September 29, 2010 by Web Admin.

Our annual yard sale is a favorite event in the community. This year is even better than last. You will find a variety of new and used items priced to sell. From glassware, furniture, household goods, clothing for the entire family, toys, greeting cards, stationary to lawn and outdoor furniture.

When: Friday, October 15 from 8 am - 4 pm  AND  Saturday, October 16 from 8 am - 4 pm

Where:  Austin First Church of God, 5209 Duval Rd., Austin Texas 78727

This event is sponsored by Christian Women Connection and the proceeds go toward missions and other outreach ministries locally, state wide and nationally.

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September 29, 2010 by Web Admin.

We are inviting people within the community to come and enjoy a free breakfast, visit our facility, and register to win a Thanksgiving Turkey, Food Basket, and a School Supply Basket.

When:  Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 9:45 am

Where: Austin First Church of God, 5209 Duval Rd, Austin Texas, 78727

The Ministry Fair is held to generate awareness, enthusiasm, and involvement among church members and the community.  It is a celebration of the work God is doing in His Church and in the lives of people.  We value and recognize the volunteer efforts of many people who help out in various areas of ministry.

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September 27, 2010 by Worship Director.

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.”   - John 7:37

We all know how it feels to be thirsty - dry throat, parched tongue, a yearning for water.  In extreme cases, dehydration occurs – shriveled skin, dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, fever, and death.

This message of Jesus was understandable and comforting to ordinary people – people who had experienced thirst before.  His words spoke clearly to them, and His message was eagerly received.  Although the people construed His words to mean physical thirst, Jesus was speaking of a spiritual thirst – a thirst of the soul.

The thirsty are timid and fainthearted people who feel the dehydration of their spirit, soul, and body.  When thirsty people turn away from Jesus’ offer, their tongues become dry; they grow confused.  Fever sets in and death is imminent.

When thirsty people heed Jesus’ offer of everlasting water, they study God’s warnings.  They fear the Lord and take note of His law.   They read and hear the Word.  Jesus says ‘come to me and drink,’ and the thirsty who listen and receive that water will find relief and strength.  They will not die, but live forever refreshed.

- Linda Wilkins

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September 25, 2010 by Worship Director.

We no longer see Your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end.  - Psalm 74:9

If we’re not seeing miracles, it’s likely that we’re not looking.  When we live without the possibility of wonder, our world is smaller, our vision shorter and our faith weaker.   Our dependence on only what we can see, our hardness of heart and our pervasive skepticism can blind us to all that God has for us.

We continue to struggle through uncertain times.  All the voices around us - chattering in the media, arguing in the houses of politics, and even rattleing around in our own brains - just keep spinning around and ’round without answer, solution or comfort.

Strengthen your faith in our good and loving God.  He is the only viable light in our dark and stormy night.  He invites you to test Him.  Begin looking for miracles and you will see them emerge all around you.

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September 23, 2010 by Worship Director.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.  - John 2:11

A “miracle” is defined as an extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers.  Jesus majored in miracles, interacting with the natural world in ways that our small minds cannot know or understand.  To believe that mankind has the capacity to comprehend the inexplicable nature of the universe is arrogant and foolish. It is often the greatest scientists who know the most about how little we know.   Albert Einstein said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; or you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

When you have experienced the life transforming love of Christ, you have known the most amazing miracle of all.  You can believe in that.

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September 20, 2010 by Worship Director.

Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  - Philippians 2:1-4

Recently a family member seemed to be experiencing a distance from his faith.  He was becoming frustrated with some of his church’s decisions, unhappy with his Pastor’s sermons, began grumbling about tithing, and had stopped personal devotions.

His wife was aware of the situation.  His grumbling was affecting her own peace; the kids were also noticing.  She went to the Lord in prayer, asking not for what she thought would ‘fix’ things, but for God to intervene.  She prayed not for her own comfort, not for her own ambition, but in lowliness of mind, putting her loved one in front of herself, esteeming his worth better than her own.  She prayed for him.

Three weeks later, at the grocery store, her husband ran into a friend from church.  “Pastor called me yesterday, and wants us to join him in a weekly Spiritual growth breakfast – why would he just ask you and me? It will just be the three of us!”   There are no coincidences – we know how God puts things in order!  The three of them are now talking and walking together in the fellowship of the Spirit, and back on the right path.

God is awesome!  He is the encourager for our faith, the hearer of our prayers, and the fixer of our problems.  Ponder the words and be enlightened … fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. …pray for one another and be blessed.

- Linda Wilkins

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September 18, 2010 by Worship Director.

When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.  Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - Mark 4:39-40

This stormy trip across the lake was not the first time Jesus had commanded the elements, rearranged reality or reinvented lives. Had the disciples not be paying attention? He had set the example on this excursion – He already embodied the “great calm” that would soon extend into their world.

Don’t be too tough on these disciples.  How many times has God moved in our lives – in miraculous ways – yet time after time we still doubt His power and compassion to intervene.  Be the calm you want to see.

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September 17, 2010 by Worship Director.

As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”   - Mark 4:35-38

This must have been a monster of a storm.  At least four of the disciples were fishermen who had spent their lives on the water - and they were scared.  They were in their element, but it was out of control and they knew they were in trouble, yet they waited until the boat was swamped before they went to Jesus.  Did they think they could handle it on their own? Were they too proud to ask for help? Did they consider He could do something about it?

Even though they were traveling with Jesus, it was not all blue skies and smooth seas – Jesus never made such promises – but He was right there with them.  When they finally called on Him, He saw them through.

If you’re in a storm, seek out Jesus and hang on - He will make the wind and waves subside.

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September 16, 2010 by Worship Director.

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”   - Mark 10:15

Art Linkletter’s, “Kids Say The Darndest Things,” produced many laughable moments. Recently, an astute three-year-old’s busy ways quickly turned her into a little rabble-rouser. The harried grandmother appeared at wits end, so she challenged her with questions. “Who were the first people on earth?” she asked. “Adam and Steve,” the little tot assuredly answered.

Though under construction, her belief and nurtured faith will take her far. Noah, Moses and many others believed God and took steps of faith which made a difference in their lives and in our lives even today. Is your faith making a difference in someone else’s life? Simple belief in God opens an awesome door that you will not regret entering.  Along with this comes an acceptance of God’s gift of life found in Christ and daily trust in the One who knows what is best for you. Reading of God’s word shows each of us many living promises that will unfold in our lives. If you have not started this journey, do not delay. There are many who are willing to help you find the path designed for you; however, you need to take the first step. May your reflection in life be that of the image of God.

- Ann Reilley

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September 14, 2010 by Worship Director.

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”  - John 6: 43-44

We grumble because we want to understand Him on our own.  Reason cannot grasp that God sent His son to be crucified for us, or that we will have eternal life by just believing.  How the Father draws us to Him cannot be explained by reason.  When we try to understand the miracle of God, reason pulls us in a different direction.  Whoever refuses to be led by God, but instead wants to be led by reason, will be irritated by the message of Jesus and will continually complain about it.

Good reasoning skills are important!  We use them to buy material for new drapes, to deal with an unhappy client, to parent an unruly child, to budget our money and spending – solving daily tasks.  Reasoning is a gift from God that separates us from animals.  Use your gift with the world.

God’s Word doesn’t reach the human heart through reasoning.  Those who want to understand Jesus’ words must shut the gates of reason, and be drawn to the Father without understanding.  God wants us to be open to that which is so much larger than reason.

- Linda Wilkins

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