August 4 All In… 1 John 2:5-6
**WELCOME to 4 New Members to the BTC Family! WALKER LANE, EMMA BAHM, KYLIE LILES, MIKE PEOPLES! Baptisms next Sunday…TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
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Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:5-6)
During my recent health issues, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my walk with Christ, and my fulfillment of His calling on my life. Wow! When I stopped and took a deep look at my actions, activities and attitude, I was not pleased. I serve a merciful and patient God who has provided an opportunity for me to have a glimpse into what the future can hold if I will truly surrender all and be more and more “CHRIST-LIKE!” How do we become more “CHRIST-LIKE?” The scriptures offer a compelling and simple way to mature in Christ! We are to be Obedient! The Apostle John specified that when you obey God and His word, it is undisputable evidence that God’s Love is being perfected in you! Everything that we do and say should be tempered in the obedience of the Father through the Son, depending on the guidance and leading of the Blessed Holy Spirit! Please keep this in mind as we serve God through the local church fellowship: Our opinions and our habits and our actions MUST REFLECT HIS LOVE AND ALL THAT WE DO MUST BE EDIFYING TO THE BODY OF CHRIST AND NOT FOR OUR OWN SELF-CENTERED DESIRES! Being “CHRSIT-LIKE” means that our opinions take a backseat to what is God’s will, and God’s will be for us to grow in Him, serve through Him and be Strong Witnesses for His Grace and Glory, and we will not be that example if our own attitudes and “feelings” are driving our decisions and actions! I pray that you will take a moment to decide how and why you serve and to allow the Holy Spirit to provide His holy thoughts and actions to dominate your life! Just last wee3k, a pastor friend called to check up on me, and he asked how I handle petty grievances within the fellowship of believers, and I told him the simple and only way to deal with the challenges, “I PRAY FOR THEM – THE ISSUES – AND I PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL MINISTER TO THEM – OPEN THEIR EYES and CAUSE THEM TO DECIDE TO BE “ALL-IN!” During this extended time of recovery, I have had the awesome opportunity to understand that the things that I deemed important, just a few short weeks ago, no longer hold any sway over me! Dear Friends, we are told that challenges and difficulties are going to be a part of our existence, but God has provided the opportunity for us to be “Sold-Out” to Him and that we have been provided the Power to Overcome and Flourish! Choose God, His Grace and Live it Every Day! I don’t know about you, but I am “ALL-IN!!!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!