PERSONAL COMMITMENT
July 23 Personal Commitment James 4:7-8
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)
Who is in charge, of your life? Who has your loyalty and devotion? Who do you look to for authority and guidance for your living? James is pointing out that we, want to serve God, yet we allow the Devil to have authority over our lives. We must choose who we will follow! Through the Blood of Jesus, our God has provided the ability to stand up against the wiles of the Devil, as he creates temptations, within our lives. Under the Redeeming Blood of Jesus, we are no longer controlled by the power of sin, nor are we helpless against Satan and his minions. Praise God! We have the power and the authority to stand up and speak with Holy Power, to Satan and his henchmen, to get away and to “Flee” from us! When we choose to draw near to God and resist the wiles of Satan, the scriptures tell us that He (God) will move closer to us! Remember, we have the Victory! We just, have, to claim it! Live it! Share it! I choose to resist Satan, Claim God’s Promises of Victory and be confident in my personal devotion and commitment, each day of my life! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
ANNIVERSARIES FOR JULY 22, 2022
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
GRADY & BETTIE ANNE JOHNSON
FORGIVE, PERIOD!!
July 22 Forgive, Period! Mark 11:25
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him.” (Mark 11:25)
Jesus told His Disciples if they truly wanted to access God through their prayers, then they must forgive those that had hurt and abused them. Jesus pointed out that if they were unwilling to forgive their fellowmen, how could they expect to be forgiven by God? Every one of the commands of our God are for our benefit and one of the most important commands is to FORGIVE! Folks, I fully understand the extreme difficulty in forgiving those who have caused hurt and misery for our lives, however, I, also, recognize the liberating effects of forgiveness. I have held grudges and have languished in my “hurt” and every moment that I held on to the offense, I was causing great harm to my own relationship with my Jesus. Again, how can I expect my Lord to forgive me of my sins, when I am unwilling to forgive my offenders? Forgiveness has been one of the most difficult parts of my personal walk with Christ. Listen, when we forgive others, we are laying down the heavy burden of resentment, anger, and broken relationships. In order, for us to grow in Jesus, we must tear down the barriers between us and God. When we forgive, we remove any obstacles for our own forgiveness! We live in a fractured and sinful world. You can count on being hurt and offended by the sinful and un-repented non-believers, and you can count on being hurt by professing believers, along this road of life! By that same logic, we will offend and hurt others, as well! So, WE MUST FORGIVE! FORGIVENESS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR GROWTH AND IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR FORGIVENESS! To access our God, through prayer, requires our complete forgiveness of others…No If’s, No And’s, No But’s…Just Forgive!! Forgive those who have hurt you and you will see the freeing results of God’s Love, as it is exercised in your behaviors and your attitudes! Let Go of The Hurt and Embrace the Healing that is Found in God’s Example of Forgiving Love: JESUS CHRIST!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JULY 21, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JIM ELLIS
JAMES FERRELL
KIM JEFFREYS
COMMITMENT
July 21 Commitment Proverbs 16:3
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Many years ago, when I was a boy, we had a terrible ice storm that crippled travel, and stopped everything. Daddy pulled out the old kerosene heater, you know the type, a round body with a cooking surface on the top, and fired it up, and we had warmth. Since we lived in the country, and had a well, and no electricity, we didn’t have water. So, Daddy and I set out to the low hanging roof line of one of the barns, to break off icicles to make water (the “old folks” wanted coffee, so off we went). The ground was covered in ice and snow and walking was treacherous, but Daddy told to me to walk in his footsteps, and I would be okay. “Remember, walk in my steps!” I remember the joy in my heart and the excitement of that moment, as I took each step, knowing that I was walking in Daddy’s footsteps and that we were doing this task together. Wow! When I think back to those days gone by, and I understand the profound message of that experience, I am more excited for this memory! Believers, our joy isn’t found in the easy parts of life, or the balmy and pleasant weather of our existence, our joy, our assurance, is found when we walk in the footsteps of our God, with our eyes focused on Him! When I was stepping in the prepared steps of my earthly Father, I was walking with confidence that I was going to be fine! As I walk in the ordained steps of my Savior, I know that I am going to be fine! We must stay focused of God’s path for our lives, and we must continue to walk in His path, and we must continue to grow strong and confident in His love, Grace, and provision! When we surrender totally to God’s Amazing Grace, then He will order our steps and direct our paths and He will walk with us, regardless of the conditions around us! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
ANNIVERSARIES FOR JULY 20, 2022
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
H.E. & PHYLLIS EDWARDS
FEAR OR FAITH?
July 20 Fear or Faith? Isaiah 41:10
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
God’s Word makes it crystal clear; we are not to fear! Now, in our humanity, we all experience times of fear and the dread that is associated with fear! So, how are we to live without fear? The reality is that Fear exists, yet we are not to allow Fear to dominate our lives and control our future! I am talking about this thing called Fear because many of us are struggling with the reality and wondering how to overcome the issue. Recently, a dear lady asked me how she was to overcome her fear and to live for Jesus, the way that she knew that she should. I told her to recognize that Fear exists and go to God in prayer, asking for victory over the darkness and Fear that is real and difficult, in her life. I told her that Faith in God, and His promises for victory, will allow her to overcome her fears and to grow in His Grace. Daddy used to preach that, “When your Faith increases, your doubts and fears will decrease!” Folks, allow the “Light of God’s Word” to penetrate the darkness of your lives and claim His Power, Provision, Presence and Strength and boldly live your life in order to Honor God and to be a “Light” for God, in this dark and dismal world! I can hear my Daddy now, “Recognize the Fear and do it anyway! God has you in His Hands!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JULY 19, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KIM PRIVETTE
TRACY GILMORE
TRIBULATION, JOY, AN OVERCOMING VICTORY
July 19 Tribulation, Joy, An Overcoming Victory John 16:33
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, NC… “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Yesterday’s devotion dealt with the impossible becoming possible, through the power of Almighty God. Today, I continue to claim His Power for our living and to remind us of the victory that is ours through the shed blood of Jesus! When you observe the worldwide chaos and the traumatic activities of a world racked by evil and satanic activities, it is easy to feel a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the insanity. Jesus spoke to His Disciples, with the knowledge that they were about to face some “real world” challenges and persecutions, and He would not be with them. Jesus spoke these words of promise to them, and He speaks these powerful words to us, right now, today! Praise God! God loved us enough that He sent Jesus to die for our sins and when we accept His selfless gift of redemption and claim Him as Lord and Savior, then, because He has overcome the world, and we are His, then, because of His Blood that covers our sins, we too, are OVERCOMERS! So, fellow believer, LIVE LIKE AN OVERCOMER!! Challenges are real, difficulties are happening, and sin exists in this world, yet, we need not fear…BECAUSE WE HAVE VICTORY FOR LIVING THROUGH JESUS AND HIS GRACE AND WE ARE OVERCOMERS! Let me say it again!!! WE ARE OVERCOMERS! WE ARE OVERCOMERS!! Claim the Victory and live victorious, not from our own power, but the “Overcoming Power of our God!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BESST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR JULY 18, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
ZACK SCOTT
JUSTIN WHITLEY
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
BEN & RHONDA GREEN
THE IMPOSSIBLE MADE POSSIBLE
July 18 The Impossible Made Possible Mark 10:27
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And Jesus looking upon them saith, with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)
I absolutely love this promise from my Savior! There are times, especially in recent days, that I have been bewildered and overwhelmed by the challenges of the day and have had a sense of being defeated and I Praise God that this promise of God, spoken by my Savior, has brought me back to the reality of my living! When I remember God’s great Love for me, and all of the promises that He provides and the necessity to be what He has called me to be, well, all of the blues and defeated attitudes simple disappear and I am ready and re-energized to take on the impossible, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit! Alone, I am weak, but through my God, I have strength to overcome and to live for Him with power and assurance and with the humanly impossible, becomes absolutely and totally possible through my God! Remember the VICTORY PRINCIPLE? “I affirm that God’s power is rising in me, renewing, and healing my body, bringing power to my mind, giving me success in my work. I affirm health, energy, enthusiasm, the joy of life! All of this I owe to Jesus Christ, mu Lord and Savior. He has given me the VICTORY PRINCIPLE for which I thank Him every day!” I continue to Praise God for making the IMPOSSIBLE, completely POSSIBLE, in my walk with Him! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JULY 17, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
SONNY TRIPPE
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
July 17 The Future Looks Bright James 1:12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, NC… “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)
Many years ago, while attending Revival services at Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, October 21, 1991, and the speaker, Reverend Shannon Scott, said something that has “stuck” with me since that night. He said, “If you accept Jesus, this is the worst you will ever have it. If you deny Jesus, this is the best you will ever have it!” As I thought about these words, and as I was going through a difficult time in my life, the words of promise, that I use and continue to use, were born in my life! THE BEST IS YET TO BE! For me; as a Child of God, this statement is absolutely and powerfully, true! An unfathomable love that comes directly from the Heart of God, has been poured out on Humanity and that Love provides the conduit to re-establish a relationship with Almighty God, through the sacrificial shed Blood of Jesus, and, simply accepting and claiming this cleansing and saving Grace of God, we are blessed, and we are empowered to endure and to overcome! I claim the Victory that is mine and I accept the Grace of my Jesus and I commit my life to Him, and I am dedicated to “endure” until I am in the presence of my Savior and my God! What my brother said 30+ years ago, is so true today…“If you accept Jesus, this is the worst you will ever have it. If you deny Jesus, this is the best you will ever have it!” So, my attitude, my living, my hope, is found in Jesus and I will shout it to the rooftop for as long as I am here, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!! Because of Jesus and the Great Love of God the Father, I can say without any doubt…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! I pray that you can declare the same message for your life!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE ABSOLUTE AND UNQUESTIONABLE BEST IS YET TO BE!!!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR JULY 16, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KATRINE HAYNES
JAMIE JEFFREYS
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
JERRY & PAIGE RICHARDSON
HEARING WITH OUR HEARTS
July 16 Hearing with Our Hearts Psalm 94:17-19
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 94:17-19)
There are times when the circumstances and challenges of this life approaches maximum capacity. The “Clatter” and “Rattling” of the worldly noises and the constant pulling of our mind and body, in multiple directions, and we find ourselves trying to survive and, not willingly, living out the words of Paul, when he said that the things that he should do, he does not do them and the things that he should not, well, he does them. Throughout the trials and challenges of my life, I have depended on the Strength of my Jesus to walk with me and to sustain me in every encounter. There have been times, unfortunately, when the challenges of live have encircled me and the noise of the many voices that call my name, I find it difficult to hear the VOICE that I NEED to HEAR! Just as the Psalmist, in the scripture today, I have “walked in silence and have felt that my foot was slipping,” as I navigate through this life. Praise God for the Blessed Holy Spirit! In my prayer time, He listens to my cries, and He hears my needs, and He is there to lift my burdens and ease my pains, so why do I not spend more time, with Him, to receive His promises? As for me, I find myself, so busy, attempting to hear Him, with my human consciousness, and fail to connect on the proper level, necessary for direct and clear, uninterrupted communication. You see, I MUST be HEARING WITH MY HEART! As a pastor, I am called to carry the burdens of so many and to stay connected to our God and to do it with a smile on my face and an encouraging word for all. The reality is, that I am only human, and I struggle with the same challenges and issues as every church member. In my quiet time, I began to reflect on the challenges that I face, and I realized that you are facing the same challenges and it is ESSENTIAL for us to remain focused on Jesus, and His Love and Promises in order, to survive this world. Guess what? We are too BLESSED to be STRESSED! “I affirm that God’s power is rising in me, Renewing and healing my body, Bringing power to my mind, Giving me success in my work. I affirm health, energy, enthusiasm, the joy of life. All of this I owe to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He has given me the VICTORY PRINCIPLE for which I thank HIM EVERY DAY!” I know that you struggle and are challenged, just like me, so, join me in claiming God’s Love, His Power and His Provision, and Live the VICTORY PRINCIPLE, every single day! “NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY…GET BEHIND ME AND LEAVE ME ALONE!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 07/15/22
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
CLAYTON HARGREAVES
CLAIMING HIS PROMISE
July 15 Claiming His Promise Matthew 6:33
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Are you a worrier? Do you focus on the problems of life, and forget the solution? Mama used to tell me to “Give it to Jesus!” She would say it with such conviction and with such expectation, that I wondered what she knew that I didn’t. Finally, after several encounters, I ask her how it was that she seemed to be resistant to deep worry and that it appeared that she was insulated from the day to day worries that afflict us all. Her response was priceless… She said that “Jesus said that we were not to worry about what we would eat or drink or wear or the essentials of our lives. God loves us and He has promised that He would take care of us. We are to focus on the real deal of living. We must focus on the ‘Truths’ of God and our relationship with Him.” Folks, that day was a changing point for my life. I realized the “real life” application of God’s Word for my life, and I understood the importance of our growing relationship with our Savior. God has promised that He would take care of the essentials of life and that I am to concentrate on living a Fruit Producing Life that brings Him Honor and Glory! Philippians 4:6 states it so clearly… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Don’t worry, be focused on Jesus and be grateful for His provision and His sustaining Love. Claim His Promise, Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR JULY 14, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
SARAH O’NEAL
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LATE TO:
SAM & SHELLEY MORRIS
HIS Great Love.......
July 14 HIS Great Love… John 15:13
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
In 1 John 4:8, John wrote to the early church that “God is Love!” Christianity is the only earthly belief system that, has at its foundation, the reality of Loving One Another! Love is the key. Love is the central part of our God’s very nature and existence. It is because of God’s amazing Love that He sought a vital relationship with sinful men and women, even at the cost of His Only Begotten Son. It was this GREAT LOVE that brought Jesus to the Cross and it was this amazing Love that Jesus demonstrated, on that old Cross, is the reality of God’s GREAT LOVE for us! So, when Jesus says that; “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” it is a statement of our requirement to Love God and our Neighbor! Our Jesus, willingly and with divine purpose, went to the Cross and suffered and died for our sins and this is the Greatest Act of Love that the world has ever known!! Jesus came because God Loves us and Jesus, in His Love for Mankind, was willing to be the one, true, and final blood sacrifice for our sins! That, my friends, is LOVE. I am excited to be a part of that “Shed Blood Experience” and to call Jesus, friend. As my friend, I am in communication with Him, and to have Him share in my burdens, and grateful that He intercedes, with the Father, on my behalf. The reality is clear, we are to Love God, Embrace and claim His Love through Jesus and to GO and SHARE this LOVING RELATIONSHIP and this LOVING FRIENDSHIP with everyone that we meet!! Thank you God for Loving me enough to “Lay Down Your Son’s Life For ME!” IT IS ALL ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR US!! DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! (Re-print)