Daily Scripture

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:22

Daily Scripture

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

Daily Scripture

The righteous hate what is false,but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 13:5

Daily Scripture

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:22

Daily Scripture

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Proverbs 4:24

Daily Scripture

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3

Daily Scripture

Let no debt remain outstanding, except for the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Opportunity

Over the next three weeks we have the opportunity to reach our community and state in incredible ways. This weekend we are hosting the SC Women's Missionary Union convention at Alice Drive Baptist Church. Over 500 participants will be coming from all over the state and the world to take part in the meeting.

On April 4 Operation In As Much will be taking place. We will start the day at 8:30 AM with a rally at ADBC and then go out to blanket the community with acts of service. As of yesterday we had 300 volunteers signed up. Our goal is 724. It is not too late to sign up and be a part of this great day of service to our community.

April 12 is Easter. This day more than ever is the day when people will come to church. We are expecting a great crowd that day. This is the best opportunity to reach people who only give church one chance a year.

Please keep all of these opportunities in your prayers. Pray that we will give our best in service to God and that thousands will take their next step towards Jesus Christ over the next three weeks.

Daily Scripture

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Daily Scripture

But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Daily Scripture

To show partiality is not good—yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

Proverbs 28:21

Who's In Charge?

The following note was given to me be by someone who attended last year’s Crown seminar. This is further evidence that when you turn things over to God and His will in your life, things do get better. Mark

Who was surprised to finally realize that everything belongs to God? Me! Why? Mindlessness and selfishness on my part had bound me. Attending last year’s Crown Financial Seminar changed that. The clear message of true stewardship freed me of frazzling over small things and big things and in between things. After all, the Creator of the universe knows His stuff – and it’s all His – and he entrusted some of it to me. How awesome is that?

Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me and trusting me. Hallelujah!

Daily Scripture

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Romans 12:16

Operation In As Much

Operation In As Much is coming to Alice Drive on April 4. This is a day of service in our community. There is a project for everyone. If you like working on cars, cutting grass, planting a garden, helping elderly people do chores, cleaning up litter, doing construction, visiting people, and many other things, sign up and join us as we give back to our community.

For more information, check out the brochure on Sunday, go to the Operation In As Much booth in the lobby, or email me at mark@adbc.org.

I hope to see you on April 4.

Daily Scripture

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

Leviticus 19:15

Daily Scripture

He told them, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. 7 Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."

2 Chronicles 19:6-7

Daily Scripture

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Daily Scripture

1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Psalm 112:1-3

Daily Scripture

Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4

Daily Scripture

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

Proverbs 28:25

God and Money

God and money
by Crown Financial Ministries

God says that if we pray for anything in His will, believing, it will be given to us. However, God's will and His ways do not always coincide with ours. So, when we turn our finances over to God, we also must be willing to accept His direction.

Too often we impatiently seek our own way without any clear direction from Him, sometimes even borrowing money to do His work. We forget that God says He will not frustrate His work for the lack of money (see Luke 22:35).

There is nothing wrong with asking God's direction, but it is wrong to go our own way without waiting for God's answer.

In order for us to recognize God's directives, it may be necessary first to understand God's view of money and how He uses it to enhance our relationship with Him.

How and for what purpose God uses money
Money is neither good nor bad: it is merely a medium of exchange. It is the misuse and abuse of money that cause the problems.

Because God is so good, He uses money for our benefit in several different ways.

1. God uses money to strengthen our trust in Him. It is often through money that God can clearly and objectively show us that He is in total control, if we will trust Him and accept our positions as stewards and managers of His possessions (see Matthew 6:32-33).
2. God uses money to develop our trustworthiness. This principle is important because our lives generally revolve around making, spending, saving, and using money. If He can trust us with money, He can trust us with greater responsibilities and His true riches (see Luke 16:11).
3. God uses money to prove His love. Scripture tells us that God assumes the responsibility of providing the basic necessities for everyone who trusts in Him (see Matthew 7:11). By transferring all money to Him, He often uses money to meet those necessities of life.
4. God uses money to demonstrate His faithfulness. Moses reminded Israel that it was God who would give them the power to make wealth. Our security is in God, not in our bank accounts. Discovering His faithfulness though financial needs encourages reliance on Him.
5. God uses money to unite Christians in blessings. God will use the abundance of one Christian to supply the needs of another. Surplus money in our lives has been given by God for the purpose of helping those who are in need.
6. God uses money to provide direction. There is probably no way God can direct our lives more meticulously than through the abundance or lack of money. Too often we believe God directs our lives through the abundance of money, but He also will lead us down His directed path by withholding money.
7. God uses money to cultivate self-control. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control, a key aspect of successful money management.
8. God uses money to clarify spiritual maturity. Many temptations clamor for Christians' attention. A great deal can be learned about our personal character and spiritual maturity by noticing how we handle money and determine financial priorities.

Areas in which God does not use money
Just like there are several ways in which God uses money for our benefit, there are several areas in which God never uses money to influence our lives.

1. God never uses money to worry us. If Christians are worried, frustrated, and upset about money, God is not in control. God said that wealth without worry is His plan for our lives. In addition, He promises to meet the needs of those who trust in Him (see Matthew 6:25).
2. God never uses money to corrupt us. Many Christians have fallen into Satan's trap and are being corrupted. Christians whose financial life is characterized by greed, ego, deceit, and other worldly snares are at enmity with God and His plan.
3. God never uses money to build egos. Frequently, Christians are trapped by financial ego in that they use money in an attempt to build self-worth and ego. However, in Christ all are financially equal because all wealth will pass away. What will remain will be those things that have been laid up in heaven—the true wealth.
4. God never allows money to satisfy our personal whims or desires. God does not expect His people to live in poverty; however, He also does not endorse lavishness. Surplus is provided so that God's work can be funded and those in need can be helped. If the surplus is hoarded or wasted on lavishness rather than used for His plan and purpose, chances are the surplus will be removed.

Conclusion
God offers countless financial principles, intended to make our lives meaningful, because He's interested in us and how we earn and spend money.

Once we understand how God uses money and why He chooses to use it in a particular way, we generally become more familiar with His plans and purposes for our lives and are able to recognize and comprehend His directives.

Daily Scripture

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 11:28

Church Conference

There will be a called church conference March 11, 2009, at 7:00 PM in McManus Hall. The conference is to consider a motion from the deacons to increase the number of active deacons from 33 to 36 beginning with the 2009/2010 season. Please mark your calendar to attend this special meeting.

Daily Scripture

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:8

Religion in America

A recent study shows the number of Americans claiming to be religious has decreased in recent years. This is a further indication that we are living on a mission field. There is much work to be done. Read the article and see how you react. What is our role as a church? What is your role as an individual?

"The harvest is plentiful...the workers are few"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,506849,00.html

Daily Scripture

44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Matthew 13:44-46

Daily Scripture

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.

Psalm 115:16

Daily Scripture

10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 16:10-13

Daily Scripture

For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."

Isaiah 52:3

February Report

February Report

Baptisms 4
Average Worship Attendance 1162
Average Bible Community Attendance 794

Ministry Offerings Given $150,958.17
Build on the Rock $218,703.39
Debt Retirement $910.00

Daily Scripture

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

1 Corinthians 7:23

Daily Scripture

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8

Daily Scripture

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 19:20

Daily Scripture

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 1:8-9

Daily Scripture

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:24