RBC
To Know Christ and to Make Him Known
Homepage: http://www.restonbible.org
Posts by RBC
Guilford Christmas Update
Jan 6th
A team of 16 RBC volunteers led by Pastor Wayne Johnson spent Christmas Eve delivering gifts, food, clothes, cookies and stockings (while singing carols) to a number of large, underprivileged families from our “adopted” school. After their scheduled deliveries were complete, there were many presents left over. They asked that the Lord show them where to go and He did, in a big way! He lead them to an apartment complex nearby where they went from building to building. When they heard children, they knocked. Every time the door opened, they were met with smiles and grateful parents! Adults wept and children shrieked and giggled as they pulled out toys of all shapes and sizes. The children’s’ reactions were priceless! The love of the Lord Jesus Christ was so clearly communicated to these families.
Thanks to all who followed the leading of the Spirit and gave gifts, cookies, prayers, gift cards and love.
For more information on our partnership with Guilford Elementary and ways you can get involved, click here.
How to Pray for Missionaries
Nov 11th
An many of our missionaries point out each year during the missions conference, without faithful prayer support from their sending churches, much of their labor is in vain. Prayer fuels the fires of the Gospel as it goes forth into the nations.
Yet, you may ask, “How do I pray for missionaries? What are their needs? How do I pray for someone so far away whom I do not know and perhaps may never see?” Below are some helpful suggestions for how you can generally pray for our missionaries.
WAYS YOU CAN PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARY FAMILY:
1. Pray for the missionaries’ personal relationship with God.
2. Pray for the missionaries’ physical and emotional needs. Pray against discouragement, depression, loneliness and homesickness.
3. Pray the missionaries can make the necessary adjustments to living on their fields of labor.
4. Pray that God will open doors of ministry, blessing partnerships and friendships and that those who serve will be led by the Holy Spirit and recognize open-door opportunities.
5. Pray for revival in each nation and region of the world.
6. Pray that the Spirit will provide them with words that commuicate effectively in other cultures and languages.
7. Pray that the missionaries would find favor in the eyes of those in high places that can help to further the kingdom.
8. Pray that the missionaries will have the boldness to overcome the fear of embarassment or failure.
9. Pray for the freedom to preach the gospel and that the people will be responsive
10. Pray for strength and stamina as missionaries encounter antagonistic spiritual forces.
11. Pray that God’s Word will indeed spread rapidly and be honored.
12. Pray that God will change the hearts of those who are resistant to His Word.
13. Pray that God will keep Christian workers safe from those who seek to hurt them.
14. Pray that the missionary’s ministry and attitude will be worthy of acceptance.
15. Pray for good relationships among co-workers and the national workers.
16. Pray that the Lord will help the missionaries develop good national leaders that will multiply their efforts.
17. Pray for clear guidance from God regarding travel decisions.
18. Pray for protection and provision during their travels and for necessary permissions to travel.
19. Pray that God will provide opportunities for missionaries in lonely areas to spend time with other believers.
20. Pray that God will provide times of peace and relaxation to refresh His workers.
EMAIL PRAYER CHAIN: If you are interested in receiving periodic e-mail prayer requests from missionaries and those within our local congregation, send an email to prayerchainatrbc@gmail.com and put the word “Join” in the subject line. You will then be added to our email distribution list to received regular updates of prayer requests.
MISSIONARY PRAYER GUIDE: You can also stop by the Welcome Desk during weekend services and pick up a Missionary Prayer Guide. The Missionary Prayer Guide is an excellent resource that has a comprehensive list of our missionaries, including photos and personal prayer requests.
VIDEO: Adoption Sunday
Nov 7th
This is the story of the Cassada and Snyder families, who heeded God’s call to care for the orphan. Although not everyone is called to adopt, everyone is called to care.
You can learn more about orphan care and adoption through our Hope Ministry at Reston Bible Church: www.restonbible.org/hope
Men’s Retreat 2011 Recap
Nov 1st
Men, it has been a few weeks now since we were at the 2011 RBC Men’s Retreat. Three weeks is typically about the time it takes to instill a new habit in our lives. Hopefully, you were encouraged to begin to walk closer with the Lord, but maybe you couldn’t attend or maybe life is just back to normal. For any of those circumstances, the Men’s Ministry wanted to provide you with the following resources to equip and encourage you to continue strengthening your walk with the Lord.
As you may remember, our overriding theme was Strength in Numbers - that we are stronger in fellowship with other Christians than we are alone (a 3-cord of strands – Ecclesiastes 4:19-21). We experienced great teaching from Pastor Steve King and great fellowship with other RBC men, all at a great location with amazing scenery.
Steve gave us four challenging keynote messages. Below, we are providing a brief synopsis of each one, as well as links to the audio so you can re-listen as needed. We pray this will serve as a helpful post-retreat reminder of some of the things we learned and experienced there.
SESSION ONE: The Realities of Living by Faith – Pastor Steve taught on how properly setting expectations for our lives on the Lord and his promises will increase our joy. We should filter the world through God’s Word, not vice-versa. We are designed to live by faith and God tests our faith for our good and our growth. Listen to full session audio here. Session Slides are here.
SESSION TWO: Living in the Community of Grace - We are loved by God, and we are to show hospitality (love) to others. Marriage is to be honored and our contentment is valued by God. This sounds simple, but why is it so hard? We drift and too often allow ourselves to be deceived, become dulled, then defiant – which results in being disciplined by God. Listen to full session audio here. Session Slides are here.
SESSION THREE: “Whatever!” – We can experience the ‘whatever’ of relationships or we can experience Jesus in ‘whatever’ circumstances we are in. The most significant relationship other than with God is the one with our spouse. The Lord uses our marriage to refine us. As a husband/father we have the most significant role in the moral direction for our family. Listen to full session audio here. Session Slides are here.
SESSION FOUR: How to get Honey from a Rock – We can experience contentment & joy in the midst of trials because God will never leave or forsake us. Life is a wilderness, and God is our greatest treasure and reward. This world won’t ultimately satisfy us. We must worship God even when we don’t feel like it. Listen to full session audio here. Session Slides are here.
You can view the retreat photos below! (Thanks to Dave Waldrup, Mike Emory and Kim Strickland for the images.)
Mark your calendars now for next year! On October 5 & 6, 2012 we will be hosting Alistair Begg as our speaker. You can listen to him daily (weekdays) on WAVA 105.1 at 8:00 am.
As always, you are welcome to contact me with any questions or comments regarding Men’s Ministry here at RBC.
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Brad Hummel, Men’s Ministry Director
VIDEO: First Fruits
Oct 10th
First Fruits is a service project that has rallied the RBC church body for over 20 years. It is a unique serving opportunity for families, shepherd groups, and individuals to come together and make a difference in the lives and families of others in our area who are in need of help and encouragement. Join us and you will be blessed to see the tangible “fruits” of your labors!
Learn more & get involved at www.restonbible.org/firstfruits
