First Baptist Church Meadow Texas

06/22/2026

After taking a break for a few weeks, the Gin’s Men’s Bible Study will start back up on Tuesday, June 23rd at 8:00 a.m. here in Meadow. It’s 20-30 minutes of looking in God’s word for the day and spending quality time with godly men. Take this as your invitation!

06/21/2026

"Though Some Won't, We Will" 1 Timothy 6:11-16; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - Sunday Morning 06/21/2026

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06/19/2026

Make worship part of Father’s Day Sunday for your family! At FBC Meadow, we will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper during the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. You are welcome!

06/15/2026

Just a Meadow Minute

For way too many years in my teens and twenties, I fired a gun without hearing protection. Like many young people, my brothers and I were infatuated with the out-of-doors, and there was nothing we loved more than a day squirrel hunting in the pines of North Carolina or dove and deer hunting in the fields surrounding San Angelo, TX. Back then, I didn’t give my hearing a second thought. Now the tinnitus never goes away, even in the middle of the night, and ever so slowly, my natural hearing is fading away.

When my two girls were teenagers, they thought it funny to use the TV remote and slowly lower the volume to see how long it took for me to bend in to hear. I have no idea where they got their dark humor, certainly not their sweet mother. Like most dads and husbands, I have been accused of having “selective hearing loss.” Surely I could not possibly have missed all the things said that I’ve been told I didn’t hear. The comedian Nate Bargatze says that after all his years of marriage apparently his wife is still batting 1000 in telling him things, and he is “0-fer” when it comes to listening.

Without my hearing aids today, it’s almost as if the entire world is lip-syncing. While hearing aids are expensive and the west Texas wind can drive my ears crazy, I do appreciate the change they have brought to my life. For way too many years, I was missing so much. The ones I have now recharge every night and my smartphone streams to my ears. So does the TV. Diane and I can watch a show at a reasonable volume for her, and for me, it's like wearing headphones. Technology can be a good thing, and I will never again take lightly the blessing of hearing.

In the second and third chapters of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches, and each time He says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Our Lord spoke both words of commendation and condemnation to the churches. He spoke words of promise to the faithful, and words of warning for those who are unfaithful. Even today, God speaks to churches about the condition of their heart—both as individuals, and as congregations. He speaks of the church guarding its first love, service in His Name. And it pains Him when He finds His church lukewarm, just existing, and not proclaiming.

How do we as a church, as God’s people, hear what He is saying? Let’s be honest. We have all found ourselves at some point pleading with God to speak to us, to reveal His will to us. We claim at times that He seems far away and silent when we need Him most. But that is just not the case. God takes the initiative to speak with us. God IS speaking to us. Even in His silence. Apparently, it takes a different kind of ear to hear what He says. These ears to hear are not physical but of the heart. God is calling us as His people to have a heart that understands what the Spirit is saying. We are to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Many people are deciding the church today is irrelevant—both Christians and non-Christians alike. What the Spirit of God has for us is most certainly not irrelevant but is it possible that we as His people are blocking out the message? Have we slowly turned down the volume because the Spirit is speaking about our acceptance or redefining of sin? Do we selectively tune out what the Spirit says because what He says demands a change in our life? Do we allow the Spirit to stream the truth of God into our consciousness or do we shut Him out by never searching His Word? God forbid that I might ever take for granted my ability to hear my wife, my kids, my grandkids, the birds, music, and laughter. And, Dear Lord, forgive me when I fail to be sensitive to the Spirit’s call on my life and leadership in it.

Grace.

Visit us at FBCMEADOW.ORG

06/14/2026

"Guarding Your Heart Against Cynicism" Genesis 3:1-5; Numbers 14:11; Philippians 4:8 - Sunday Morning Message 06/14/2026

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06/08/2026

Just a Meadow Minute

Philip Bliss was one of the most prominent hymnwriters in the heyday of gospel hymn writing. Bliss grew up working on a farm and spent several years in lumber camps before eventually becoming a music teacher. At age twenty-six, Bliss sold his first song, and that led to his later working for a hymn publisher. D.L. Moody urged Bliss to become a singing pastor, which he did beginning in 1874. This favorite of mine by Bliss was published in 1875. The very next year, while traveling through Ohio, Bliss and his family were involved in a train wreck. The reports of the tragedy said that Bliss got out, but went back into the fiery train to save his wife. They both perished.

What other life-changing hymns might have come from the mind and heart of Philip Bliss, and yet God called him home at that moment. None of us knows the exact date, time, or circumstances when we will face eternity. How very true it is that in many ways, our lives are but a v***r and then they’re gone.

Perhaps none who will read this Meadow Minute would even aspire to the wonderful gift of hymn-writing, but if we claim Jesus as our Redeemer, we, too can find ways to praise Him and share Him and magnify the gift of His sacrificial death for our sin. What a Savior!

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood—
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high;
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing;
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Though Philip Bliss’ life and gift of hymn writing were cut short, his music continues to bless so many. May each of us while on this earth seek in some way to inspire and encourage similar encounters with the “Man of Sorrows.”

“Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:1-3

Grace.

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Join us this Sunday! We offer Small Group Bible Study for all ages at 9:45 am, followed by the Worship Service at 11:00 am. Nursery Care is provided for children ages 0-2 at both. Older children are invited to be a part of worship.

06/03/2026

Just a Meadow Minute

Hasn’t the rain the last days been wonderful? Everything smells so fresh. The green is coming back. For a day or two, there was water standing in the fields. Our God is so good!

But even something generally considered a blessing like plenteous rain can create different perspectives. Do you see high water covering the road only as an obstacle in getting where you’re going. Or is that water-covered highway a giant, God-given, double-sided boat ramp for going fishing? Perspective…

How do you see the ever-changing circumstances and impactful events in your life on this big, blue marble? Do you live each day as a victim? A survivor? A flourisher? Are you just tripping through life as things happen to you, or do you live your days believing “all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose?” Perspective…

The Bible tells us in several places of God’s perspective on things. I guess my favorite is Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

For those who know me, this will come as no surprise, but I can get riled up much too easily. The smallest change to my schedule has the potential to change my attitude in an instant, maybe for the rest of the day. It is perhaps my besetting sin. It is not natural for me to “consider it all joy” when I “encounter various trials.” I am not always quick to recognize that “the testing of faith produces endurance.” Yet God loves me and forgives me and is so patient with me. And God never plays the victim. His thoughts are not scatter-brained like mine are on occasion. God doesn’t get flustered or frustrated by the repeated failings of His people. His ways are above my ways. But that’s not an excuse for me to live as a scatter-brained, half-cocked victim. By the power of His Spirit, I can do better than that, live better than that. His Word tells us, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that on the earth.” With the temptations we face to lose our cool, or only see the bad that happens, “He provides the way of escape, that (we) may be able to endure it.” Perspective…

Being a positive, forward-looking person in all circumstances is easy to claim or contemplate, and yet difficult to accomplish. Like in the movie, “Groundhog Day,” we face the same issues, the same struggles, the same temptations again and again. And we oftentimes respond to these issues, struggles and temptations much as we have previously. The “Patience of Job” seems unattainable. Even with the longest lifetime, the “Wisdom of Solomon” is not going to happen, is it? But God’s grace is sufficient, and it is in our weakness that He is strong because His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. That’s God’s perspective.

“I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14-15)

Grace.

Visit us at

Join us this Sunday! We offer Small Group Bible Study for all ages at 9:45 am, followed by the Worship Service at 11:00 am. Nursery Care is provided for children ages 0-2 at both. Older children are invited to be a part of worship.

05/31/2026

"Do You Love Me?" John 21:15-17 - Sunday Morning Message 05/31/2026

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05/26/2026

Just a Meadow Minute

In today’s fast moving world, there is a more and more pressing phenomenon in the church. Let’s call it Snapchat Christianity? Young people especially understand Snapchat and disappearing messages. With Snapchat, some photos or videos vanish within seconds. With Snapchat Christianity, some opportunities to share the Gospel vanish just as quickly. Many speak of “lifestyle Christianity,” and I agree we should be building strong and lasting and trusting relationships with others in order to know them and to sense their needs. But sadly, we often spend our lives getting to know others without ever taking the next step, and the moment passes without ever sharing Christ. There are conversations you will never get back. There are moments you cannot replay. In our mobile society, there are people who will not be here – next week, next month, next year. How vigilant are we in making the most of God-given holy opportunities to share our Lord with others.

At this time of year, we are often reminded of how fast life happens to us. That little boy or girl that we just knew would always be around is growing into or has already grown into a very independent young adult. Influence over his or her priorities and schedules has begun to wane. Control over where they go and with whom, what they read and watch, gets more and more limited. Opportunities to introduce Jesus into their thoughts and decision making skills for the life-changing moments you know they will face seems to be slipping away. But God has a word for us. “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Snapchat Christianity.

How about that spouse or friend or co-worker you spend so much time with, yet you know has never surrendered his or her heart and life to Christ. It seems you can talk with them about almost anything, yet your faith in Christ has become a taboo subject. Is he or she someone you say you would do anything for? Do you take the command of God seriously to “…be ready in season and out of season…” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Snapchat Christianity.

And what of those who are only acquaintances, those you would not count necessarily as close friends? Do you see your daily Christian Walk as a calling to stand between the wiles of the enemy and the lost around you? Are you looking for what might be only a fleeting moment to make an eternal difference. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5)

Snapchat Christianity.

We are to make the most of opportunities our Lord gives us to share His Name. He is so loving, so compassionate, and so faithful, that if we surrender to His will for our lives, He will give us opportunities to introduce Him. Perhaps you’re thinking you surely have missed so many of such chances. Don’t look back. Don’t live in regret of missed chances. Be motivated by God’s great forgiveness. Move forward in the light of His Spirit and leadership.

Grace.

Visit us at FBCMEADOW.ORG

05/26/2026

You are a Good, Good Father. Thank You for the Rain!!!