December 20 “My Portion Forever!” Psalm 73:26
ANNOUNCEMENT: Baptist Tabernacle Church will be 100 years old, in 2022. A grand celebration is planned for May 22, 2022, to commemorate the first service as an organized church body! Special information, recognitions, God’s Word, and a catered meal will be a part of the celebration. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the festivities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***Due to the rise in COVID19 related illnesses, we are strongly encouraging the use of Masks, within the sanctuary, and to continue to observe “Social Distancing.” Together, with a faithful reliance on God, we will overcome this present challenge!!***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
Serving others, in a pandemic, is, and has been, a true challenge! The restrictions and the protocols have radically changed the pastoral ministry, or at least, my portion of the ministry! Nothing is more “Thankless,” than visiting a nursing home and having to visit through a window while talking to the individual, on a phone, and they not understanding, why you will not come inside. With tears in their eyes, you walk away with an ache in your heart and a sense of weariness in your spirit! Satan is having a “Field Day” with all the reasons that he provides to feel a sense of hopelessness and despair and self-pity! I know this because he has bombarded me with all his reasons to be sad and in total despair. Being a “Virtual” pastor, for much of this pandemic, has been difficult and has created many opportunities for “Weariness.” There is a reason why Jesus told us to “Assemble Together!” We lift one another’s burdens; we share in the joys of service, and we embrace the human “touch!” Isolation has become the default position for so many! It is in these times of “weariness” and “isolation,” that I have grown! There are so many reasons to be “Weary in Well Doing,” yet I know, and I am excited to embrace the fact that my God is the STRENGTH of my Heart, and He has Provided the Way and the means to OVERCOME and to continue to serve Him in Obedience and in the “Beauty of Holiness!” The Holy Spirit continues to direct me and to teach me the fact that God is my ROCK and even in an unstable and chaotic world, HE IS STILL IN CONTROL!! Praise God…HE is my PROVIDER, HE is my STRENGTH, and HE has PROMISED to keep me in HIS LOVE! Whether it be, “In-Person” or “Virtual,” I am committed to serve HIM and to continue to live my life as an example of HIS LOVE! How about you? In my humanity, I fail, however, when I walk with HIM, and I am guided and directed by HIM, I am NEVER GOING TO FAIL!!! I continue to shout to the rooftop and beyond… NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!!!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!