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Today’s post is from Rev. Charles Ragland

You are aware we have many individuals and family members who are struggling with some ongoing health issues. Those who are homebound or in assisted living facilities are easy to identify. There are others who have ongoing problems or even short-term sicknesses, that we may not be so quick to identify.

It was a Wednesday evening and we were driving home from church. Tracey was 4 years old and in the back seat. Our dialog went something like this:

Tracey: Dad, can we get a baby?
Me: Why do you think we need a baby?
Tracey: I would like a little brother or sister to play with.
Me: Well, it would be a while before you have a playmate. You know that when babies are born, they don’t do a lot except eat, sleep and… fill their diapers.

Tracey, giggled a bit in the back seat and after a few moments of quiet reflection, asked, “Dad, can we get a dog?” And with that, the conversation between us on this subject pretty much ended.

Not too many weeks later, Joan and I invited Tracey to join us on the couch in our family room. She sat between us and patiently listened as we explained that Joan was expecting our second child. Suddenly, she leaped off the couch, joyfully laughed, gleefully clapped and and excitedly danced around the room. Just as suddenly, she stopped in place and her face became serious. Then, as if the “connect the dots” picture became clear in her mind, her eyes grew wide and she softly exclaimed, “God answered my prayer.”

Yes, He did, Tracey, yes, He did.

I wonder how Isaac and Rebekah felt when God answered their prayer (Genesis 25:21)? Or Hannah (1 Sam 1:1-20)? Elijah (1 Kings 18:36-40)? Peter (Acts 9:36-42)? Paul (Acts 28:7-10)? Were their eyes wide with wonder and amazement? I wonder if they ever considered an answered prayer a routine event?

How about you? When was the last time you realized that God had heard AND answered your prayer? When was the last time your joy gave way to quiet contemplation over the goodness and wonder of the God of all creation taking a personal interest in you and answering when you called? Has it been too long?

Pause and pray: God, may I never lose the childlike wonder and amazement when you step into our lives and answer our prayers. May I always recognize Your work and worship You with joy and abandon. Amen.

Beginning Wednesday, January 6 we will be offering

Dave Ramsey’s

Financial Peace University

Wednesdays through March 9 @ 6:15 pm in ROC 305

Registration is requested

Click here to register for the class: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locations/class/1011479

This life-changing class taught by Dave Ramsey and the FPU teaching team on video and coordinated by Tom Braden at Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL will help you achieve your financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever.

Imagine you fall off the side of a cruise ship and, not knowing how to swim, begin to drown. Someone on the deck spots you, flailing in the water and throws you a life preserver. It lands directly in front of you and, just before losing consciousness, you grab hold for dear life. They pull you up onto the deck, and you cough the water out of your lungs. People gather around, rejoicing that you are safe and waiting expectantly while you regain your senses. After you finally catch your breath, you open your mouth and say: “Did you see the way I grabbed onto that life preserver? How tightly I held on to it? Did you notice the definition in my biceps and the dexterity of my wrists? I was all over that thing!”

Needless to say, it would be a bewildering and borderline insane response. To draw attention to the way you cooperated with the rescue effort denigrates the whole point of what happened, which is that you were saved. A much more likely chain of events is that you would immediately seek out the person who threw the life preserver, and you would thank them. Not just superficially, either. You would embrace them, ask them their name, invite them to dinner, maybe give them your cabin!

Gratitude is a natural response to salvation. It does not require coercion or encouragement; to the extent that the individual understands what has happened, gratitude will flow organically and abundantly from their heart. The precise form it takes will be different every time, but such is the nature of fruit.  And giving thanks is essential.  (Law and Gospel)

“In all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you….” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

It’s time for Operation Christmas Child!

On Sunday, October 18 and 25, we’ll be distributing boxes from the Welcome Center patio after all morning services. Last year was a banner year as we collected 815 boxes from FCBC members to send all over the world.

Each year, many ask “What do we put in a shoe box?” Here are a couple of places to get info that might help:

• The Operation Christmas Child site has some helpful information, especially for girls and boys at various ages.
• Another great source is a blog post entitled “Unsolicited Advice About Shoeboxes.” This is written by folks who serve in areas where boxes have been delivered and their insight in “Not So Good Gifts” is very helpful.

Remember to pickup your box and return it completed during the collection week of November 16-23.

The following is a guest post from one of our church members. Please read this powerful challenge to influencing our children through the Bible teaching ministry.

Take a look at this rope. There’s nothing flashy about it, no tricks, no nothing….it’s just a rope. And yet….it speaks volumes.

You see, this rope is 168″ long. Each inch representing one hour of the week.

Now….see that little black mark there? The tiny one….at the end? Well it represents one hour…..that’s the average amount of time each teacher has to pour into the the lives of kids and students here at FCBC.

Take a good look at the rope again…..there’s a whole lot of rope…..and only a tiny little mark.

Only a tiny little opportunity to pour Jesus into the lives of babies-seniors in high school.

One little hour to combat the other 167 they will face during the week.

One tiny hour to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who may not see Him demonstrated in their homes.

One little hour to guard against all that the world will throw at them.

One simple hour.

And yes, some may come more frequently…..but even if they do, is a few really that much in light of 168?

And while the Bible is clear that it is the parents responsibility to be the primary Biblical teachers of their children…….we as a church have a great opportunity to assist in that process…..to be a part of parent’s plan to disciple their kids….and we need to take that responsibility seriously.

Teachers, what you do during that one simple hour has great implications…..simply put…..it matters. So thank you for taking it seriously, and recognizing the great responsibility you have been given. Thank you for spending every opportunity, during that hour you have, to pour Jesus into the lives of those entrusted to you. We are so very grateful for you.

And for others out there who aren’t currently teaching……would you prayerfully consider it? If you have been overwhelmed by what God has done for you…..for the cross….for salvation….for grace……don’t you want to do everything you can to point this younger generation to Him? To help them build a firm foundation in Him? To help them as they learn to trust in Him?

1 out of 168…..we have been given 1 in 168. So I ask you…what will you do with it?

Jennifer Cogley

Please join us Easter Sunday, April 5 for services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am

All of our services will be held in the Worship Center and are identical with the exception of a contemporary worship service in the gym at 9:30.  Our pastor, Dr. Tim Maynard will be speaking in every service.  We will have Sunday School at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 for preschoolers in the ROC (the 3-story building located on the southern end of the campus).

Parking for visitors is available on the north side of our campus next to the Burger King.

Please stop by the tent outside the Worship Center for snacks and to learn more about the events we have coming up.

If you have any question please feel free to email info@fruitcove.com

The Church Office will be closed Friday, April 3 for Good Friday. We will reopen Monday, April 6 at 8:30 am.