Living By Faith Living By Faith Living By Faith

“For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.” - Romans 1:17

Mainland LighthouseMainland Lighthouse

January 2016January 2016January 2016 Volume 16, issue 1Volume 16, issue 1Volume 16, issue 1

By Pastor Dean Bult

Events

Upcom-

ing

1.9 Men’s Breakfast 1.12 A.C. Rescue Mission 1.13 Absecon Manor Ministry Missionary Night-Jim Fish 1.14 Pastors and Deacons Meeting

1.15-16 Jr. Winter Camp, PA 1.17 Sanctity of Life Sunday 1.24 Annual Business Meeting

The uniqueness of our Creator God was manifested when he created the human race. Each person is different in appearance and character. The same can be said for those who receive Christ, as they each have their own experience with the righteousness of God. The scriptures say that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Hebrews tells us in chapter 11 verse one. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” and in verse three, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore the just live a life by faith as revealed to them through the Holy Scriptures and the power of God. The believer’s rule in life is not his culture or physical surroundings: it is God’s Word alone that is the guide. Psalm 119:1-3 says that a man will be happy if the Word of God rules in his way, walk, and will. The believers rule of life is not his culture or physical surroundings, it is God’s Word alone as his guide. Our citizenship is in heaven and we serve a heavenly Master rather than an earthly one. May we yield to Him and set heavenly priorities, which result in eternal rewards. Rather than striving to obtain earthly posses-sions that have only temporal value. The Just shall live by faith!

youth ministry Junior Winter Camp

At Camp Calvary ~ Bernville, PA

For 4th - 6th Graders Cost is $55

Please see Mike Leeds for more information Please see Mike Leeds for more information

We need biblical vision—in our lives, our churches, and any sphere of influence God has given to us. Proverbs 29:18 warns, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” But as you prepare to cast vision, remember that biblical vision isn’t simply listing what you want to do. That is a list of goals. If our vision is not drawn from God’s Word and embraced by faith, it’s not a vision at all; it is simply a to do list. How can you tell the difference between a biblical vision and a to do list?

1. Biblical vision comes from God’s Word; a to do list comes from personal dreams. Spiritual vision is viewing my life and ministry through the lens of God’s Word. It is centered around obeying God’s commands and fulfilling the Great Commission.

2. Biblical vision requires faith; a to do list requires only good administration. To be sure, a visionary must implement wise and careful administration for a vision to succeed. Without a strategy of faith, no biblical vision will see the light of day. However, biblical vision always requires faith. It requires dependence upon God—knowing that without God’s intervention you are wasting your time.

3. Biblical vision invents the future; a to do list predicts the future. We can set goals that will help us be more effective in what we already know we should be doing. Setting wise, measureable goals and following through on them will impact the future. Biblical vision, however, is different in that it doesn’t just predict the future; it invents the future. Biblical vision forecasts our faith-filled obedience to God’s Word. It stretches more than our resolve; it stretches our faith.

Over the years, as I’ve planned to cast vision for our church, the Lord has often convicted me that I was planning with little faith. And I’ve often needed to pray with the disciples, “Lord increase our faith” (Luke 17:5)! The temptation to plan without faith doesn’t lessen as you grow older. It actually becomes easier to coast and continue to see the results of past faith. But I don’t want to enjoy the past. I want to see God use our church in the coming year as never before. I want to claim the blessings of faith! How about you? Do you have biblical vision or a to do list? Remember, “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” (Hebrews 11:6).

Do you have a Vision or a By Pastor Paul Chappell

College and Career Christmas Party 2015!

Teen Ski and Tubing Trip

Birthdays & Anniversaries

1.2 Frankie Chisholm 1.7 Kevin and Jaci Klepadlo 1.11 Alfredo and Maritza Mercado 1.12 John Boone 1.13 Kyle and Holly Burke Marie Boone 1.16 Sharon Perna 1.17 George Wingate

1.22 Moliere and Dorothy Edma 1.23 Tito Orellona 1.24 Micheline Beaufils 1.26 Lorenzo Guimapang Diane Tobias 1.28 Carol Milstein Lita Hamon 1.31 Noreen Applegate

Join us January 9th for the first breakfast of the year.

A time of food, fellowship, and a challenge from God’s Word.

Wednesday Nights in January

January 6 - Abiding in Christ January 13 - Guest Speaker Jim Fish January 20 - Experiencing the Renewal of Christ January 27 - Changing by the Glory of Christ

Each new year brings us new opportunities to know Him more,

to walk in faith, and grow by His grace.

“...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

memories from 2015

* to view the 2015 memories video visit the MBC facebook page or

512 S. Pitney Road ~ Galloway, NJ 08205 ~ 609.652.7507 ~ www.mainlandbc.com

Meet our Members Meet our Members Meet our Members

HYMN STORIES HYMN STORIES

Salvation is a word that is used in many religions, but it is in the definition of that word that separates Christianity from all other so-called attempts to know God. Today many feel "Whatever you think is right must be okay, because everybody has a right to his own opinion. You find God your way, and I'll find Him my way. Don't impose your thinking on anyone else." We live in an age of political correctness. You cannot say, do or even think anything for fear of offending someone! For many faith and spiritual life are nothing more than one's personal philosophy of life. But the scripture tells us otherwise. "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." This song makes it very clear that our faith can't be in any device or creed but in the death of Jesus Christ who paid the price for our salvation.

For years this song has been popular as a testimonial hymn although little has been known of the listed author, Lidie H. Edmunds. What has been known is that the tune is an old Norwegian folk melody and was published in 1891. In recent years research has found that Lidie Edmunds was the pen name for Eliza Hewitt. Eliza was a public school teacher. One of her students struck her with a heavy slate and she suffered a severe spinal injury which forced her to retire from teaching and made her an invalid the rest of her life in Philadelphia. However, she was able to continue to be involved with children in Sunday School and as superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children. She also was used to write a number of hymns. We don't know the specific story behind the writing of this hymn but we can assume that it grew out of her experience. If you have placed your faith in the finished work of the Cross, then you can sing along with this song. For you need no other argument or plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for you.

Alex Serrano was born and raised in Mexico City, the world’s tenth largest city, originally founded in 1325 by the Aztecs as Tenochtitlan. The Spanish conquered the Aztecs in 1521 and brought with them the Roman Catholic religion. As of 2010, almost 83% of the Mexican population claim to be Catholic. Alex grew up in a Catholic family but never seemed to have any interest in his family’s religion. In 1997, at the age of 17, he came to the United States, hoping to pursue a career in computer technology. Three years later, now living in New Jersey, Alex met Marisol at a friend’s party. Marisol, a native of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, like her future husband, was brought up in the Catholic religion. Alex admits that, by 2009, their relationship was suffering in part due to his drinking. One day in November of that year, Alex and Marisol heard the good news of the gospel, repented of their sin, and by faith, trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Less than a year later, they obeyed the Lord by being scripturally baptized by immersion in the back bay of Ventnor. The couple were married on August 1, 2010, and have 3 children: Gael (10), Mateo (4), and Caleb (1). In November, 2014, Alex was invited to the Men’s Breakfast at Mainland Baptist Church, and enjoyed it so much that he brought his family to the Sunday morning service the following day! They became members of Mainland Baptist on May 31, 2015. Alex, whose favorite verse is John 3:16, now runs his own company, Serrano Construction. He serves the Lord as a Sunday School teacher in the Spanish ministry and Marisol, whose favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5-6, serves in the nursery. The Serranos love the solid, Bible preaching of Spanish Ministry Pastor Javier Vega and the genuine love they feel from the entire Mainland Baptist congregation. They are also eternally grateful to God that they now enjoy a dynamic relationship with the living Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe.

Stories of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Faith

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place Written by Lidie H. Edmunds

Harvest from Heaven In 2015, at MBC 163 Trusted the Lord as

their Savior, 28 People were baptized, and 28 People joined the church.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Thoughts for the New Year