How to make the most of Next…even if you’re not there!

Even if you didn’t get to go to Baltimore this year, you can make the most of the Next Conference from right where you are!

1. Check out the website at www.thisisNEXT.org.  Follow all the action on Twitter and Facebook. 
2. Pray for those going by name: Steve, Becky, Nikki, Sarah (and those meeting us there in Baltimore: Greg, Margaret, Stefanie and Mrs. Lewis)
3. Listen to the messages after the conference as they’re posted online and discuss them with someone who went when they return.  (While you wait for the new ones, maybe listen to the old ones!)
4. Text someone who is there!

Some specific things to pray for:

• Traveling mercies…mercy, mercy, mercy! 
• Their hearts to be refreshed.
• The cross to be lifted high.
• The Lord to be glorified.
• New friendships created.
• Old friendships strengthened.
• Hearts to be pierced by the Word.
• Clear minds of speakers and listeners. 
• God to be glorified in our speech, the way we eat, in every little thing we do.

Boundless’ Plug for Next

Reading Boundless’ plug for Next this morning made we want to hop to Baltimore in the snow right now.  I can’t wait!

Scripture at Sunrise 9.25.09

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us.”  –1 John 3:16

By This We Know Love
by Judah Groveman of Zelos

God of all Creation, Lord of heaven’s light
Descended into evil’s darkest night
Infinitely Holy, Your perfections know no end
Selflessly You died my rightful death

By this we know love that He laid down His life
God’s very own Son came from Heaven to die
Suspended He hung as He shed His own blood
What grace in His pardon, by this we know love

Forsaken man of sorrows, hated by all men
You willingly surrendered for my sin
Scornfully derided, yet in silence stumbling on
Bearing wrath for all that I’ve done wrong
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

[View video.  Buy it.  Etc.]

Scripture at Sunrise 5.28.09

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”  -Luke 6:46-49

It’s not enough to have your life in close proximity to the rock. It’s not enough to be near people who are dug down deep into the rock. You have to build your house on the rock. And that’s expressed in doing what he says.

[Josh Harris in 2009 Next message on Christ’s Preeminence: Listen ~ Read Notes]

Scripture at Sunrise 5.25.09

“Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.”  -1 Thessalonians 5:25-26

We, the people at the Next Conference, trust you had a wonderful day in the Lord at New Life yesterday! 

Since the church secretary is presently in Baltimore for the conference, there was no way she could post her notes from yesterday’s New Life messages as she normally does every Monday on the blog. 

Therefore, she leaves you with a few links from what the Next-ers have been hearing over the past few days.  You are encouraged to leave YOUR notes from today’s NLBC messages in the comment section!  🙂

Visit the conference website.
View official summaries of Next conference messages.
View videos. 
Listen to conference message audio.
Follow the conference on Twitter.

Remember to Pray…

Remember to pray for those traveling to Baltimore for the Next Conference this weekend.  They will be on the road from 5:30 a.m. until about 3:00 p.m. Saturday.  The conference starts at 7:45 Saturday evening. 

Some things to pray for:

• Traveling mercies…mercy, mercy, mercy! 
• Their hearts to be refreshed.
• The cross to be lifted high.
• The Lord to be glorified.
• New friendships created.
• Old friendships strengthened.
• Hearts to be pierced by the Word.
• Clear minds of speakers and listeners. 
• God to be glorified in our speech, the way we eat, in every little thing we do.

People, not Culture

People, not Culture is an article by Mark Lauterbach recommended in this month’s issue the “Next” webzine.  He balances the importance of knowing people vs. the importance of knowing culture.

Weekly Announcements (April 26-May 3)

LAST UPDATED SUNDAY, April 26
Monday, April 27
-Review your notes from yesterday’s messages!

Tuesday, April 28
6:45-8:00 a.m.– Men’s Morning Meditations: Where God’s Word and coffee perk you up at your Pastor’s home! 

Wednesday, April 29
–7:00 p.m.– We will continue our “What We Believe Series.”  The kids will continue studying the book of Mark. 
-Wishing a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Norris Ritchey today!  Be sure to give him a call or send him a card!

Thursday, April 30
-Pray for your Pastor as he prepares for Sunday.

Friday, May 1
-Pray specifically for Alfred Joseph, the Jew Wayne had the chance to witness to at the Veteran’s Center Sunday.

Saturday, May 2
-Pray for the services tomorrow and prepare your heart for worship. 

Sunday, May 3
10:00 a.m.– Sunday School (Esther)
Devotion: Steve Dawson
11:00 a.m.– Sunday Morning Worship (Colossians 3)
Ushers: Tom Riley & Jason Estes
5:30 p.m.– Little Lifers Kids’ Choir
6:00 p.m.– Sunday Evening Worship (Exodus 32)

Sunday, May 17
John Mark and Judy Hatcher will join us during our evening service! 

Missionary of the Month:
BFM General Fund
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Links of the Week:

• AJ & Barbara Hensley’s Blog
• New ways to pray for Next!
• Destiny by Roy Lessin of DaySpring
• Ouch!
• Next Webzine 
• NEW!  A blog by Pastor Dave Parks about the happenings of BFM. 

Weekly Announcements (April 19-26)

LAST UPDATED SUNDAY, April 19
Monday, April 20
-Review your notes from yesterday’s messages!
-Last day to register at a discounted price for Next
-Happy Birthday to Olivia Harden!
BFM Spring Conference Begins
5:00 – 6:00 Supper
7:00 Jim Orrick of Storms Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Ironton, OH
8:00 Missionary-Pastor John M. Hatcher of Tournefeuille, France

Tuesday, April 21
6:45-8:00 a.m. -Men’s Morning Meditations: Where God’s Word and coffee perk you up at your Pastor’s home! 
BFM Spring Conference Continues:
9:30 Pastor Larry Fisher of Rosedale Baptist Church, Rosedale, WV
10:30 Seminar: Giving God Glory Among the Nations, The Ultimate Purpose and Goal of BFM: Giving God Glory- Making God known through proclamation and obedience
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Open Advisory Meeting/ Reports / Q&A / “All are welcome”
5:00 – 6:00 Supper
7:00 Pastor Richard Westfall Hardman Fork Baptist Church, Normantown, WV
8:00 Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper Cuiaba / Varzea Grande, Brazil

Wednesday, April 22
-Pray for the Lord to give Bro. Norris an extra dose of His grace today! 
OUR WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT THOMPSON ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH!!!!
BFM Spring Conference continues
9:30 Pastor Gary Harrah Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Wyandotte, MI
10:20 Missionary-Pastor A. J. Hensley New Life Baptist Church, Caraguatatuba, Brasil
11:20 Missionary-Pastor Harold Bratcher 24th of March Baptist Church, Manaus, Brasil
12:00 Lunch
5:00 – 6:00 Supper
7:00 Pastor Glenn Archer of Faith Baptist Church, Kirksville, MO Thursday, April 23
-Study your Sunday School Lesson (Nehemiah). 

Friday, April 24
-Call a brother or sister in Christ to let them know you are praying for them! 
-Have you collected any recycling items (including newspapers, cardboard, office paper, ink cartridges, cell phones, etc.) to donate to the Lexington Rescue Mission (to provide medical needs)?

Saturday, April 25
-Pray for the services tomorrow and prepare your heart for worship. 

Sunday, April 26
10:00 a.m.– Sunday School (Nehemiah)
Devotion: This one was a three-way tie.  Bro. Wayne won the slot! 
11:00 a.m.– Sunday Morning Worship (Colossians 3)
Ushers: Paul Johnson & Roger Harden
5:30 p.m.– Little Lifers Kids Choir
6:00 p.m.– Sunday Evening Worship (Exodus 32)

Missionary of the Month:
BFM General Fund

BFM Spring Conference: April 20-22 at Thompson Road Baptist Church (Full schedule HERE!)
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Links of the Week:

• Beautiful Prayer from “The Valley of Vision”
• The GirlTalkers on “Mothering Teens“
• Distasteful Sin
• Easter Messages from NEXT Speakers
• Next Webzine 
• NEW!  A blog by Pastor Dave Parks about the happenings of BFM.  There are lots of updates about specific personal prayer requests for missionary families.  Right now, there are continual updates on Wallace York, Bobby Creiglow and the Drapers’ granddaughter.  Be sure to check it out to know how to better pray for these dear saints.

Scripture at Sunrise 3.11.09

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”   -1 John 2:15-16

John Owen, as quoted in CJ Mahaney’s “Worldliness”:

“When someone sets his affections upon the cross and the love of Christ, he crucifies the world as a dead and undesirable thing. The baits of sin lose their attraction and disappear. Fill your affections with the cross of Christ and you will find no room for sin.” 

[HT: Next]