CORONA VIRUS, JIBC, AND THE CDC!

What a combination to start an article. Someone asked last week what has JIBC done in the past for times like this? We assured them that in my lifetime, the only National Disaster that was ever declared was 9/11. We are kind of used to hurricanes, flu outbreaks and floods. But this corona virus is a new type of experience and is living up to all of the hype it created.

I hope you heard the Governor’s message Sunday at 4:00 pm. He was extremely helpful and showed good leadership. He has assembled a good team who helped him make the tough choices for an extremely difficult time. The Governor recommended no meetings of over 100 people. The CDC came right on his heels and said the Center For Disease Control says no more than 50 people at a gathering. So many schools closed, sporting events, shows and concerts, daycares all closed. Remember, the goal is to “flatten the infection curve” by limiting the targets and to prevent the masses from getting this virus.

That is the topic of this article. We are going along with the Governor and CDC recommendation to not gather for corporate worship and other church activities. We will not have Sunday worship services for the next two weeks for sure. No Wednesday night meals, Bible Studies, Youth or Awana Missions. We are hoping and praying we will be able to resume all activities by April 5 which is Palm Sunday and hopefully by Easter! Just like schools, universities, etc, we will close and hope for the best and try to keep you as informed as we can.

Your church staff is still working every day and is available for phone calls, emergencies, etc. We have volunteers ready if anyone needs help getting groceries or medicines. You should be getting what you need right away. You need groceries and medicines. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you know someone who needs help buying groceries or picking up meds, please let us know. Call the office at 843-762-0244.

This Sunday we should have a better recording of the message for this week. Generous donations have allowed us to get the equipment we need to make this happen. We will be able to live feed services each week. For this Sunday, we will probably record it ahead of time and just have it ready for you to see.

Deep breath…hold ten seconds. Some have said that is a good indication you do not have the virus. But, I am not a doctor and I have not stayed in a Holiday Inn Express lately. The extreme adjustments we are making to our liberties are not just to protect us. It is to help those who are at risk: the elderly grandparents and great grandparents; those with compromised immune systems; those recently on chemo; etc. If we can flatten the corona virus infection curve out, we can do a wonderful service to millions.

This Sunday, I will have a sermon ready for online viewing. It will be my best response to this National Disaster known as corona virus. Plan to tune in and let us know what you think.

Pastor Tom

CORONA VIRUS AND YOU

It has been a while since anything dominated the news like this latest virus. The news media has a tough job of keeping everyone informed without spreading false and unhelpful fear mongering. It really is a daunting task. So what is the response of our church and our faith?

First, can we all agree that good hygiene practices are worth doing all the time? It is flu season with or without corona virus. As they say on cruise ships… “washy, washy”. Every expert I have seen and heard has encouraged the basic practice of washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Thank you. Go to the restroom, wash your hands; been touching a lot of surfaces, wash your hands. Just good, basic hygiene practices.

Second is what Doctor Oz calls social distancing. Let’s back off of handshakes, hugs and kisses on the cheek for the flu season. This really can cut down on exposure. Add to this one the frequent use of hand sanitizer. A really hard practice is to not touch your face. Avoid, as much as possible, touching your eyes, mouth and nose. * I think the experiment Sunday caught me touching my face 4 times! Lol.

Third, if you are sick, stay home. Please don’t bless others with the gift that keeps on giving. That will be particularly hard for those who cannot work from home. So, if you are sick and have to go out, that would be a great time to wear the little masks if you have them available. At least practice social distancing. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of your arm/elbow seems to be a standard acceptable practice.

Fourth, last but not least, let’s add prayer and scripture. Really. Let’s pray for those who do research and provide care for the sick; pray for the sick and their families; pray for those who are most vulnerable. Pray for our missionaries and those who have planned mission trips to affected parts of the world. Let’s seek God’s mercy and grace, His wisdom and power. Read Psalm 91 when you have a moment. It is not like our Father has never dealt with this before. Watch for what God is doing and be ready to join Him.

Greet me Sunday with the new “knuckle bump” or “chicken wing”!

Pastor Tom

Who’s Your One?

This past Sunday we started a month long emphasis called “Who’s Your One?” Led by our North American Mission Board, this is an effort to reach those who are not yet a part of the Family of God. Imagine what could happen if tens of thousands of believers would pray in earnest for the salvation of those who are near to them but far from God. We are using this mission/ministry evangelism effort for the month of March and leading into Easter. There are thousands of churches joining together to use this effort as one way to reach their spiritually lost family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc.

So, here are the steps: First, pray for our Father to lay on your heart the name of someone you would pray for during the next 30 days. Fill out one of the bookmark cards and name the person you will be lifting up. Any Sunday between now and Easter, you may come forward and put that person’s name at the cross on stage in the sanctuary. We will have a dedicated time of prayer each week for the people for whom we are praying. If you cannot attend, but would like to participate, call the office or send us an email with the name you are praying for and we will take it to the cross for you.

Second, we have provided a 30 Day Prayer Journal that has Scripture to read and a prayer to pray. It is not long or complicated. I have been using this guide since the beginning of February in my own quiet time. It does not replace my quiet time, it is just a few moments I made a part of my quiet time alone with God. It really is short and to the point. The 30 days begins whenever you begin. We do not have to all start on the same day.

Third, start praying that God would show you how you can share your story and the Gospel with the person you for whom you are praying. It might be as general as inviting them to the Easter worship service and out to dinner afterwards. It might be building a relationship that will allow you to earn the right to be heard some day in the future. We will be sharing different ways to God might lead us share His story.

Who’s Your One? You might not know yet. How cool would that be if you really felt in your heart the Spirit of God lead you to think of a name? Someone you know that is near to you but far from God. I am praying and asking. To God be the glory.

Pastor Tom

“Who’s Your One?”

Imagine if every member of JIBC and every attendee could answer that question with the name of a person—a person for whom they’re praying and with whom they are trying to share the Gospel. How would it change our church? How would it change the world? My guess is that most of us know someone personally who is near to us but far from God. We know a father or mother, a son or daughter, a neighbor or friend. There is the co-worker that you have worked with over the years; the person who provides a service to you. I can only imagine the possibilities of what God can do! This Sunday we start a month long focus on leading our church family and friends to identify one person in your relational network to pray for and to pray for an opportunity, in some way, with whom to share the Gospel. This is not an overly elaborate plan. “Who’s your one?” 

We will make available a 30 day prayer guide that will help lead you to pray specifically, with intentionality, for someone you know who needs to know our Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ. The prayer guides will be available at no cost and are so easy to use. I have been using my guide for the last three weeks. I have identified my one and am asking God to lay on my heart another to add to this prayer list. I think you will find the simple and basic prayer guide to be helpful.

Next, I will also be teaching a series of lessons related to this prayer/evangelism emphasis. We will visit again the call to follow Jesus and the call to make disciples. The timing for this is very intentional. We are hoping that you will be able to invite your one to this year’s Easter service where they will hear a very clear presentation of the Gospel and will have an opportunity to respond. Each week we will be providing more and more guidance and help as you consider…“Who’s your one?”

Pastor Tom

USING YOUR INFLUENCE

I want to praise the Lord and give a shout out to Daniel Teague. Daniel is one of our students here at JIBC. He and his family attend regularly. His dad owns a landscaping design company so Daniel has kind of grown up in the business. Daniel is in the Boy Scouts and is earning his Eagle Scout rank. To do that requires a community project. Daniel chose, after much thought, to do a landscaping project at our Transition House. I thought that was a great idea.

To be honest, I thought he was going to just put in a new flower bed and trim some bushes and rake some leaves. Let me try to describe what is taking place. By the way, you can drive by and see it any time. It is front yard, front and center!

Daniel's landscaping and design project, of course, used his skills in landscaping. But he also used his skills of influence and was able to get almost all of the materials donated at no cost. He went to areas vendors and suppliers and explained what he was doing. They were glad to help a scout earn his eagle rank and to help in a project benefiting people in recovery. He used his skills as a landscaper and his influence with community businesses to accomplish his project. He enlisted people with stump grinders, back hoes, dump trucks, pavers, plants, etc. This turned out to be a full scale landscaping makeover. It could have been a television show.

This past Monday morning as I drove into our parking lot, Daniel had a full work crew busy as they could be. I could not count how many volunteers he recruited. Last Saturday, he even had the children living at the Transition House carrying and placing pavers. It was a beautiful sight. I hope we can put together a presentation of the entire project. He even has plans to repurpose the old bricks he took up.

Daniel has been a great example of using your influence for good and to the glory of God. Well done, Daniel, well done!

Pastor Tom

Great things at JIBC

Tested and Getting Ready for Greatness. This Sunday I will be teaching from Genesis 22. It is a wonderful but perplexing story of Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Spend some time taking a look at this great chapter. I think it will have a deep impact on us as we seek what He is saying to us. This story reminds us that we are often tested by God…never tempted by God…but often tested. Abraham and Isaac were destined for great things but first they were tested. What are you going through now that could be a test preparing you for bigger things, greater things ahead? Don’t miss this Sunday!

If you missed our new year’s teaching series on “Foundations: Building Better Believers” I hope you will check it out online. You can visit the church website www.jamesislandbaptist.com. You can hear the sermon and use the sermon outline notes. There is no doubt the storms of life will come. Jesus gave us the way to be able to withstand the storm by building on a firm foundation.

This past Sunday we had 14 signed up for Class 101: Discovering Membership at JIBC. We had 11 who were able to attend and 10 who joined the James Island Baptist Church family. Next week after all the records are in we will publish their names and celebrate the goodness of God. He has added these precious souls to the JIBC church family. What an honor to welcome them! By the way, we had one family that had three generations present for Class 101! As far as I remember, that is a first! Hallelujah and to God be the glory!

Be in prayer for our Student Ministry going away for a retreat this weekend. Pastor Frankie, Pastor Scott and their team will be taking a group to Look Up Lodge. God grant them safety as they travel, open hearts to hear the Gospel, open minds to receive the truth and hearts committed to obeying. In Jesus Name, Amen.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

An Update from James Island Outreach

James 1:26-27 

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

I received an update from James Island Outreach a week or so ago. I thought I would share some of the highlights. The verse above from James is helpful is setting the stage for this article. At times we can be tempted to equate religion with what we believe over what we do. Proper belief, orthodoxy, is important. But just as important is proper action and lifestyle, orthopraxy. From my perspective, anyone who says they believe right but then does not act right, is actually lacking on the believing part. Change your thinking and you will change your actions. Of course, no one is perfect and in fact, all of us have sinned and fallen short of what God expects. Now, back to our actions, what James calls religion…true and pure religion. It is wrapped up in kind actions and deeds. It is based, I rather think, on kind thoughts that are humble and charitable. So the half brother of Jesus recommends, first, to watch your tongue. Saying what you think without proper submission, may say you have deceived your heart. The sad part of that is the result of such deception is worthless religion. So there one sits, all orthodox in their belief, clinging to what they perceive to be the gospel. All the while, they may be deceived.

So how could one know if they are embracing a “true religion” that is worthwhile and not worthless? Try this…to visit the orphans and the widows in their time of affliction/need and to keep oneself unstained from the world. The James Island Outreach says James Island Baptist Church gave 5,408 pounds of food to help the underserved in 2019. That is over 2½ tons of food to help the orphans and the widows..or the poor and underserved. In addition, you gave $2,275 to help pay emergency utilities, help some attain their GED, help provide cooking classes, buy medicine for those who cannot afford it. You also gave generously so we could donate $1,000 to help 24 sister churches raise $15,000 to pay off $1.5 million dollars in medical debt and to pay off $400,000 in medical debt for Veterans with financial needs. The Rest In Peace Medical Debt ministry buys up medical debt pennies on the dollar. We were able to partner with them to do an incredible work. To God be the glory.

Moral of the story? When you believe right it will show itself when we behave right. True religion cannot be about doctrine alone. We are saved by Grace Alone and rest on Scripture Alone and trust Christ Alone. That is the right place to begin ones spiritual journey. It is not the right place to end.

Pastor Tom