December 31 Magnify the Lord Psalm 34:3
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us Exalt His Name together.” (Psalm 34:3
On this New Year’s Eve, I am filled with a mixture of human thoughts and emotions. As I reflect on the issues and challenges of this past year, I continue to be fascinated at the actions and reactions of those around me. Satan has been busy spreading his deceptions and using well-meaning folks for his purposes. The overriding question, for this simple preacher, has been, “What are they thinking?” How can the actions of some be considered edifying to the body and message of Christ? Well, “IT IS WHAT IT IS!” As for me, my position has become crystal clear and my declaration of faith and purpose is simple…NOT TODAY SATAN!!! I am unable to change the ways of those who choose to embrace a more “Worldly” position! God, in His Word, has made my job, my commitment, my duty very clear. I am to live my life to honor Him and to serve Him in the “Beauty of Holiness!” In 2021, unlike 2020, I will not spend any time ruminating over the, seemingly inconsistent, actions of others. My pledge, my calling, my commitment is to follow Christ, seek His face and to be a better follower tomorrow than I am today! I truly believe that darker days are ahead for the believer…I mean, our earthly existence, so, we need to be about the Father’s business and re-focus our thoughts and our actions! Are my actions, thoughts, emotions in line with the responsibility of representing Christ and edifying His Name? Although, for some that are so “Earthly” minded, this will sound like “Judgement,” however, it is simply an observation of commitment and actions! If our actions and words reflect a more “worldly and secular” ideal, then, this is NOT EDIFYING TO GOD!!! Under the Blood of Jesus, we are to make HIM the MAIN THING! 2020, with its politics and unrest, have forced me to take a stand, not for politics, but for JESUS! All of these earthly issues will continue until HE CALLS US HOME, and I refuse to be a “VICTIM” to the methods of the EVIL ONE! My resolution for 2021 is the resolution for the rest of my earthly existence… “To live my life to edify God and to please Him!” I have just one request…”Dear Master for the coming year, just one request I bring: I do not pray for happiness, or any earthly thing---I do not ask to understand the way Thou leadest me, but this I ask: Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee. I want to know Thy guiding voice, to walk with Thee each day. Dear Master make me swift to hear and ready to obey. And thus the year I now begin, a happy year will be---If I am seeking just to do, the THING THAT PLEASETH THEE!!” (Author Unknown) I pray that 2021 will be a time for you to commit your ways to God and to commit to live each day to edify His Name. Folks; our time is short and our faith is the only thing that will see us through. He promised, He provided and what God does with us is entirely up to us…always has, always will! 2020, with all of its issues, has been a “Spiritual and emotional” learning time for me! I have been criticized and vilified and has been called faithless or showing little faith! Initially, I was challenged, then, upon much prayer and reflection, I was disappointed! How were these “good people” allowing Satan to distort their service and they did not even recognize his working in them? Guess what? These folks are going to continue to serve who they identify with…that I cannot change, however, as for me, I choose to serve the God of the Bible and I choose to honor His Love and His Grace and His leading! I am committed to praying for those who have promoted division and un-forgiveness and strife and chaos (some completely unaware of their being used)…praying for the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts and to turn them from their misguided ways. As for me, I appreciate this learning time and I have seen the way that I should go. All of this, Evil Driven actions, will continue to occur, yet, I refuse to be a PART OF IT! Thank you for being a part of the “Devotion” family, in 2020, and I pray that you will have a Happy, Blessed, GOD CENTERED 2021! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!