PRAY, PRAY, PRAY .........
December 7 Pray, Pray, Pray… James 4:7-8
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come and CELEBRATE with us … **
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** 81 years ago, in the early hours of a new day, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the US Navy base, and the Hickam Airfield, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that ushered the United States into World War II. **
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Congratulations to Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia for his win in the US Senate race in Georgia. I believe, despite the chatter from some chronic victims and their “offended” mentality, that Dr. Martin Luther King would be pleased that in a deep South State, that two black men competed to represent Georgia, in the United States Senate! Maybe, just maybe, there has been progress in our attitudes, perceptions, and realities!
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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.” (James 4:7-8)
My Prayer Closet is, literally, a closet. I go into the closet, and I come near to God through prayer. When I am weary and worn, from ministry and obedience, I come close to God through prayer. When I am excited and upbeat and feeling blessed, I come close to God in Prayer! Are you sensing a pattern? Prayer is the absolute Key to success as a Christian and for our walk in Obedience. Prayer time is a special time and I covet my time alone with my Lord and Savior. Amazingly, I have expanded my Prayer Closet to include our front porch, my car, and my lawnmower. “Praying always…,” that is what He expects! Jesus was human, yet Divine. This concept is difficult for us to absorb; however, He WAS a man, and He IS the Son of God. Jesus prayed to the Father for guidance and strength and for comfort and for the completion of His Divine Mission! If Jesus prayed and recognized the necessity for prayer, and was dedicated to the communication with His Father, don’t you think that we should do the same? How do we submit ourselves to God? WE ARE TO PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! WE ARE TO RESIST THE DEVIL!! Again, WE ARE TO PRAY, PRAY, PRAY… The Greatest Gift that Mankind has Ever Received is the GIFT OF GOD’S LOVE IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST! Let this Christmas Season be the time that you realize the beauty of the gift and embrace Jesus completely! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
REAL & LASTING PEACE
December 6 Real and Lasting Peace Colossians 3:15
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come and CELEBRATE with us … **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
When Paul wrote these words, the only peace that the people were familiar with, was the peace that came through conquest, by Caesar and the Roman Empire and its armies. So, here comes this fellow named Paul, and he is talking about the “Peace of Christ,” and this Peace should “rule in your hearts.” Think about it… Caesar brought a perceived Peace through “Might” and “Conquest,” yet, this Christ, that Paul speaks of, brings Peace that is described as “Mercy and Humility and Love and seems to be about a personal experience, not a conquering force and domination. As I contemplate the environment of Paul’s day, I see how these folks would have difficulty with this “Peace” thing. We have a natural tendency to attempt to “make Peace” in our lives by being more assertive and attaining more power and leverage. Notice, that the Followers of Jesus were different! They recognized that the only true and lasting way to bring “Peace,” is through “Peace!” I believe that this lesson is vital and critical in our, present day, survival! Evil, Chaos, and Total Insanity has taken hold of our world and, it appears that the goal is to disrupt and to destroy any “Peace” that we might enjoy! Paul said, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Model your life after Jesus and allow Him to “Rule” in your heart and be Grateful for His Blessings, Guidance and His Real and Lasting PEACE, regardless of the worldly circumstances! The Source of Real and Lasting Peace is Jesus Christ, and HIM ALONE! Isaiah 9:6 tells us… “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR DECEMBER 5, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
BRUCE WHITLEY
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
“MISS” MARGARET ANDREWS (IN HEAVEN) & MR. HAROLD ANDREWS (WAITING TO SEE HER AGAIN)
"AM I ALONE IN THIS?"
December 5 “Am I Alone in This?” Hebrews 6:19
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come and CELEBRATE with us … **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “This Hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil.” (Hebrews 6:19)
There are days when I am satisfied that I must be going crazy! I have asked myself if I am the only one that feels this way and am I the only one that sees the craziness and insanity that is going on! We are all faced with the realities of life, whether we acknowledge it or not. The challenges that come from a “New” normal; that has been thrust upon us, and all that goes with it, creates upheaval and descent in our thoughts and actions. Dealing with the insanity and the “Storms” of life cause us to become disillusioned and become a bit fearful. There are times when we feel as if we are adrift in the middle of a raging storm with no “Safe Port” in sight. Folks, I am here to declare that WE DO have HOPE! We need to ANCHOR DEEP! Our ANCHOR is JESUS CHRIST, and HE IS OUR HOPE!! HE is firm and strong and secure and, if we are to navigate through all the craziness of this present age, we MUST be firmly and securely attached to our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! You have heard me use this before: “In times like these, you need a Savior, In times like these you need an Anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, Your Anchor holds and grips the SOLID ROCK! This ROCK is JESUS, yes, He’s the ONE; This ROCK is JESUS, the ONLY ONE! Be very sure, be very sure, Your Anchor holds and grips the SOLID ROCK!” In times like these, we really do need that ROCK, which is JESUS CHRIST (HE is the REASON for the SEASON)! So, the answer to the question is clear…NO, you are not going crazy; crazy things are happening, however, when we anchor deep in the promises of Jesus, HE WILL HOLD US, SECURELY AND STEADFASTLY, UNTIL THE STORM PASSES BY!! I am clinging to the anchor, which is my Savior, and when I feel confused and a sense of despair, I grip that anchor rope that gives me peace and strength and ETERNAL HOPE! I pray that you will “ANCHOR DEEP,” and grab hold of the HOPE, read John 3:16 and embrace the HOPE that is found, only in Jesus! Remember – You Are Not Alone!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!
"FAITH"
December 3 “Faith” James 2:20
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come… **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that FAITH without works is dead?” (James 2:20)
We are entering a season of celebration for the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ! The Holy Scriptures share the Reason for this Season, and our opportunity to participate in the Love of God! God Loves Us, Jesus Died for Us, and We Come to a Saving Experience, Through Faith in His Love, His Selfless Act at Calvary, and His Promises to Save and Keep Us! Faith is the KEY! Every one of us has Faith in something! Faith in and of itself will never be as critically important as the object of our FAITH! We dwell in a world where faith is everywhere, yet, tragically, Faith is placed on all the wrong things! God has called us to be “People of FAITH!” Strong, Active, Extraordinary, Life Changing FAITH. What we do, and how we do it, is a visible manifestation of our FAITH! Our FAITH should be visible and clear to everyone around us. You see, genuine FAITH will always reveal itself! True FAITH is always visible and True FAITH WILL ALWAYS PRODUCE “FRUIT!!” FAITH on the inside will always produce “Fruit (Good Works).” There are multiple examples of True and Fruit Producing Faith throughout the Holy Scriptures. We see the Faith of Joseph as he persevered and forgave his brothers (Genesis 39-48). We see strong Faith as David was swinging his “Slingshot” to, by Faith, take down the giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-50). Faith was demonstrated when Isaiah spoke boldly: “Here I am! Send me! (Isaiah 6:8).” The point of all this is to reveal the absolute truth; our good works uncovers our FAITH and FAITH always produces results, and the results of our Faith will lead others to a FAITH in God and will Glorify our Father God and His Son, Jesus! During these difficult days, it is so easy to become discouraged! How do we survive? We “Hunker Down” and continue to walk in True and Life-Changing FAITH! FAITH that stimulates obedience, FAITH that perseveres, even when we are confronted by fatigue and discouragement and disappointment, FAITH that Forgives wrongs and FAITH that gives us Power to do things that we would not normally do! In Mark 11:22, it gives the answer to the chaos of our day, when it says, “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘HAVE FAITH IN GOD!’” Put your trust in GOD and HIS LOVE, through JESUS CHRIST! Keep producing “Fruit!” Keep sharing the LOVE of JESUS! Keep Trusting HIS POWER and PROVISION for your life! HAVE FAITH IN GOD! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
GOD KNOWS .....
December 2 God Knows… 2 Corinthians 5:17
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come… **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Several years ago, I was hiking the trails of the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, with a couple of my buddies, and we decided that we were going to break the rules and climb the cliff. I began the climb, and my buddies were beside of me, and we were excited to make this happen. I was almost to the top, and I realized that I was the only one there. My buddies had quietly stopped climbing and slid back down to the riverbank. Then it happened! I began to feel the ground give way under my feet and the dirt began to shift and I could feel myself rapidly moving downwards towards the river, with nothing between me and the rapid moving waters of the Neuse River. What was I to do? As I slid down the 90’ face of this obstacle, I quickly realized that I had a choice. I could dismiss the fall, I could deny the fall, I could succumb to the fall, or I could deal with it! The descent towards the river was eye-opening. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a Park Ranger observing my dilemma. As I descended, I shouted out to him, “I am sorry!” The river began to get closer and closer, and I was scrambling to figure out a path to avoid being wet. “Please Lord, help me!” Just before I was about to be completely engulfed by the raging river, I grabbed hold of a little tree, growing out of the riverbank, and I finally stopped my slide. The first face that I saw was the Ranger! He had a smile on his face, and he reached out his hand to assist me into a more secure location. Boy oh boy, did I feel guilty! “I didn’t think that you were around,” I said to the Ranger. He chuckled and said that “he was always around!” Somehow, the Ranger could tell that we were going to be up to “no good,” so he trailed us to our destination. As I reflect on this experience, I realize that my God is always around, and I have no secrets from Him. My actions, my thoughts, my motivations, my emotions, are never a secret to Him. My act of climbing the cliff was wrong! I could not deny it, I could not distort it, I could not dismiss it! The Ranger asked my name and where I lived. Politely, I answered every question. He looked at me and spoke these words, “Are you going to ever do this again?” My rapid response was, “No Sir!” I apologized for my actions, and he was very kind in his response. Who would have thought that, in just a few years, I would be working for him, at the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. Wow! What a Jesus moment! I knew better, yet I did it anyway! When I got caught, I felt so much guilt! Again, I knew better, and did it, anyway! Isn’t that the definition of guilt? Guilt is a healthy regret for telling God one thing and doing another! There are no secrets from God! Don’t even try to hide anything from Him! We are weak and vulnerable, and we must depend on Him for our survival. The simple message for today is: Realize that God is everywhere, and our feeble human attempts to hide our actions is futile. We must confess our shortcomings and ask for His Grace and Forgiveness and His Guidance to avoid the errors of our human thoughts and actions. By the way, I had a healthy regret for the decision to climb the cliff, especially when I fell! Please aspire to follow God and to be obedient to His calling! This may seem a bit odd to speak of a summer activity, as we approach the celebration of Christmas, however, the fact that our God loves us enough to send Jesus to save us, and that HE knows our actions, thoughts, and motivations, and HE is everywhere, all the time, should motivate us to Live for HIM, every day, in every way! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Sidenote: My “buddies” saw the Ranger and they ran away, leaving me to deal with the issues. They left the Park and left me, Thank God, “High and Dry!”
BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER 1, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
ELIZABETH HOCUTT
EMMA MAIDON
JUAN TRIPPE
REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD
December 1 “Rejoice and be Exceeding Glad” Matthew 5:12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)
Do you remember singing this song: “I’ve got joy, joy, joy, joy, down deep in my heart?” Can we really have JOY, in the face of this present age and the Anti-God atmosphere? Can we REJOICE, in the midst, of all this chaos and Evil? How can Jesus expect us to be JOYFUL in this situation? Here is the ANSWER! Real JOY is only possible when we have an active and growing relationship with JESUS CHRIST! You see, Real JOY is a by-product of our growing FAITH in the ONE that never fails and never Disappoints, and Promised, that HE would never Forsake us! When our focus is on the One who has SAVED US and WILL SUSTAIN US, then, we can have JOY in any situation and in any challenge! Guess what? TRUE JOY is much more than “Earthly Pleasures!” TRUE JOY originates with Almighty God and is an expression of our GRATITUDE for HIS LOVE that HAS SAVED US and has MADE US ACCEPTABLE in HIS SIGHT! We are going to have persecutions and trials and tribulation, however, as “BORN-AGAIN” CHILDREN OF GOD, we are made “OVERCOMERS,” through HIS LOVE AND GRACE!! Listen, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When we are in Christ, and we belong to HIM, then, we are, also, OVERCOMERS, and that gives us the Power and Ability to REJOICE AND TO BE EXCEEDING GLAD! As Mama would tell me… “JUST DO IT!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BE BLESSED
November 30 “BE BLESSED” Numbers 6:24-26
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “The Lord bless thee and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Trusting in the “Goodness” of God and the Promises of His Grace, I am praying that you are Growing and Maturing in the Love of God, Through Jesus Christ and that You are Praising God every day and that You are making a difference in this dark and evil world! It is my desire for you, to be blessed, to enjoy the presence of God and His Blessings and to embrace His Peace. Please encourage others to “Be Blessed,” to Embrace His Love and to Live “Under the Blood” of our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! A dear lady, Mrs. Peggy Wilder, that I respect greatly, has a “saying,” that inspires me every time that I read one on her posts, on Facebook. She ends her words with, “Feeling blessed more blessed & blessed again!” The message for today is simple: BE WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AND LIVE ABOVE THE EARTHLY CIRCUMSTANCES AND RECOGNIZE THE POWER THAT WE HAVE, TO BE OVERCOMERS. ENCOURAGE OTHERS, TEACH OTHERS, BE AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS, FORGIVE OTHERS, LOVE OTHERS AND FULFILL YOUR PART IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD! As Miss Peggy says, “Feeling blessed more blessed & blessed again!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
DELIGHT IN THE LORD
November 29 Delight in the Lord Psalm 37:4
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
“Delight” is an interesting word. It has such a deeper meaning than what we might think. “Delight” is followed by “Also,” in today’s scripture passage. It implies that our “Delight” is to be greater than our present capacity and expanding to be more our present “Delight!” Our Call, Our Duty, Our Privilege is to “Delight in the Lord!” We do this, by rejoicing in the Lord and to come before Him with Thanksgiving and Anticipation of His Gracious Provision. Desires are things that we want to receive. It is sort of like your desires for Christmas and the “loot’ that you will haul in! For our desires to be fulfilled, we must have hearts that are sincere and dedicated and committed to His will for our lives. You see, in God, what we are to do is “Delight,” then what we receive is “Desires,” as they become one. We must align our delighting and desiring, so that it honors Him and that our focus is on His Grace, His Promises, His Glory, and His “Desires” for our lives! God has promised, to us, the “Desires” of our Hearts, however, it requires our dedicated commitment and surrender to HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES! Relationship is KEY! I pray that you will embrace His Promises and live to bring honor and glory to God! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
THE CHRISTMAS BOX
November 28 “The Christmas Box” James 1:17
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
It was Christmas 1963, and this, seven years old, was excited about the prospects of a real “haul” come Christmas Day. My list completed, and a letter sent to Santa, I was ready to collect! My parents told me that this might be a small Christmas, because of the medical bills that they were dealing with. The entire nation was dealing with reduced expectations and feeling a sense of loss. President John Kennedy had been killed on November 22, 1963, and the entire country was trying to come to some sense of normalcy. Regardless of all of that “Grown-up Stuff,” I grew more excited, by the day! One of the highlights, of every Christmas, was the present that I always received from my Uncle Marvin. He was like a second Daddy to me, and he always gave the best gifts! The day came and Uncle Marvin was due any minute, and my excitement was overflowing. I was apparently extremely annoying to my mother, because she told me to get still and sit down somewhere. No sooner had I dropped into a chair, I heard his truck. Could it be? Is he really, here? This, eleven months, and three weeks wait, as always, would be worth it! Sure enough, Uncle Marvin bounds through the door bearing gifts for all. Mama received a beautiful scarf, and some leather gloves and Daddy got a tie and socks. Wait a dadburn minute! Where is my present? His bag was empty! I knew that Mama would have a spell if I asked, “Where is my present?” So what! I was willing to risk it! “Uncle Marvin, where is my present?” “You know that I have not forgotten you! Come outside with me!” We went to the truck, and he pointed to the back, where there was a large red wooden box, with a lid. What could he have gotten for me that required a strong wooden box to carry it in? He and Daddy took the box from the truck and took it inside of the house. I was “beside” myself, wanting, speculating, and anticipating the amazing gift that must be inside of this sturdy frame. We got inside, and I am jumping around like a bug on a hot rock, and Uncle Marvin said, “What do you think?” I said, “can I open it?” “Sure!” So, the long, awaited moment, had come; I slowly removed the wooden lid from this “treasure” box, only to find a box full of “empty!” Where, was the present? Uncle Marvin said, “How do you like it?” Like what? I thought to myself! There is nothing inside. Then the reality became clear! This red wooden box with the heavy wooden lid, was THE PRESENT! Having been brought up to be grateful (remember the chocolate covered cherry incident), or at least show it, I said, “Thank you Uncle Marvin!” On the inside, I was saying, “where are my toys that you always give?” Christmas passed, and the wooden disappointment sat in the corner of my room, next to my closet. On New Year’s Day 1964, I was really bored, and I took the lid from the box and crawled inside of this empty box, only to discover that this might be fun. Suddenly, I was sitting in the cockpit of a jet fighter, then, without any stress, I was driving a tank, across a riverbed. I discovered an amazing gift that day! Initially, what seemed to be an empty box; became a racecar, a jet fighter, a tractor-trailer truck. My imagination was in overdrive. Suddenly, I understood the gift that Uncle Marvin had given to me! It wasn’t a box full of empty, but a vehicle, to put reality to, my imagination! Wow! What I once thought was a nothing gift, became the best present that I had ever received, up to that date. Many Christmases have passed, Mama and Daddy and Uncle Marvin are now with Jesus, but each Christmas, I stop and think of that red wooden box, and it reminds me that we should never overlook the simple blessings, while seeking the “Big Deal!” Uncle Marvin made that box with his own hands and every board and nail, were fashioned together with love. God loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus, to be born into an “empty” stable. From a human perspective, not much of a gift, however, He was the BEST GIFT EVER!! This Christmas, please remember the reason for the season and rejoice for the Gift of Grace! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND WITHOUT DOUBT, YET TO BE! (Re-Print, Because I Love the Reality of this Life’s Lesson, for my Life!)
BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER 27, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KAYLA SCOTT
KENNETH JONES
LEON JONES
ANTICIPATION
November 27 Anticipation 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
** HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL! Kayla, Mama, and I love you with all our hearts! You are a True Blessing! Enjoy Your SPECIAL DAY **
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** The BTC CHRISTMAS CANTATA is December 11, 2022, during the morning worship hour!
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Somewhere around the middle of October, I used to concentrate on what Santa would bring to me on Christmas. Now, I would keep it to myself, although, my anticipation of the Happy Season would build, until it simply had to come out! I recall leaving little hints or dropping my desires into the conversations with my parents. Each day seemed to get longer and longer, as I anticipated the wonderful day! Finally, it came time for me to share my wants and desires with my folks. Christmas has always been a time of anticipation for me, and it is no different for Kayla, DJ, and Ava! During the “Pandemic,” Annette and I attempted to keep our lives as close to normal as possible while heeding the warnings from medical professionals. As I have reflected on the reality of this present time, this scripture came to mind. In my earthly thoughts, I am anticipating the time of fellowship and celebration and Christmas cheer with my little family, however, I have ruminated on the greater joy, the greater blessings, the greater Promises of God, for the Followers of Christ! We can only imagine the amazing blessings and the preparations for the future that, we as believers, are going to enjoy, in the fullness of time. I am going to relish every moment, this Christmas, with my family and friends, yet, with the Hope of Eternal Joy and a Hallelujah Celebration that is to come, when I stand in His Presence! Why am I excited? Why am I anticipating that Glorious Day? The answer is simple: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” I am ready and I am anticipating all that God has in store for me, through the Redeeming Blood of His Only Son… HOPE for the Future, CONFIDENCE in HIS PROMISES, DEPENDENCE on HIS GRACE…I am ready, willing, and able! Commit today, to serve God, to be what He has called you to be and be excited about what is to come! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER 26, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
ANNETTE BROCK (65th)
NOAH JUSTICE
DONALD RAGAN (1st Cousin)
“Be Strong”
November 26 “Be Strong” Joshua 1:9
HAPPY 65th BIRTHDAY TO MY BRIDE, MY BEST FRIEND AND MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE! ANNETTE, I LOVE YOU to the Moon and back… (FOUR-ever)!
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of Good Courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!” (Joshua 1:9)
Circumstances change, opportunities come and go, situations are fluid, however, the Love of God and His Promises for us, and His instructions to us, are eternal and consistent! I think about the situation with Joshua. Moses, the amazingly great leader, deliverer, and interceder for the Hebrew people, was dead, yet GOD WAS NOT! There was ole Joshua, Moses’ successor. What was he to do? Joshua could not dwell on the past, nor live in the past! He had to look to the future and to keep moving forward. God wants us to learn from the past, as we look to the future, as we live in the present! In the light of our present situation, I am excited to claim His Promises, to be STRONG and to BE OF GOOD COURAGE and not be FEARFUL or CONFUSED! Praise God, our LORD is with us wherever we go! A SOLID PROMISE FOR A POSITION SHIFTING WORLD! As we travel through these uncertain times, claim His Promises, and keep looking to the future with hope and confidence and with the assurance of His Grace and His Mercies and His Power! Remember, when we walk in God’s Presence, we have HIS POWER, PEACE, PROVISION, and HIS BLESSINGS! As we face this “Present Pandemic Crisis,” Don’t overreact, Don’t Panic; Don’t be Afraid; Don’t look back…With the Promise of His Overcoming Power, Seize the moment, keep moving forward! GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH US YET!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!