Have you ever wanted to be in a growing, going church? Let me share with you the secret of how to change the church where you attend. I believe Flatwoods Baptist Church has entered a new era of influence and ministry for the glory of our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ! There are so many signs of God’s affirmation upon our fellowship. We are enjoying the blessings of renewed spiritual focus among the members, soul saved, lives changed, new members added, practical ministry, and excitement about what is going on at Flatwoods.

All of this is due, for the most part, because of the members. God’s people have sought Him earnestly in prayer seeking not just His hand but His face. I’ve heard from so many of this congregation that they are praying the prayer of Jabez and for the LORD’s will to be done here "on earth as it is in heaven."

It is exciting to be a part of God’s vision for a church and, through us, for a community. He is truly answering our prayers and revealing Himself in wonderful ways.

We have joined together in prayer for 100 souls to be saved during this year in this community and for 500 souls to be saved worldwide through our influence in ministry. We’ve already seen the Lord begin to answer this prayer in a marvelous way through our Mission teams in foreign lands and through our influence for Christ here in our town. Apart from the regular missionaries we support, we have had lay people take their vacation times to travel to various mission fields. (2 to Belize, 3 to Romania, 28 to Mexico and 5 more who will be travelling internationally in November.)

We face many challenges this coming year! But the one challenge upon which they all hinge is that we remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5 "I am the vine ye are the branches: he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Any true spiritual blessing in our future will depend upon our abiding in Christ and allowing Him to change us, mold us, and use us as He desires.

It takes four steps to change your life and the Lord’s church:

1. Pray and continue to pray that the Lord will keep you and your Pastor humble and broken before Him so that you might "show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous light." 1Peter 2:9
2. Give generously of yourself in worship, fellowship, the Word, and evangelism. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38
3. Cheerfully worship God with His tithe and your offerings. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2Corinthians 9:7
4. Yield yourself to God and His agenda for you. "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13

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