In I Timothy 4:6-9, Paul writes these words.

  ⁶If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. ⁷But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto  godliness. ⁸For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is   profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. ⁹This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.                  I have been very burdened lately over the spiritual health and condition of First Baptist Bonneau. It seems that we have lost our spiritual appetite for the word of God, the house of God, and the day of God.  It seems that we are far more concerned about our physical health and recreations than we are about living holy lives that are pleasing to the Lord.  We seem to have more time and energy for the things of the world than we have for the things of God and His word.  We are in need of an Old Timey, Heaven sent, Holy Spirit anointed, Satan defeating, sin killing, Christ exalting, soul saving revival and we need it now. As we begin a new church year may we seek to renew our commitment to God’s word and to living godly lives for His glory. May we seek to be spiritually healthy so that we might not only experience the blessings of God now in this life but that we might also enjoy the  rewards and blessings in Heaven. 

Two essential elements to our physical health in life are our diet and exercise.  We must eat right and exercise if we want to have a healthy body. Paul reveals here that our spiritual diet and exercise are key elements to our spiritual health as well.  Paul tells Timothy to nourish himself with the word of God and to exercise godliness. He exhorts Timothy to proclaim good doctrine as a minister of the gospel and to exhort those under his watch care to exercise godliness as well.  While we should discipline ourselves to eat right and exercise physically for our physical health, Paul points out that we should not let our physical health take  priority over our spiritual health.  It is good to be physically fit but far more important to be spiritually fit.  If we want to be spiritually healthy as Christians and if we want First Baptist Bonneau to be a healthy church then we are going to have to eat right and exercise.  We need a steady diet of God’s word in our lives each day and we need to live our lives in obedience to the word daily as our spiritual exercise. 

            On September 5^th we will begin our new church year and we are planning to have a  special service that evening.  The Lord Jesus has given his church two ordinances and we will be observing them together.  He gave the church these ordinances for His exaltation and for our edification and we will examine God’s word concerning them during this service. We will begin our service with Baptism and conclude by observing the Lord’s Supper together. 

            September 19^th is Homecoming Sunday at First Baptist Bonneau.  We will not be having our 8:30 am service this Sunday so that we can all worship together during the 11 am service and then enjoy our homecoming meal.  We will have a prayer meeting that evening at 6 pm for the upcoming revival meeting with Rick Amato.  I pray that many will plan to be here for this prayer meeting as we seek God for revival in His church and for a spiritual  awakening in our nation.  

              Rick Amato will be here to preach revival services Sunday morning & evening on September 26^th & also Monday evening September 27^th.   We will combine our AM worship services on this Sunday as well.  So be sure to let everyone know that we will not have our 8:30 am  services on  September 19^th and 26^th.  I am praying that God will speak through Brother Rick Amato and bring revival during these days.  Rick will speak at Timberland High School on Monday the 27^th and we will have a pizza blast for our youth at 5:30 pm before the evening service at 7pm.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see revival come to First Baptist Bonneau and to see many of our youth in this community come to a saving knowledge of Christ?  It can happen and I believe it will if we will feast on God’s word in these days and seek to live in obedience to His word. 

                                      Lord send revival

                                                  and begin with me,              

                                                             Pastor Ken