Prayer Concerns
• Linda Dickens – recovering slowly from a recent stroke.
• Tom & Janet Nygard – several friends & family in NY have been affected by Covid-19.
• Doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers, leaders in these days. Pray also that a successful treatment option is discovered and made available soon.
• Jimmy & Revonda Reames – Jimmy is at NHC Laurens now and appears to have had a TIA/Light Stroke. Revonda is having some health issues too.
• The Tolberts – as they transition to a new place of ministry.
• Keith Blore – had a procedure postponed, will be scheduled at a later time.
• Wayland Sherman – diagnosed with prostate cancer. Initial reports are very hopeful.
• Bryson Davis – recovering from four wheeler accident, now recovering at home.
• Jim & Elaine Sumeral – homebound, continuing to deal with ongoing issues.
• Mike Little – home, has restarted Chemo treatments for pancreatic cancer.
• Allyson Sherer- continues to do well overall, positive recent doctors’ visits.
• Carolyn Madden – cognitive/physical issues, considering longterm care for her.
• Jane Ivey – Continues to visit with doctors. Hopes to try new treatment soon.
• Bill Ramey – continuing to take treatments.
• Joan Owings – NHC, continues to receive care/treatment.
• Corrie Grether – ongoing cancer treatments, Hospice is now involved in her care.
Announcements
Giving: Thank you for your continued generosity to FBC through your tithes and offerings. Please continue to be faithful to the best of your ability. In March, while we did not meet budget, we were able to cover all expenses as well as to give as planned to our Baptist missions partners.
Worship Options: We will continue to post a worship service every Sunday on our Website and via the FBC Laurens App. You may also listen to our service on WLBG at 11:05 each Sunday morning.
Fun Together – Virtual Disney Family Trivia, Friday Night, April 24 at 7:30pm: Join us with your family and test your knowledge of all things Disney. Rickey will serve as the moderator and to competition is open to the first 20 teams. To participate, email Rickey at rickey@fbclaurens.org. Once you have registered, you’ll receive a link in advance that will allow you to participate.
Youth Activities Resume Virtually: Our Wednesday & Sunday Evening Youth Activities will resume this Wednesday, April 15 and Sunday, April 19. Wednesdays will take place at 7pm and Sundays will start at 6pm. Please let Haymes Harlan or George Lewis Compton know if you have questions. They may be reached at harlanlaura@ymail.com or glcompton4@gmail.com.
Reflecting Together
Read John 21:1-23
It starts as soon as we’re old enough to tell the difference between what belongs to us and what belongs to someone else. We begin comparing. We make it our business to make sure that our siblings never get more than we do. We keep track of who gets away with what. We check to see how our life matches up with the lives of our friends or classmates. Unfortunately, we carry this habit into adulthood. We’re not happy with our career, our home or our car because we see what the neighbors have.
When Peter denied Jesus, he experienced the humiliation of disobedience. He was grateful for a second chance. He desperately wanted to get it right this time, but when he heard what lay in store for him down the road, he wasn’t so sure. When Jesus told Peter that he was to glorify God by dying a martyr’s death, Peter’s knee-jerk reaction was to ask Jesus what He had planned for John. Jesus’ response may seem harsh. But, Peter had to focus on his own walk with God and leave others to do the same.
In essence, Jesus was saying, “That’s none of your business Peter. If I want him to stay alive until my second coming, what difference does that make to you? You worry about yourself, Peter, and follow me.”
God has a general will for all of His people. This is expressed in his biblical commands for all His followers. But He also has a specific will for each individual Christian. Jesus graciously revealed to Peter His will for Him. But He wasn’t about to tell Peter His specific will for John.
We are called to follow Jesus corporately as the church and personally as individuals. Through Jesus, each of us is to have a personal relationship with God and seek to discern how He wants us to serve and glorify Him. You are not to use God’s specific will for you to measure anyone else, nor are you to take His specific will for another and use it to measure your own circumstances.
Whatever God has given you, whatever He has called you to do, and wherever he is leading you, let that satisfy you. God knows what is best for you, so don’t waste your time comparing your life to others. Understand that it is an incredible privilege to serve God, no matter how He asks you to do it.
Consider This
• Spiritually speaking, who do you compare yourself to most often? Does this help or does this hinder you?
• Reflect on the account of Peter, from the Last Supper, to his denial of Jesus, and continuing to his reinstatement by Jesus. What attitude did Peter exhibit during the Last Supper that set all of these things in motion for him (see Mark 14: 27-30)? What does this teach us about comparing ourselves to others?
• Read Galatians 6:3-4. What do these verses teach us?
• Write down at least five of your skills. Now get creative. How can you use these abilities for God’s kingdom?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the gifts you have given me. Help me to never compare my gifts with the gift of others; rather, teach me to use them for Your glory. Amen.