BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 25, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

NICK CARLYLE

MELISSA SMITH BROWN

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

JACKIE (In Heaven) & JOAN HUNTER

“I Will Give You Rest…”

May 25       “I Will Give You Rest…”      Matthew 11:28-29

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”                  (Matthew 11:28-29)

One of the issues that fellow pastors are experiencing, is something called “Burnout.” Many pastors that I know have succumbed to this challenging reality. Our present-day circumstances require great effort and absolute commitment, and, often times, in the process of “doing our Job,” we fail to re-focus, re-fuel, and to re-evaluate our own abilities and needs. Sadly, I have seen it happening, over and over to some truly gifted and talented individuals. Possibly, a better description would be “Drained-Out.” Think about the requirements! Pastors are on 24-7-365 call, with little notice and great expectations from their flock. Just recently, a young pastor called to ask for advice on a special matter, and when I told him to take a moment, assess the real issues, pray specifically for the situation, ask God to provide the solution to the matter, but foremost, for the young pastor to be careful not to be drawn into a situation that was not “fixable,” and would leave him wounded, broken and “Drained!” One of the most important realities of ministerial life is the difficult fact that pastors need time to regroup, refocus, and to Rest in Him! Although, I may not demonstrate this reality, I am aware of my limitations, and I am getting better at “taking Time off,” to recharge my spiritual batteries! Do you ever feel drained? Do you feel weary in doing well? TAKE TIME TO REST, REFLECT AND TO ALLOW GOD’S RESTORING POWER TO ENERGIZE YOU! Everyone needs time to allow God to restore us, retool us and to energize us! The scripture passage for today is so powerful… “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Annette and I are truly blessed with a loving church family that recognizes the need for R&R and actively encourages it! Thank You, BTC FAMILY! Remember this verse from the Old Testament… “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:14) Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE!               

ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 24, 2025

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

ALTON & CHARLE’ JOHNSON

“Go Ahead!”

May 24               “Go Ahead!”    Exodus 4:12

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  (Exodus 4:12)

Have you ever been required to speak in front of a large crowd?  Have you ever been fearful of talking in front of a group?  If you have, then you are in the top ten of the most fearful things to do in the United States.  I think back to the days when I was petrified speaking in public.  My earliest recollections of the fear of speaking in front of a crowd was the time that Mrs. Carter, my Sunday School Teacher, had we children, recite a Bible Verse, before the entire congregation, on a Sunday Morning!  I remember clearly my response when I learned of her intent.  “Miss Carter, I can’t do this!”  She was always ready for a teachable moment, and she took advantage of this moment to share a story of another fellow that said that “he couldn’t!”  She told me of the struggle that Moses faced and the promise from God! She made me look up and read this scripture to her.  “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  She told me that God would be with me and provide what I needed to say when I needed to say it.  I did recite the scripture, and I was nervous, and I was “shaking in my boots,” but Miss Carter’s words and her faith in me, provided the “kick” that I needed to claim God’s provision and power and to “Stand up and Go Ahead!”  That event was over 60 years ago, yet I still am a bit anxious when I speak before a crowd, and I am a bit anxious when I share Jesus with an individual.  When you speak up for Jesus, will you be nervous?  In all likelihood, the answer is yes!  Remember, ask God to replace your fears and concerns for the focus on Him and His words that you should say.  The Bottom Line: Replace your Fears with Faith!  So, I leave you with the admonition from Mrs. Estelle Carter… “Go Ahead!”  Except for my parents, this precious lady had the greatest influence on my early Spiritual Life and Actions!  As Believers, we are required and expected to share the Love of God, through Jesus Christ, with everyone that we encounter!  So, just “GO AHEAD!”  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

“Reconciliation”

May 23              “Reconciliation”      Romans 5:11

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:11)

God’s grace is hard to understand because we live in a world where we receive what we earn. When I was selling for a living, I was always told and always taught, “Sell more, Earn more.” In this life, when you perform, you prosper and when you don’t, you don’t! I used to act as a “Coach” for my sales team, like a sports team, and I would encourage and instruct them to perform at their maximum capacity! In the game of life, we have a “Coach” called God, and we are now members of a very special team. Through the Grace of Jesus, and His redeeming blood, we are qualified for the team. Our “Coach” lays out the rules by which we are to perform, and He has divine hopes that we will live better and be better, each passing day! When we stumble, and we will, and when we fail to meet expectations, He simply points us to the cross and says, “Do not worry, I will not drop you. I love you regardless and nothing that you do will make me stop loving and forgiving you.” God loves us enough that He sent His only son to die for us! How about the Cross? Picture Jesus hanging there and remember: He died on that Cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and the glorious truth, that we can shout and sing about, is that He arose and that He is alive! May our prayer be this day; that we never forget that His grace is not given for what we do, but what Jesus did for us. May we start each day by embracing His Wonderful Promise of Reconciliation and a Fresh and Renewed Vision for the Future! Remember, He loves us, scars, warts, faults and all … Stay Strong, Stay Focused!  Keep Looking Up! THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 22, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

JACK BUNN

STAN PRUDEN

HE Knows Best!

May 22              HE Knows Best!                 Proverbs 3:5

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding.”  (Proverbs 3:5)

A few years ago, while on vacation, I received a call from a young man that was in distress.  He had, apparently, did something that caused him to doubt his salvation and his position in the kingdom.  He was crying out for help!  After listening to his confession and his pleas for guidance, I explained to him that we “walk by Faith, and not by sight!”  Simply put, we do not fit in this world!  We are designed and made to live forever and because of Adam’s actions, we must live here on earth until God calls us home.  We were created to be in harmony and fellowship with God, and He loves us enough that he sent Jesus to die for our sins, to reestablish our relationship with God the Father.  So, here on earth, we walk by FAITH, and we are going to stumble and even fall, yet; our God loves us enough to provide redemption and renewal and restoration for our journey.  We must trust God to know what is best for us and to continue to grow in our relationship with Him through the empowering of the Holy Spirit!  Paul told us that he, himself, struggled with the human side of his life.  He said that the things that he should do, he didn’t and the things that he shouldn’t do, he did!  Even Paul struggled with his humanity.  Folks, our relationship with Jesus is not determined by what we do; it is totally and completely an act of Grace.  Remember, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in His should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)!”  The end of our conversation went like this… Do you believe that Jesus has saved your soul?  His answer was “YES!”  Do you understand that you are going to make mistakes and that you CANNOT live a perfect life here on earth?  He answered, “YES!”  Are you focused on Jesus and are you growing every day, in your RELATIONSHIP with Jesus?  His answer was so truthful and so revealing… “Well, I am trying…”  Listen, here is the issue!  Satan uses “doubt” to cloud our witness and to make us question our commitment!  So, the answer to doubt is a “GROWING FAITH!!!”  When your Faith is dynamic and growing, then your doubts and fears will subside.  Do not let Satan deceive you into believing that God is not powerful and truthful enough to keep what He has promised… What God does with us is entirely up to us…it always has, and it always will!  Are you struggling?  Are you doubting your walk with Christ?  Are you walking by what you see, instead of the Promises and Provisions of God?  Simply put… Claim His Promises, Walk in Faith and Keep Growing as you study His word and continue to talk with God, through “Constant” Prayer!  Repeat…NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 21, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

JERRY LEE

ELIJAH JONES

ANN MASSENGILL

DONNA KAY HOUSE (In Heaven)

Continuing to Grow…

May 21     Continuing to Grow…  Matthew 16:18

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”  (Matthew 16:18)

I love Ole Simon Peter! He reminds me of my life and my own responses to God’s call. You can say that Simon Peter was an example of what NOT to do in your Christian Walk. Think about it! He stepped out of the boat and was walking on the top of the water, then took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. He challenged and disagreed with Jesus when it came to the matter of washing his feet. He denied Jesus three times, and he acted rashly and impulsively when he cut off the servant’s ear while they were in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Wow! Ole Peter made some mistakes! Actually, He has provided us with the actions and opportunities to learn from.  Think about it…Peter was the only follower of Christ to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wasn’t timid or fearful to ask Jesus questions, such as when Jesus washed his feet!  Amazingly, he was the only disciple to follow Jesus after He was arrested, and he tried to defend Jesus when they were in the garden. There are times when I think that I am constantly making mistakes and missteps in my Christian Walk, yet I keep moving forward. Peter made many mistakes, yet he kept moving forward! My Daddy used to say that “Life is a process, not an event,” and we need to keep moving, keep growing, keep learning and the Lord God will help us, sustain us, guide us, along the way, through the Holy Spirit, to fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives! Remember that Peter fulfilled the commission of Jesus Christ, and he preached the Good News, and he led many souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Why am I still excited? Just like ole Peter, my Lord is not through with me and, even though I still have limitations and even though I still make mistakes, He has amazing and Great things ahead for me! How about you? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 20, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

SKYLAR GRACE NARRON

JIMMIE NUNNERY

DAKOTA BENNETT

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

RICKY & JOAN WATSON

Values that Endure

May 20     Values that Endure          1 Thessalonians 1:3

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

This life, that God has provided, is truly an adventure! Sadly, Satan has done an amazing job of denying so many the skills necessary to live a successful, meaningful life. Over the last several generations, the standards of “right” and “wrong” have undergone some troubling adjustments! My parents, along with the parents of my friends, instilled in us the standards of living that would sustain our relationships with others and establish a clear foundation, based on the truths of almighty God! This is just a personal observation; however, the evidence is quantifiable. Recently, I was in a doctor’s office, and every seat was taken, and an elderly (and if I deem someone elderly, you know that they are ancient) lady came in, using a walker. There were three young people sitting, and amazingly; me and another older gentleman got up to offer her our chair. The young folks were glued to their phones and were unaware of the actions or the need that were taking place. If my mother had been there, she would have said, “Get up and give her your chair!”  Our standards, our values, our recognition of right and wrong …. What has happened to our thoughts? Sin, deception, evil and a willingness to participate in the Satanic Lie are defining a generation, and Satan is pleased! My parents: and I suspect, your parents instilled in you a respect for what is proper and decent and expected you to act accordingly! My folks would, and did, set the example of proper behavior and would, from time to time, gently nudge me in the correct way (if a nudge didn’t work, then a stronger method of motivation was employed). My dear mother taught me to be friendly! She told me, over and over, “it costs nothing to be friendly!” Mama would talk to a “signpost!” “How are you going to tell someone about Jesus if you don’t talk to them?” This is a factual statement, and as Followers of Christ, we must live by HIS STANDARDS and SHARE HIS WORDS OF HOPE with this CHAOTIC and LOST WORLD! When I think of values and the standards for living, I am immediately drawn to Micah 6:8! “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Regardless of the actions of others, you are required to live by the standards of God! Let your life reflect and produce the “Fruit of the Spirit!” The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF CONTROL.” Are you living by these standards? If not, then why not? If you are a professing, redeemed believer, then your life should reflect the “FRUIT!” Stay Strong Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 19, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

COLT GARNER

“It Is What It Is!!”

May 19       “It Is What It Is!!”      Joshua 1:9

**THANK YOU to the ROBINWOOD FAMILY for the SPECIAL RECOGNITION yesterday! John Edwards, Lonnie Gregory, Thank you for your service and dedication to the Robinwood Ministry! It has been a true joy and blessing to have been a part of the ministry at Robinwood. I am so grateful for the love and support that you have provided over the years, and I continue to pray for each one of you!

With Gratitude & Love,

Pastor Glen

                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Boy oh boy, we are living in some extremely difficult times! Troubles, strife, discord, hatred, evil and twisted thoughts, and actions abound! If we focus on the actions and words of this world, we will continue to be discouraged and our witness for our Savior will be diluted! This is just what Satan would like for every believer! PRAISE GOD, that His Word is filled with encouraging words that provide an uplifting word of hope and inspiration for your day. God wants us to comfort us in times of need and through life's challenges. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, the Bible can lift your spirits and give you a fresh start! Meditate on God’s Word, throughout the day and share them with your friends so you can send encouragement and impact someone else's day! The reality of our present age is that despair and anxiety have always been and will always be a part of life on Earth, but we can all find strength and guidance in the encouragement from the Bible, and the verses of Hope and Power. No matter what we face - job loss, relationship conflict, death of a loved one, or even a worldwide pandemic, there is always an opportunity to re-focus on God's promises. God wants to encourage us to find joy and peace every single day, in everything that we do, or say. That's why Scripture is packed with encouraging verses and the Power to overcome! God's Word has been translated and kept alive for hundreds of centuries to speak directly to your heart now! You were meant to find hope through Jesus Christ and the love of God. The best way to fight discouragement is by meditating on words of encouragement that are found in God’s Holy Word! 2 Timothy 1:7 provides a powerful and dynamic statement of fact that we can live by… “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Friends, I refuse to be swayed by the insanity of this day, but to cling to the promises of God’s Holy Word and I fully recognize that “IT IS WHAT IT IS,” and I choose to claim His Power, Presence, Provision and Blessed Hope, regardless of the circumstances! I have used this statement of fact, often… “IT IS WHAT IT IS!!” Remember, It Is, but we have a solution to the “ills of the day!” That Solution is JESUS CHRIST, OUR RISEN LORD! I am determined to live above the chaos and insanity of this age, and to continue to claim His Victory! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! REMEMBER, “It Is What It Is,” and our calling is to Proclaim Jesus, the Answer to All of this world’s issues!!!!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 18, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

STEVE WHITE

RAYMOND HENLEY

JOANN TANNER

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

SEAN & SHANNON MELVIN

NATHAN & TAYLOR REICHEL

CHOICE

May 18                CHOICE                Joshua 24:15

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

We have a choice to make when it come to serving God and being what He desires us to be! His invitation is clear and plain and nonnegotiable! His offer is simple and absolute! We are to decide to serve Him, completely and without any reservations! God’s offer is clear! The choice is ours to enjoy! Isn’t it fascinating that God leaves the choice to us? Amazingly, there are so many things that we do not have the ability to choose! Your hair color, or your eye color or the weather or the economy or the political climate. We can choose where we will spend eternity! The big decision, the big choice, our God leaves it up to us! Who will you choose? This is the only decision that means anything or really matters! As the scriptures declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 17, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ANN HORTON (In Heaven)

TAYLOR RENFROW PIGFORD

ERIC DRIVER

“Just Get Along… It Is Required!”

May 17     “Just Get Along… It Is Required!”            Romans 12:18

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” ( Romans 12:18)

Living in peace with everyone and being holy are two good indicators that we are walking the level path Jesus modeled for us. But how do we live in peace with everyone? We must always look at Christ’s life to discern the way. As our perfect High Priest, Jesus is the King of Peace and Righteousness. He has given us the responsibility to maintain peace in our relationships with others. In the opening Beatitudes of Christ’s famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NLT). As sons and daughters of God, we are, like Jesus, called to be peacemakers who “plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18, NLT). Living in peace with everyone requires self-discipline. The Greek term translated as “make every effort” carries the idea of intense effort and single-minded vigilance and commitment in the pursuit of something. We must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of peacemaking. Our opinions, our politics are not important in the pursuit of harmony and peace among the brethren! To live in peace with everyone, we must depend on the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We must allow God’s Spirit to develop in us an attitude of sacrifice and humility and when we are equipped with these virtues, we can “love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.” We can lay aside our selfish ambitions, motivations, “My Way or the Highway” attitudes and love others, even our enemies, as Christ did. We can pray, like Paul, “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help [us] live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5, NLT). If we struggle to maintain peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must remember that we are fellow “members of one body . . . called to live in peace.” God has placed each part of Christ’s wonderfully diverse body together, exactly where He wants “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12:25). Knowing that “each member belongs to all the others” and that we are all one family in Christ, how can we not strive for harmony, unity, and peace? Doing all we can to live in peace with everyone won’t always be easy, but it is a biblical imperative that we obey for the glory and honor of God and His church. Whether we have been wronged or we’ve wronged another, Jesus calls us to take the first step in restoring peace in our relationships. Letting conflict with another believer go unresolved is a sin that must be confessed and dealt with. Living in peace with everyone is an indispensable goal of the believer’s life. We must always “turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it” (Psalm 34:14, NLT). What are your goals and plans for your relationship with fellow believers? Are you determined to “have your way,” or are you focused on God’s Will and Way and ready, willing and able to fulfill His ultimate plan for mankind? BELIEVERS NEED TO GET ALONG, EDIFYING CHRIST AND BUILDING THE KINGDOM! Your opinions, your politics, your human emotions take a back seat to the will and ways of God! Are you promoting the harmony and unity of the fellowship or are you a part of the problem? Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE! (Source: Got Questions Ministries.)

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 16, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ZACHARY ADAMS

MICHAEL BROWN

TYLER ALLEN

WALKER LANE

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

RICK & PEGGY RUSSELL

“CONFIDENT in the JOURNEY”

May 16     “CONFIDENT in the JOURNEY”  Philippians 1:6

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1:6)

There are days when I struggle in my walk with my Lord! There are times when I am simply exhausted in “well-doing!” When I feel as if I am unable to go one more step, then the Blessed Holy Spirit reminds me of His Power and Presence, and I go one more step! From the day that God began the great work of Salvation in me, and the miracle of Justification, as He forgave me of my sins and started me on a new path and a new life, in Him, He has guided me, and He has encouraged me, and He has helped me to grow and to embrace His Amazing Grace! When I stumble, He is with me! When I fall short of His Love, He is with me! When I fail in my commitments to Him, He never ever Fails in His commitment to me! Every day, in every way, I am, absolutely, claiming the promise that He WILL complete the Good Work that He has begun in me!! I am Thanking God and Praising His Holy Name for what He has done, what He is Doing, and what is to be! Regardless of your present challenges, be grateful for His Grace and embrace His Promises, to sustain us, to hold us, and to complete His Work in us! Thank you, Lord, for Loving Me, for Choosing Me, and for Saving Me! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 15, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

TONY DRIVER

SONJA LEE