i BELIEVE

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

This year’s theme is a theme that had developed out of desire to see God do the Impossible.

Not only to see what only God can do - but to have faith in that God - who can do the impossible - even if I don’t see it...

God’s power

God’s Might

God’s omnipotence is not based on me seeing God do anything - but I want my Faith to Grow deeper & stronger so that I can trust more and take greater steps of faith...

The context of our passage is based on the visit Gabriele to Mary - The announcement of the Virgin birth of the Christ Child and also the conception of John the Baptist - the forerunner of the Savior...

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

A Virgin to conceive

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

A Barren woman to bring forth

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And this same God - is still alive and well -

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Prayer:

This is the 9th theme we have had in my pastorate here at BBC -

2011 - A year of New Beginnings -

2012 - Come Grow With Us

2013 - You’ve Never Been So Loved

2014 - Go Forward

2015 - A Year of Faith

2016 - A Great Work

2017 - A Beacon of Hope

2018 - Be Strong in the Lord

2019 - i Believe

Each year - these themes have helped me as pastor to set some direction and to chart a course of ministry over the year...

This past year - Be Strong in the Lord ended up being a theme that resounded in steadfastness -

Ephesians 6:10–14 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

If I would have been aware of some of the trials that would have been faced in 2018 - I would have chosen another theme -

Something like - 1 thes 5.16 - Rejoice Evermore :)

But the Good Lord knew what we were going to need -

i BELIEVE....

1. Person of God

Trustworthy

Faith -

Goodness

Graciousness

i Believe

2. Protection of God

Acts 27:20–26 KJV 1900

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

i Believe

3. Provision of God

the stock market is not our hope

the DOW / S&P / NIKAI index is not our hope

The economic growth, stability is not our hope

Matthew 6:27–30 KJV 1900

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and Righteousness..

i Believe

Person of God

Protection of God

Provision of God

4. Plan of God

Individually - personally

1 Thessalonians 5:24 KJV 1900

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

This verse is on the wall in my office -

Family -

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

As Joshua set the course for his family - both young and old - I have tried to set a course of serving the Lord in my family...

we are not perfect

I have my share of failures… but I am so glad that I have a family that goes to church and loves the Lord - and I am not content in my own walk and I would love to see all of us grow more in our love for the Lord -

i Believe God has a plan for my life and my family

Person of God

Protection of God

Provision of God

Plan of God

i Believe

5. Prayer to God

Personal relationship with Him

Prayer

Fasting

Study

Scripture Memorization

Person of God

Protection of God

Provision of God

Plan of God

Prayer to God

6. Purpose of God

Publish His Gospel

connect w/ People....

Everywhere the Lord went - he was ministering to people...

THE MINISTRY IS NOT PROGRAMS - IT’S PEOPLE

THE MINISTRY IS NOT BUILDINGS & BUDGETS - IT’S PEOPLE

I BELIEVE

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF REACHING THEM FOR THE SAVIOR!!!

I BELIEVE WE CAN GROW CLOSER TO THE SAVIOR...

Person of God

Protection of God

Provision of God

Plan of God

Prayer to God

Purpose of God

IN 2019 - I DON’T WANT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY THAT I WENT TO CHURCH....

I WANT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY -

THAT i BELIVE

CORPORATELY - LET’S HAVE THAT TESTIMONY - LET’S PROVE THAT OUR FAITH IS NOT EMPTY -

i Believe

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.