Friday, April 03, 2020
On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order GA 14 – Relating to statewide continuity essential services and activities during the COVID-19 disaster. It included a section related to churches. It says:
“If religious services cannot be conducted from home or through remote services, they should be conducted consistent with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, and by implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Then on Wednesday, April 01, 2020, Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham issued an amended order to reflect the governor’s plan. It also included a section related to churches. It says:
“Faith leaders may minister and counsel in individual settings, so long as social distancing protocols are followed. If religious services cannot be conducted from home or through remote services, they should be consistent with guidelines from the President and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, and by implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Therefore, in an effort to cooperate with our government’s desire to flatten the curse and reduce the spread of infection, we will continue to offer our weekly worship service online through the month of April. This is not what we want to do or what we prefer to do, but the reality is, we can do this…for a limited time.
As long as we are under a “Stay Home/Stay Safe” order there will be no gatherings at the church and the office will remain closed. Again, are these things that we “want” to do? Absolutely not, our greatest desire to gather together to proclaim the Gospel, encourage and equip one another and to continue to serve Him and others. Remember, this is only temporary!
Please know that we continue to prayerfully consider what steps to take in days like these. Our financial committee recently met in order to create an emergency 3-month budget plan that is in effect from April until June. We recognize the financial impact this crisis is having on our community and we are preparing to make the necessary adjustments to our budget so that we can remain financially responsible. We ask for your faithfulness to pray, give and serve as the Lord leads you.
In the midst of all the talk about COVID-19, may you know that there is another “virus” that is worse than the Coronavirus. With this “virus” there are NO survivors and NO Immunity. The rate of infection is 100%…no one is spared. What is this “virus”? It’s SIN. Our only hope in being freed from the penalty, practice and presence of SIN is found in Jesus Christ. This world is in NEED of a SAVIOR. Let’s all do our part to share the Good News with our family, friends, neighbors and strangers. Even while practicing social distancing 🙂
I hope you can join us online tomorrow as we wrap up our series thru the book of Amos. You can find the service HERE
Monday, March 23, 2020
Our worship service this coming Sunday will be online. We look forward to returning for our in-person gathering but remain thankful that technology does allow us limited connectivity in time like these.
In the midst of the current global crises that we are currently facing, my prayer for each and every one of us is that we would “Trust the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
These verses are some of the best known and most memorized verses in Proverbs. These two verses describe a life of total dependence and commitment to God. This is what our Heavenly Father wants from ALL of us! God desires for us to be completely dependent upon Him and to have COMPLETE confidence in Him. This is what it means to trust.
TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Trust does not come from the head but from the heart. It is not the result of reasoning; It is the result of believing. Trust is an ALL or NOTHING proposal: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” …Partial trust is not enough. You can’t trust Him with one thing and then NOT trust Him with everything else. Either you trust Him completely or you don’t. Either God is trustworthy or He isn’t. If He cannot be trusted WITH ALL then He cannot be trusted AT ALL
AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING
To “lean” means to support yourself on something or to rely on something. The admonition here is that we should not rely on or depend on our own understanding. We have to make a choice: (1) We can follow our own LIMITED understanding or (2) we can trust in a God who is greater than our understanding.
IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
As believers, we should acknowledge God in our ways; we should CONSULT Him when making plans; we should SEEK His counsel in every matter. The word used here for acknowledge means more than just giving God a head nod. It comes from the Hebrew word (yada). This is the word that means to know intimately and personally. It describes experiential knowledge. In the present context, it is not simply an intellectual awareness of God’s existence but acceptance of God’s presence to GUIDE and DIRECT your life
Here’s the connection: Our trust in God GROWS as we learn more and more about Him. The MORE we know God, the CLOSER we are drawn to Him and the EASIER it becomes to COMMIT OUR WAYS to Him.
In order for us to KNOW and OBEY the WILL of GOD, we must personally know the God who WILLS US to OBEY Him. When we know him personally, and deeply refuse to rely on our own understanding because we TRUST HIM in ALL THINGS, then something beautiful happens…
AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT
In Old Testament times, roads were rough at best and dangerous at worst. Travel was exhausting and hazardous. For instance, when a King would take a trip, some of his servants would travel ahead of his caravan, in order to smooth the rough places and remove the obstacles in the ROAD. They would make his paths straight
This is what God does for the people who trust in Him—who lean wholly upon Him. God will GO AHEAD of us and He will guide us and direct us on the way we should go. This doesn’t mean that life will be free from difficulties, interruptions, or obstacles along the way. It does mean that God will be with us and help us to RISE ABOVE everything in our path that threatens to trip us up or throw us off course.
We, in turn, have to put ourselves in His hands. We have to TRUST HIM and lean upon Him with our whole lives.
DO YOU TRUST HIM?
WILL YOU OBEY HIM?
Monday, March 16, 2020
As you are aware, concerns regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) have been circulating in recent weeks. We want to let you know that the health and safety of our members and guests is our priority at First Baptist Kingsland. We are closely monitoring the situation, and we will adhere to any recommendations made by the CDC and local health officials regarding public gatherings. This is a dynamic situation that is changing every day.
Here are some questions we can address at this time.
Is the church office open?
Not exactly. We will have a limited presence of staffing at the church during the week but will not have our typical office hours. Should you have an emergency, question or need any assistance contact us at 325.388.4507.
Will we have Bible Studies and Worship Services this Sunday?
No. We have decided to cancel ALL scheduled events until further notice, including our Sunday worship service, in order to minimize the risk of illness and protect those who are entrusted to us. On the morning of Sunday, March 22, a new sermon will be available on this YouTube channel and on our website (Sermon Page).
Why have services been canceled?
We have not made this decision lightly, but we believe it is the wisest course of action at this time. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and adhere to the recommendations of the CDC and local health officials. When we decide it is safe to resume our services and other events, we will communicate that to you. For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website.
How can I continue to worship through my giving during this time?
Thank you so much for your faithful support to the ministry and mission of our church. During this time we recommend that you give either by mailing your contribution to the church or take advantage of our online giving capabilities. You can also electronically give HERE
How should I respond to COVID-19?
Though situations like these can stir up fear and anxiety, God is sovereign over all things, and our ultimate hope is found in Jesus. To minimize the risk of illness, here are a few practical things you can do to love your neighbor:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
How should I respond spiritually to the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) is yet one more reminder that we live in a fallen world. Ultimately, none of us is immune to this reality. But God has not left us alone. Jesus came to heal the sick and set the captives free. He has conquered sin and death and is coming again with a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no suffering, no sickness, and no death. Our God sits on His throne and because we have hope in Jesus we can have peace in even the most challenging circumstances.
While you’re trusting Jesus in this situation, here are some other ways you can respond to the COVID-19 (coronavirus):
- Pray for mercy and healing for the sick, strength and endurance for medical professionals, insight for researchers, and wisdom for city and government officials.
- Look for opportunities to love and care for others with the love that Christ has shown to us.
- Even if we’re unable to gather at certain times or as a full church body, stay connected to the church family through calls or texts and engage with online content if no other option is available. Pray for and encourage one another without ceasing.