First Baptist Gonzales

06/23/2026

Check out our Summer Camp highlight videos to see how God has moved in the lives of our students. We're grateful for all He has done!

06/22/2026

WEEK 26: June 22-28 - 1 Kings 12-16; 2 Chronicles 10-16; Psalms 56-60

☐ Monday, June 22 - 1 Kings 12:1-14:20
Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of older counselors and followed the advice of younger men instead. Are there any times you have ignored wise counsel because it wasn’t what you wanted to hear?

☐ Tuesday, June 23 - 1 Kings 14:21-16:34
Ahab “did more to provoke the Lord… than all the kings before him” (1 Kings 16:33). What influences in your life pull your heart away from God?

☐ Wednesday, June 24 - 2 Chronicles 10-12
“When Rehoboam established his sovereignty… he abandoned the law of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Why is it often tempting to rely less on God when life is going well?

☐ Thursday, June 25 - 2 Chronicles 13:1-14:1
Outnumbered in battle, Abijah cried out to God while Judah trusted in Him (2 Chronicles 13:14-18). How do you trust God when the odds are against you?

☐ Friday, June 26 - 2 Chronicles 14-16
Asa relied on God at first, but later trusted political alliances instead (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). How can it be harder to trust God after following Him for years?

☐ Saturday, June 27 - Psalms 56-60
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). What fears challenge your trust in God?

This week begins one of the saddest turning points in Israel’s history: the division of the kingdom. After Solomon’s death, the nation fractures into northern Israel and southern Judah. What follows is a repeating cycle of kings, conflict, compromise, repentance, and rebellion. As you read through these chapters, you may notice how quickly spiritual drift can happen when leaders reject wisdom and fail to seek the Lord.

Rehoboam’s story is a reminder that pride and insecurity often go hand in hand. Instead of listening to experienced counselors, he follows the harsh advice of younger men who tell him to prove his strength. His decision fractures the kingdom and creates consequences that will last for generations. It is a sobering reminder that leadership decisions matter deeply and that pride rarely produces peace.

You will also begin reading about a series of kings in Israel who repeatedly lead the people into idolatry. Again and again, Scripture says these kings “did evil in the sight of the Lord.” By the time we arrive at Ahab, the wickedness has intensified dramatically. Yet, even in these dark chapters, God continues to send prophets, warnings, and opportunities for repentance. The patience of God is remarkable throughout Israel’s history.

In contrast to many of Israel’s kings, Asa begins his reign in Judah with genuine dependence on God. When faced with overwhelming military odds, Asa cries out to the Lord for help rather than trusting in military size or political strength. Early success comes because of faith and obedience. Yet, later in life, Asa begins relying on political alliances and human solutions instead of God. His story reminds us that spiritual endurance matters. It is not enough to begin well; we also want to finish well.

The Psalms this week continue themes of fear, trust, and confidence in God during hardship. David repeatedly writes while surrounded by enemies and uncertainty, yet his confidence remains rooted in God’s character rather than his circumstances. Psalm 56:3 may become a theme verse for the week: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Fear is a universal human experience, but fear does not have to control us when our trust is anchored in the Lord.

As you read this week, pay attention to the contrast between people who seek God and people who slowly drift from Him. The division between faithfulness and compromise is often revealed through small decisions over time. May this week encourage you to pursue wisdom, humility, and steady trust in God regardless of the circumstances around you.

06/21/2026

Join us for church at 11:00!

Welcome to First Baptist Gonzales.We are a Christ-centered communi...

06/17/2026

Please pray for our kids, sponsors and everyone attending camp this week. We can’t wait to hear about everything God does in their lives!

06/15/2026

WEEK 25: June 15-21 - Acts 15:13-28:31; Proverbs 19-20

☐ Monday, June 15 - Acts 15:13-17:34
Was Paul’s sermon in Athens a success? Why or why not?

☐ Tuesday, June 16 - Acts 18-20
What do you think it would have been like to be in the room when Eutychus was raised from the dead (Acts 20:7-12)?

☐ Wednesday, June 17 - Acts 21-23
During these chapters, Paul uses his Roman citizenship and the legal process to his benefit. Is it a lack of faith or good use of resources to use the legal system to your benefit?

☐ Thursday, June 18 - Acts 24-26
Paul regularly shares his testimony to people in power as he is moved from place to place. Is it better to share your story with people or to try to prove the truth of the gospel? Why?

☐ Friday, June 19 - Acts 27-28
How can the kindness of the people in Malta inform the way we can be hospitable to outsiders?

☐ Saturday, June 20 - Proverbs 19-20
Proverbs 20:4 says “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” How does this verse apply to your life right now?

We left our reading last week on a little bit of a cliffhanger. The apostles and elders met in Jerusalem to determine what the Gentiles would need to do in order to become Christians. Instead of requiring the Gentiles to become Jewish, James, the leader of the Jerusalem church and brother of Jesus, asks for Gentiles to abstain from four things: idol polluted things, fornication, whatever has been strangled, and blood. All of these items would have been associated with Pagan temple worship. The argument from James is that “you don’t have to become Jewish, but you can’t remain Pagan either.”

This decision sets the stage for the rest of Acts. From this time, Paul takes a central role in the story. This began some with Paul’s First Missionary journey in Acts 13-14, but begins in earnest with Paul and Barnabus headed to Antioch to tell that church the news concerning the Gentiles. This week’s reading is the story of Paul’s Second and Third Missionary journeys and his imprisonment. One of my favorite things to notice in the story is when Luke joins the journeys. Pay close attention to when the narrative uses “they” and when Luke uses “we.” When the pronouns shift to the first person, you can know that Luke was with Paul on that part of the journey.

The episode of Paul in Athens is my favorite story in this section of Acts. It is a perfect example of how we should care about others in a cross-cultural context and how we can share the gospel with them. Paul takes what the people know and connects it to the story of Jesus. This is exactly how we should share the gospel as well. So if you are looking for a fresh way to have a gospel conversation, consider how you can follow Paul’s example from Acts 17.

Finally, the book of Acts seems to end rather abruptly. We have no conclusion nor do we know what happens to Paul. But in reality, that is a perfect ending to this book of early Christian history. You and I fill the future pages of the story of the church. Acts 28 ends with Paul living his life (under arrest) in Rome, but he is continuing to proclaim the gospel. There is no conclusion to the story because the story of the church is not over. It continues with you and I continuing to spread the good news “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” May we go and continue the story of the church in our own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

06/11/2026

One more baptism photo. One more life forever changed by Jesus.

06/08/2026

WEEK 24: June 8-14 - Acts 1:1-15:12; Proverbs 17-18

☐ Monday, June 8 - Acts 1-2
Notice what happens in Acts 2:42-47 after the new believers are baptized and join the church. How could First Baptist do better at living this way?

☐ Tuesday, June 9 - Acts 3:1-6:7
What is your big takeaway from the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)?

☐ Wednesday, June 10 - Acts 6:8-8:40
Stephen and Philip are selected as two of the first deacons to “wait on tables” in Acts 6:1-7. Then, the next two stories immediately tell of them preaching and teaching the gospel. Should this impact our understanding of the role of the deacon in the church today?

☐ Thursday, June 11 - Acts 9-12
Antioch is where the term “Christian” is first used because the townspeople couldn’t tell the Gentiles and Jews apart who were gathered. How can First Baptist become more like the church in Antioch?

☐ Friday, June 12 - Acts 13:1-15:12
Notice that the Lord spoke to send out Paul and Barnabus while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting. Do you expect the Lord to speak when you worship and pray?

☐ Saturday, June 13 - Proverbs 17-18
Proverbs 18:10 says “the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” From what do you need the Lord’s protection today?

To Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. That command from Jesus to his disciples as he is about to ascend to heaven is the table of contents for the Book of Acts. Over the next two weeks, we will read through this account of the early church which takes place over the course of about 35 years. We will begin with the disciples waiting in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit and conclude with Paul imprisoned in Rome because of the proclamation of the Gospel. From Jerusalem to Rome… that’s definitely to the ends of the earth for a 1st century Jew.

This week, we focus on the first half of Acts which ends with a pivotal moment for the church. In Acts 15, we read of the Jerusalem Council meeting to determine what Gentiles need to do to become followers of Jesus. The question is set forth in Acts 15:1-12 and then next week we will read the answer starting in Acts 15:13. Some Christian Jews said that Gentiles needed to convert to Judaism following circumcision and the Law; others said that this was not necessary and that we are only saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. The Jerusalem Council comes to an agreement on what to do about this issue.

Before that, we read several accounts of the Lord at work. I’d like to highlight just a few for you. First is the story of Pentecost which really begins the week prior with Jesus’ Ascension. Jesus tells the disciples to wait on the Holy Spirit who will help them to be witnesses across the globe for His name. This shows us the importance of waiting on the Lord. At the same time, Pentecost comes and then it is time TO GO!

Some of the disciples and followers of Jesus understand the mission but others do not. Notice what it says in Acts 8:1b: “And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.” The way this is written, it seems as if Luke thinks this scattering is God telling them to get to where they need to be. Why else repeat exactly Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria? Some of us are more hard headed than others when it comes to going as the Spirit leads. Some need a gentle nudge, and others need a giant push.

The last story I want to mention is the conversion of Cornelius. It is a wonderful story of God being at work in the speaker and hearer when it comes to Gospel conversations. Notice in Acts 10 how God is working in the hearts of both Peter and Cornelius. This is what God does. He works on both people who are part of gospel conversations. This is something you can remember as you continue to work toward the goal of 937 gospel conversations this year. God is already at work in the person God is leading you to. God is working in you and in them. God shows up to Peter, and God shows up to Cornelius. God is the one who does all the work. Peter and Cornelius are simply obedient to God’s call. May we all be obedient to God’s call in the same way.

06/07/2026

Join us starting today as we pray and prepare for VBS. We can’t wait to see the amazing things God will do in the lives of our kids and volunteers!

We're excited to share our Countdown to VBS Prayer Calendar! Starting tomorrow, please join us over the next month as we pray and prepare for what we know will be an incredible week of seeing God work. Still need to get someone registered? Follow the link below!

https://fbcgonzales.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3546685

06/01/2026

WEEK 23: June 1-7 - John 13-21; Psalms 51-55

☐ Monday, June 1 - John 13-14
How would you have reacted if Jesus got up to wash your feet?

☐ Tuesday, June 2 - John 15-17
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you…” (John 16:20). Does this comfort you or make you feel nervous? Why?

☐ Wednesday, June 3 - John 18-19
Pilate asks the question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). In a world where we hear that truth is relative, how would you define the truth as mentioned in John 18:37 to a non-believer?

☐ Thursday, June 4 - John 20
Does Thomas deserve the moniker “doubting Thomas”? Why or why not?

☐ Friday, June 5 - John 21
Peter is concerned about what Jesus is going to ask John to do. Jesus says that is not your concern (John 21:15-23). How often are you more concerned about other people’s roles in the Kingdom rather than your own?

☐ Saturday, June 6 - Psalms 51-55
Psalm 51 is the prayer of repentance David proclaims after Nathan confronts him about Bathsheba. Is there sin in your heart that needs to be confessed to God?

Last week, we began reading John and read only 12 chapters. This week, we slow down even more to read the last 9 chapters of the gospel. This is a great week to catch up on readings you may have missed earlier in the year, or simply read slowly and meditate on each passage more than usual.

The setting of John 13-17 is Jesus with his disciples in the Upper Room. In the final teachings that Jesus shares with his disciples, he has his final two I AM sayings. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). I am the vine… (John 15:5). Last week, I said that John 3:16 was the most succinct statement of the gospel. John 14:6 is the clearest pronouncement of the path to salvation. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” When you pair the two statements together, you realize that Christianity is an inclusive and exclusive religion. Christianity is inclusive because of John 3:16. Anyone who believes in Jesus can have eternal life. Christianity is exclusive because of John 14:6. No one can have eternal life except through Jesus. Christianity is both inclusive and exclusive.

In John 17, Jesus has an extended prayer where he prays for himself, his disciples, and his future disciples. In John 17:20, Jesus asks the Father that those who will come to believe in Him will be unified. It gives me comfort that Jesus himself prayed for us. In a world that is chaotic and stressful and divided, I am thankful for God’s help in keeping churches unified. When strife comes within our churches, remember that God is on the side of peace and unity. May you work toward that goal as well.

John 18-20 is Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. The end of John 20 intrigues me. In verses 30-31, John adds a statement that this is only part of what Jesus did while he was on earth. This helps to remind us that Jesus had a 3 year ministry. If we read John in one sitting, it may take 2-3 hours. There are a lot of days when Jesus is ministering, teaching, and healing that are not recorded in the gospels. But the gospels are enough to show us clearly who Jesus was and is: “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Finally, John 21 serves as an epilogue to the gospel. John 20:30-31 sounds like a concluding message, but then we have this additional story of Jesus appearing to some of the disciples and commissioning Peter to shepherd the flock. I’m glad we have this story. It reminds us of God’s forgiveness and love. Even when we run away from God, God still wants to use us to advance the Kingdom of God. This story also reminds us to focus on our own journeys with the Lord and not others. Peter wants to know if John will be martyred like Jesus prophesies that Peter will be martyred. Jesus tells Peter that it doesn’t matter. Your job is to follow me and not worry about how you compare to others. It is the same way with each of us. We should focus on our own relationship with God, not worrying how we measure up against other people.

05/26/2026

We celebrated several baptisms last Sunday and rejoiced as people publicly declared their faith in Jesus. God is changing lives, and we’re thankful to be part of it!