McKee Road Baptist Blog

“…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)  Such a time as what?  Then, it begs the question, ‘What kind of time are we in?’  A time of need?  I would say so.  Esther had to make a tough decision on whether she would actually live the life she said she believed in or be complacent about the needs of the people around her.  Mordecai asked a pointed question, “Don’t you think you were put here for a reason?” 

We are here to serve in God’s kingdom and He placed us here to make our mark in this time.  So, now’s the time to step up as Esther did.  She said, “If I perish, I perish…,”–in escence, “What I do may not work, but I will die trying.”  What are we waiting for?  Let’s not fail for lack of effort.  Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said, “It is no shame to fail.  It is a shame not to do everything to try to keep from failing.”

It is easy to overlook what mothers do in our lives because they do not demand gratitude for their actions. They love without condition, they care without asking anything in return. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be grateful. I am amazed what a little “thank you” does to make you feel like what you do is worthwhile. So let’s not let mothering be a thankless profession–because a little thanks goes a long way.

Today was Art Cullip’s homegoing celebration memorial service.  It is a joy to know that when a Christian, a true believer in Jesus Christ, dies that they are in the presence of God.  For the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  So, Art is home.  I agree with the song writer who said, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.”  We know that God takes note when one of His children dies.  “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”  Psalm 116:15  So, this earth is down one because Heaven has another. 

If you are reading this and aren’t ready for Heaven let me encourage you.  God loves and cares for you.  He sent his Son to die for you.  Don’t let another moment pass before you ask forgiveness for your sins and receive the free gift of salvation.  (Press here to read more.)   If you know you’re bound for Heaven, then you know you will see Art again.  Now what’s left for us is to run our race the best we can until we go home or our Saviour comes to get us.  What a day that will be!

The following is a quick update of events:

May 10–Mother’s Sunday.  We will be honoring our mothers and have a special service Sunday morning.  Sunday night Bro. Adam Langston will be preaching and the teens will meet at pastor’s for an activity called “Mother, May I.”

May 13–West Coast Baptist College Singing.  The travelling ensemble will be presenting music and updating us on what is happening at WCBC.

May 15–Men’s Shootout and BBQ.  We will hold this at Kern Gun Club next to Buena Vista Lake where we will hold the BBQ.  The cost will be $12 plus bring your own 12 guage shells and meat.

May 16–Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon.   It will be held at 10:30 am in the fellowship hall.  Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, May 13th.  No tickets can be sold at the door.  $10 for adults (half price under 12)

The memorial service for Art Cullip will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 3:00 pm in the church auditorium.   This memorial is being held for all those of Art’s church family, friends and co-workers who were unable to attend the funeral in Colorado.  Please let anyone know who might want to be at this service.  The State Honor Guard will present the flag in honor of  Art Cullip’s military service.  We, as a church, will be providing food afterwards.  If you can bring a dish, that would be appreciated.  Please pray that everything goes well.

I (pastor) have recently added a Prayer Request Page to this blog.  It does not have the ability to have requests added to it by users, but if you send me a prayer request via the “Contact Us” on the church web page I can post it on the Prayer Request blog page.  If you have any questions, feel free to call the church number.  I think this will be a great way to keep people posted and start prayer chains.

Deuteronomy 2:7–”…[God] knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness…the LORD thy God hath been with thee…thou hast lacked nothing.”

Missionary Hudson Taylor wrote in his journal, “Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning… He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all… Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

Although the wilderness journey was not a detour that God had intended for His children, He did not leave them.  The wilderness was of God’s design because of their lack of faith in God’s plan.  The time in which we live is a wilderness of God’s leading.  As a country, we have chosen not to have faith in God and His Word.  Becaus of this, we are in a “wilderness” economy.  God will bring this country to its knees if necessary. 

But in the wilderness, we can still depend on God’s provision.  We serve a God of truth and mercy.  His mercy extends to those who will follow Him.  Have you doubted God’s provision?  Well, doubt no longer.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalm 127:4  It’s not easy being a teen.  There is so much pressure to “be accepted” by other teens that it is hard to find your own identity.  Every teen is an arrow, headed somewhere.  Our teen program is Teens on Target and we pray that each teen is a bullseye for God.  It doesn’t matter as much what you do in life as what you are in life.  It doesn’t matter as much who you  are (acceptance) as what you become. 

So, teens, aim high for God.  Find your greatest acceptance in knowing that if you live for Christ, God is on your side.  And, by the way, so is your pastor and church family–because we love you. 

Here’s a hello to our teens:  Alex, Brianna, Brock, Dylan, Heather, Jackie, Jordan, Kristina, Moriah, Nick, Pam, Rebekah, Ryan, Steve, Shelby, Tyler.  Hello!  We love you all!  Send a comment back to this post to let me know you saw it.

Today was our second annual Friend Day…and what a day it was.  We had 9 adult friends and several children visitors for a total of 106 in service.  Praise the Lord!  Thanks to all those who put work into this special day.  Only eternity will know the result of the hard work put in.

As a church we seek to reach the lost of our community.  The Bible defines someone as lost who does not know for sure that they would go to Heaven after death.  This is the most important question in life to have answered.  If you do not  know that, friend, you have come to the right place.  Click the “Heaven?” button on our church home page (mrbcbakersfield.com) to answer that question.  “Today is the day of salvation.”

Friend Day is a day when people who attend our church reach out to friends and neighbors and ask them to “be our friends.”  Come for fellowship and get to know our friendly people.  It all starts at 9:30 with classes for all ages followed by Friend Day services at 10:45 am.  (Our nurseries provide a safe, clean environment for your small ones during services.) 

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Greeters who will give you a smile and help you find your way around campus.
2. Fellowship with people just like you that have found a good church home here.
3. Message on friendship and the importance of having a friend in Jesus.
4. Lunch: we are having lunch potluck style.  If you are a guest, we’ll have enough for you.
5. Fun. For the kids we will be having a children’s service, Bible stories, games and…you guessed it…air bounces.  You will be able to relax and let them work off all of that energy! 

So…what can you expect?  Church that feels like home and friends that feel like family, because it is–God’s house and His family.  Hope to see you there!