Don't let gossip deter the Gospel

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. Proverbs 26:20

Gossip is the go to behavior for those who want to get back at someone. Maybe they were hurt and this is their passive way to inflict pain. Or, motivated by insecurity, they feel the need to build themselves up by putting others down. Gossip only exposes the immature heart of the one initiating the gossip. Misinformation by the misinformed leads to confusion at the least and clouds character of others at its worse. It is by God’s grace and the working of His Spirit that we refrain from fueling the fires of gossip.

Indeed a discreet heart pauses before it is tempted to tickle ears with gossip. There is a noble commitment to create conversation around ideas, not to discussions that demean and tear down people, as God has given us the power to build up people not tear them down. When we operate with discretion it protects our souls from entanglements that later prove to be untrue. For example, we may talk about someone’s long lunches at work not knowing they visit their elderly parent in a nursing home. Discretion is a diligent fact finder that is slow to find fault. 

Furthermore, how can we be discreet as a recipient of gossip? First of all, we recognize it is as a deterrent to a healthy culture at home, ministry, and work. It creates factions, contributes to mistrust and disloyalty, and it erodes productivity all things that the enemy of our souls loves to see as it makes us ineffective for the Kingdom of God. When we dismiss discussions based on hearsay, we say to the gossiper, you do not have control over me or the person you are dishonoring. Instead of keeping quiet we say in love, “I’m surprised, I’ve always known her to finish the job.”

Above all else, we seek the Lord for wisdom and discretion. Discretion is embedded in a heart of wisdom. Without discretion we are not wise, but foolish. Yes, the ability to avoid causing offense by revealing sensitive information is the fruit of wisdom and grace. We become a trusted confidant when our total trust is in Christ. Gossip is an ignorant foreign language to a faithful disciple of Jesus. 

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom


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Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Reason to celebrate

A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead...for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12:9, 11

We can live a ‘drive thru dining’ life that rushes from one activity to the next, or we can live a ‘sit down dinner’ life that enjoys the caring company of others. It's especially meaningful to celebrate special occasions: graduations, anniversaries, birthdays (both physical and spiritual), work promotions and successful surgeries, to name a few. We celebrate life when we show our gratitude for the Lord’s blessings. We take the time to honor God for His bounteous provision and healing.

Mary understood how to celebrate the gift of life. She took her best, her all, and gave it to Jesus. Her glee and gratitude could not be contained for her brother Lazarus was alive, raised by God. Without inhibition and in the face of fierce criticism from a family member, she lavished her love on the Lord. The death and resurrection of Lazarus became the harbinger of her symbolic anointing of Jesus for His burial. A celebration of life points to the giver of life; Jesus Christ.

A life lived well celebrates well. What has the Lord done in your life that invites a celebratory occasion? Perhaps you use this time to tell your story of God’s faithfulness, as recounting Christ’s blessings blesses others. Open your home to honor a friend who has been healed, or pay tribute to a new believer who has been raised to walk in newness of life in Christ. Life celebrations memorialize God's favor.

Some will scoff when we spend time and money to commemorate Christ. But their small view of God misses the point of creating unique ways to glorify God. For out of our great gratitude to the Lord, others are drawn to the Lord. Just as many believed in Jesus because of Lazarus’ testimony, so many will believe in Jesus because of our testimony. Others take notice when we celebrate our life blessed by the Lord. We anoint Jesus as our Lord when we give all we have to Jesus. Christ is our celebration. He is the reason we are rowdy with joy. 

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom.  In the DC metropolitan area I invite you to worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook located at 1740 Kirby Rd. McLean Va.  Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Only trust Him

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  Isaiah 12:2-3

Total trust in the Lord is available to every disciple of Jesus. It means you give up total control, and the Lord’s assurance replaces your fear and worry with peace and faith. You cannot figure it all out but you do have the capacity to trust Him totally. It is a trust issue, and if He is who He claims to be, He can be trusted. If you can trust Him with the salvation of your soul, you can trust Him with the temporal control of your life.

If you can trust Him with the big things, you can trust Him with the small things. If He led you to the right spouse, He will give you the opportunities to provide. If He led you to a new career, He will give you the wisdom, finances, and relationships to be successful. If He led you to be a missionary, He will build bridges across the cultural barriers to allow you to engage with the people. If He led you to have children, He will provide for the needed resources to be successful parents.
   
Wherever God leads He provides. What God initiates He completes. His part is provision and your part is trust. Don’t fall into the trap of trusting Him with some things and not trusting Him in ALL things. Distrust in God is distasteful and insulting to His integrity, the good thing is it reveals where our faith must grow. How can God not be big enough to handle any situation? Health, war, teenagers, money, conflict, prosperity, relationships, and people can all be placed into His hands. God can be trusted because He is trustworthy. The well of His salvation is infinitely deep. You have limited capacity to bear burdens. However, His character and resources are unlimited. Without the support of a sympathetic Jesus, you will be immobilized even crushed, under the weight of worry. Jesus understands and is saddened when  you do not yoke up with His support.
   
There is no need to root around and search for answers when He already has it figured out. There is no need to sacrifice your health with worry and overwork when He offers peace and options you have yet to discover. There is no need to rush through life and then ask Him to bless your efforts after the fact. He can be trusted to lead you even before you put a prayerful plan into motion. Trust in God does not mean you act irresponsibly and seek forgiveness later. Trust in God means you patiently walk with Him in your decisions and choices. Slow down, look up, trust Him, and watch Him reap extraordinary results. Partial trust leads to frustration and worry.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  If your in the McLean Va. area I would love to worship with you Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am at First Baptist Chesterbrook we are located at 1740 Kirby Rd. in Mclean Va.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Productive conflict

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Romans 12:17, ESV

The silent treatment contributes to a slow relational death. Some people who are hurt by insensitivity or disinterest of others default to emotional disengagement. Sadly, their way of punishing someone they love is to withhold love, or they simply lack the skills to fight fair. Their choice to stew in isolation can cook up bitterness in their own heart and feelings of rejection in others.  At their emotional boiling point people tend to accuse and demand. Destructive conflict doesn't fight fair. 

However, productive conflict uses disagreements to engage each other’s hearts. Love is patient to truly understand another's perspective. What may be a misunderstanding is managed with questions and a spirit of seeking to comprehend not complain. Instead of attacking, there is vulnerability with our feelings. For example, we might say, “I want to help, but right now I don’t know how.” During productive conflict we can hit the pause button, take a deep breath and perhaps pray out loud for one another. Prayerful words replace silent pouting.

Furthermore, as we grow in grace we grow to honor individuals as the Lord does. Instead of being disrespectful with our distant demeanor, we communicate respect with our caring eye contact. We embrace another’s differences as an opportunity to learn and improve our thinking. We are quick to confess our quirks, even laugh at our weaknesses, as our Lord reminds us to take Him but not ourselves too seriously. Productive conflict develops our dependence on God and on each other. It's like using spiritual sandpaper to smooth our rough edges.

Therefore, fight fair and remember the devil is the enemy not the person. Spiritual battles are won on our knees. The accuser,Satan, is silenced when we surrender to the Lord’s relational terms of engagement. Selfishness is exiled when we submit our expectations to God. Timely, sincere apologies with forgiveness replace agonizingly long periods of silence or withheld intimacy. Relational skills are needed to manage conflict well. Listen well, think the best and create a safe environment for difficult conversations. Productive conflict increases trust, friendship and intimacy.

In the McLean Va. area I would love to worship with you at either of our worship gatherings Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am, and remember to make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Good guardrails

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Proverbs 4:6

Guardrails are for our protection. In driving they protect us from fatal accidents. In decision making they protect us from foolish choices. In relationships they protect us from destructive behavior. In finances they protect us from living beyond our means. In organizations they protect us from drifting. Guardrails are God's protection from missing His very best. Wisdom erects them in a safe zone, way before a dangerous drop off. A life with guardrails enjoys God’s peace.

A guardrail in life is not meant to squelch our creativity, instead it provides boundaries that enhance our freedoms. For example, a parent gives a teenager moral, emotional and physical guidelines so they are protected from future regrets. Emotionally energized individuals make time to replenish their souls after a season of intense service and support. The physically fit place limitations on food and drink so their intake is somewhat equal to the calories burned off by their body. A guardrail protects us from ourselves. Good intentions without limits can be unhealthy.

What area of our life is exposed, without a buffer? A loving church family can support you when life happens and circumstances become uncertain. An intimate and caring accountability group can keep you honest in your assessment of reality. Perhaps you engage a financial planner to help you prepare for the future. A mentor couple can affirm what you are doing well in marriage and advise where to make a course correction. When we bump up against a guardrail it is not pain free, but hopefully it protects us from more severe outcomes.

Most of all ask the Lord to place His hedge of protection around your life. His angels are an army for good that reveals a demon’s deceptions. What is unseen can be even more disastrous than what we see, but the Holy Spirit is our guide and protector against unseemly powers and principalities. Prayer provides God’s peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. His truth is like a mighty fortress against the fiery darts of the devil. God’s wisdom protects us it is a good guardrail.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  In the Mclean Va area come worship with me Saturdays at 6:30 or Sundays at 10.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Alive and well

Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. John 12:35-36

We become fully alive when we live for the Lord. We walk with Him in the light and He lights our path of progress in the faith. If we trod on the dark road of distrust we become short sighted and stale in our faith, but in the light of Christ we come alive and well. We come alive to advance God’s kingdom. We come alive to His will and ways. We come alive to prayer, worship, praise, and service. We come alive to generosity and godly goal-setting. We come alive as we walk by faith with the Lord.

We die a slow death of self focus if all we do is indulge ourselves. If our interests, our habits, our desires and our happiness are our sole purpose for living, we hold a recipe for unhappiness. The soul, our real self, starves if all our attention is on feeding our flesh. The darkness of fleshly desires grows spiritual mold spores over our disciplines and suffocates them. Our mind becomes mildewed by dark thoughts that drive us to despair. Darkness brings death, but the light of Christ gives life.

However, we become alive and well when we live as God made us to live.  Are you alive in your current season of life? If you are a child, become alive as an inquisitive child. If you are a teen, become alive as a teenager with big dreams. If you are a college student, become alive in your career preparation. If you are a single adult, become alive as a faithful friend. If you are a young married, become alive for your spouse. If you are a parent, become alive for your child. If you are a grandparent, become alive for your family. Live life in the now. Don’t be like the fifty-year old who stops living, even though their best years lie ahead.

Most of all, become alive for Christ. Be loved by Him, love Him, worship Him, listen to Him, learn from Him, obey Him and serve Him. As sunlight produces life giving vitamin D for our bodies, so the light of the Lord gives vitamin L or Love to our souls. Being loved by our Lord makes us alive. The rays of His righteous love keep our faith from becoming brittle and our hearts from becoming hard. We reject a mindset that settles for coasting through life and receive our full life in Christ. Spiritual blood pulsates through a soul alive.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean va. area come and worship with me Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

With God it is always better

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Acts 3:6

Sometimes what we think we need and what God knows we need are two different things. A man unable to walk since birth asked Peter and John for money. Instead of receiving a quick fix of cash, he received a permanent cure. Through his faith in Jesus, his body and soul were healed. On their way to pray, these two compassionate disciples took time to pray with and for a needy man. Money is no substitute for the Spirit and souls wholeness from our physical and spiritual surrender to God. Yes, trust in Jesus provides something better than a felt need overwhelming our thoughts.

Perhaps you feel the need for a new friendship, but the Lord wants  to bring you closer to a past relationship first. You may feel the need to move on from your current job, but out of respect and gratitude you want to finish well before you leave. You may not feel well physically, but your heavenly Father also wants to do a work of soul healing: confession, repentance, forgiveness, grace and obedience. The Lord in His timing has something better for you to receive by faith.

Moreover, most of the time it is easier to write a check than to look someone in the eyes and tell them their greatest need is not cash, but faith in Christ. Who is the Holy Spirit leading you to have a direct conversation with regarding their sick soul? They need your prayers, but they also need to be reminded of God’s spiritual healing that comes through trust in Jesus Christ. He is what’s best and always provides what is better than we could ever ask, or think, or know.

Therefore, we make preparations to love people as we encounter them in our daily lives. In our car we may keep zip lock bags of water, snacks, a gift card and scripture to offer in Jesus' name to a roadside beggar. Or, we have on hand dozens of devotional books we can pen on the front page encouraging words and hand to souls seeking peace with God. We offer solutions to needy souls.

Most of all, we wait on the Lord as we process His purposes in prayer. Instead of desiring more stuff, we desire more of Jesus. In place of giving ourselves to more earthly pursuits, we pursue what’s on the Lord’s heart. By God’s grace let’s not settle for the stale crumbs of our culture. Let’s look into the face of Jesus and feast on His fresh loaf of love. His healing power is much better than silver and gold. In the name of Jesus, we stand up and walk by faith with Him.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  If you are in the McLean Va. area I extend invitation for you to worship Saturdays at 630pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Trust in transition

“‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:28–29

Sometimes Jesus sends us ahead in our boat of faith while He prays for us from a distance. We feel alone at times because He is not physically beside us to provide reassurance that we are on the right course. Then when global uncertainty or storms of sickness strike our core belief,  we become fearful. In our crisis of faith, we can get out of our boat of fear and walk on the water toward Jesus or sink in unbelief.

Where does the Lord have you? Are you waiting to launch out in faith? Are you in the middle of a storm anticipating His reassurance any minute? Or has He asked you to get out of the boat for a major faith-stretching goal? Wherever you are in your continuum of faith in Christ, trust Him in the transition. If you are on the shore, get in the boat of belief. If you are in the middle of one of life'sfearful storms, look for Christ coming toward you. If He is asking you to get out of the boat and walk on water, trust Him.

What seems unnatural or impossible to you may be reasonable to Him. It is not a blind leap of faith, for you are fixing your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Do not look to the left at the storm, to the right at the still shore, or down at the uncertain water. Look straight ahead into the confident eyes of Christ. Watch Him as you walk on water in faith.

We walk on water not to be seen but to see Him. There is a depth of trust and love for the Lord that only comes from walking toward Him. Like a child learning to walk looks toward  the outstretched arms of his loving parent, so we wobble toward our smiling Savior. Go with God and experience great gain, or stay where you are and suffer great loss. Move out of your comfort zone so Christ can be your sole comfort. Stay in the boat and see your limited work. Walk on water watching His unlimited work.

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean Virginia? come worship with me Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Maintaining yourself: Rest

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:30-32

Wise leaders lead their team (and/or family) into a time of rest. They find a quiet place and rest together. Rest is required after extreme busyness because your spirit begins to rebel against the hustle and bustle. The joy you found in service for God starts to fade, and people become a drain rather than a blessing. It is time to break away to a solitary place, for you cannot continue at a breakneck pace. It is unrealistic, bordering on contempt for God.

Even Jesus took a break. If you continually push yourself and others, you will eventually lose all energy and perspective. A driven heart becomes a judgmental heart. You begin to look down on people for not pulling their weight. Jaded criticism replaces your joy. You feel you’re the only one who is really committed. Your peers have become slackers in your mind. Be careful; you may be serving out of your own strength, not the Spirit’s. It is the Holy Spirit that sustains you over the long haul. Wise leaders understand the danger of an unsustainable schedule: You begin to sacrifice relationships in order to reach unrealistic goals.
   
God provides goals as a guide and motivation, but do not be driven by the goal. Rather, be led by the Holy Spirit so the goal does not become your god. Unchecked goal-setting can lead you down a path of disappointment and disillusionment. So take time to develop the team, and watch God work through them, way beyond your capacity. Some of your team development, however, comes in quiet places. Find a quiet spot, and calendar a time today for you and your team. They desperately need this enrichment, both personally and professionally. Without a retreat, they will be unable to advance.

Some on your team may be on the verge of burnout or they may be ready to quit in discouragement. Solitary places allow you and your team to recalibrate with the vision, values, and mission of the organization. Quiet times together build camaraderie and trust. A retreat is an investment; by taking time to pause, you are able to continue with more effectiveness and efficiency. A quiet place is where you can get on the same page with God, as your soul is refreshed and replenished. The wise words of Scripture leap from the pages and lodge in the crevices of your heart and mind.
   
A retreat into a place of solitude is an exercise in faith. You trust that routine matters will be taken care of in your absence.  You believe the financial investment will return exponentially in lower employee turnover and increased productivity. A quiet place is the ideal setting for relational vigor to erupt. Smooth relationships go a long way toward avoiding future issues and solving current problems. So retreat regularly for your sake and sanity; retreat for the morale of the team. You hear more clearly when it is quiet. Your comprehension expands. Your body rests and your soul is renewed. A solitary place provides strength and stamina to finish well.
Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is rest in a quiet place.

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean Va. area come worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Dry place blessings

He [Moses] led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Exodus 3:1-2

Moses murdered a man and then fled to the wilderness rather than be killed by Pharaoh. His self imposed exile from Egypt led to a surreal encounter with God. It was also in this foreign land that in defense of seven defenseless women he was blessed with a wife. Jethro, the respected priest of Midan, rewarded Moses’ courage with his daughter and with a job. Moses, free from his troubles back home, enjoyed a fresh start. God blessed his 40-year wilderness experience.

We all mess up in life. Our bad choices or another’s bad choices can create unintended negative consequences. Like Moses, our anger can cause us to carry out hurtful, even life-threatening actions. Anger left unchecked can become a cruel master. We spew destructive words; like daggers they kill a friend or family member’s joy. Anger is such a serious offense, Jesus compares it to murder (Matthew 5:21-22). So, we may find ourselves in a relational or spiritual wilderness looking for the Lord. He blesses if we let our pride be chipped away by our troubles.

Has a relationship imploded? Are you confused,afraid of a radical change? Do you feel isolated and alone? If so, look for the Lord’s favor in your unfavorable circumstances. Be a humble student who better understands your strengths and weakness. Be aggressive in your service of others and God will bless your unselfish heart. You create value when you value others. Ask what issues a friend needs to solve and offer them creative ideas and solutions. You are blessed in the process of blessing another. The Lord favors those who serve the at risk, at their own risk.

Most of all, navigating unfamiliar circumstances is a prime opportunity to become more familiar with our Lord. He wants to bless us in spite of our insecurities over new surroundings. We seek to experience God during our wilderness experience. As our faith is tested, we persevere. As we persevere our trust in the Lord matures and we become complete in Christ. We don’t lack anything because we have everything we need in Him. Our wilderness is His blessing.

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean area come worship with me Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.  This Sunday Min. Constance Cheeks of Shiloh Baptist Church will be our guest preacher.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com

Beautiful mind

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

A beautiful mind believes God, for there is fidelity of faith that flows from a mind focused on the Lord. It is steadfast on its Savior because it trusts in Him. An ugly mind is contrary, conflicted, and unsure. Its focus fluctuates between fear and faith. In an ugly mind, there is a battle that fatigues faithfulness to the point of giving up. The mind’s eye can become trapped in the temporal and lose its willingness to trust God. This is tragic and terrifying for those whose minds become numbed to the things of God. Depart from this double-mindedness as we are admonished in James 1 verse 8 or you will lose heart and fracture your faith.
   
The mind is a beautiful thing if it is focused properly, but it can be disturbing and destructive when it loses perspective. The mind can play tricks on you because Satan plays mind games. He tries to draw you in with his allure, but his thoughts lead to faithless and substandard living. Therefore, build up your intellectual stamina and trust in God so you can reject Satan’s lies. Reject his temptation to remain restless, for you can rest in peace because the Prince of Peace reigns over your life. Reject Satan’s leading into lust because you are loved by the everlasting love of God.

Good thoughts facilitate faith, and God thoughts bring about a beautiful mind of peace, and clarity. A mind needs to be stretched, as a heart needs to be exercised. An unused mind is a waste; it atrophies and becomes ugly. It is a waste of time to have an unengaged mind. Mindless activity will get you into trouble. Therefore, think. Be a thinker, not just a doer. Engage your mind with large thoughts about the Lord and His will, and how you might join Him in it. Reflect on His righteousness and His glory. Get beyond trivial thoughts to thoughts that trust in God. The quality of your life follows the quality of your thoughts as well as the word you speak, as it isn't what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out of him, which is a result of what goes on in our mind.  The word of God (Bible) provides fertile soil for great thinking. Great thinkers help you develop disciplined thinking.

Make it a goal to read, dialogue, and debate with wise thinkers. This will help you think well. A mature mind is a beautiful thing to behold. A messy mind never matures beyond just getting by. Therefore, discipline and stretch your mind. Most importantly, keep trust in the Lord. Trust in God is your catalyst for wise thinking. Legalism leads to non-thinking and little faith. Without trust in the Lord, your mind becomes fertile ground for deception. Therefore, allow trust to become the scope in which your mind’s eye gazes, and it will see perfect peace. The filter of faith massages your mind with God’s fingers of love, joy, and hope. The mind of Christ is worth a lifetime of study; it beautifies your thinking. A beautiful mind trusts and rests in the Lord.

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean Va. area come worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

To know Christ

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

Knowing God is not for the causal Christian, but for the committed ones. This intimate relationship is forged on the anvil of adversity and expressed through the power of Christ’s resurrected life. Knowing God requires dying to self and coming alive in Christ. Resurrected living is the fruit of a faith that is not satisfied with surface Christianity.

To know God is to be loved by Him, to love Him and to love for Him. To know Him is to behold Him in the glory of His holiness, and to bow down in humble worship. To know Christ is to receive His comfort and to carry on a caring conversation with Him. It is going deep in knowledge and understanding of God, so we can carry His character and faith far and wide. Knowing God leads to making God known with our words and deeds.

Knowing God grows your character, as intimacy with Him influences you to be like Him. Christ's character begins to transform your character. His influence in your life broadens your influence in other lives. Indeed, your depth of character determines your breadth of influence. Grow in grace, so you can export grace throughout your circle of influence.

But, be careful not to compare your character standard to others, even other Christians. Comparison games are the enemy’s game plan to get you off the track of trust in Jesus. Pride will puncture your increasing influence, when you begin to take credit for what only the Lord can do. The more you know God, the less you see of yourself and the more you see of Him and others. You know Christ in His death, accompanied by a radical resurrection.

How do you grow to know Him better? It happens in the margins of life, not in a packed schedule with no room for interruptions. A frantic pace lacks grace. A hurried life is tired, unable to trust and give back. Start by slowing down and making a set time with Christ. Be with Him, so you can hear Him, get to know Him, and be changed by Him. Then the depth of your character will grow the breadth of your influence for His glory.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  In the McLean Va. area come worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30 or Sundays at 10am.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Pursue wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt. James 1:5-6a

Pursuit. It is what we all experience. We pursue dreams, we pursue jobs, we pursue opportunities, we pursue a husband or a wife, we pursue hobbies, we pursue friends, we pursue adventure, we pursue good health, we pursue success, we pursue significance and we pursue happiness just to name a few of our pursuits. Indeed, what we pursue becomes the focus of what we do.

Pursuit is stated clearly as a priority in the United States Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Over the course of history, the human race as a whole would agree that the pursuit of good things is an inalienable right of individuals. Conversely, we can choose to chase after unhealthy pursuits like: greed, lust, power and pride. Wise pursuits facilitate good outcomes, while foolish pursuits produce bad results.

Our pursuits make up who we are, thus it’s important that we pursue the right things. If you were honest, would a pursuit of wisdom make the top ten list of your life pursuits? Ask God if wisdom is His priority for your pursuits. If wisdom is the knowledge of what’s right and the judgment to rightly act on that knowledge, then anyone is capable of learning and applying wisdom. Perhaps,based on the day of the month, you begin by daily reading a verse of scripture. God gives wisdom to believing following disciples.

Does the pursuit of wisdom motivate your actions? Is it a part of your portfolio of pursuits? If not, consider moving it up toward the top of your list. After all, wise-decision making affects all of your other pursuits. It could be argued that a life full of wisdom will lead to the most fulfilling life, but a life void of wisdom sets the stage for foolish living. What we pursue becomes the focus of what we do, so endeavor to seek God’s wisdom.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  In or near the McLean Va. area come and worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Necessity of Accountability

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Proverbs 22:3

Accountability is a check and balance to assure us of the best decisions. It is a process of involving wise people in the decision-making process so all options are weighed and considered based on their probability of success. Accountability works best for individuals with an open heart, whose desire is what’s best for the whole.

For example, we may want to aggressively grow our enterprise, but wise counsel  recommends we expand with cash, not debt. Pride may want to charge ahead and dismiss sound advice, while humility is willing to listen and wait on God’s provision. Clarity comes to those who weigh all options and wisely choose the best.

What decision do you face that requires waiting, not moving ahead half prepared? Perhaps in the process of dating a special person, you both decide at the beginning of the relationship to wait a year before you begin talking about marriage. This guideline protects you from making a rash decision you may later regret. Ask another couple to hold you accountable, as you do better when others are watching.

Who is a trusted advisor/mentor in your life that can steer you with solid Godly counsel? Surround yourself with those who don’t directly benefit from what they recommend you do. They are objective, free from the temptation of private gain, based on your public behavior. Accountability is the Lord’s instrument to protect you from the penalty of prideful decision-making. Mistakes will be made, but accountability minimizes them.

Accountability is the Lord’s answer to us trying to figure out life alone. Do not waste time floundering around by yourself, moreover; avoid dangerous decisions by slowing down and discerning the right path for you. The Lord will lead you, if you listen to those who know you well and who want His very best for you. The greatest advantage of accountability is remaining in God’s will and not discrediting years of faithfulness. We do better when others are watching, so open up and let them see what God already knows.

Make today a day of Impact for the Kingdom, and come worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook on Saturdays at 6:30 or Sundays at 10am.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Be thorough

The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them. Exodus 39:42–43

We live in an instant society. We want relationships, money, and our eating experiences in an instant. In the process of making everything instantaneous, we have lost something. We have lost an appreciation for thoroughness in our work and in our relationships. We take shortcuts to finish on time, sacrificing quality, just to end up with an inferior outcome. Or even worse, we misrepresent the facts or lie outright to reach a goal because of the pressure we feel to produce. Thoroughness requires attention, trust, and tenacity.

Whatever happened to thoroughness, the discipline to plan ahead, provide accountability, cover the details, create a beautiful result, and celebrate the success? Instead, we plow ahead without proper understanding and procedures. Everyone does what is right in his own eyes, and we miss the opportunity to learn and benefit from one another. Indeed, thoroughness begins with a good example from the leader. Like Moses, Nehemiah stayed focused on the work at hand.

Moses was a thorough leader. He listened patiently to God and then delivered in detail to the team what was expected and required to accomplish the project. He understood and applied wise management of people. He understood each of their individual gifts and skills. People who take pride in their work are the most thorough when they are competent in their area of responsibility and clear on expectations. They understand what is needed and when it is to be complete. Details and deadlines are friends of thoroughness.

Lastly, thoroughness is dependent on the needed resources and relationships to carry out the project. Do not be afraid to be resourceful. Seek out the people and information needed to carry out your job. Your thoroughness will speak volumes to your boss and to your peers. Your thorough and excellent work is the best testament to your trust in Christ. In the end you are blessed because of the quality product or service you created. God is glorified through thoroughness and the enduring influence of your work experience.

Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom.  Come worship with me Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Less is more

But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men.  Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there.  If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”  Judges 7:4

Less of some things can mean opportunity to trust in God with more things. This is why the sifting by our Savior need not be discouraging. His goal is not to harm you, but to strip from you any dependence on yourself or others and to rely on Him. Financial limitations are an opportunity to watch Him provide in ways that give Him the glory in your life. Less money means you have the occasion to trust Him with His creative provision.  When some of your friends fall away, it hurts; but your best friend, Jesus, still remains. You can become involved in numerous relationships and miss engaging in intimacy with the Lord. Fewer true friends will lead to richer relationships and more time with God. If your life is driven by one new relationship after another, you will drown in shallow living. Having fewer earthly relationships means you have more time for your Heavenly One. Less is more.
   
Take the time to shed the weight of worry and watch God work. A surrendered life can be efficiently leveraged. However, a life independent of God is severely limited in its influence. He is positioning you for unprecedented leadership and influence. Now is the time to quit mourning your losses and move on. You have a new lease on life with the Lord, so follow His lead. Watch Him take your “five loaves of bread and two fish” and multiply them far beyond your efforts and enthusiasm. What God breaks, He rebuilds to be dependent on Him and more influential. This rebuilding process has simplified your life; so don’t revert to complicated living. Less is truly more.
   
If “more is more” is your motto, you can easily become mean-spirited and hard to live with. A “more is more” mantra eventually becomes meaningless. You achieve and receive more, but to what end? There is no fulfillment outside of Kingdom-minded motives. If it is all about you, you will become miserable. If, on the other hand, it is less of you and more of Him, everyone is happy. This is how God works. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” Luke 1:52.
   
Therefore, lower the volume of activity and wait in quietness. It may be time to talk less and listen more. The calming presence of Christ is priceless, so tap into His reservoir of renewal. Less worldly thinking and more heavenly thinking leads to discerning the will of God. Don’t just stand in awe of His accomplishments through your meager efforts. Now is the time to use this momentum generated by your Master. God is on a roll, and you have the privilege of joining Him. By faith, stop doing two things before you add one. Slow down so God can speed up. Focus on quality, and watch Him multiply the quantity. God wants to do more with less, so He gets the glory.  Decrease, so He can increase Less is more,less of you and more of Him.

Make today a day of Kingdom impact.  Feel free to worship with me at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6pm or Sundays at 10am.


--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Dealing with What If

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?’” (Exodus 4:1).

Moses experienced the “what if” trap. “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” Several thousand years later we struggle with the same doubts. What if they reject me? What if they say no? What if they say yes? What if I fail? What if I am hurt? What if they do not understand? If God has led us thus far and if His track record is one of faithfulness, are we not really saying, “What if God does not do what He said He will do?” Doubt detaches us from trust in Christ.

If we are not careful, our beliefs and behavior can reflect this kind of irrational thinking about God. We really struggle at times (right before we take that step of faith) and wonder if God is really true to His Word and if He will come through for us. Yet we know that God has never failed us. His timing may have been different than we expected, but He has not failed us, and He will not fail us. Knowing this, we still struggle with doubt. Why is this?

Doubt is a normal part of the trust process. We go through doubt on the way to trust in the Lord. Even the most faithful followers of Jesus deal with doubt (see Matthew 11:2-3). However, the danger of doubt is to remain in doubt. Extended striving over doubt can paralyze you. It can paralyze your relationships, your finances, your career advancement, and, worst of all, your obedience to God. He is either trustworthy and faithful or He is not.

Lastly, the greatest difficulty is when we are in the middle of tremendous adversity or uncertainty. God’s posture is one of continual compassion and sincere love. He is there to walk with you. He is leading you, and He will provide the needed skills, finances, health, and relationships for you to accomplish His will. Let Him use this time of trial to once again, show that He is God.

Join me for worship and word at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.  Make today a day of impact for the Kingdom. 

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Real talk on real faith

Even as he spoke, many believed in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” John 8:30-31

To believe in Jesus is much more than just to believe Jesus. Genuine/real faith flows from a heart transformed by the truth of God's word, not just inspired by an emotional desire or intellectual interest. Those whose faith is only a flash of feelings will fall away, but those who embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord are never the same. Belief in Jesus conforms us into the likeness of Jesus as intended by God from the beginning (see Genesis 1:26-27). Our language is kind. Our demeanor softens. Our eyes brighten. Our attitude is hopeful. Our is spirit joyful.

Beginning faith is like meeting an attractive person, admiring their life, maybe even dating for a while, but the relationship is far from a marriage commitment. On the other hand, authentic or saving faith is wed to Christ. It is a lifetime covenant of learning, growing, transforming, and becoming one with Christ. We who believe in Jesus are the bride of Christ. It is unconditional belief and fidelity based on His divine nature. Faith in Him is foundational to our relationship of hope, love and forgiveness.

In a manner similar to a man and woman who have been married for decades, so is our maturing faith in Jesus Christ. Their intimate knowledge of one another conditions them to anticipate the needs of the other. The familiarity of their individual thought processes creates space to patiently wait. The understanding of their unique communication styles causes them to frequently complete each other’s sentences. As they grow older they act and look more like one another.

Jesus is clear, “If we hold to His teachings we are really His disciples.” Our faith is not perfect, but it is learning and growing. Is your life hidden in Christ? Has He captured your affections and ignited your imagination for Him? Yes, move beyond believing Him to believing in Him. Make faith foundational by depending on Jesus for your every need. What’s more, healthy Christians reproduce spiritual children, so pray your life is a channel for the Holy Spirit to convict lost souls to be born again. Our real faith goes to God daily to listen, learn, and be loved by Him.

Come join me for worship Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am at 1740 Kirby Rd. McLean Va.  Let's make an impact for the Kingdom together.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Spiritual Guidance System

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

Jesus Christ is our guide to walk in God’s will. We can traverse with Him through life as a trustworthy friend. Additionally, the Holy Spirit illuminates our mind to understand His next steps. Yes, the Spirit reveals the truth of God's word, as our Lord comforts our sorrows, disciplines our darkened behaviors, and pours out generous portions of His humility, grace, mercy, joy, and wisdom.

What does it mean to follow the Lord Jesus? It means we submit our wills to His will, our inner most desires align with His inner most desires, His commands are joyful to obey, and what breaks His heart breaks our heart. We follow Jesus by faith. Since we trusted Him to save us, we can trust Him to guide us. When we are unsure, he is sure. When we have questions, He has answers. Jesus is our spiritual guide who leads us through valleys, over mountains, and beside still waters.

Our commitment to Christ in faith gives us insight into what others need. We don’t hide our light in the inner sanctum of ourselves, rather we release it to be a blessing to those distressed or depressed by darkness. If we owned the local power company, would we be good citizens if we kept the use of electricity to ourselves? Neither are we good Christians if we engage God’s truth and grace only for our own mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.

What do you face in life that needs revelation? Faith is not a leap into the darkness, but a step into the light. So, be patient and pray. If this is not the right choice, there will be another, better one. If this is not the right job, there will be another, better one. If this is not the right relationship, there will be another, better one. As you wait, your spirit catches up with your Spiritual Guidance System Jesus. As you walk, you trust your guide to go where He’s been before.

Come worship with us Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.  First Baptist Chesterbrook located at 1740 Kirby Rd. McLean Va.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Servant Leadership

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26b-28

Servant leadership is service to others. It is not jockeying for position, nor is it politicking for power. Instead, it is posturing for the opportunity to serve. This does not bode well for the insecure soul in need of abundant attention. Servant leaders avoid the limelight and serve in ways that many times go unnoticed. It is the little things that make a servant leader. It may be taking out the trash at home, or making the coffee at work.

No task is too menial for the servant leader, but there is something bigger than behavior that distinguishes a servant leader. It is attitude an attitude of how to make others successful. He or she knows if those around them are successful then there is a good chance they will experience success. They are wise to want what’s best for others.

Self-service on the other hand builds a culture of mediocrity. It is all about taking care of my little world, not giving any thought to the needs of other team members. It is every man for himself - survival of the fittest. This self-service contributes to a scarcity mentality. If I serve you then you may look better than me, you may get all the credit.  This fear of not being noticed facilitates competition instead of cooperation.

Servant leadership on the other hand is not caught up with getting the credit. The servant leader has put to death the need for self-recognition. The attention and credit can easily flow to others. This is the place where it belongs, as our humility cannot handle the attention. Like a lily-white body in a tanning booth, our humility burns up. Servant leadership resists this temptation to linger in the limelight. Instead, the servant leader may give away opportunities that come his or her way. Seek to serve and let status find you.

Jesus served quietly on most occasions and boldly as needed.  No sincere seeker was neglected. His motive was to serve for the glory of God. His ultimate service was laying down his life for the human race. Consequently, followers of Christ can become a better servant leader because Jesus seeks to serve through you. You can’t, but He can.

Submit to Him and watch Him use you to serve. Die to getting attention and credit while celebrating the success of others. Quietly volunteer for the next lowly task. Set up others to succeed. Give away your life and you will find it. This is the way of Christ. This is the way to serve and lead. Submit to God, serve people, and others will follow

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

More than enough

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:12-13

God normally provides more than enough for His children. More than enough grace to get through a tough time. More than enough time to do His will. More than enough wisdom to make the best decision. More than enough work support to be successful. More than enough provision to care for our family. More than enough friends to stay accountable. More than enough truth to protect us from lies. More than enough forgiveness to forgive others. Jesus is more than enough.

How do you thank God for the extra He has given you? One way is to manage it well with a grateful heart. You can imagine the massive leftovers from feeding thousands of people. So, Jesus clearly instructed His disciples to gather up the valuable morsels for future meals twelve baskets full. Nothing goes to waste when you steward well the extra God has entrusted to you. It is easier to neglect and be wasteful, but trustworthy people prayerfully manage their abundance.

The Lord is prone to bless those who manage His blessings well. But, those who exhibit sloppy stewardship tend to be lazy in caring for the left overs from God’s provision. Yes, the Holy Spirit looks for faithful partners who will share His abundant blessings with others. Our life does not consist of what we can hold on to for ourselves, but what can gather, then deploy for God’s Kingdom. We are charged by Christ to make available His abundant provision to needy people.

Therefore, we feed on Jesus, the Bread of Life, so we can fill our baskets of belief with His extra grace. Similar to a niece or nephew who inherits riches from a wealthy aunt, we have received the riches of our heavenly Father. Like the prodigal son we can squander our stuff or we can leverage it for our Lord. We are sons and daughters of the King who have access to a baker that always serves up fresh bread for us to enjoy. Yes, we feast on hot, moist bread out of the oven of Christ’s heart, so it can warm our soul. He gives us more than enough new grace to grace others.


--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Obedience

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.  John 5:8-9

Sometimes Jesus asks us to do something that seems impossible at the time. He wants our faith to intersect with His instructions, as far fetched as they may seem. We know from experience; as we exercise our faith, it grows. By faith, we first receive from our Savior forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. His gifts are our opportunity to give Him our absolute allegiance and commitment. Once we surrender to Jesus, He empowers our will to obey His will.

A 38 year-old man had waited for years, unable to beat his competition into the healing pool. But then the Healer showed up in person on the Sabbath and turned conventional wisdom upside down. Faith was still necessary, but not like the former process. Yes, Jesus gives us new methods to carry out His old mission. The majority may clamor to traditional places for His power, but the Spirit is available to us for creativity. He wants to use our fresh faith to facilitate His new ways.

What innovative outcome is the Lord leading you to accomplish in His strength? What area of your life still needs Christ’s healing power? Don’t be afraid of failure, but embrace instead the liberty you have to launch a new idea. Some with a jealous eye will be critical, however you can rise up and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Give God the glory and perhaps He will answer your naysayers by giving you success. It's hard to argue with the instant obedience of a humble life.

Above all, receive Jesus Christ by faith into your life, as Savior and Lord. Furthermore, apply the healing power of His grace onto any hurt or guilt in your heart. Your instant obedience is an indicator of your love for Him. Obeying Christ’s command is not burdensome, but a blessing. Not a hinderance, but a help. Not dreadful duty, but joyful service. Your instant obedience leads to intimate encounters with Jesus. Faith frees you to walk obediently with Him.

Come worship with us Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am. 


--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Fatigued Faith

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?     Psalm 42:1-2

A fainting faith is forever in search of its Heavenly Father. There is a building intensity for intimacy with the Lord. Sometimes your faith faints from sheer exhaustion. It passes out for lack of prayer or even during prayer. Do not allow divine duty to drive you for very long. This is not a sustainable pace or prayer-friendly posture. Rest instead in the continual call of Christ. Service to God without communion with Christ, leads to spiritual fatigue. Your soul’s life is sucked out because fainting faith leaves you in a state of spiritual fatigue. The scary thing is that you may be unaware that your faith is on the brink of fainting.

So keep your life’s pace governed by grace, or you will outrun your soul. Time with your Master requires margin. In fact, any significant relational investments take place in the margin of your life. Margin is like the white space on a page of paper. It makes reading enjoyable, digestible, and inviting to the eye. In the same way, lives with margin are inviting. You are not an interruption to people with margin because they know how to make time for those who matter. That’s how you should look at your time with Jesus. Carve out space on your calendar to be with your Savior. You can do this by faith, trusting that the Lord will make up for any lost time. Christ can get things done without you. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
   
A deer, by instinct, has no other thought than to slow down and drink as often as needed. Your soul cannot stand sustained times without hydration either, but we sometimes fail to take the time. Jeremiah reprimanded the people for ignoring their need for the Lord, “…they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 17:13b). Just as water is necessary for your body to function, so drinking from divine resources is required for your soul to sustain itself. Otherwise, your faith faints for lack of the Lord. Your soul’s thirst is a perpetual appetite that can only be quenched by Christ. Drunkards try to replace their soul’s longing with liquor. It doesn’t work, for it makes matters worse by seeking a substitute for their Savior. Drink is a synthetic savior for a thirsty soul.

 
You can meet with the Lord immediately. He is always accessible. Get on your knees and pour out your soul in prayer. Drink in the love of the Lord. Guzzle down the grace of God. Sip on the joy of Jesus. Go to church and lift up your soul in worship to your great God. Drink in the praise and adoration of God’s glory with other sincere believers in Jesus. Your soul is satisfied in environments that engage you with eternity. Worship, Bible study, prayer, and community with Christ-followers quench our thirsty souls.  The world parches your soul, but heaven hydrates your heart. Your faith will flourish and not be fatigued as you take the time to quench your thirsty soul. Drink often with Jesus and be satisfied.

Come Worship with us Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Saving the best for last

Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now. John 2:10

Jesus sometimes saves the best for last. He delights in delivering the unexpected to the unsuspecting. He waits until there is opportunity to show up where the needs are rampant but the solutions are few. Then He meets the need unconventionally and boldly. Many times, this is His method because Christ is counter-intuitive. He wants others to ask “Why?”, as the question why opens the door for us to give witness to the power and majesty of God.  Why did Jesus save the best for last? One reason the Lord saves the best for last is to honor the recipients. Those who persevere deserve the best. For example, in relationships, the fruit of long-term commitment produces the best experience. Trust, contentment, and fulfillment all earn their right in relationships that resolve to remain true.

God blesses those who wait: “Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:34a). You experience the best God has to offer when you save yourself for marriage. Sex within the bonds of marriage exceeds exponentially the settlement of premarital capitulation to hormonally-driven sex. Otherwise, you risk disease and a lifetime of disrespect and regret. Waiting on the best brings out the best, for trust in God fosters hope that there must be something better to look forward to in the future. It protects you from impatient impulses that can instantly implode.
   
Waiting for the best is difficult at times, because it means depending on others to accomplish the goal. The outcome is out of your direct control. You have to trust that others can execute the project better than you can by yourself. Your sphere of influence will remain stunted if you try to do everything yourself. You will be limited by your time, energy, and intellect. Your capacity is a drop in the bucket, compared to the resources of an aligned team; you need each other’s gifts and skills. It is your best that brings out the best in others. Therefore, be the best at what you do, and expect others to do their very best. Excellence attracts excellence, as mediocrity attracts mediocrity. Be the best that you can be and see to it that others do the same. Best breeds best. 
   
Lastly, trust Jesus to take people and circumstances under your influence and bring out His best. Let go, and let God run with the opportunity. He may surprise you with joy. The best is yet to come if you look to the Lord for His best outcome. Your humble request of God will result in much more than you thought you were capable of, for Christ has no capacity issues. He is looking for those in whom He can trust with His best. He wants those whose faithfulness to Him far exceeds their earthly ambitions. Do whatever He says, and watch Him carry out His very best because obedience leads to His best. Believe the best is yet to come, and don’t settle for less. Believe the best in others. Trust Him for the very best. Expect the best, and be your best. Pray and ask God for His best. Be patient, wait on Him, and remind yourself often: He saves the best for last.

Come worship with us Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.


--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Free like the wind

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8

The Spirit of God brings freedom to everyone born of the Spirit. Just as the wind is free to blow in any direction, so we are free to follow the Spirit’s leading. The Spirit calls us to prayerfully persist against culture’s prevailing winds. Similar to a sailboat on choppy seas, we ride out the rough waters with the wind of God at our backs. We have freedom to do the right thing, because the Spirit empowers our actions. So, we listen for the Lord’s leading and join with Him.

Sometimes the wind of the Spirit blows with the roar of religious revival; other times it barely brushes over our brow in peaceful assurance. Thus, as we remain under the Spirit’s influence, we are free to experience His effects. It’s not doing as we like, but doing what the Lord likes. He likes for us to love, so we love. He likes for us to serve, so we serve. He likes for us to forgive, so we forgive. He likes for us to laugh, so we laugh. Spiritual freedom likes what God likes.
 
Are you free in your faith or bound up in unbelief? Do you feel the freedom to follow the Spirit’s leading, or are you limited by the expectations of others? By faith, you can break out of your shell of fear and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life. Beloved eliminate the tyrant of unbelief with the sword of the Spirit and enlist in the Lord’s army of the faithful. Pray in your heart, “Where- ever He leads, I will follow.” You have been set free from above, so you can live free in Christ.

Spiritual freedom is a benefit of belief in Jesus, so we seek to steward it responsibly. It is not a pass for poor decision-making, but permission to pursue wise opportunities. We use our spiritual freedom to shun self-indulgence and invest in the needs of others. Yes, by God’s grace, we set up spiritual halfway houses outside the prison gates of hell, so we can love and instruct those who exit eternal damnation. People recently set free need to know how to responsibility use their new freedom. We are freedom fighters in the faith. Spiritual freedom is God’s gift of the Spirit.

Come worship with us Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.

--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Curiosity is a good thing

He [Nicodemus] came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. John 3:2

Some start their quest for Christ discreetly. Quietly they read a book about God or seek Him in the confines of a church. It is a low key search for the Lord. Those who are just curious about Christ are not ready to follow Him in faith, but they are open to learning more about Him. For fear of being made fun of by their unbelieving friends, they may hide their faith seeking. Nonetheless, like a moth moves toward light, they draw closer to God.

Nicodemus was curious about Christ. He came to see Jesus by night for fear of being found out by his friends. Like many today, he acknowledged that Jesus was a gifted teacher from God, but did not accept Him as God. Yes, our Lord taught as no one else: with authority, clarity and humility. He taught beautifully and boldly. However, His teaching was not an end, but a means to reveal a person’s need to believe in Him, as their Lord and Savior. Christ taught to trust in Him.

Are you just curious about Christ, or do you really know Him in a trusting relationship? Do you secretly seek Him or do you publicly profess Him? Curiosity about Christ is not enough, unless it leads to conversion and commitment to Christ. Curiosity can create a circumstance that educates and allows the Spirit to draw a heart to Himself. So, seek to learn more of the Lord, so you can know the Lord. It’s not a sterile intellectual exercise that tingles your thoughts, but a spiritual transaction that transforms your heart. Engage in curiosity to move you closer, not further from God.

Furthermore, curiosity can lead to conversion and commitment. Nicodemus eventually went public with his faith. He defended Christ to his peers and he accompanied Joseph to request and prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Thus, be patient with those curious in their faith. Be a catalyst for them to grow in their spiritual understanding by pointing them back to the study of Scripture. Pray with them, pray for them and support them in their search for God. Curiosity about Christ can lead to Christ. 

Come worship with us at First Baptist Chesterbrook Saturdays at 6:30pm or Sundays at 10am.  May the anointing of the Lord rest on you abundantly this day.
--

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Saturdays 6:30pm (come as you are), or Sundays at 10am.
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Spiritual Seasons

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Some start their spiritual quest with a sense of inquiry. Who is God? What is my purpose? Is the Bible true? How do I deal with my guilt and pain? It is a cycle of seeking. We have more questions than answers. We look for answers in the church and within our heart. We question individuals about their faith and we pray for faith. In our seeking the Holy Spirit draws us into a belief in Christ and we are converted. We find Jesus in our search for spiritual answers.

After our life changing and life giving salvavic experience, we share the answers we have discovered with spiritual fervor. We have the solution to life’s greatest questions of sin, sorrow and death. We are able to say with confidence and gratitude,  "Once I was spiritually blind, but now I can see my Savior." This cycle of discovery brings peace to our mind and security to our soul. Since our faith is fresh and intoxicating, we are we wise to balance our zeal with depth.

A third spiritual season expresses doubts and questions. Like John the Baptist in prison we ask, "Is Jesus really the son of God?" We seriously question our salvation, "Did I really believe or only have an emotional experience?" This time of honest evaluation can draw us closer to Christ or cause us to drift away. We are vulnerable to the disappointment of unanswered prayer. A test is meant to grow our trust in Jesus. This phase of uncertainty invites reassurance of God’s reality.

Lastly, by God’s grace we graduate to the spiritual season of healthy questions and answers. The more we mature in the faith, the more we realize the less we know. So, in a spirit of humility we seek to know and understand Jesus in oneness of heart. We inquire of the Lord to clarify how to apply His character to our behavior. We accept 100% the fundamentals of the faith, but we hunger to know the fullness of our Lord’s love. Prayerful questions receive hopeful answers. In what season do you find yourself? Let God move you forward by faith in His loving process.

Let us continue to grow in Christian maturity and love.

If your in the DMV check us out this Saturday at 6:30pm for "Sanctified Saturdays with the Savior" our come as you are hour of power praise and power service.

-- 

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Sundays at 10:45am
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com

Salvation

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9, NKJV

 

God desires all to know Christ through repentance, forgiveness, faith, and intimacy. Jesus came the first time to earth as our Savior. After His resurrection, as He ascended back to heaven, He promised to return. Christ will come again as our judge. However, our heavenly Father’s patient mercy delays His son’s return. Jesus waits, so the unredeemed have time to believe and become sons and daughters of the His. God’s will is salvation in Jesus.

Like the door to Noah’s ark eventually closed, so our opportunity to trust Christ is slowly slipping away. The flood waters of judgment will one day drown us in death. Will we be ready? Salvation and safety can only be found in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s patient love invites us to repent, trust and not perish. Yes, we still have time to warn others of the judgment to come. Some will mock, others will act apathetic, but a few will find refuge in Jesus.

Moreover, the patience of our Lord is the model for us to follow. We are surrounded by a sea of those who need salvation. They are drowning in their sin and sorrow. By offering them the life preserver of faith, hope and love that is found in Jesus we can rescue the perishing. A life preserver is useless unless it is deployed. Therefore, we pray daily how we might bless those we encounter with a buoyant belief in Jesus Christ. Once saved, we help others be saved.

Lastly, regularly receive the Lord’s great love, so you can be a great lover. When you are loved well by Jesus, you can love well for Jesus. Love is patient. Love is kind. Patience and kindness are twins that draw the lost into a loving relationship with Jesus. People away from Christ, have no context for Christ, so be kind. An unsaved soul is an insecure soul, so be patient. We know a better way to salvation than do strangers. God’s will is for those without faith to find faith.

Let us continue to grow in Christian maturity and love.

Come join us Saturdays at 6:30pm for our "Sanctified Saturdays with the Savior" at 1740 Kirby Rd. McLean Va. an hour of power.  I look forward to seeing you there.

-- 

 

Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Worship with us Sundays at 10:45am
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.firstbaptistchesterbrook.org

www.wbgronline.com