Trusting Jesus It Just So Happens
Newsletter, October 2017
It Just So Happens
Trusting Jesus
I had a great trip to Belarus. The trip reminded me that God is control of all things. For instance:
This week I found myself asking a simple question: Am I trusting God as much as I should? The answer was no. I realized that often I allow worry and anxiety to steal my joy and trust for the Lord.
It just so happens – I wrote a book on depression, and Belarus is one of the most depressed nations in the world. It just so happens – they were celebrating the 500th year of the printing press while I was in town. It just so happens - I grew up in my family’s printing business. I spoke at the Minsk library and told them about my family, as well as the Bible, the greatest book ever printed. It just so happens – my friend and interpreter Sergei, who of course lives in Belarus, is close friends with one of Josh’s professors in New Orleans. It just so happens – I was partnered with a local pastor, a total stranger, yet we bonded so well together. Strangers became family. I believe none of these things just happened. God is large and in charge. Things happen for a reason. As Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. The world, and those who dwell in it.” The same is true in your life. Things don’t just happen. Look closely, perhaps you will see the hand of God.
Your Pastor,
Jason R. McNaughten
Trusting in the Lord is both straightforward and complex; it is easy and difficult; a child can do, but some adults can’t. Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Are you? First, ask yourself am I daily depending on the Holy Spirit? This involves praying for His guidance, listening to His answer, and walking in His power. Often, we may pray but are we listening to God, hearing His answers, and believing Him for the best? Second, are you trusting God at His word? Christians are called not only to know God’s word, but to believe in the words that have come down through thousands of years. If we know it and do not trust it, then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Third, do we say that we believe and trust His word, but our actions not show it? Are we constantly worried and occupied by thoughts of distrust? This means that our brains and hearts are not in alignment to God’s truth. Praying, fellowship, and seeking godly counsel can protect and heal us.
Prayerfully yours,
Joshua Peeler
Dr. Jason R. McNaughten, Pastor Josh Peeler, Youth Pastor Beverly Stuart, Ministry Assistant
Happy October Birthday 1st 3rd 7th 8th 11th 12 th 13th 15 th 16th 16th
Lois Spivey Joanie Fredieu Mike Kelley Mina Major Lou West Seth Moore Pat Eldridge Clevis Cormier Debbie Jarreau Matthew Jarreau
16th 17th 17th 19th 19th 22nd 22nd 25th 27th 31st
Alice LeJeune Patti Cochran Millie Labatut Blake Boudreaux Martha Jo Ewing Marion Coffman Pam Moore Lynette Loewer Chase Bookout Brandi Forbes
Office: 225-638-7541 www.fbcnr.org [email protected] Sunday Bible Study: 9:15 AM Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM Wed. Services: 11:30 AM, 6:00 PM
OCTOBER EVENTS ➢ ➢
Men & Women Bible Studies, Suns., 6-7:30pm Trunk or Treat, Tues., Oct. 31, 5:30-7:00pm
Operation Christmas Child Mission Project We will collect boxes all month long. Shoeboxes are available around campus. For check donations, please mark OCC in the memo section. Packing Party: Sunday, November 5 after church. Thank you for your generosity and helping spread the good news about our Savior, Jesus Christ to these children. Visit www.samartianspurse.org/occ for more information.
First Baptist Church 824 W. Main Street New Roads, LA 70760
It Just So Happens
Trusting Jesus
I had a great trip to Belarus. The trip reminded me that God is control of all things. For instance:
This week I found myself asking a simple question: Am I trusting God as much as I should? The answer was no. I realized that often I allow worry and anxiety to steal my joy and trust for the Lord.
It just so happens – I wrote a book on depression, and Belarus is one of the most depressed nations in the world. It just so happens – they were celebrating the 500th year of the printing press while I was in town. It just so happens - I grew up in my family’s printing business. I spoke at the Minsk library and told them about my family, as well as the Bible, the greatest book ever printed. It just so happens – my friend and interpreter Sergei, who of course lives in Belarus, is close friends with one of Josh’s professors in New Orleans. It just so happens – I was partnered with a local pastor, a total stranger, yet we bonded so well together. Strangers became family. I believe none of these things just happened. God is large and in charge. Things happen for a reason. As Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. The world, and those who dwell in it.” The same is true in your life. Things don’t just happen. Look closely, perhaps you will see the hand of God.
Your Pastor,
Jason R. McNaughten
Trusting in the Lord is both straightforward and complex; it is easy and difficult; a child can do, but some adults can’t. Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Are you? First, ask yourself am I daily depending on the Holy Spirit? This involves praying for His guidance, listening to His answer, and walking in His power. Often, we may pray but are we listening to God, hearing His answers, and believing Him for the best? Second, are you trusting God at His word? Christians are called not only to know God’s word, but to believe in the words that have come down through thousands of years. If we know it and do not trust it, then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Third, do we say that we believe and trust His word, but our actions not show it? Are we constantly worried and occupied by thoughts of distrust? This means that our brains and hearts are not in alignment to God’s truth. Praying, fellowship, and seeking godly counsel can protect and heal us.
Prayerfully yours,
Joshua Peeler
Dr. Jason R. McNaughten, Pastor Josh Peeler, Youth Pastor Beverly Stuart, Ministry Assistant
Happy October Birthday 1st 3rd 7th 8th 11th 12 th 13th 15 th 16th 16th
Lois Spivey Joanie Fredieu Mike Kelley Mina Major Lou West Seth Moore Pat Eldridge Clevis Cormier Debbie Jarreau Matthew Jarreau
16th 17th 17th 19th 19th 22nd 22nd 25th 27th 31st
Alice LeJeune Patti Cochran Millie Labatut Blake Boudreaux Martha Jo Ewing Marion Coffman Pam Moore Lynette Loewer Chase Bookout Brandi Forbes
Office: 225-638-7541 www.fbcnr.org [email protected] Sunday Bible Study: 9:15 AM Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM Wed. Services: 11:30 AM, 6:00 PM
OCTOBER EVENTS ➢ ➢
Men & Women Bible Studies, Suns., 6-7:30pm Trunk or Treat, Tues., Oct. 31, 5:30-7:00pm
Operation Christmas Child Mission Project We will collect boxes all month long. Shoeboxes are available around campus. For check donations, please mark OCC in the memo section. Packing Party: Sunday, November 5 after church. Thank you for your generosity and helping spread the good news about our Savior, Jesus Christ to these children. Visit www.samartianspurse.org/occ for more information.
First Baptist Church 824 W. Main Street New Roads, LA 70760
