Church guide

May 31 Put God First By Oswald Chambers Jesus did not commit Himself to them…for He knew what was in man. —John 2:24-25 Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God. Put God’s Will First. “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9). A person’s obedience is to what he sees to be a need— our Lord’s obedience was to the will of His Father. The rallying cry today is, “We must get to work! The heathen are dying without God. We must go and tell them about Him.” But we must first make sure that God’s “needs” and His will in us personally are being met. Jesus said, “…tarry…until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The purpose of our Christian training is to get us into the right relationship to the “needs” of God and His will. Once God’s “needs” in us have been met, He will open the way for us to accomplish His will, meeting His “needs” elsewhere. Put God’s Son First. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:5). God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to me. He expects my personal life to be a “Bethlehem.” Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God’s ultimate purpose is that His Son might be exhibited in me. Being in the Word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

May 30 Yes—But…! By Oswald Chambers Lord, I will follow You, but... —Luke 9:61 Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, “Yes, but— suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about…?” Or we say, “Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.” Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense. By the test of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis— only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest his faith in the character of God. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

May 29 Untroubled Relationship By Oswald Chambers In that day you will ask in My name…for the Father Himself loves you… —John 16:26-27 “In that day you will ask in My name…,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but— “You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “…for the Father Himself loves you…”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us. “…whatever you ask the Father in My name…” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22). “…He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation— to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name— in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “…whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements. share this devotional with a friend Wisdom From Oswald Chambers For the past three hundred years men have been pointing out how similar Jesus Christ’s teachings are to other good teachings. We have to remember that Christianity, if it is not a supernatural miracle, is a sham. The Highest Good, 548 L Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29 Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

May 28 Unquestioned Revelation By Oswald Chambers In that day you will ask Me nothing. —John 16:23 When is “that day”? It is when the ascended Lord makes you one with the Father. “In that day” you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, “In that day you will ask Me nothing.” Until the resurrection life of Jesus is fully exhibited in you, you have questions about many things. Then after a while you find that all your questions are gone— you don’t seem to have any left to ask. You have come to the point of total reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus, which brings you into complete oneness with the purpose of God. Are you living that life now? If not, why aren’t you? “In that day” there may be any number of things still hidden to your understanding, but they will not come between your heart and God. “In that day you will ask Me nothing”— you will not need to ask, because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will. The faith and peace of John 14:1 has become the real attitude of your heart, and there are no more questions to be asked. If anything is a mystery to you and is coming between you and God, never look for the explanation in your mind, but look for it in your spirit, your true inner nature— that is where the problem is. Once your inner spiritual nature is willing to submit to the life of Jesus, your understanding will be perfectly clear, and you will come to the place where there is no distance between the Father and you, His child, because the Lord has made you one. “In that day you will ask Me nothing.” Being in the Word daily will change your life! In Christ, Tracy Campbell

My favorite devotional over the years! May you be blessed as I am to read it. In Christ, Tracy Campbell

https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/category/religion/

..... After a long pause, still looking at the headstones, he said, ‘Now I know why your soldiers fight so hard. You take better care of your dead than we do our living.’” A MUST READ TO THE END! Never forget! CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ: https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/sacred-duty-soldiers-tour-arlington-national-cemetery/

ARE YOU IN THE WORD DAILY? My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For determination to get the job done. READ: Nehemian 2:10-20 Nehemian received permission, safe passage, and building supplies from King Artaxerxes to travel from Susa, the Persian capital, to Jerusalem. That is a journey of more that 1200 miles and would take Nehemiah and his entourage of soldiers and supplies at least three months. He was determined. But lying in wait in Jerusalem were several men who, not content with torn down walls, south to tear down Nehemiah and the rest of God's people as they sought to rebuild the city and their lives. STUDY QUESTIONS: A. The people living in the Jerusalem area were discouraged, depressed, and defenseless. They needed the city wall for protection, and unity. How did Nehemiah motivate them to get started rebuilding? B. Who were Sanballat and Tobiah? Why were they opposed to the wall getting rebuilt? C. How did Nehemiah respond to their mockery and ridicule? QUESTION: How do you handle ridicule and mocking remarks? DO: Pray to stand strong in the Lord's strength. Ask the Lord to help you see past the hard exterior of people and view their need for Him. MAKE IT PERSONAL: A familiar children's rhyme says: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That's wishful thinking--ridicule and mockery really do hurt. Read Proverbs 18:21 and Psalm 74:22-23. If you are living for the Lord, the ridicule you may receive is really directed at the Lord, whom you serve. Stand strong in His strength. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell https://www.facebook.com/blueriverbaptistchurchdapauwindiana/

Girls Gone Wild 2! Girls night out at Cracker Barrel tonight. We had a great time!

I had a conversation last night about the stresses of life sometimes being so overwhelming. I asked the question, "Are you in the word daily? Are you praying every day? Our comfort doesn't come just from talking to others about our situations, our peace comes from our Father. He gives us comfort through others but He should be our first go to." You have no idea how much this study just spoke to me personally today! God is so good. I love His word and I hope you do too. ARE YOU IN THE WORD DAILY? My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For sensitivity when you are with your loved ones. READ: Luke 4:16-32 Jesus grew up in the little town of Nazareth in the district of Galilee. He lived there approximately 30 years before He started His public ministry. He returned to His hometown less than one year after leaving. News about His miracles and teaching quickly reached His family and friends. You would think that everyone would be happy to see the miracle worker come home, but this was not the case. STUDY QUESTIONS: A. In the synagogue, Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2. How did He apply this passage to His life? B. Jesus said that in Elijah and Elisha's time, God sent His messangers to Gentiles like the widow in Zarephath and Naaman, the Syrian general. Why did Jesus' hearers react so violently? C. The people who watched Jesus grow up now tried to kill Him. But instead of getting discouraged and feelling rejected, what did Jesus do? QUESTION: Do you feel rejected or abandoned? DO: Pray for inner strength and courage. Pray for those who have wounded you. Ask the Lord to teach you lessons from your experiences. Look for others who are going through similar circumstances and reach out to comfort them with God's Word. MAKE IT PERSONAL: Now you know the original source of the saying, "A prophet has no honor in his hometown." Often we expect our family and friends to understand us and accept us. But sometimes, instead of loving and encouraging us, they reject us and wound us deeply. Some people carry that pain all through their lives. Continue to try to build strong relationships with them. But if people are harmful to you, you may have to separate from them. Read Psalm 27:10, Isaiah 49:15-16, and Hebrews 13:5-6. Remember, the Lord is with you. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell https://www.facebook.com/blueriverbaptistchurchdapauwindiana/

My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For courage to proclaim your faith in Christ. READ: Acts 26 (READ ALSO: Acts 9:1-30) The Jews hated the apostle Paul and sought to kill him for preaching about Christ. They succeeded in getting the Romans to imprison him. At his trial before King Agrippa and Festus (the governor of Judea). Paul explained how he changed from a hateful persecutor of Christians to an enthusiastic proponent of faith in Christ. His powerful testimony could be called "From Murderer to Missionary" or "From Opponent to Proponent." STUDY QUESTIONS: A. How did Paul treat the followers of Christ? B. What brought about the dramatic change in Paul? C. How did King Agrippa and Governor Festus react to Paul's defense? QUESTION: How do you handle criticism and false accusations? Do you need Christ to change how you respond to people who antagonize you? DO: Pray that Christ will greatly change you. MAKE IT PERSONAL: Think of the most impossible person you know. Can you imagine that person coming to Christ and proclaiming the gospel fearlessly? You may say that would be a miracle as powerful as the resurrection of Christ. Well, Christ changed Paul, and He can do the same for that impossible person. Start praying for him or her to come to faith in Christ. Don't stop praying until it happens. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell https://www.facebook.com/blueriverbaptistchurchdapauwindiana/

My small study for today: Thought I'd share. TROUBLE MAKER PRAY: For the Lord's strength to keep on the right track no matter what some may say. READ: Nehemiah 4:1-9 Nehemiah's ultimate goal was to help reestablish Israel as a nation. A strong wall around Jerusalem would give safety and community for the people to begin again. But Sunballat, Tobiah, and other enemies in surrounding countries vehemently opposed the construction. The last thing they wanted was a united, revitalized country that might threaten them. They were determined to stop it at all cost! STUDY QUESTIONS: A. Look at the tactics Sunballat used to try to stop the people from building. How did Nehemiah and the people respond? B. Instead of responding with insults and attack, Nehemiah chose a different reaction. Describe his tactic and the results it brought. C. Why do you think the people worked so fervently? QUESTION: Do you find it difficult to stay encouraged because of opposition? Is it easy to get discouraged and quit when facing opposition? DO: Pray for strength and peace. Pray for an opportunity to encourage someone today. Some people hear taunts or accusations from others and get scared and give up. What can you do to motivate them to courageously do what is right and pleasing to God? MAKE IT PERSONAL: People handle criticism in different ways. You can profit from criticism by evaluating it to see if it contains any truth. It may give you insight into what would make you a better person. But when hostility or abuse come along, refuse to be discouraged. Know that the Lord is your strength. In Psalms 27:1-6 David explains what motivates him to face opposition. How can you apply his attitude to your life? Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell https://www.facebook.com/blueriverbaptistchurchdapauwindiana/

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My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For courage to consistently trust the Lord. READ: 1 Kings 19:1-18 Elijah lived during the time of wicked King Ahab of Israel and his infamous wife, Jezebel. They promoted the idol worship of Baal, which included child sacrifices. During a major confrontation with 500 prophets of Baal recorded in 1 Kings 18, Elijah called down fire from heaven. He miraculously defeated and destroyed all the false prophets, but his triumph turned to depression. STUDY QUESTIONS: A. Elijah had stood strong for the Lord to defeat the prophets of Baal. But Jezebel became enraged and angrily threatened to kill him. How did he respond? B. Describe the interactions God has with His frightened and whining servant. C. God did not display His presence in a powerful earthquake or a mighty wind, but in a soft voice. What is the significance of God's question, "What are you doing here?" QUESTION: Are you asking the Lord to pick you up when you are feeling down or are you just asking others to pray for you? DO: Pray for those you know who are dealing with discouragement or depression. Do something encouraging for a person who is struggling. Motivate him to face his difficulties with hope in the Lord. MAKE IT PERSONAL: Are you discouraged or feeling defeated? Is your energy sapped, and do you want to run away? Is there someone you want to run away from? Turn to God for your energy and courage. Take refuge in the Lord, your rock and strength. Read Psalm 18 to discover how God saves those who trust in Him. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell https://www.facebook.com/blueriverbaptistchurchdapauwindiana/

Trivia from the message at church tonight: QUESTION # 1 How many years where there from the time of Adam to the flood? a. 1656 years? b. 2656 years? c. 3656 years? QUESTION # 2 How many survived the flood? a. 6 b. 8 c. 12 QUESTION # 3 Adam was created immortal but when he sinned he became mortal. a. True b. False

Up and coming events to be announced at church on Sunday, May 19th.

My internet was down yesterday so I couldn't share my study. WOW IS THIS POWERFULLY SPEAKING TO ME TODAY!!! My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For faith to trust the Lord to help you to do whatever He guides you to do. READ: Numbers 13:26-14:9 After God miraculously brought the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 14), He instructed Moses to lead the people to the edge of the promised land of Canaan. Before they attempted to enter the land, Moses sent in spies to see what the area was like and what enemies they might encounter. Look at the spies' report about the beauty and challenges, including the Nephilim (fierce giants). The report caused chaos and dissention. STUDY QUESTIONS: A. Describe the spies' report. What were the positive and negative aspects? B. Why did the people gripe bitterly and burn with hatred toward Moses and Aaron? C. Why did Caleb and Joshua respond differently? QUESTION: Do you really trust the Lord will never leave or forsake you? DO: Put your trust in the almighty Lord instead of responding like the disgruntled Israelites. Try to help people who see only the negative side of things. Point them to the awesome power of the Lord to conquer obstacles. MAKE IT PERSONAL: Basing your decisions on what's right and possible is not always popular. Some people always look at the potential failure and express their reasons why "we cannot do that." As you depend on the Lord in tough situations, He loves to turn the impossible into the possible. God can change extremely harsh situations into places of victory. Don't let the naysayers demoralize you. Hang around people who build you up and motivate you to trust God for the impossible. Read what happened to Caleb (Numbers 14:24, 30; Deuteronomy 1:34-36; Joshua 15: 13-19; Judges 1:20). Faith has rewards for those who live expectantly. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

My small study for today: Thought I'd share. SET YOUR HEART AND MIND ON THINGS ABOVE! PRAY: For a radical determination to live a godly life. READ: Colossians 3:1-11 Impossible people--Paul was surrounded by them. His situation was probably far worse than anything you may encounter. Yet he advises the people living in freedom in Colosse how to solve their relationship problems. He doesn't complain about his dire situation, but tries to motivate the Colossians to live together in harmony. He writes (in effect), "God says get a life--a new one." STUDY QUESTIONS: A. Why can you set your heart and mind on things above? B. You were crucified with Christ, so you should consider yourself dead and unresponsive to what things? C. Now that you have been raised with Christ, how are you being renewed? QUESTION: Does the character of Christ show in your life? DO: Pray that you will put on the new self every day. Even if you are around people who are dead spiritually, you can live life as the alive new creation that you are! MAKE IT PERSONAL: Contrast your old self and your new self. The old self was self-centered, seethed angrily under the surface, destructively criticized others, and acted selfishly with a "me first" attitude. Because Christ now lives in you , you are new inside. Whenever the old attitudes and temptations come up, say, "That old self is now dead. My new self is focused on entirely different things." Show you have been raised from the dead! Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

My small study for today: Thought I'd share. PRAY: For a joyful attitude even in tough times. READ: Philippians 1:12-30 As Paul looked at damp Roman prison walls waiting to find out if Nero would kill him or let him go, he wrote the people in the city of Philippi. They enjoyed freedom while he was guarded day and night by the elite palace prison guards. Depression and despair would be normal for a person living in those horrible circumstances. But Paul steadfastly trusted God and enthusiastically shared the good news of Christ with everyone who would listen--even the guards. Amazing things happened. STUDY QUESTIONS: A. Why did Paul consider his imprisonment an advancement for the gospel? B. Instead of fighting imprisonment, what was Paul's struggle? C. How does Paul want us to conduct ourselves? QUESTION: Do you pray that Christ will change your attitude about stressful relationships or difficult circumstances? DO: The Philippians helped Paul by praying earnestly for him. Pray the same way for others in need. MAKE IT PERSONAL: Most people imprisoned on false charges waiting for a decision from an irrational man like Nero would be depressed or fearful, hoping and pleading for release. Not Paul! He saw his extreme situation as an opportunity to spread the gospel of salvation. He was chained to guards for hours. Can you imagine being chained to the apostle Paul? No wonder many of them came to faith in Christ. Think of how you can change a tough situation into an advancement for the gospel. Read Acts 16:11-40 to learn how the church at Philippi got started through a faithful businesswoman. Being in the word daily will change your life! Love, In Christ, Tracy Campbell

Beautiful singing today!

Today we celebrated two of our young in the congregation that recently accepted Christ as their Savior. Brother Don baptized them both before the service. God is so good!

So blessed to also have Kim Davis and Kevin Kessinger sing a beautiful duet this Christmas morning.

We had a wonderful surprise this morning! Ben who is Joe and Ann Cowells grandson, played a beautiful Christmas special for us! (Marsha’s son.)

Just sit back, Listen and be Blessed! Beautiful! Thank you Aspen Luther and Kevin Kessinger!