BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CAITLIN SCOTT

VAN BURKS

BRENDA WHITLEY

BEVERLY IDE

FAITH!!!

February 22               FAITH!!!                      1 Peter 1:8-9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “… whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)

As Born-Again Believers, we are called to “walk by Faith, not by Sight!” The Scriptures clearly defines Faith, in Hebrews 11:1, as the “Substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen!” Think about it… The First Century Christians followed Jesus Christ, even though the reality of their decisions brought rapid and violent torture and persecution, and even death, yet they continued! Throughout the centuries’, committed Believers have faced horrible persecutions and violent deaths, yet remained faithful to their beliefs! What has driven believers to stand strong, in the face of evil and violent persecutions? The secret that the world does not recognize is their FAITH!! PRAISE GOD, Faith has the power to allow true believers to press on through the darkest and terrible days, that one could only imagine! Think about the Faithful examples of the past! Abraham was faithful, and his faith empowered him to go through the years, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promise for him and his heirs! Faith propelled Noah to remain faithful, and to complete his mission, toiling without anyone around him that believed, and with no reason to continue, except his faith in the promise of God! Faith empowered a simple country preacher to pray for the salvation of his brother, for 40 years, and, by faith, his brother did receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and it was by faith that caused his son to believe and to receive Jesus! (I asked my daddy how he was so confident about my uncle’s salvation, and he told me that he could see it…Wow!) Friends, FAITH is the Fuel that empowers Believers to claim Jesus and to be fortified to face the circumstances of this life! Just as Peter told his fellow believers, that, someday, they would see Jesus, and that fact enables us to push through the challenges of life and overcome situations and to navigate through the persecutions, with an unwavering hope that this world cannot see! (GOD IS always faithful TO us!) Through our God-Given FAITH, we persevere, through the challenges, and continue to proclaim Jesus and to express our genuine FAITH! True and committed FAITH, will always bring PRAISE, HONOR, and GLORY to Our GOD and to HIS SON, JESUS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dear Robinwood Ministry Residents and Supporters,

I have had the privilege and the profound honor to have been a part of the ministry at Robinwood – Wendell, on the 2nd Sunday night of each month, for the past 34 years! Many changes and many blessings have been my joy, but there comes a time when it is time to step aside and provide others with the opportunity to experience the joy and wonder of serving the amazing folks at Robinwood. I will be stepping aside as soon as someone is found to replace me. I have agreed to participate until a replacement is found, or through June 2025. Thank you so much for your Love and Support and for the privilege to have served so many amazing and beautiful people. Please know that I am as close as a call when you need anything!

In His Love,

Pastor Glen

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

JOAN SPARROW

SHARON CROWELL

“Yesterday, Today and Forever”

February 21     “Yesterday, Today and Forever”    Hebrews 13:8

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Who can you count on in this life? Have you ever counted on someone, only to be disappointed and saddened by their lack of commitment? As I navigate through the pitfalls and disappointments of this present age, I am excited that there is one that I can count on, rely on His Word and that I can depend on, regardless of the circumstances! This Person is JESUS CHRIST! The very first promise that sustains me is the fact that He will never rescind my salvation and my forgiveness for my sins! The second promise is that He will never leave me nor forsake me, regardless of my immaturity or human shortcomings! In a world where people and circumstances change on a whim, our God has ordained His Love for us, through JESUS CHRIST, and HE has promised that HE is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever! Let the winds of life blow, let the minions of Satan roar, but I will remain fixed on the Truth of my GOD, and I will STAND STRONG against the Evil One and I will OVERCOME! How About YOU? Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

Side Note: Please Pray for Each Other!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ZACHARY JONES

DONNA EARP HOLLIFIELD

PATRICK PRICE

REV. BILLY RICE

REV. SHANNON SPELLER

HOPE in GOD

February 20        HOPE in GOD                  Psalm 43:5

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5)

Just recently, I had the privilege to counsel with a young man that is experiencing a “Ride” on the discouragement and depression train of life! He shared his difficult journey as he described his descending down the steep slope of hopelessness! The Psalmist declares that our Hope is in God, and I attempted to highlight the solution to his deep depression! I asked this amazing young man if he believed that God was powerful enough to change his circumstances and that God could, and would, use the present situations to bring about positive results for his life. God has provided HOPE through HIS Son JESUS, and JESUS has come to provide for us the HOPE for LIVING, and the POWER to OVERCOME! Dear Friends, when the darkness of life closes in around you, and the storms of life complicate your living, DON’T GIVE UP! God has promised that the storm will pass, and the Sun will Shine again! Do You Believe? Remember, your FAITH will give birth to HOPE, and His HOPE will push back the Darkness and HIS LOVE will provide the sustaining HOPE that we need to experience HIS HOPE, PEACE & JOY! HE PROMISED – I BELIEVE – and I STAND READY TO RECEIVE! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CAROLYN BROWN

ERIC HOUSE

CINDY JOBE

His Revelation

February 19        His Revelation      1 John 3:2

**DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, ALL SERVICES FOR WEDNESADAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, ARE CANCELLED! **

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)

The Apostle Paul spoke clearly about the “Great Tension” that Christians experience while navigating through this life. We are forgiven and we are cleansed, yet we struggle with the reality of human sin and the fact that we sometimes succumb to sin. Positionally, God, through the work of Jesus, has declared the believer to be righteous, yet from a practical view, we continue to display, from time to time, the unrighteousness that we were born into! Unfortunately, this “Tension” and this struggle will exist until our mortal bodies are changes into immortal bodies! Let not your heart be troubled! God promised to provide the power to overcome and to be more “CHRIST-LIKE” through the Holy Spirit! As believers, submitted to God’s will, are being shaped into what He would have us be. This process is slow and, often, painful! In our humanity, we are impatient, expecting our transformation to occur instantly. I claim the promise that is found in Philippians 1:6, when it declares that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it!” I am excited to know that when I arrive in Heaven, my positional body and my practical body will be in perfect harmony! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Thank You God for Loving Me Enough to Send Jesus, so that I can anticipate the perfectness of eternity with YOU! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

SUTTON BOYETTE

SANDY TRIPPE

CAITLYNN CREECH

ZACK DRIVER

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

PAUL & CAROLYN BROWN

“Attitude of Joy”

February 17               “Attitude of Joy”               Luke 15:7

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”  (Luke 15:7)

Are you rejoicing? What is it that motivates your rejoicing? As you live your life, what are the main priorities of your daily responsibilities? Are you preoccupied with earthly and temporal things or are you focused on heavenly things? We must take a serious and honest look at our lives, and we must really determine who we are, to answer this question! Luke is telling us what causes a smile in heaven! God is not impressed with our human righteousness and our human attempt to “act” righteous! Our God finds great pleasure when a sinner comes to Him through repentance and receives the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ! Sadly, not everyone will come to Christ! We are all sinners, and we need to call out to God for His Mercy and Grace, as we repent of our sins and ask Him to forgive and to cleanse us and to make us acceptable, through the shed blood of Jesus. There is absolutely nothing, in our human existence, that we can do to qualify for this Amazing Grace! It is by His Great Love for us and His desire that we should re-establish a relationship with Him, through Jesus’ Redeeming Blood and our recognition of our sinfulness and for our repentance and acceptance of His atoning Grace that we are able to claim victory for our living! Friends, outside of knowing Jesus Christ and His redeeming Love for us, our job, our joy, our responsibility, is to share this Great News with others! Every time that I share Jesus with another soul, and they, through faith, confess, believe, and accept, as their own, the Amazing Grace of God, I REJOICE! What makes you celebrate? We have the absolute privilege to serve as Ambassadors for God, in this world, every day of our lives! May you continue to become heavenly minded and continue to live so that others WILL SEE JESUS IN YOU!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 16, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CHRIS BATTEN

“Faith Walking…”

February 16               “Faith Walking…”      2 Corinthians 5:7

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For we walk by Faith, not by sight.”  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

FAITH is an amazing thing! Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This thing called Faith, is the very foundation of our Christian existence and our relationship with the “Author and Finisher” of our Faith! If we are, to consistently and habitually, tap into the rich and powerful blessing of God, we must have a growing and dynamic Faith! Everything that we are, or hope to be, through the Love of God, is tied to our Faith! Unfortunately, we are so “sight” oriented and “sight” dependent! We expect to be able to touch or see it, and we expect to be able to, through our human intellect, to prove it! Often this is the basis of our faith, and it is inadequate and will ultimately fail! Reverend Norris Cook, many years ago, preached a sermon on people of Faith, and he said that there are two types of people that live in the world of Faith. He said that there are those that “Walk in Faith,” that have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, trusting in His Provision and Power through, any, and all circumstances. Then, he said, there are those that “Wander from Faith!” Those who decide to do it on their own and to take matters into their own hands! Dear Friends, walking by FAITH requires a keen focus and a confident and dedicated study and application of the Word of God, into our lives! Counting on the Faithfulness of God and to walk in His Will and to live obediently and to demonstrate your Faith to others! Walking by faith requires, what Pastor Cook called, “Enduring Patience!” Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of what we see, regardless of the “popular” thought, we are to look to God, and we are to “Walk in Faith,” believing that He Will See Us Through! This “Faith Walk” has been a joyful learning experience for me! As I continue to grow closer to Him, and depend more and more on His Guidance and Grace, I am provided the opportunity to experience His Joy, His Truth, His Provision, His Grace, and His Promises! Because of His Great Love, I have the privilege to recognize and rejoice in His trustworthiness and His Bounty and Blessings! Come what may, I am walking in “FAITH!” Regardless of the circumstances, I am growing in HIS GRACE! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ROBBIE BATTEN

HOPE THOMAS

GINNY UPCHURCH

Harmony with One Another

February 15     Harmony with One Another  1 Peter 3:8-9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina … “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Growing up in a close-knit community, it was easy to get to know pleasant people and, equally as easy, to recognize the difficult ones! There was a particular individual that was “downright hateful.” He, apparently, had been difficult his entire life. Some said that he was just like his mother! How sad is that? Anyway, he was an active part of the church leadership, and he brought to the process his unique brand of difficulty. It appeared, from his behavior, that he was opposed to everything! I recall a time, when the “Youth” were going to prepare some “Goodie” baskets for the local Nursing Home Residents. You would think this was a noble undertaking, yet, not for him! He pointed out the issues with every opportunity to be negative and he always saw the worst in every situation. Truthfully, I had difficulty in “Loving” this man! I noticed that Daddy seemed to have a working relationship with this “Grumpy and Hateful Old Man!” So, I asked how that it was that Daddy seemed to be “friendly” to him, and, amazingly, he was, as best as he could, “friendly” to Daddy! Daddy answered with this, “Granted, he is a character and there are times when he is just plain hard to deal with, yet he is not an exception to the call to love our neighbor! The hurtful comments that he makes, and the insults and obstacles, that he like to present, have got to be covering up some personal tragedy or challenge, from his past.” Daddy instructed me to treat him with respect and kindness, even though he was a miserable human to be around! So, I tried it “Daddy’s Way,” and low and behold, this grumpy “Billy Goat” of a man, started treating me, a brash and irritating teenager, with some shockingly and amazing level of respect! “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult;” these words were so true in this case. I did some farm work for him, and I got to know him, and just as Daddy had said, he had some issues from his past that had colored his present attitude! I worked hard for the man, and finally, he was complimentary of the job completed. Hold on, wait a minute! Was he nice to me, on purpose?  Friends, life can beat folks down and cause them to only see the future from their own broken experiences. Our job, our responsibility, is to “LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES!” I knew that if I could get him at Mama’s table and have him experience her unique brand of “disarming” witness through her kitchen, I would have a shot at helping him turn away from the bitterness and to move towards the HOPE for living, found in Obedience to God’s Word. Sure enough, he finally sat down at Mama’s table and my dear Mama, in her gifted and loving way, began to witness to this “Grumpy and Hateful lump of negative,” through her cooking and her disarming charm. Keep in mind, it’s hard to be grumpy with the aroma of fried chicken and carrot cake floating through the air. There it was, spread out before him, Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, “Snaps,” Homemade biscuits, and that famous, from scratch, Carrot Cake! Wow! I witnessed this man have an “Ebenezer Scrooge” conversion. He remained difficult; however, he began to be a bit easier to take! I will tell you that, if it had not been for the “Booster Shot” of Mama’s Cake and Fried Chicken, and Mama’s Kitchen Counseling, he would have reverted to his Grumpy Old Ways! What would Jesus do? He told us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER, and He did not place any exceptions or unique circumstances to this decree! This experience, from my youth, has helped me minister to the “hateful” and the “unlovable!” Our call to action is simply … “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR FEBRUARY 14, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

STEVE BAILEY

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

ROGER & MERRIE HOCUTT

GREG & DANIELLE GIDDING

“Real Love”

February 14     “Real Love”      1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”  (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)

Today is the celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day. For as long as most of us can remember, February, and the 14th of February has been the month, and day to celebrate and recognize “Love!” I can remember being so excited that I would share a Valentine’s card with each one of my classmates when I was in elementary school. I think that I was most excited about the chocolate hearts that were always around. As I grew older, it became an opportunity to show that special one, just how I felt and might even get a kiss because of it! As an adult, I took on a different position. The perceived obligation to shower your significant other with expensive candy, flowers, and a meal at a “Nice” (code word for expensive) restaurant, were a bit overwhelming for me! The first Valentine’s Day that Annette and I shared, I told her, in advance, that I was not getting candy, flowers or any of that stuff. I prepared a meal at my place, and we had a simple time together, watching TV and talking. By the way, I had rather send flowers or candy on April 7th or May 11th! She would not expect them and that would become a very special moment!  I tell this to tell this… God is Love! His Love is a True and Pure and Eternal Love! His Love is not determined by time or space or circumstances or moods or attitudes or ups or downs, or any other earthly challenge! Paul called it “Charity!” We know it as “Love!” The only way to truly “Love” one another, is to embrace the Love of God, through the shed blood of Jesus and His example of Real Love! Share your love with your spouse or friend yet remember the author and creator of “Real Love,” Jesus Christ! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 13, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ANNETTE RAGAN

DIANA ADAMS

PAM DRIVER

TERESA HICKS

Boldness with Strength

February 13     Boldness with Strength            Psalm 138:3

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina … “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

King David wrote this psalm while his enemies were surrounding him, with evil intentions. Guess What? That’s correct! Problems, challenges, threats, chaos, peril, and a host of other issues befall us in this life! Trouble is a FACT OF LIFE! Folks, I have some GOOD NEWS and some BAD NEWS! The Bad News is that as we are “Born of Woman,” we “ARE GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE!” The Good News is that we have a powerful, ever-present, promising, and loving God who is ready to do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves and is ready to guide us, to protect us and to sustain us! God told Paul that He would not remove the “Thorn in the Flesh,” that Paul was afflicted with, however, He promised that “HIS GRACE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT!” God does answer our prayers, and HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR OUR TROUBLES! Remember John 16:33, as it makes a firm and eternal promise to us: “These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have Peace. In this world you will have Tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Friends, even in the midst of these unprecedented times, God is still guiding, teaching, sustaining and Loving US! Yes, we will have troubles and strife and chaos and evil that confronts our very core of existence, yet, we are Promised VICTORY! He said that “HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD,” so, when we are HIS, and HE dwells in us, and we walk in HIS SPIRIT, then, THAT MAKES US OVERCOMERS! SO, we are OVERCOMERS-VICTORS, what do we do now? WE LIVE LIKE OVERCOMERS! WE HONOR GOD WITH OUR LIVES AND OUR SERVICE! WE DEMONSTRATE A FAITH THAT IS STRONG AND GROWING! WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD, RIGHT WHERE WE ARE! WHAT GOD DOES WITH US IS ENTIRELY UP TO US! IT ALWAYS HAS AND IT ALWAYS WILL! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Be Real, Be Active and Be True! THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

 Side Note: Church Life can be difficult, at times! Any time that you have well-meaning, dedicated people, attempting to serve God and are actively engaged in personal spiritual growth, encounter individuals that are not as committed, and not as interested in spiritual growth, will result in conflict, animosity and hurt feelings! As Pastor, I am dedicated to praying for each one of my church family! Asking God to ease the strife, change the hearts and to transform us into His image! Yesterday, I asked the Holy Spirit to take a couple of folks to the spiritual “Woodshed (I have been there myself)!” The answer to ALL the issues in the church family (and in this world) are found on our knees! Ask God to re-focus your thoughts, re-align your actions and to inspire your faith!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

GLENN BUNN

DIANA COLEY

GRADY JOHNSON

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

DONALD & DIANA ADAMS