donald Whitney’s 10 questions about Christmas that are intended to open the door to a gospel conversation / presentation.  His questions are as follows:

1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last
Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever
received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever
given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of
Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly
worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

I find great joy in serving as your pastor and I thank you for placing great emphasis upon the real reason for our celebration this season.  May God add grace upon grace as you and your family continue to celebrate the reason for the season – the birth of King Jesus!

Pastor Josh Buice

1.  January 8th – Ecuador Church Planting Project Presentation

On January 8th, the PM Ecuador team will present the entire church dedication report to the church body from our most recent trip.  It was an amazing trip so say the least, and God is at work among the people of Zhud Ecuador.  God has saved 35-40 people now in Zhud, and the church building is almost complete.  Our team will provide testimonies, pictures, and a new video presentation!  Be there with your friends and family at 6pm.

2.  January 15th – State of the Church Address

On January 15th, I will present the annual “State of the Church” address to the church body.  During this address, I will provide an overview of where we have come in this first year of my ministry at PMBC, goals we have reached, goals we have set, needs we have, and praises to celebrate.  This address will also provide some insight into our year long celebration of 170 years of ministry for Pray’s Mill Baptist Church.

3.  January 22nd – Guest Speakers – Daniel and Sky Scott – Missionaries to Zambia Africa

In 1998 when our team from Pray’s Mill went to Zimbabwe Africa, we met a man named Daniel Scott.  He was in the “Journeyman Program” of the SBC – a two year program for singles that are considering full-time foreign missions.  Years later, we would be reunited and learn that he was married to a young lady named sky and they are working with the Lozi people in Zambia Africa.  While home on furlough, I have asked them to come and present their work to our church family.  Join us for an exciting time of missionary stories and prayer for a family on the front line in Africa!

4.  January 29th – Q&A with the Pastoral Staff of PMBC

Starting in January of 2012, the months that contain a 5th Sunday will close out that month with a time of singing followed by an organized Q&A session with the pastoral staff of Pray’s Mill in the evening service.  The material will be detailed in a handout the first week of that month in order to know the material range for the questions.  The plan is to cover the material from the last Q&A (Sunday School, sermons, and special Bible studies).  Look for a handout for the first Q&A sometime near the first week of January.  The Q&A will serve as a means of sharpening and provide clarity on hard subjects covered in our studies throughout the year.

Get ready for an exciting 2012!  This coming January is going to be crazy busy, but it will be a profitable time for our church family!

Pastor Josh Buice

In our meeting with Lucas, God confirmed to us within the first few minutes that He had placed His sovereign hand upon this man’s life and that he was indeed the one to lead this church forward.  Upon our return, we reported all of the information to the church at Pray’s Mill and sought to raise the money to build a church building for the people.  Our target goal was to reach $25,000 in a period of 25 days in order to get the construction finished as quickly as possible.  God amazed us by allowing us to raise near $40,000 in only 25 days for this project.

On December 11th 2011, exactly 53 weeks (1 year and 1 week) after making “The Big Announcement” to Pray’s Mill, the new church plant will be dedicated along with their new church building for worship.  God has proven to be sovereign during this process from the beginning to the end.  To Him be all glory, praise, and honor!

I received word from Dr. Manuel about the church construction late last night.  He said that things are going well and they are working long hours each day.  The team of volunteers are working from daylight until 8 or 9 at night trying to get the construction completed.  According to Dr. Manuel, the people met for worship on December 4th and 36 were in attendance.  The people are excited and he says that everyone in the village of Zhud are asking questions about the Lord’s work among the people.

Please be in prayer for our mission team as we are leaving on Wednesday for this exciting new church building dedication day!  Our team will be able to represent our entire church family and bring back a historic report to the entire church upon our return.  Below I have included a brief summary of our journey that started one year ago.  Back in May is when we made our first trip to Ecuador and now we are already preparing for the dedication Sunday.  May God be pleased to allow His face to continually shine upon the church of Pray’s Mill in order that we can make Him known to the nations and so that the nations will be glad (Psalm 67).

Saved – By His Grace and For His Glory!

Pastor Josh Buice
Pastor’s Blog: http://www.DeliveredByGrace.com
Pastor Josh on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoshBuice
Pastor Josh on Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/JoshBuice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .