First Baptist Church Midweek Update

Dear Church Family,

You guys are awesome!  I’ve been hearing wonderful stories of ways that you have found to stay in contact with each other, and even better than that you have found creative ways to share the gospel with others.  From using things like good old fashioned hand-written notes sent in the “snail mail” to daily calls around to folks in need.  You all are doing it!  I wish I had come up with this statement, but I’m not this clever – “The Church is not closed.  It has been deployed!”  This is so incredibly true right now.

As you look at the numbers for the impact that COVID-19 is having in Colorado, please remember that we expected the numbers to go up as testing kits became more widely distributed. The recent uptick in confirmed cases is not a surprise, however, the danger still exists. 11 have died in Colorado including one in Eagle County. While we certainly mourn with the families that have experienced loss, we also want to remember that God is still on the throne.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 
—Isaiah 41:10

I’d like to briefly give you the run-down on the upcoming schedule for the church.  It’s fairly simple, but we need to be aware.

1.       The choir will continue to meet on Wednesday nights at 7 pm.  We ask that only choir members and family attend so that social distancing can be maintained.
2.       The Sunday sermon will be available again this Sunday morning on the website – just like it was last Sunday.
3.       Remember to sign up for an in-home prayer meeting and Bible study.  You can do that HERE.
4.       The Easter Celebration is still scheduled for April 19.  Again, this date could change, but as of March 25 this plan is still in place.

I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who has had excellent suggestions regarding the sermon videos.  I have taken them all into consideration, and we may be able to implement some of them as we move forward.  Have patience with me; this is my first attempt at being a televangelist!

I love you all,

—Pastor Monroe

P.S. Ben Schettler has released the first episode of his television series.  You can watch that HERE

God's Classroom

Are you getting “Cabin Fever” yet?  I know I am.  My children are having a hard time understanding why they can’t go out and do the fun the things they usually enjoy like church, storytime at the library, gymnastics, or even just trips to the park, and I am sure that you have many questions as well.  We have been told to stay at home as much as possible[1], but the fact is, we are not accustomed to this type of lifestyle in our culture.  As a matter of fact, many of us are away from home more than we are there.  So, what should we do during this season of isolation? 

I would like to share three Biblical thoughts about a season of isolation.  Moses spent 40 years in isolation after he fled from Egypt.  He was disliked by both the Egyptians and the Hebrews, and so homeless, family-less, and hopeless he endured this lonely season.

1.  Isolation is God’s Training Ground

If we let Him, God will use this season of isolation to mold us into the people he needs us to be.  Think about some of the heroes of the Bible that spent time in Isolation.

                1.  Noah – alone with just his family and the animals in the ark

                2.  Joseph – Sold into slavery and imprisoned

                3.  Gideon – Alone in a winepress threshing wheat

                4.  David – Alone with his sheep

                5.  Jonah – Three days and nights alone in the whale’s belly

                6.  Peter – Weeping and alone after he denied Christ

                7.  Paul – Alone in the wilderness after his conversion

                8.  John – Alone on Patmos

Allow God to teach you during this season.  Stay in the Word, continue praying, and love others.

2.  Moses Learned Humility

Moses would go from being the Prince of Egypt that killed a man in anger to the meekest man in all the earth.  What a stark difference!  The Lord may be teaching us to be humble, so why don’t we put aside the pride and look instead to the needs of others instead of our own needs.  Remember what Jude said.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:
—Jude 1:22

3.  Moses became Contemplative

Take time right now to reflect and contemplate your life.  Not in a regretful way, but rather in a helpful and constructive way.  We need to consider past decisions and weigh them in light of eternity.  Have you kept the Lord first in your life?  Then choose to move forward from here keeping Him as the priority of life. 

Remember, this season of isolation we are in can be used by the Lord to teach us and train us.  It is important that we allow Him to work in our hearts.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 
—Isaiah 40:31

—Pastor Steve Monroe

[1] https://covid19.colorado.gov/press-release/state-health-department-issues-public-health-order-reducing-person-work-and

Slow Down

As a young boy, I would run everywhere!  I ran in the house, through the house, outside the house, around the house — basically use any preposition and I ran there.  I can also remember my mother, on more than one occasion, catching me and forcing me to sit down.  I would whine and complain until I was finally again released to run some more!

Is it possible that during this tumultuous time God is grabbing us and telling us to slow down?  Think about it, we often talk about how busy we are and all the things we need to get finished in between taking the kids to school and practices, but now, most of those activities have come to a screeching halt.  God has used a microscopic virus to pump the brakes on the activities of the entire world.  The question we should ask then is, “Why?”

Notice what the Bible says,

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
—Psalm 46:10

I want to encourage everyone, both Christian and Non-Christian to slow down and ponder God.  Here are some ways we can do that.

1.  Pray to God
Prayer is simply talking to God.  Maybe you have never done this and you’re afraid it might feel a little weird, but I can promise you that it will help.  The act of verbally pouring out your heart to God and telling him about your needs will help you sort through the thoughts in your mind.  But most importantly, God is likely the only one who can do anything about the stuff you’re dealing with anyway.  Prayer still works—we just need to do it.

2.  Meditate on Scripture
Get a Bible down off the shelf or download an app on your phone and start reading.  I recommend beginning with the book in the New Testament called “John”.  As you read, think about what the Bible says and what it means for you.

3.  Listen to Worshipful Music
Music has the ability to tug the strings of our heart as nothing else can.  I know that many have playlists for when they are sad or mad or excited, but I want to encourage you to listen to a playlist that is uplifting and encouraging.  Here is a link to an album I have been listening to during these uncertain days.
Click here for link to album

4.  Meet the Needs of Others
Look!  I get it.  We’re all running low on toilet paper!  But let’s be honest, there could someone in your own neighborhood who has a need that you could meet.  The Bible does tell us that it’s a bigger blessing to give than it is to receive so let’s look for ways to help someone around us.

Let’s take time to slow down and know God.  It may be the best thing that comes from all of this mayhem.

Update about Upcoming Meetings

Church Family and Friends,

I just wanted to take a moment and post an update about the current circumstances that are affecting our community and give you a quick update about any changes in service schedules.

First of all, we will be keeping the doors of First Baptist Church open, but we will also continue to encourage families to use their best judgment in regards to whether they are comfortable attending. I would like to express a word caution to those who choose to remain self-quarantined; please, remember that it easy to fall into a pattern of staying home from church - even when the danger has passed. Let’s be eager and ready to return when this all passes over.

Secondly, the Ladies Retreat in Moab has been canceled. Pastor Howe at Moab Baptist truly did not want to cancel, but in the end, he felt it was the best decision. The Ladies Meeting at First Baptist on March 28 will also be rescheduled.

Thirdly, please follow this blog for any updates regarding service schedules. We will be meeting this Wednesday night for Prayer and Bible Study at the church at 7 pm. A decision about the weeks to come will be announced early Thursday morning

Keep your neighbors in prayer, and check on them regularly. The Lord has called us to be His hands and feet during times like these.

With love to you all,

Pastor Monroe