Prayer Initiative - Day 14

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Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Today's prayer focus

• Is there something causing you anxiety today? Bring those fears to God.
• Do you have personal prayer requests today? Be honest and pray specifically.
• Do you need God's peace today? Ask him for gospel peace and rest as you go through your day.

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“Peace for Troubled Hearts”
Katie Pollard

My grandmother was a professional worrier. She would fret and speculate until she lived in a completely distorted reality, and as a result there was very little joy in her life. I can see this proclivity in myself; to let my imagination run wild until I no longer know what’s true and what isn’t.

What does worry produce? Fear.

The most oft repeated command in Scripture: Do not fear.

Why? For I am with you.

In Philippians, Paul provides the ultimate anti-anxiety regimen: “In every situation, by prayer and petition … present your requests to God.” This is not to say that we give God a laundry list of petty requests, or that he’ll make life easy for us—quite the contrary, in fact. But one of the reasons we pray is for our own sanctification; to fight off the temptation to be fearful, which threatens to distort our reality and rob us of joy.

God is not offended by our weakness when we come to Him. The Psalms are filled with very vulnerable prayers about fear, despair, and loneliness. Our surest safeguard against being enslaved by dangerous emotional extremes is the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We can come to God with all our troubles, and he will be faithful to fill our minds with truth as we commune with him. 

This verse ends with a promise: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God “transcends understanding.” Even when terrible circumstances seem to justify anxiety, God’s peace overrules and becomes a guardian for our vulnerable hearts and minds. May you be filled with peace today as you lay your worries and fears at the feet of our Almighty God.

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Katie is the administrator and communications director for Lake Baldwin Church in Orlando, FL. She is also a writer, musician, avid reader, craft guru, wife, and mother. Katie loves intelligent novels, a good cup of tea, and those complicated board games that only your nerdy friends like.

Prayer Initiative - Day 13

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Colossians 4:2-3

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word…"

Today's Prayer Focus

• For Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Rollins College, and their outreach on Friday, September 11. Zack Baldwin leads the ministry.
• For Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at UCF as they begin to reach out to students on Aug 24. Pray for Lee Wright as he directs the work, and for his new intern, Savannah.
• For CRU at UCF as they engage in evangelism and discipleship. Jeremy Reddy leads the work. Pray for reliance on the Spirit’s power.
• hank God for the successful summer Bible study for college students at LBC, led by Noah Gomez. Thank God for the college students who will be going through our new members’ class Aug 21-22. Pray for Desiree Kitsmiller (UCF), Bailey Welch (Rollins), and Anthony Indorato (Rollins) as they start classes soon.

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"Open Doors on Campus"
Mike Tilley
 

One of the ways that LBC can serve the city is by partnering with the excellent student ministries that are active on nearby campuses. Like Paul in Colossians 4:3, these missionaries are trusting God to open doors for the gospel. Our church has benefited from the fruit of gospel ministry on the UCF campus. John Hutchings, who is active in our church in many ways, came to faith through the work of RUF at UCF a few years ago.

Why pray for open doors on the campuses? UCF is one of the largest universities in the country, so the potential for the kingdom is strong. Rollins College has a history of being reluctant to allow evangelical ministries on campus. The Intervarsity group actually operates off campus for now, and they work to maintain positive public relations with the administration. So on both campuses, there is a need for prayer.

We believe that college students, over time, will benefit from worship and fellowship at a church such as Lake Baldwin Church. Pray for our partnership with these groups, partnerships that will gain even greater traction when God raises up an assistant pastor at LBC.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 12

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2 Corinthians 4:7

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing greatness of the power belongs to God and not us."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For the treasure of the gospel of Christ to shine brightly on the parts of us that are weak and broken.
• For a church culture that embraces all people regardless of their limits and liabilities; a culture that sees the value of the weak as well as the strong.
• For friends you know in the church who are feeling overwhelmed by their own limits, or the realities of life—young moms; those experiencing loss of a loved one, a marriage, or a job; all of us when we wrestle with failure; and all who need the love and care of the church family.
• For humility in all of our church ministries, relying on the power of God and not on our having it all together.

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"Jars of Clay"
Mike Tilley

It’s quite a miracle that God has chosen to use broken vessels, jars of clay, to advance his work in the world, and to display his power. Over the years, it’s been difficult to bump up against my limits, and I’ve struggled with the tension between the “ideal me” and the “real me.” Only the gospel breaks that prideful fever in me, and restores me to reality and sanity.

I love the many ways that people at Lake Baldwin Church embrace and accept one another in times of weakness. There’s hope when we can weep with those who weep, come alongside those who are suffering loss, and discover the gifts in each person. 

The Old Testament story of Ruth is such a picture of this. Ruth had liabilities in her culture: she was a woman, a Moabite, and a widow. But those “weaknesses” became powerful in the hands of God. Bethlehem was changed, and kings came from her, including the King of all kings. Today, if you are feeling tired and weak, if you feel that you don’t measure up, if you feel inadequate, take courage from the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:7. He shows his power in jars of clay.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 11

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Acts 17:26-27

"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him."

Today's prayer focus

• Thank God for the recent LBC mission trip to Cabo St. Lucas, Mexico, as well as members who have gone to Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Slovakia this summer.
• Pray for our efforts to serve a growing network of international churches in Europe, specifically the ICC Pastors Retreat Oct 19-23. The goal for this year is 40 pastors.
• For the LBC Global Missions Team as they arrange for future mission trips, and as they trust the Lord for the day when our church can work with partners to plant a church overseas.
• For LBC folks based in Orlando but bringing resources overseas, such as Don Dearing who is currently in London leading a team that is reaching out to Middle Easterners on vacation there. For Ross and Lindsay Stowers, serving long-term in Italy.

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"A New Day in Global Missions"
Mike Tilley

The spread of the gospel in the 1st century was helped by the Roman road, trade routes, the influence of cities, and common Greek, the language of the New Testament. In the 1500s, the Reformation swept Europe on the heels of a technology breakthrough, the Gutenberg printing press. In our “new day" in global missions, innovative missions leaders have divine opportunities thanks to globalization, the Internet, and the use of English as a common language.

For example, the nations of the world are coming to Europe. International churches are rising to the occasion, reaching out to expats, immigrants, and nationals. A year ago last June, an Afghan immigrant was baptized in the faith by an American pastor serving a church in Munich. Holding services in English, the church has 60 nations represented, and 25% of the attendees are Germans. 

We have an amazing God! As we read in Acts 17:16, He has “determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” In this "new day" in global missions, a young church in Orlando such as LBC, with a global vision and a sovereign God, can have a part in reaching the nations.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 10

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Titus 2:11-14

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For the grace of God to bring salvation to friends and family.
• For the grace of God to transform our hearts in new ways.
• For the grace of God to strengthen our hearts for good works.

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“The Lifelong School of Grace”
Mike Glodo

Every Christian has a teacher and her name is “Grace.” Titus 2:11-14 tells us that “the grace of God has appeared ... training [teaching] us…” The “school of Grace” has three grade levels, but it is a school we attend our whole life long.

Grace past: Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (v. 14). By faith in Jesus Christ, all is forgiven. Grace past makes us God’s own. The freshman lesson in the school of grace is one that must remembered and believed our whole lives, for it’s easy to forget or doubt God’s grace past.

Grace future: The senior year in the school of grace is grace future, for God’s grace teaches us to wait “for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 13). The world is not yet the way God will make it one day. Neither are we. Living in the Christian hope means believing that Christ will return and transform this broken world into one of peace, justice and joy. The vales of tears and death will become spring-watered gardens (Rev 21; Rom 8:18-25). Living in Christian hope turns life’s deepest disappointments into homework, teaching us that this world will one day be more than we can imagine and everything we could desire.

Grace now: The middle year in the school of grace depends upon the prerequisites of grace past and grace future. Grace has appeared, “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passion, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age” (v 12). Grace has redeemed us “from all lawlessness” and purified us to become people “who are zealous for good works” (v 14). Grace past frees us from sin and grace future gives us a reason to live for God so that grace transforms our lives in the present.

I spent many hours as a child hanging laundry on the clothesline for my mother. She had a good, stout, clothesline strung between metal poles, anchored by concrete. Therefore it could bear the weight of new-washed clothes, to dry them in the bright sunlight. God has given us two stout poles between which to live grace-transformed lives. Christ has come. Christ will come again. Therefore, by God’s grace, we will live for Him now.

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Rev. Michael J. Glodo teaches Old and New Testament courses as well as courses in practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. The diversity of the courses Professor Glodo teaches reflects his diverse research and ministry interests. He is passionate about Old and New Testament studies and ministry philosophy, particularly regarding worship and liturgy. In addition to serving six years as the Stated Clerk for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, he also served in pastoral roles at churches in the St. Louis region. He and his wife, Vicki, have a daughter, Rachel, and son, Samuel. 

Prayer Initiative - Day 9

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Acts 16:1-3

"Paul came also to Derbe and Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him..."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For the right person to be called by God for our assistant pastor position.
• For our search team to be of one mind, prayerfully seeking God and considering candidates. The group meets tonight for a decision meeting.
• For practical details to be worked out, and for long-term gospel fruit from this new hire.
• For God’s financial provision as our church takes this next step together.

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"Adding to the Team for the Sake of the Gospel"
Mike Tilley

The book of Acts tells the story of the work of the Holy Spirit to extend the reach of the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). The result was a growing network of flourishing churches in the Greek and Roman world. As the work expanded, the apostle Paul added to his team, building the capacity to seize God-given opportunities.

Timothy joined the team, and was part of the church-planting effort at places like Thessalonica, the subject of our preaching series this summer. He went on to serve as the local pastor in Ephesus, and the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy were written during his season of ministry there.

Over the past couple of years, our leadership has developed a shared vision for making a long-term hire, adding to our pastoral staff. As we move in this direction by faith, we believe that this step will add to our capacity to extend the reach of the gospel, to foster a growing spiritual movement among young adults, and to pursue many other providential opportunities. We invite our entire congregation to pray and to share in these dreams for the future of mission to which God has called Lake Baldwin Church.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 8

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Acts 2:39

"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

Today's Prayer Focus:

• For seeds of the gospel to come alive in the hearts of children in SPLASH.
• For children in SPLASH to feel loved, have fun, and ask questions.
• For volunteers in SPLASH to be energized; for a full team of volunteers.
• For families in our church to be encouraged.
• For families who attended Kids Camp; that they will be sparked to come to our church.
• For Michelle Crouse and her family as she leads our SPLASH ministry.

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"The Promise for the Children"
Mike Tilley

Isn’t it amazing that our children are included in the covenant promises that God makes to his people? Throughout Scripture, in both Old and New Testaments, we see how God has a concern for both parents and children. Jesus famously said, “Let the children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).

Our SPLASH effort is an expression of this vision, of God’s heart for children. Today we can give thanks to God for the many people in Lake Baldwin Church who work alongside Michelle Crouse to sow seeds of the gospel in the hearts of children. The beautiful story of Jesus is shared with children in an environment of security, fun, relationships, and love.

Imagine what it will be like, years from now, when children look back on their experience in SPLASH! Memories are being made that will last a lifetime. Your prayers today are a part of watering the seeds of the gospel that will bear fruit in the coming years.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 7

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Esther 4:14

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Today's Prayer Focus

• For all of us to fulfill God’s purpose where he has placed us: at work, in our neighborhoods, and in our efforts to seek the peace and blessing of the city.
• For the growth of our presence in Baldwin Park, and for the spiritual receptivity of those who do not yet have a church. Pray specifically for the many who will be moving into the new apartments at Harbor Park.
• For grace and wisdom for all of us to engage a rapidly changing culture.
• For insight to see and seize kairos moments (divine opportunities where God is at work).

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"For Such a Time as This"
Mike Tilley

These days, particularly in America, Christians are often alarmed by a culture that is becoming secularized and more at odds with biblical Christianity. But our situation today might pale in comparison to what Queen Esther faced when Haman, a Persian vizier under King Ahaseurus, declared an edict to annihilate the Jews. We need the heart and courage of Mordecai, who saw that Esther was where God placed her, “for such a time as this.”

When we see God’s providence in each person that He has drawn to Lake Baldwin Church over the years, we thank God that he has brought them “for such a time as this.” When we think of 10,000 people living in Baldwin Park, and the new apartments going up right now, we believe that we are here “for such a time as this.” When we see people from LBC touching lives and shining Christ's light throughout the city, we believe that we are here “for such a time as this.”

Each Christian is God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). As we pray together today, let’s be reminded that each of us has a place in God’s larger story. Knowing that God has a plan, and knowing that Jesus will build his church, we face a changing world with confident hope. Through eyes of faith, let us see the divine opportunities ahead of us in the coming months.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 6

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John 13:14

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For our deacons, who lead us to care for and serve one another. Pray for Scott Crocker as he begins to serve as chairman of the deacons.
• For all those who serve us on Sunday mornings: cafe team, greeters, set-up teams for worship and SPLASH, teachers, worship and A/V team.
• For gospel-inspired service to be part of the culture of our church, and for volunteer teams to be at full strength as we anticipate the excitement of the fall ministry season.

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"Wash One Another's Feet"
Mike Tilley

When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in the upper room, it was a beautiful foreshadowing of his work on the cross to cleanse us from our sins. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give us life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) One of the ways that we are most like Jesus is when we serve one another. 

The early church picked this up. When Paul wrote to commend widows who served faithfully, he highlighted their “washing the feet of the Lord’s people” (1 Timothy 5:10). Deacons, too, picked up the towel of service to lead the church in caring for the weak and in showing mercy to the needy.

One of the miracles of our church is the serving culture. That miracle is visible each Sunday morning when when we see a colorful SPLASH area for our kids, when we grab a coffee or a bottle of cold water, when we walk into a worship area that is comfortable and beautiful, when a greeter hands us a bulletin, or when we see song lyrics appearing on the screens.

When we wash one another’s feet, we display the love of Christ, demonstrated at that first foot-washing, and revealed even more perfectly at the cross.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 5

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Luke 15:4

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"

Today's Prayer Focus

• For God to give us the heart of Jesus for the lost, and for this love to compel us as we pursue the lost sheep.
• For many future occasions when we will celebrate the finding of lost sheep. Pray for people to come to know the Savior through the grace of the gospel.
• For upcoming bridge events to connect us meaningfully to the lost sheep, including the Ken Sande event (Oct 9-10) on the common ground topic of relationships.
• For new move-ins in Baldwin Park, for spiritual receptivity. Pray in advance for the many who will move into the new apartments being built at Harbor Park.

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"The Lost Sheep"
Mike Tilley

Some years ago our family was enjoying a day at Disney World, when we looked around and did not see our youngest daughter. She was too young to find her way back to us, so we were concerned! She mattered so much to us that we dropped everything we were doing to find her. When we found our lost daughter, we were so relieved and so happy!

All of us were like our lost daughter at one point, spiritually. We were lost and without hope, and we didn’t know how to find our way to God. But we matter to God, so Jesus left the glories of heaven to come and pursue the lost sheep. In Luke 15, the Pharisees complained that Jesus was making friends with “sinners.” But Jesus replied that there was more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons.

Perhaps this is a good pattern for us, as we pray and relate to people who are not yet followers of Jesus. Who knows what God might do as we pray for and become friends with people who matter greatly to him?

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 4

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1 Thessalonians 3:13

"May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word; in worship, in classes, in small groups, and in our private devotions.
• For the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification, forming our hearts and lives more and more into the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
• For our elders, deacons, staff, small group leaders, SPLASH workers, youth leaders, and all who assist us in our journey toward spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.

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"The Beauty of Holiness"
Mike Tilley

The word “holiness” has taken a beating over the years, and has become widely misunderstood and devalued. Too often it has become wrapped up in religious externals, hypocrisy, and self righteousness. Let’s recover the beauty of holiness.

Remember that the fall of mankind into sin was catastrophic. When sin came into the world, it brought with it human cruelty, selfishness, pride and ruin. One way of thinking about holiness is that God is renewing his image in us (Colossians 3:10). He wants to make us new in Christ. Sanctification simply means to be made holy. The Word of God plays a big role in that: “Sanctify them by the truth. Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) That’s why we pray for sanctifying influences of God’s Word throughout our church.

When we pray for the church to be holy, we are praying that the bride of Christ will be ready for her husband when he returns (Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus died for our unholiness, and now he wants to make us beautiful for when he comes to claim his bride. As we sing in the hymn, The Church’s One Foundation: “From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.”

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 3

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1 Thessalonians 3:12

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For our own hearts to grasp the love of God, shown to us in the gospel of Christ.
• For overflowing love in our church; enough to cover a multitude of sins, enough to care for the broken, enough to mark us as true disciples of the one who loved us perfectly.
• For love that would flow out to “everyone else”—new friends, the lost, the city, the poor, our enemies, and our neighbors.

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"Love Overflowing"
Mike Tilley

The Nile River flows north from Lake Victoria in Uganda. For centuries, the river has brought life-giving water and fertile deposits to Egypt, spawning civilizations. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that “Egypt was the gift of the Nile.” Like the mighty Nile, the overwhelming love of God is a source of life for us, and it overflows through us to others.

It’s interesting that Paul prays for overflowing love before he exhorts the Thessalonians to love one another in the very next chapter (1 Thessalonians 4:9). He must know that we need grace from the Lord Jesus, even to love one another. Even Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, has feeder rivers flowing into it. We, too, need continuous replenishment so that love can increase and overflow.

Just as the waters of the Nile spawn growth in the arid plains of Egypt, a community of Christians filled with the love of Christ will be a life-giving community. A loving community will bear the gospel fruits: growth in holiness, tenderness for the hurting, compassion for the lost, concern for the peace of the city, and ultimately the glory of our Father in heaven.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 2

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Psalm 100:1-2

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Today's Prayer Focus

• For worship services throughout the fall: joyful singing, filled with God’s Spirit.
• Joel and Katie Pollard; band and vocalists; A/V team; vocal ensemble.
• Hosting environment for guests.
• Engaging worship for each person, shaping both heart and mind. 
• Awe in God’s presence as we worship with each other, and the angels.

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"A Joyful Noise"
Mike Tilley

Recently a young high school student attended a week-long Christian event with his parents. He was a sharp guy, raised in a Christian home. But there was one thing missing. When it came time to sing songs in church worship, he did not sing the songs. At the week-long event, he made some Christian friends and his heart began to come alive. By the end of the week, his parents were filled with gratitude as they saw something new in their son: he began to sing in worship.

When we worship, heaven comes down to earth. The future kingdom comes into this present evil age, and we taste of the powers of the age to come. The more we realize what our Savior has done for us, the more we want to sing the songs of salvation. But like that young boy, it’s a heart journey for each of us. In a world that’s crazy busy; a world that is saturated with digital media; a world that offers more creature comforts than any time in history; we need the gospel rest of the Sabbath, and the re-setting of our hearts through rich, gospel-centered worship.

Let’s dream of a maturing worship culture at Lake Baldwin Church. Let’s pray that tongues would be loosed and that hearts would be free. Let’s commune with our Savior from the call to worship to the benediction. Let’s thank God that he has brought Joel and Katie our way, along with talented musicians who volunteer their skills. Then let’s all join the worship team from where we sit, making a joyful noise to the Lord!

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Prayer Initiative - Day 1

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Psalm 127:1

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

Today's Prayer Focus

• For prayer to be central to the work of LBC, the “furnace” that empowers all we do.
• For God to use this month of prayer to advance his kingdom in us and through us.
• For God to shape our hearts this month to love him and to seek his vision.

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"The Prayer Furnace"
Mike Tilley

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London in the 1800s, so they went to hear famed C. H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.  (Source: Our Daily Bread)

Welcome to the modern-day “prayer furnace” of Lake Baldwin Church! As we pray each day, we are expressing our dependence on God to “build the house.” We are saying, “We need your grace. We need your power. All of our work will be in vain apart from the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit.”

But why devote time to prayer? Couldn’t we just ask one person to read a list of requests to God and then get on with our lives? Scripture teaches united, sustained, prevailing prayer. This time spent in prayer does not only advance the kingdom and build his house; it also changes us. Our hearts become shaped and stretched, our minds become flooded with his vision (instead of our own), and our hands are strengthened for the days ahead.

The “house” of Psalm 127:1 reminds us not only of a home or a family. In the Old Testament, it also was the term used for God’s temple, the place of worship. With the dawn of the gospel in the New Testament, God now has a people for his temple. Christ Jesus is the cornerstone, and we are the stones of that temple, of that house. Let us pray that he will build it.

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Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

One Baptism — "NIB"

by Rev. Mike Glodo

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Have you ever been perplexed by “netspeak?” The world wide web has introduced a flood of new vocabulary, especially acronyms -– www, http, aol, ftp. Instant -- and text-messagers possess a language practically their own –- lol, imho, btw. “ASAP” is old school.

As an occasional Ebay shopper, I’ve even had to learn its unique nomenclature. When I forget that I can only write with one fountain pen at a time, I’ll browse Ebay for bargains. Besides typing “fountain” and “pen” and possibly “Parker” or “Pelikan” in the search line, I’ll occasionally add “NIB.” When I first spotted this term as a shopper, I thought it simply meant that the pen had a nib –- a point with which to write. It seemed superfluous to me that the seller had to explain that the pen had a point –- unless, of course, pens were often sold without them. Though they wouldn’t be the first pointless things sold (or written.) Then I realized it was an acronym. “NIB” means “new in box.”

Fountain pens are a male version of the purse. For some people, one is enough, for others a regular rotation is called for. But they are also like male jewelry and pristine condition is a real plus, especially when buying from an individual seller. Because throwing away the box is one of the first things people do with new gifts, the seller still having the box can corroborate other representations that the pen is unused. “NIB” is a reassuring label on Ebay.

But“NIB” in other contexts can be the very opposite -- lack of assurance, lack of confidence. Nowhere is this the case more than when it comes to Christian baptism. Show me an unused baptism and I may well be able to show you a struggling, doubt-wracked Christian. Show me a well-worn baptism and chances are a sinewy, time-tested faith will be close at hand. Not an infant, naïve or presumptuous kind of faith, but a strong grip on the gracious work of God in Christ that brings perseverance and hope.

And it’s my sense that most of us have baptisms that look a lot newer than they really are, in some cases shiny, unworn and still-packaged. And we’re the worse for it.
What does it mean to have a “used” or “unused” baptism? We make use of our baptism when we “improve” it. Westminster Larger Catechism 167 explains:

Q. 167. How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

As you can see, our baptism is to be used by us constantly in perpetuity -- “all our life long.” As visible words, the sacraments are visible signs through which “the benefits of the new covenant are represented...” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 92) What else do we mean at the Lord’s table when we say that we “proclaim the Lord’s death” until he comes again except that we are proclaiming the Gospel? (1 Cor. 11:26) The sacraments preach the Gospel visibly.

With all of the debate in the broader church about baptism, the most fundamental and frequent misunderstanding is to insist on limiting its benefits to the time of administration. As Presbyterians, we insist to our Baptist friends that the efficacy of baptism is not tied to the moment of administration, that infant baptism looks forward to saving faith that is yet future. But the point of WLC 167 is that the appearance of saving faith is to be but one of countless moments in life when we derive benefits from our baptism. So whether someone is a Presbyterian or a Baptist, she can look back to her baptism through faith in Christ in order to continually draw saving grace from it.

Simply put, whenever I am in doubt, discouraged, hard-pressed, tempted, lonely, forsaken, persecuted, fearful, anxious, indignant or beset, I can gaze through the eyes of faith upon the Gospel when I remember my baptism and when I see others baptized. I can see in baptism Christ dying for my sin, my union with him such that my death became his and his resurrection became mine. I can see the purging of my sins in the washing of the water. I can see final judgment rendered against my old nature as the flood waters overwhelm it. I can be sure that the old man will surely die just as God’s word pronounces that the soul that sins shall surely die. I can be confident that I am not my own, but the Lord’s, because I have died to the Law and it has no claim over me. I witness the new man borne out of the watery womb. A faith-worn baptism will never wear out but will grow more useful and blessed with use.

Some will object -- almost impulsively at times -- that such a view of baptism invites presumption. In their minds, infant baptism inevitably leads to false confidence. They will say that drawing confidence from an external sign is dangerous. After all, hell has many baptized members who had the form of true religion but not its substance.

Presumption is real and it is an insidious danger. Just as pornographers will bend marriage sensuality into smut, unregenerate hearts will smear baptism into sensual self-confidence where there is no ground for it. But just as we must pity the husband and wife who lie apart when their covenant bond has opened the door to a world of comfort and pleasure, we should also pity the believing soul who refuses the warm embrace of Christ held wide if he would remember his baptism.

We improve our baptism not just by remembering that we were baptized, but as well when we witness the baptism of others. Whenever we witness a baptism in worship, I try to remember to lean into the ear of each of my children to say “You are baptized. God made promises to Mommy, to you, and to me. You belong to him.” More than once I have seen their eyes widen -- especially in their little years. I want them to know that the devil sees the water when he wants to cause them harm and he sees the mark that they belong to the Lord. I want them to know that, even though Satan got to them first in Adam’s sin, that God has asserted His claim over them as children of the covenant.

I’ve often participated in and witnesed debates about rebaptism. It’s been a while since someone was executed for rebaptizing, but it still can cause a stir. During the presbytery examination of an ordinand, it’s a good bet he will be asked his view of the subject and whether he would perform a rebaptism. The subject can still bring division. Disagreements over baptism still cause Christians to break fellowship. Sometimes pastors capitulate when asked to rebaptize someone because the person is so insistent, hoping the person’s weak faith will be strengthened. But we would do far better to teach that person to improve the baptism he already has, the one that is still neatly packaged in its original wrapping, rather than give him another one to place upon the shelf. If the plaintiff hasn’t used his first baptism, what assurance is there that he will use his second, or his twelfth baptism?

We pastors compound the ignorance about improving baptism by making the child the exclusive focus at infant baptisms. It certainly is appropriate to celebrate the child’s promises from God, even if the child is not yet sensible to them. And they are so cute before they can talk back or spend money. But I have rarely (if ever) heard a minister say to the congregation, “Watch and remember, for this is what God has done for you!”

For Martin Luther, the lifelong usefulness of baptism was a frequent refuge. The stories are well-known of how, when under the oppressive hand of Satan and his pointed barrage of accusations, Luther would shake his fist at the ceiling and shout back “I have been baptized!” It was out of such a life that he wrote:

Heaven is given unto me freely, for nothing. I have assurance hereof confirmed unto me sealed by covenants. That is, I am baptized, and frequent the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Therefore I keep the bond safe and sure, lest the devil tear it in pieces. That is, I live and remain in God’s fear and pray daily unto Him. God could not have given me better security of my salvation, and of the Gospel, than by the death and passion of His only Son. When I believe that He overcame death and died for me, and therewith behold the promise of the Father, then I have the bond complete. And when I have the seal of baptism and the Lord’s Supper prefixed thereto, then I am well provided for.

One of our last acts in Michigan as a family was to attend the finale concert of my daughter’s music camp at the University of Michigan. During the concert at Hill Auditorium, a spectacular acoustic site, the boys’ chorus sang a sea chantey about love for the sea -- “Bound to the Wave” by Dietrich and Moore. That song evokes the life of a sailor for whom the sea is home and the land is strange. The chorus emotes the rise and fall of the swells and includes the refrain:
"Water our mother, water our grave And we shall be bound to the wave."

The true sailor’s life begins and ends with life upon the water. The Christian’s surest life draws upon the waters of baptism. Baptism preaches to us our union with Christ in his baptism so that we have resurrection life -- water our mother -- which enables us to die to self and live to him because we have been bought with a price and we are the Lord’s -- water our grave.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
-- Romans 6:3-10

With no apologies to Kevin Costner’s infamous movie fiasco, "Waterworld," we are invited to live out our lives in the water world of our baptism -- the world to come which has come near in the dying and rising of Christ our Lord, the world in which we are now citizens and this world’s claims against us have been voided, the water world of judgment flood, through which righteous Noah, the Israelites out of Egypt, and we have emerged because the judgment due us flooded over our Savior Jesus Christ. Pull your baptism out of the storage trunk and put it to good use next Lord's Day.

Holy Baptism
As he that sees a dark and shady grove,
Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky;
So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove
More backward still, and to that water fly,
Which is above the heav'ns, whose spring and rest
Is in my dear Redeemer's pierced side.
O blessed streams! either ye do prevent
And stop our sins from growing thick and wide,
Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow.
In you Redemption measures all my time,
And spreads the plaster equal to the crime;
You taught the book of life my name, that so
What ever future sins should me miscall,
Your first acquaintance might discredit all.
–George Herbert (d. 1652)

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Rev. Michael J. Glodo teaches Old and New Testament courses as well as courses in practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. The diversity of the courses Professor Glodo teaches reflects his diverse research and ministry interests. He is passionate about Old and New Testament studies and ministry philosophy, particularly regarding worship and liturgy. In addition to serving six years as the Stated Clerk for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, he also served in pastoral roles at churches in the St. Louis region. He and his wife, Vicki, have a daughter, Rachel, and son, Samuel. 



Why Europe? The Jim Carlson Story

Europe is well-known for its history, culture, and economic prosperity.  Europe is less well known as a mission field with an urgent need for churches. Jim Carlson makes a strong case for the importance of Europe in global missions.

Based out of Paris, France, Jim is one of the directors in Europe for ReachGlobal, the missions arm of the Evangelical Free Church. He is working on his Doctor of Ministry on the importance of international churches in global missions. Yesterday he spoke to the gathering of pastors and families in Nice, France, that Molly and I have been serving.

In his session, Jim quoted from a book, Strangers Next Door: "An unreached people group is one in which less than 2% of the population are evangelical Christians. Here are the percentages for key countries in Europe: France, 1 %; Germany, 2.1%; Belgium, 1.2%, Netherlands, 4.3%, Switzerland, 4.4%, Austria, 0.5%, and Monaco, 1.2%. We can safely categorize Europe as an unreached people group!

But Europe, according to Jim, is also very strategic at this point in history. It's one of the intellectual centers of the world. It leads the world in educating people from around the world. And it's on the front lines of the global battle for the gospel.

But here's the kicker: "Europe is home to the world's current, and fastest growing, religion: unbelief." 

Jim Carlson also serves on the Euro Leadership Team for International Christian Community (ICC), the host organization for this week's retreat for pastors and families. I've had the joy of working with Jim and the rest of the team to chart the course for the future of ICC, with the goal of a vibrant international church for each principle city in Europe.

This morning, Jim spoke to the pastors and wives from Psalm 121, with the famous verse, "Our help comes from the Lord." Then he invited people to request prayer for their personal lives. The floodgates opened up, leading to a rich time of prayer for pastors and wives on the front lines.

It's clear that Jim understands the importance of international churches in reaching Europe. But he also has a shepherd's heart for the pastors and families who have joined in this effort.

Postcard from Nice: the Anil and Anju Story

Anil is a gourmet chef from India, and specializes in food from his home country. He has worked at two of the most famous hotels in Nice: the Negresco and the Palais Mediterranean. He and his wife Anju had something even more significant happen in their lives three years ago.

I met Anil and Anju last Sunday evening after preaching at the International Church in Nice, France. That night, I met a guy from Angola; two students from Romania; two students from South Korea; and an art dealer and his wife, from near Monaco. The church building itself has a facinating history. The pulpit was built a century ago, by some folks who were members of Charles Spurgeon's congregation in London. Like many from the U.K., he would visit Nice on holiday. After meeting Anil and Anju, I learned more of their story.

The Christian faith was new to Anju when they came from India. She and Anil got connected to the international churches in the Nice area, and Anju discovered the love of Jesus Christ. Three years ago, both Anil and Anju were baptized in the Mediterranean. They were baptized by James Arnold, pastor of the International Church in Nice, as well as the International Church in nearby St. Paul De Vence.

After preaching at both churches last Sunday, I was able to see the signficance of the international church. In the new globally connected world, the nations are coming to Nice and its environs. They are students, business people, immigrants, and others from every corner of the globe. Even French people are being reached. I met one woman in St. Paul who was on her second visit to the church. She wants to work on her English.

Molly and I are here to serve a gathering of pastors of international churches, and we're having our meetings at the International Church in St. Paul De Vence. All meals are being provided at the church--a huge savings for the guests. But we had another bonus tonight. Anil, the gourmet chef from India, came to offer a seminar in the preparation of Indian food. All of the pastors and families got to enjoy a tasty meal of Indian cuisine. 

We might not be staying at the Palais Mediterranean, but we still got to enjoy some of their food. And that's another benefit of the international church.

Birth of a Network in Europe: the Dan Painter Story

"When do we start?" The new American ambassador to France had just arrived in June of 1985. Col. Dan Painter, U.S. liaison with French forces, had just met him at a reception. When Col. Painter offered to pray weekly him, the ambassador gave his famous reply: "When do we start?" They prayed together weekly for four years.

When Dan Painter and his wife Nancy took a new posting in Prague, Czech Republic, he became the attache for another ambassador, Shirley Temple Black. While in Prague, the Painters saw a crying need for diplomats and military personnel to have a church, so they helped plant a new, international, English-speaking church. This led to the planting of international churches in Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, and Marseilles. 

Like-minded pastors from other cities began to link arms around this vision, and a network in Europe was born: International Christian Community (ICC). Starting October 27, pastors from around Europe will be gathering in St. Paul de Vence, France, for the ICC retreat for pastors and families. This annual event is an oasis of community and vision for pastors laboring in the challenging mission field of Europe. Molly and I will be serving these pastors this week, doing everything we can to encourage them. We are grateful to represent the global heart of Lake Baldwin Church as we partner with this ministry.

Dan Painter and the ICC-affiliated pastors have discovered something. The world is coming to the cities of Europe. The new global culture is a vibrant mix of global business leaders, students, diplomats, immigrants, and host-country nationals, all speaking the new global language of English. It's a new missional space where more churches are needed.

When Dan Painter met the U.S. ambassador to France in 1985, he was in the right place at the right time. Now, with the nations coming to Europe, Dan is again in the right place at the right time. And, with each church that joins the network, more people are echoing the words of the ambassador: "When do we start?"

Postcard from France: the Jean-Raymond Story

Change is in the wind for one denomination of French evangelical churches, and Jean-Raymond Stauffacher is leading that change.

Jean-Raymond is the pastor of the Reformed Protestant Evangelical Church in Marseilles, France. He is also the president of a union of churches spread across southern France, and up to Paris.

Born in France in 1967, Jean-Raymond was the son of American missionaries. He went through a rebellion of sorts in his teen years. A caring friend invited him to the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, where he experienced a deep spiritual renewal.

I met Jean-Raymond in 2013 when folks at LBC hosted a contingent of pastors from Europe for the GCA conference. He joined us for a time of strategic planning for Europe, at the LBC office. Flash forward to our meeting on Thursday in Nimes, France.

Nimes (pronounced "Neem") is a beautiful, mid-sized city with an abundance of Roman ruins. We spent the day with Jean-Raymond and his change team, talking about their plan to re-shape a denomination to advance the gospel and plant churches in today's France.

When our work was completed for the day, we walked the Roman ruins in the nearby city of Arles. What a vivid window into the heart of Jean-Raymond. If God gives life to his vision, the church in France will not be like ancient ruins. it will be a vibrant force for the gospel.

Postcard from Marseilles: the Nelly Vos Story

Upon arrival in Marseilles we were greeted by Nelly Vos and her daughter, Helen. They gave us a wealth of insight into the spiritual climate in France.

Nelly was born in the northeast of France. She and her family were among the few Christian believers in her small town. She became a missionary and met her husband, David (an American), while working with Operation Mobilization in Marseilles.

They had a heart for the Muslim community, so they moved to Montpelier and began working with Muslim students there. These students were from moderate families in North Africa and the Middle East, and some were receptive. After some years in Montpelier, David and Nelly moved to Lyon where they worked with a team from Mission to the World (MTW).

Sadly, David died unexpectedly of heart failure shortly after their move to Lyon.  Nelly continued her work by serving at the seminary in Aix-en-Provence, and then took a position as parish assistant at the Evangelical Church in Marseilles, where she now serves.

Nelly says that less than 3% of the French are believers. Interestingly, Muslims are easier to talk with because they don't mind talking about God. But the French are more receptive of late, and she is surprised to learn of French people who want to "learn about the Bible." Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East tended to be more receptive in the 60s, the first wave of immigration. But lately they have not integrated well into French culture, so they are turning to the Islam of their home culture.

Nelly now enjoys her work with the Evangelical/Reformed Church in Marseilles, where she assists the pastor, Jean-Raymond Stauffacher. They minister to a congregation of about 70.

Just as the gusty winds blow off the Mediterranean against the hills and trees of Marseilles, there are fresh winds of change blowing in France. Next post, we'll meet Jean-Raymond Stauffacher, who pastors the church and also leads a union of churches across France.