Sunday Services: 10:30 AM
505 South Sixth St. Burbank, CA
91501

FaithView, For Storm Riders:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”—Philippians 4:12-13

That last part, “I can do everything,” we are very familiar with. It’s been burnt into blocks of wood, hung on walls, and put on desks. Athletes will wear it on a towel or write it into their eye-black. Inspirational prints and posters have been sold at Christian bookstores for decades of a lone runner taking an imposing hill as the sun is slowly coming up. The address of “Philippians 4:12-13” is a popular tat on arms, backs and chests.

…And it works in its application. No argument here and, as I’ve grown fond of saying, I get it.

What is often ignored, however, is that small little line that reads: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”

It’s one thing to run up a steep hill as dawn breaks with dreams of a gold medal in your future. But it’s quite another to find contentment in the struggle for basic needs. None of us like to do without, yet there will be times when we will have to do without.

Something as simple as our applecart being overturned could happen, or we could be hungry and trapped in a war zone. Will our thoughts then be, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength…?”

Paul opens this passage by saying he understands what is to be in need and what it is to have plenty…But how does he understand this? Is it experience alone? Is it because he was beaten and left for dead? Is it because he had the advantages of Roman citizenship in a world that was controlled by Rome?

Partly…But what can prepare you for the unexpected and give you the ability to know that even in the midst of the worst storm that you can do everything through him who gives you strength?

It’s called holiness. A life set-apart for God. Paul set apart his life for the Lord, and it gave him the ability to do all things even when it looked like all things were against him.

I’m never going to knock the individual who uses this Scripture as motivation to achieve greater things. But within the context of the passage, the emphasis is on doing all things whether there is a need or not.

By being holy (not perfect), all doors open for us to walk through. Kind of like stepping out of a plane at eight-thousand feet and letting yourself drop. That is not a rational act, but it becomes rational when you know there is a parachute strapped to your back and a ripcord ready to pull.

Terrifying? It has to be. But you have faith in that ripcord and parachute, or you would never have stepped out of the plane.

Are you living a holy life and building a faith that will allow you to do all things? To step through an open door at eight-thousand feet? To testify about what the Lord has done for you in front of the entire world? To be identified completely with the book, the blood and the blessed hope of Christ Jesus?

If so, then all things are possible.

Boom!
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Department Leaders: Be sure to get your year-end reports to Jackie K. for the church report coming out at the end of this month. Matt, Bill, Seana, Pastor Joe T., etc. etc…

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A VBS Unlike Any Other:
You can sign up your child and their friends here on our website. Look the button up top, click, and follow.

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Burbank Faith now has a Twitter account. You can follow us at; @BurbankFaithNaz

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Eric Canto has created a Burbank Faith channel on YouTube and has placed all of our recent services there. Go check it out.

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Note:
VBS Goes to Rome: The theme for Vacation Bible School this year is “Rome: Paul & The Underground Church”
The dates are June 26-30…Look at your calendar…share with your friends…Pray for Seana Zilbert, who is directing…Make plans to volunteer.

July is Camps Month: Remember July is camps month…Junior High, High School & Kids will all have separate camps at Granite Ridge.

District Assembly is July 12-14
(It is one month later this year due to General Assembly (Indianapolis) being held June 21-30.)

SrHi Camp: July 16-21
Kids Camp: July 23-28
JrHi Camp: July 30-August 4

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Did You Know?
On this date…

…In 1649, the Toleration Act was passed by the Maryland Assembly. It protected Roman Catholics within the American colony against Protestant harassment, which had been rising as Oliver Cromwell’s power in England increased.

…In 1783, birth of English churchman and hymnwriter Reginald Heber. Heber published his first hymn at 28, and among his best remembered is: “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

…In 1986, Geraldo Rivera opens Al Capone’s vault on TV & finds nothing

…In 1989, thousands of Chinese crowd into Beijing’s Tiananmen Square cheering students demanding greater political freedom
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Church Calendar:
April 23: Sunday Service, 10:30 AM…Sunday evening “Prayer Hour” from 6-to-7:00 PM
April 24: “Riders On The Storm”—7:00 PM
April 25: Women’s Bible Study—7:00 PM
April 19:
All Church Prayer Time: 7—to—7:30 PM
Worship Team Practices: 7:30 PM
Adult Bible Study—1 Samuel 18—7:30 PM
April 27: Board Meeting: 6:30 PM
April 29: March For Autism
May 6: Men’s Breakfast at Harry’s, 8:00 AM
May 13: Ladies Tea
May 14: Mother’s Day
May 21: VBS planning meeting, following morning worship.
May 29: Memorial Day
June 26-30: VBS Week

As believers, we have to remain in continual prayer for all of our first responders…all our leaders…not a political party but for those carrying the heavy burden of leadership in our country and communities.