March 21 “ONE ACCORD…” Acts 1:13-14; 2:1
** 43 years ago, today, I met and fell in love with my Annette! On this date, 43 years ago, we had our FIRST date! Thank you, God for the blessing that is my Amazing Annette! Sweetheart, I love you more today than yesterday, and I look forward to loving you more tomorrow! Thank you for a great life together! FOUR – Glen… aka… Papa **
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Good morning from the Desk of Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, NC … “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:13-14)
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1)
The idea of “being of one mind and in one accord” is a beautiful concept that requires our focus to be on HIM, and not Ourselves! Every one of these individuals had a personality, an opinion, a talent, a calling! They came together, focused on Jesus, and were willing to submit their “egos” and their very existence to this amazing man called Jesus! When I visit in the Nursing Homes, in our area, and I see the sad conditions that some of these dear people are enduring, and then I am asked to deal with, and to referee the “petty” perceived problems of the daily banter between believers (and non-believers), I stand amazed! There are days when I wonder why I continue to “swim” against the Tide and attempt to guide adult children into the realization that the world does not revolve around them! Amazingly, I must guard myself from the tendency to think that I am more than I am. The “He Said, She Said” bantering between believers, with the idea that their position, in service, is the “righteous” position, and “jockeying” for prominence and position, can and will cause harm and difficulties within the “Fellowship,” when allowed to go unchecked! When these unique individuals gathered in the “Upper Room,” they were opinionated and determined, tested by fire, believers, still unique in their humanity and still committed to what they knew was correct, and were dedicated to spreading the Good News, yet they were willing to submit their egos, lives, attitudes, and plans to this man called Jesus! Harmony, in our personal lives, and in our public lives, is fully and completely determined by our relationship with this man called JESUS! When conflicts over process and procedures occur, look to Jesus for the way to proceed! When individuals speak harmful words towards you and act as if they wrote the holy Scriptures, remember to “turn the other cheek,” double down on prayer for them and ask, out loud, “WHAT WOULD MY JESUS DO?” I pray that my ramblings are getting through! I am excited when God’s people have passion and determination to achieve a goal or a task that brings folks closer to a “Saving Relationship” with Jesus Christ, and I pray that we will continue to recognize the “WHY” in our service and recognize the “WHO” that we serve and recognize the need to be in “ONE ACCORD!” A simple example: Several weeks ago, a dear brother and friend asked me to help with a “problem” that he was having with his church family. Apparently, there was a need to paint one of the worship rooms in the church building and there was great conflict over the entire process! So, he asked me to meet with him, the chair of the committee, the chair of the Deacons, and 2 of the ladies of the church decorating committee. (The idea that these “grown” adults needed an outsider to navigate and referee this simple decision was another problem in and of itself) Wow! At the outset of the meeting, it was organized chaos! The bantering back and forth became a bit heated as the conversations became a bit louder and louder until I spoke firmly and directly, “Please stop!” “Let’s go back to the very beginning. Let’s determine what we can all agree on. The basic concept is the need to paint the walls, is that correct? Then, we have established common ground, now the next step will be easy. Choose 2 colors, then narrow it down to one. Once the color has been chosen, let that be the end of the discussion!” I have simplified this experience, but the facts are clear! When we are motivated by HIS LOVE, and we are FOCUSED ON HIS WILL, then the banter and challenges between us can be solved by FOCUSING on HIM, HIS WILL, HIS PURPOSE, and OBEYING HIS CALL, not our own! WE ARE CALLED TO BE “BRIGHT LIGHTS” IN THIS DARK AND DISMAL WORLD, AND WE ARE TO REFLECT THE LOVE OF GOD, NOT CONFLICT AND CHAOS! Mark 12:30-31 sums up the focus, attitude, and practical application of this message… Pay Attention: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!