Christ Fellowship of Wise County

In this world of automated, computerized, faceless, compassion-less, brainless interactions with large companies doing anything to save a dollar, it was rewarding and comforting to read something this morning written by pastor Chuck Swindoll. He recognized that feeling of being treated like cattle in today’s society and how easy it would be to feel like “you are not important. You are an anonymous individual – only one among thousands. Therefore, no one really notices, needs or cares about you.” What a horrible way to feel.

But Swindoll points out that God’s Word offers a different perspective – the perspective of how God sees us as His precious sheep. In Luke 15, it says, “Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Maybe you need to hear that today like I did. And just know that God, the Creator of the universe, loves you. Your church, Christ Fellowship, loves you. And I love you and can’t wait to see you Sunday!

— Todd

I know. You’re busy. Everybody is busy. School, work, practice, birthdays 😉 I get it. We’re all busy. And there is always something going on at Christ Fellowship. We have a coat drive for the school kids, the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes we are building (Packing Party Nov. 5th), a game night coming up October 29th, the food pantry, the Conquer video series on Tuesday nights, helping the lady move tomorrow, plus church and Bible study Sundays and Wednesdays. It’s a lot, I know. Not to mention, the holidays will be here in like 30 minutes.

While all that is important, there is the most vital issue of your relationship with God through His Son Jesus. We can do all the things we need to do and forget the most important. And I know that you know this. I’m just giving you a gentle reminder that your priorities are proven by your actions. If you are a member of our church, you are a part of the body. 1 Corinthians 12 says all the parts of the body need to be doing what they are gifted to do. That is important, not just for your growth but for the growth of all the other parts as well.

So, when I say that you need the church and the church needs you, that is what I mean. And your priorities are proven by your actions. I love you all and really can’t wait to see you Sunday! It’s gonna be fun! 

— Todd

Isaiah 43 tells us to forget the former things because God is doing a new thing in our lives. He is making a way where we have never been before. Change can be scary but there is great peace in being obedient to what God calls us to do. And Christ Fellowship knows that very well. One year ago today was our last day in Lake Bridgeport and it was a scary time. But look how God has provided. Almost everybody made the move over to Chico with us and since then we have gained new members and we continue to have guests as members tell friends and co-workers about our church. We have seen new believers. We have made new friends and had more opportunities to minister through our food pantry than ever before. We continue ministering to the poor, the addicted and the incarcerated like we always have and God continues to bless and protect.

So, Sovereign Lord, we continue to give you our church as your bride. We continue to give you our time and talents and treasure. We continue to try to make you look good in everything we do and say and ask, God, that you would help us to give you all the glory for all the good things you do for us. And, Lord, in the days to come that are scary and uncertain, we trust you because you have proven yourself to be trustworthy! Over and over, year after year, you protect and provide and we just want to say thank you and we love you! In Jesus’ name, Amen

— Todd

Men of Christ Fellowship, our Conquer Series begins this evening at the church at 7 pm. What is it? The Conquer Series is a powerful cinematic video study that is changing the lives of men by the 1000’s. It’s a 5-part video series and each one lasts about an hour. The host is Dr. Ted Roberts who was a Marine fighter pilot and brings his knowledge of combat to helping men combat addictions like porn. I highly encourage every man over the age of about 12 to not miss any of these videos. It may not be appropriate for younger men or for women but we are working on another video series already that will be appropriate.

Tonight is the first night of 5 weeks that you can invest in not just helping yourself but other men who might not be as strong when it comes to sexual temptation. Just by coming to these is in no way saying that you have a problem but it says that you want to be able to help somebody that does. It’s just for guys so come relaxed, smoke a cigar, scratch, whittle, whatever you want. (Ok, maybe don’t smoke in the building.) I can’t wait to see you there.

Todd

Okay, I’m going to give you the text for the message this Sunday at Christ Fellowship. And I’m going to tell you some of what it means. This way you don’t even have to show up for church this Sunday! Right? There is absolutely no reason to even get out of bed this Sunday…well, except that the Bible tells us to meet together. You have a responsibility. It is part of the sanctification process we are all called to go through. And you would be missed. And you would miss it. But other than that, don’t worry about it.

Anyway, here is the test from 1 John 2:29. “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him.” Part of what that means is that a true believer in and follower of Jesus will do righteous (right) things. Let me give you some examples of righteous things you can do coming up at Christ Fellowship.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday, 9/9) Victoria is moving from one apartment to another and she needs help. She doesn’t have a lot of stuff or a lot of heavy stuff and she isn’t moving far. We will start at 10 am tomorrow at 1709 Edgewood Dr. #304 in B’port. Pickup trucks will be helpful.

Tuesday, September 12 at 7pm, we start our Conquer video series helping men stay away from addictive temptations like porn and other problems. This will be every Tuesday night for just 5 weeks and is a powerful tool that you can use whether you have a problem or you know of somebody that does. 

Feel free to start bringing items for our Operation Christmas Child emphasis. Our packing party will be November 5th and you can find out more info about what can go into the boxes here: How to Pack a Shoebox (samaritanspurse.org)

Lastly, we are going to have some fun filling up our food pantry this Sunday. We are asking everybody to bring something for the pantry that starts with the first letter of your first name. For instance, I haven’t decided if I am going to bring tuna or tarts or tapioca or maybe tiger tears. Just not sure at this point but you get it. Now go get it and bring it to church Sunday morning. It’ll be fun AND righteous.

I love you all! — Todd

In the second chapter of Acts, it says that the first church “gave to anyone as he had need.” That first church was the model for how all churches should be and how our church wants to be. Christ Fellowship has always reminded me of that early church and never more so than when somebody says that we are the church that helps people.

Well, we have the opportunity to that again and again right now and more coming soon. Almost every day this week, our food pantry has been utilized. I get asked pretty often if people are abusing that resource and I have to say no. Years ago there were some that probably took too much advantage of us but I just don’t see it anymore. It is somebody different every time and most of them are so very grateful and they hate to ask but are desperate. We understand that and are glad to help. Y’all have been very generous with that and it is very much appreciated. Be watching for more emphasis on this coming soon.

We also have the opportunity to start a coat drive for Chico school kids coming up soon. Our annual Operation Christmas Child emphasis is coming right up and we always enjoy that. I’ll have more copies of our jail ministry list this Sunday. And there will be some other opportunities to “give to anyone as they have need.” And all of this is why God has called us to minister specifically to the poor, the addicted and the incarcerated. We can’t help everybody but we can help those God has given to us. Thank you, Christ Fellowship, for doing that. It makes God look good!

I love you all and I can’t wait to see you this Sunday at 10 and 6.

— Todd

Just letting y’all know our Christ Fellowship food pantry is seeing more action than ever before. We have had people use it several times every week here lately and it is down to almost nothing. The big movers are bread, milk, eggs, lunchmeat, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly, etc. We have plenty of mac n cheese for now but anything that doesn’t require a lot of cooking is always good. Thanks so much! Y’all rock! 

PS Was Sunday just a lot of fun or what???

— Todd

So, why get baptized? Does it save you? Does it cleanse you of sin? Is it what you do to stay cool in this weather? No, no and no. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. It is a symbolic way of identifying with Jesus; of making known to God and to the world that you are now a follower of Jesus. It symbolizes His death, burial and resurrection and shows that we are new creatures ready to live a new life.
Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

We get to witness the wonderful ordinance of baptism this Sunday at Christ Fellowship. I hope you will be here to support Preston and his family and our church family as we do. I can’t wait to see you! I love you all! — Todd

Isaiah 32:18 says, “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” I am so thankful to God for providing me a place to live. I have been a little unsettled for many months but I now have a place that is “peaceful, secure and quiet,” well, except for all the 18-wheelers going up and down 1810! I am still getting settled in but I know so many of you stored some of my stuff when we left Lake Bridgeport. If I have anything in your possession, please let me know and I will get it. And I am so grateful for all of you that helped in that way as well as those who have helped get me moved in. I sure love Christ Fellowship and all my friends!

This Sunday morning we have a guest speaker preaching. Dr. Clay Lifto will give us a word of wisdom and peace for our church as he and dear Ruth are leaving our church to be closer to family. I can’t remember. Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, somewhere up north. I understand it but I hate that they are leaving and it will leave a big hole in our church family.

But we want to show them how much we love and will miss them AND how much we like to eat by having a church lunch this Sunday right after our worship time. A big, nice roast has been provided but if you would like to bring a side or bread or dessert, that would be great. But don’t feel like you have to. We always have plenty of food so if you can’t or forget, please stay and eat with us. There will be no evening service Sunday night.

I can’t wait to see you! I love you all! — Todd

Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12) So, I say to you, Christ Fellowship, good morning my dear family! I hope you are cool enough. If you or someone you know are not staying cool enough, please let me know and we will see how we can help.

Speaking of help, Clay and Ruth Lifto need a few strong hands and backs to help them move some boxes into a truck tomorrow (Saturday) morning starting about 10. It’s not a lot and it’s not real big or heavy stuff. Most of you know they are moving and we hate to lose them! But they need to be closer to their kiddos and we understand that.

Also, we are having a “See ya later” lunch for them after church next Sunday, the 13th. A roast will be provided so all we need to do is bring some sides and salads and some desserts.

If you want to help tomorrow morning, the Lifto’s address is 119 Hauser Ct in Runaway Bay.

I love you all and can’t wait to see you Sunday! — Todd