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Posts Tagged with Twin Falls

Advent Devotional (Week Two)

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Introduction: Is the Christmas season more like a full-throttle, peddle-to-the-metal, the wind blowing the patio furniture into the neighbors’ backyard kind of feeling?

I have not been consistent in my life to build much of a Christmas tradition. As a pastor, I’ve unfortunately treated the Christmas season as more of an important and good interruption to a preaching series. I am not suggesting that we should pick up traditions just for the sake of picking up traditions, however, I’ve learned that the modern Protestant like me likes to protest for the fun of it. Sometimes to my shame.

Last year I received a book on the church calendar for Christmas that has been sitting on my desk in my home office. When the outside temperatures were still reaching 90 degrees, long before I normally think of eggnog and candy canes, I opened that book and began reading. I read it with caution, but with the hope of learning how the larger Christian community views holy days. I’ve learned a lot.

For example, this advent devotion is a result of reading that book. Historically, I would step out of my current preaching schedule the week before Christmas and get right back to it as soon as possible. Understand this, I like preaching expositionally, I think it’s a greater discipline for me than to preach topically. Yet there is something good for the soul to reflect with Christians around the world on the same subject at the same time.

Don’t get me wrong here. I think we are right to protest the popish shenanigans of Roman Catholicism. But I have to be reminded that there was a church before Roman Catholicism and there is a church now. The protestant reformers were aiming to reform what had gone wrong. They were not protesting the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, sit down with your family again this week and reflect on the Christ with me.

Sunday, December 8, 2024
Question: What does the name Immanuel mean?
Answer: The name Immanuel means “God with us.”
(- Read Matthew 1:23)

Find time today to talk about the morning worship service. What songs do you remember singing? Can you recall any phrases that were especially meaningful to you? Do you remember the sermon text David preached from? What was the main subject? Do you need to make some adjustments to your life?

Read: John 14:27

Monday, December 9, 2024
Webster defines PEACE as “In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.”

How are you at being free from distractions or agitation?
What keeps you from living at peace with your family, your church, or yourself?

“In the world
you have tribulation, but take courage;
I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33b)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This word “peace” assumes silence or quiet; as, peace to this troubled soul. In the Psalms, we often see the word “Selah”. This word is not fully understood in English but at best it is a type of musical notation for the singer to stop speaking for a moment, reflect upon what you just said or heard, meditate on that. We are not normally very good at being quiet. What could you fast from today? It could well be a good thing that you set aside today and obey the Holy Spirit’s instruction to “REST”

READ Psalm 46:9-11
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Read: John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (NASB)

What do you remember about the sermon on Sunday?

Join others today at 2 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7 PM to pray for our church and our community in the Thanksgiving Room of Eastside Baptist Church. We will pray for the revival of God’s church and the conversion of sinners.

Thursday, December 12, 2024
Compare Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:14

What is the blessed hope in these Scriptures?
How should we conduct ourselves until He returns?

Friday, December 13, 2024
Sing or read: What Child Is This

Saturday, December 14, 2024
Prepare for the Lord’s Day Gathering. Do you plan in advance what you will wear to church on Sunday? Many years ago a pastor friend of mine, who is no longer living, explained to me why he always wore a tie when he preached. It had a profound impact on me. I can’t remember the last time I attended church without wearing my best clothes. Consider how you might dress if an earthly prince invited you to eat at his palace. Would you give any consideration as to how you might dress? If you say no, you likely think too highly of yourself. You are invited to the Lord’s Table on Sunday to commune with Him. Yes, it’s true, you can come to the table without your best clothes, but consider how what you wear could reflect what you think about God.

The catechism question for Sunday, December 15, is…
Question: Who is the Prince of Peace
Answer: The Prince of Peace is Christ the Lord.

  • Isaiah 9:6-7

Sunday, December 15, 2024
Plan to attend at least two (if not all) of the following opportunities to gather with each other today.
9:15 AM: Sunday School
10:30 AM: Morning Worship
5:30 PM: Membership Meeting

Advent Devotional (Week ONE)

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Introduction: I submit this for consideration for home use during December.

Advent refers to the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends on December 24. Let’s discipline our minds this year to live with an anticipation of the second coming (Advent) of Christ, while at the same time, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.

Advent has roots dating back to the third and fourth century AD. The best I can tell is that Advent began as a season when new converts would be baptized. By the 6th century AD, it was to align the heart of the Christian with the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. By the Middle Ages Advent was linked with Christmas to commemorate the incarnation of Christ, the first Advent, with the second Advent (return) of Christ.

Christians around the world have seen many changes to how Advent is observed. Historically I would take a type of hands-off approach to observing Advent. However, recently, I have become more open to using the Advent season to focus our attention on the return of Christ while commemorating His first coming.

We will begin Advent on December 1, with Christians around the world to attempt to honor Christ. I have asked John Martinez and David Thompson to share in the preaching over the next few weeks. Each of us addressing subjects related to Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

I have written short devotions for each week to help cause us to meditate on the word of God in our homes. You may already have an advent schedule planned, I’m thankful. Use this as a household devotion supplement instead. I’ve included questions to help generate thoughts about Christ. Adapt this to the ages of any children in the home. As always, I’m convinced children can think beautiful thoughts from the word of God.

May we never quit anticipating the return of Christ our glorious Savior.

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Question: What does the word Incarnation mean?
Answer: The word Incarnation means the act of being made flesh; Jesus took on human nature like ours. 

(- Read John 1:14)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Read:   “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.  (Hebrews 9:27-28 NASB)

Can you identify the two “Advents” of Christ in this Scripture?

What did Christ do in the first “Advent”?
What will He do in the second “Advent”?

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

In his sermon, The Two Advents of Christ, Charles Spurgeon says, “The two comings of Christ have some degree of likeness”. 

First, what are the differences between the first and second advent?
Second, what are the similarities between the first and second advent?

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Read Titus 2:11-14 (NASB)

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” 

Like on Monday, can you identify the two “Advents” of Christ in this Scripture?

John Gill said before Christ appeared, “salvation was like a candle”. Now that the “grace of God who brings salvation has appeared to all,” this light is no longer like a candle, it is like the light of the sun.

Join others today at 2 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7 PM to pray for our church and our community in the Thanksgiving Room of Eastside Baptist Church. We will pray for the revival of God’s church and the conversion of sinners.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Compare Titus 2:13-14 with 1 Peter 1:17-19 

Titus 2:13-14

“…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

——-

1 Peter 1:17-19

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

What is the blessed hope in these Scriptures?
How should we conduct ourselves until He returns?

Friday, December 6, 2024

Sing or read the December “Fighter Song”, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Prepare for the Lord’s Day Gathering. Like looking forward to the 2nd Advent of Christ we should be prepared for the Lord’s Day every day. Building like he may not come for another 2,000 years and zealous for good deeds because we have inherited eternal life by the “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 

The catechism question for Sunday, December 8, is…

Question: What does the name Immanuel mean?
Answer: The name Immanuel means “God with Us”.  

– Matthew 1:23

There is a shared meal planned for Sunday, December 8. Plan something as a family to share with the brothers and sisters in Christ. Sit with a family you don’t usually sit with at the meal.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Plan to attend at least three (if not all) of the following opportunities to gather with each other today.

9:15 AM: Sunday School
10:30 AM: Morning Worship
Noon: Shared Meal
5:30 PM: Evening gathering

Psalm Singing

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And they will sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.

Psalm 138:5 (NASB)

For several years Eastside Baptist in Twin Falls, ID has included Psalm Singing in our mid-week prayer gathering and in recent years we now begin our Lord’s Day corporate worship service with a Psalm. There is really a recovery or revival of Psalm singing in the modern Baptist church.

Beginning on May 5, 2024, we will devote the first Sunday evening of each month to Psalm singing. I hope you will consider joining us for this gathering. Psalm singing can be complicated and simple. Complicated for the generations who have not been trained in Psalm singing and simple because many times the Psalms can be sung to familiar tunes.

Why sing the Psalms?

First, it is Biblical. Think of it. It’s a book in the bible with a collection of songs. They were collected through the years of God’s people and considered a sacred collection of words inspired by the Lord God Almighty, Himself. We are even commanded by God to sing the Psalms; both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 instruct the church to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…

When the church sings the Psalms she is singing what the historic church has been singing and has been singing throughout the world. Christians is other epics of time and who speak other languages and of all ages are tied together with similar songs.

These Psalms are Biblical, common property of the church, and of all songs sung in churches, these songs are always theologically accurate. This is among the most comforting reasons to sing the Psalms. They stir the body, mind, and soul while glorifying God.

If you are in the Magic Valley on the first Sunday night of the month and your church is not meeting, join us at 5:30 p.m. to sing the Psalms at our monthly Psalm Sing. May the church rejoice!

Eastside Baptist Church
204 Eastland Drive North
Twin Falls, ID 83301

Liturgy for April 14

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Sunday, April 14, in the Year of our Lord – 2024
10:30AM

Pastor: Read Psalm 133 (STAND) 

Congregation: SING: Like Dew of Hermon (STAND)
(Based on Psalm 133)

PRAYER: (SIT or KNEEL)
Prayer of Confession
Pastoral prayer

(STAND)
Responsive: Romans 15:5-7 (STANDING)
Pastor: “Now may the God Who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another,”
Congregation: “just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” AMEN

SING: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise  (STAND)
SING: Praise for the Fountain Opened (STAND)
(There is a Fountain Filled with Blood)

CHILDREN CATECHISM
Q. Are there more Gods than one?
A. No, there is only one (Deut. 6:4), the living and true God (Jer. 10:10).

SCRIPTURE READING:  Acts 6:1-15    (STAND)

Preacher: “Stand with me for the reading of the word.”
Congregation: “Give us the Book!”     

The preacher will read Acts 6:1-15 (remain standing)

Preacher: “This is the word of God.”
Congregation: “And we believe it!”

PRAYER: (STAND)

SERMON: Instructions Concerning Deacons
PRAYER: (SIT or KNEEL)

EXHORTATION: (SIT) Believing men exhort the congregation related to the sermon. (microphones are located on both sides of the auditorium. Speak directly into the mic.)

Covenant Renewal: The pastor will instruct and invite believers to come to the LORD’s Table.

SING: Come Thou Fount  (STAND)
(April Fighter Song)

Benediction:
SING: Law/Gospel/Doxology (STAND)

Responsive: Romans 15:5-7 (STANDING)
Pastor: “Now may the God Who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another,”
Congregation: “just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” AMEN


Your Local Drug Store

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Walgreens and CVS are the new Planned Parenthood. Even if your state has strict protections for the preborn, these two pharmaceutical giants are willing to join their names to those who have no fear of God and no respect for their neighbor. They cannot be trusted with your health.

If they are willing to supply the nation with drugs that murder babies in the womb, what else are they willing to inject into the human body?

In Twin Falls, Planned Parenthood is no longer providing induced abortions. This is a blessing from God, but it will not be long before there will be many more locations and more acceptable locations for babies to be murdered. The murder mill industry has pivoted from the clinic to the pharmacy to the living room.

Here are some phone numbers for local Walgreens and CVS drug stores. They need to hear from us. They need to know that this is not acceptable.

Twin Falls:

Burley:

Walgreens and CVS announced last week that they will begin providing mifepristone (abortion pills). You will be told that the pill is not available in Idaho because of the strict abortion laws. This is true (for now) but these stores are part of a national attack on the most innocent neighbors we have. These local pharmacists need to hear from us now.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/01/health/cvs-walgreens-to-dispense-abortion-pill-mifepristone/index.html

Flourishing PRIDE Events in Small Town America? (warning)

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Audio Version HERE: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermon/119211951415680

First things first…

I stand with any neighbor who wants to assemble with a group of like-minded people. Even if I disagree with them.

I do not request the city forbid a PRIDE event at City Park for a gathering of sexual deviants who want to sing kumbaya, however; if they want to put a person on stage to tease a sexual arousal of the audience with children present I will continue to request my city uphold common decency laws. If the organizers of PRIDE events in Twin Falls want to hold events on public property they should abide by the same common laws every other citizen does without being shown favor. To put young children on stage for a free form dance while the MC makes lewd comments about the minors while they are dancing is unconscionable. Can you imagine any part of our society that would be alright with any adult saying to a minor, “You’re so hot!”, “With consent, can I touch you?”, “That’s hot!” or “Come out and twerk!” This is what happens at a small town PRIDE event.

In a recent post in the Twin Falls Times-News it was reported that there is a flourishing of PRIDE events across the nation in small towns. I don’t know how these events happen in other towns, but in my town the growing boldness of the sin of Sodomy is flourishing.

Of course the local narrative is to live and let live. I’m all in on living and letting live. However, I am not all in on setting a city up for the judgment of God.

In our city council forums we hosted in October we asked this question:

With respect to the diversity of people in our beloved city, we want to hear how you would address the liberty of all while considering public use of city property. How would you help our city uphold decency laws in public parks/buildings while respecting the vast differences of opinions? (Note: PRIDE events at the City Park this past year displayed men dressed in costume – wearing women’s clothing – while performing sexually charged dances while children were present. The current city council has a video copy of the event.)

With a few exceptions, the candidates were not opposed to giving groups permission to holding events on city owned property while advancing or violating “decency laws” or “sexually charged dances while children were present.” (And none of those candidates at the forum who would expect law enforcement to hold the event planners to our agreed upon decency laws were elected).

If that is the definition of flourishing, then indecency and sexually deviant behaviors are flourishing in small town Twin Falls.

Let’s be honest, not all flourishing is good. Who wants poison ivy to flourish? I mean the whole world wants AIDS to NOT flourish, right? They want sodomy to flourish just not the consequences.

The following video is not for everyone. I Don’t recommend everyone to watch this. There may be an argument that no one should watch this. But this is flourishing in small town Idaho.

I have a plant book that helps me identify plants. There is a section entitled “noxious weeds”. Included in that section are listed the dangers of not eradicating that poison, if not done soon the danger will flourish and in order for it to do so, will need to eliminate the good plants in its path.

The question before the community is, “what now should be done?”

My argument is, the community needs to hear from the church on how to best help all in our city flourish in light of the gospel. The church that remains silent on the matter is like a gardener who refuses to pull up the noxious weeds. The church that embraces and advances the noxious weed cares nothing for those they claim to welcome and love.

Watch this with caution. May it cause you to pray for your community. May it increase your concern of what is flourishing.

To all of us… Repent and believe the gospel. Let’s talk.

https://youtu.be/_5US-Jp-Gqk

Open Letter to Twin Falls County Commissioners

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We are living in unpredictable days that need the influence of a consistent, careful, and Biblical reaction. It is important that we behave as well-informed and responsible citizens. For the Christian, we have the capacity of doing this as ambassadors of Christ’s reconciliation.

It is important that when we interact with our elected neighbors that we remember we are interacting with fellow image-of-God-bearing neighbors. We have times where sharp words are needed, but never do we have the right to be ugly toward others.

I hold strongly that laws are made by the properly authorized elected legislative people, not hired bureaucrats. This is how our beloved Constitutional Republic is designed to work. The last several months have shown us that the coming legislative year has some important work to do. There was code introduced in the 1970s that gave authority to the Governor and Health Districts on how to exercise their duties in the event of a pandemic, what that code didn’t do is properly define what can be declared an “emergency”.

At last week’s health district board meeting mandates and actions were taken that I have great concern over. They don’t give consideration to primary documents that have been published in recent weeks concerning the situation of mask-wearing and the ongoing inconsistent and, at times, contradicting reports from various fields of expertise. The majority of the board voted to enact restrictions upon public and private property concerning group size and mandatory edicts regarding distancing and mask-wearing.

I do not deny that COVID-19 is a real and serious virus. However, I do have grave concern for how fast both our liberties have been set aside and how seriously the Constitution has been tested. I participate in my government in many ways. One of those ways is I think it important to express appreciation and concern with how elected citizens behave within their elected offices.

Therefore…

Following is a sample letter I wrote my county commissioners following a recent South Central Health District Board Mtg. I leave it here for your consideration to write your own letter. I’m not a fan of copy and paste letters, but I am a proponent of sending messages with the strength of numbers. Consider writing your own letter if you are in the jurisdiction of Twin Falls County.

Commissioner Reinke sits as a board member on the South Central Health District. However, I am very pleased with how the three Twin Falls County commissioners have been consistently advocating for the citizens to behave with personal responsibility and not “mandating” unnecessary emergency declarations. I want them to know I appreciate this. If you appreciate this too, consider writing a letter to all three.

Jack Johnson: jack.johnson@co.twin-falls.id.us
Brent Reinke: brent.reinke@co.twin-falls.id.us
Don Hall: don.hall@co.twin-falls.id.us

___________________________

Dear Twin Falls County Commissioners,

I am thankful for your careful attention to the liberties of the people concerning the attempts at the recent South Central Health District Board meeting regarding a mask-wearing mandate. Where there are many concerns about the current health risks we face in Twin Falls County I am thankful to have you in place to speak on behalf of the citizens of Twin Falls County.

I am aware that there is great pressure from other members of the Health District to put such mandates upon the people. I am pleased you have not shown favor to this kind of overreach.

Like you, I too am concerned about the health of others and am able to assess the risks and best practices based on primary documents from reliable health journals. I am always pleased to exercise personal responsibility within our shared God-given rights. 

Thank you for your attention to the many issues placed before you. I am thankful to God for you. I bless the Lord to live in Twin Falls County. 

For the Glory of God

Paul Thompson
208-…-….
Twin Falls, ID

Streaming Link for March 29, 2020

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Under normal circumstances, it is encouraged and important to gather in person in the same place at the same time.

Eastside Baptist Church will provide a public gathering at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 204 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls and is pleased to provide streaming for those unable to gather.

Streaming will take place here: 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time

SermonAudio App

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While Eastside Baptist continues to weigh the circumstances caused by COVID-19, we continue to gather with increased caution and respect to our neighbors while exercising personal responsibility.

Knowing that some of our church family will need to remain at home during these days we are pleased to offer our gatherings through a faithful partner, Sermon Audio. Eastside has been blessed with the services of Sermon Audio for nearly eight years now. That means we have hundreds of sermons available for you to listen to during this time of “social distancing”.

Have you downloaded the new app for Eastside Baptist Church? It’s simple!

Follow these basic steps:
Download and install the free app from the relevant app store

Be sure to set the app to Eastside Baptist Church as your home church by entering our Church Code ID – 25378.
Now, every time the app loads, it will go straight to Eastside Baptist Church’s sermons.

If you are under a self-quarantine and not gathering on Sunday be sure to participate via our live-streaming features provided by SermonAudio too.

There are many ways you can do this. One of which you just did by downloading our sermon app. The following are other suggestions to consider on multiple platforms, including a phone line that can provide an audio connection from any touch-tone phone.

May God use the preaching ministry of Eastside Baptist Church to minister to you. Contact Eastside Baptist Church if we can assist you in these important days as we turn our attention to Him for His glory.

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