Soccer Camp!

Soccer Camp came and went with great success! 

Soccer camp at East Troy Bible Church hosted nearly 40 children this summer! While the numbers were somewhat lower than in years past, this didn’t mean that God wasn't working. Many people from the church and surrounding area came to help with the camp, and East Troy Bible Church couldn’t be more thankful! During soccer camp, the coaches taught the children soccer skills appropriate to their age level, and the kids had the chance to practice the skills they had learned through scrimmages with each other. The kids that attended also had a devotional each day along with learning about soccer, with the intention that they would be thinking about the Lord whenever they played soccer. The coaches used color-coded soccer balls to share the gospel with the kids throughout the week, and these were given as prizes to many of the children who attended. One of the coaches, Aaron Beay, said that the smaller number of kids made it easier to interact with the kids one-on-one. As a result, the coaches were able to help them hone their soccer skills while also building relationships with them. 

Aaron said one of the challenges of the camp was the feeling that the kids weren’t listening while he was teaching them soccer skills. His favorite part of the camp, however, was seeing how even though it seemed like the kids hadn't been paying attention during the learning time, they would surprise him by using the skills he’d taught them while they played against each other during scrimmage time. In the same way, Aaron would wonder what they took to heart during the devotional time of the camp, but as Aaron put it, “you know as they go out into the real game of life they will recall what the coaches said and apply it.”    

Upcoming Events…

VBS is happening here at East Troy Bible Church this week!

Sunday July 12^th- July 16^th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Kids from 4 years old through 6^th grade can register online today!

“Set your compasses for Africa and prepare for an epic expedition at Camp Kilimanjaro VBS!”

https://answersvbs.com/vbs/easttroybiblechurch/

Tuesday Prayer Journal - He's Got a Beef

I think everyone has heard the verse - "He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills." Usually, it is a reference to God's amazing wealth. It reminds people that God has amazing resources at His disposal. People will say, "Well, God will provide for us because He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills."  Because God owns a lot of beef - He is going to hand out a lot of burgers.  Missionaries, Pastors, Evangelists... Camp Workers and anyone else trying to do something great for God use this line to help them sleep at night. It soothes the worry.

But during prayer today, I read Psalm 50. Afterall, Psalm 51 was a little too much to handle. Psalm 50 seemed a little easier to digest... written by someone nicer than the murderer, adulterer, cheater, liar and divorcee that wrote 51.

Anyway, I read Psalm 50. Here is what God said to His people.
v. 8-9
"I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills." (NLT)

It is a call to God's people to appear before Him for judgement. Basically God said through Asaph, "All your sacrifices are really nice, but I don't want them. Besides, what do I need? I don't really need your bulls, goats or the blood you shed. I don't need your sacrifice. I have all I want."

Now today, we don't go killing bulls at church - we eat them for lunch. But we do want to do a bunch of stuff. We think that all of our sacrifices of time, money, energy and stuff give us credibility with God. The more we do - the more He likes us. So, when we get tight on cash and drop the line about the cattle on a thousand hills we say, "God will provide for me because He owns stuff and wants to give it to me because my ministry is important." But the line about the cattle is about God not wanting anymore.  His needs are met. He is content... in fact, He could do with a little less whining.

So, what does God really want? Ahhhhhhh.... now that is the real question!

v. 14-15, 22-23
"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.”

"Repent, all of you who forget me,
or I will tear you apart,
and no one will help you.
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (NLT)

God not only owns the cattle on 1,000 hills, He has a beef with us. God doesn't really want more sacrifices of time, effort, or sweat... though we could use more of that at ETBC. What God wants is thanksgiving. God wants us to give sacrifices of thanksgiving!

Here is why thanksgiving is so powerful. Thanksgiving is an act of faith. It is trust in God. It is humility. It is submission to God. When we give the sacrifice of thanksgiving to God, we prove our heart of faith in Him. God considers faith - righteousness (goodness). Thanksgiving is an act of righteousness before God. Further, these verses show that thanksgiving prepares God's heart to listen to our need.

God is not as interested in our sacrifice as we are  - save one. God is interested in the sacrifice of thanksgiving. When we practice this, God becomes intensely aware of our need and wants to show us His glory.

As we give God thanks, He gives us help.  He will help us as we commit to hearts of gratitude! He may own the cattle on a 1,000 hills, but they're His.  He's keeping them.

Pastor Ron

What's With the Branch?

"So, what's with the branch in the ETBC Header graphic?  Shouldn't there be a cross or a Bible or something?  We aren't botanists - we are a Bible church after all!  And, what is the branch - an olive branch or something? Oh, so I get it - the church wants peace...." Well, I suppose those are good questions. So, let me share the meaning of the branch.  

In the 1st chapter of Jeremiah, God called Jeremiah to ministry. He called him to be a prophet to the nations. As a sign, he asked Jeremiah to look around him.

"The word of the Lord came to me: 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' 'I see the branch of an almond tree,' I replied. The Lord said to me, 'You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.'" (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

The almond tree is the first tree to bud and flower in the spring in Israel. You can count on it. It is reliable. When the almond tree buds, spring has arrived and the season is about to change.

In the vision, God's Word was like the almond branch. It was reliable. When God said something, like the almond bud in the spring, Jeremiah could count on it being true.  

Notice God's promise.  He said to Jeremiah that He was watching to see that His Word would be fulfilled.

Now the context is judgment. God was going to use Jeremiah to speak the true and reliable word of judgment on the people. And He did. Jeremiah did it and God's Word proved true - just like the flowering almond branch in springtime.

Today, the almond branch in our logo helps us remember the principle fact that we at the East Troy Bible Church believe that God's Word is true, can be counted on and is useful for correction.

That's it!  Now you know.

Pastor Ron

The King of Heaven has Come to Earth

We have a lot of perceptions about Jesus and His ministry.  We have done much to define, capture and understand Him.  The Life of Jesus is like a multi-faceted diamond.  His life can be examined from different angles and new things can be understood and learned.

However, the life and ministry of Jesus had some specific aspects.  One of the many reason's Jesus became incarnate and walked this earth, was to define God's values for the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Kingdom of Heaven as introduced by Jesus is very different from the kingdom of this earth.

Isaiah 61describes the King of the Kingdom and His work

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

          to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

          to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

     ²     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

     ³     to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

          the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

          that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

     ⁴     They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

          they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

Jesus walked into His home town of Nazareth and went to His synagogue on the day this passage was to be read.  Jesus was invited to read the text.  It is found in Luke 4:14.

¹⁴ And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. ¹⁵ And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

     ¹⁸     “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

          He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

     ¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus saw Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61.  It is interesting that these verses describe God's Messiah as being a King of justice, truth and compassion.  The character traits of the Kingdom of Heaven are marked by the character of the King.

John the Baptist was eventually imprisoned.  As he awaited his doom, it seems he was captured by doubt.  In his anxiety, he sent and asked Jesus for evidence that Jesus was truly the King of Isaiah's prophecy.

Jesus responded in Matthew 11

² Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus could have responded in so many different ways to John's question.  But Jesus had begun a ministry to Israel to demonstrate the King and the Kingdom of Heaven.  He gave John the answer that soothed John's mind.  Jesus was the King and His teaching was marked with justice, compassion and truth.

If we are followers of this King, then as we wait for the fulfillment of His kingdom, should we not also walk in His ways?  We may not be able to do signs and wonders, but Jesus will perform justice, compassion and truth in us as we serve Him.

The question is, how will the world around us understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like and be attracted to the God of the universe if we aren't active in demonstrating Christ and discipling people?   As people taste and see the Lord is good, they will find His truth is just, compassionate and full of hope.  They will crave for the good food of God's Word and be healed in their souls.

Pastor Ron Christiansen

The Holy Bible : English Standard Version., Is 61:1-4, Lk 4:14-21, Mt 11:2-6 (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001).

Minnesota Ministry Trip Highlights

Here are some pictures that Highlight the Plugged-In trip to Feed my Starving Children 

in Minnesota.  The trip was a good experience and safe!  Thanks Pastor Ben!

Love Community - Loads of Love

Chief Tom and Mukwonago Fire and Police organized an outreach event to Mukwonago Town. 

Michelle Nelson focused some of the “Loads of Love” donations you made toward the fundraiser. The Mukwonago Town Food Pantry is operated out of a church in town and “never” receives donations!  The Town of Mukwonago has as more people living in it than the Village and so the Town Pantry is in need. 

So, the Loads of Love donations will be used for anyone in need, for the Mukwonago Town Pantry and East Troy Food Pantry.

All of the donations have a tag placed on it with a verse of Scripture to remind the recipient of the Love of God for His creation. Though this donation doesn't have specific ties to our church – it helps the 3-4 Christian officers in the Town police force to build bridges to the community they serve. So, Thanks!

Little Impacts Much

What could you possibly do in this world with pocket change?

What is the Impact of a one time gift?

Make the Exchange One-4-One

1 Lunch Out = 1 Child
1 Date Night at the Movies with Popcorn = 2 Children
1 Family Meal Out = 4 Children
1 Video Game = 5 Children
3 Tickets to the Brewers = 10 Children