BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR JANUARY 15, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JAMIE W. BUNN
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
DANNY & JOY PERRY (Great Neighbors)
PRAISING GOD, PERIOD!!
January 15 Praising God, Period!! Psalm 8:1-3, 9
**Satan uses individuals to bring his message of destruction and despair, and to thwart the cause of Christ, and he has brought his “A” game against me this past week! My response has been, and remains clear…NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!! ( The closer you grow, in Christ, and the more you serve, the greater his efforts to trip you up!! )**
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 9 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
One of the incredible blessings of God’s Grace, through Jesus Christ, is the Power of His Holy Name. Every day, in everything, I speak His Name! Living life in the 21st century requires so much more tolerance and effort and focus, in order to serve God in the most effective manner possible! Just yesterday, a well-meaning young lady, thinking that she had been ordained to “straighten me out,” shared her version of what I “Should be Doing” to change the local worldly circumstances! I listened with anticipation, hoping that she would offer some viable and notable answers to the present issues. Sadly, all she could offer was criticism of what I was failing to do, and she proclaimed, to the small audience that had assembled, that the issues were a direct result of “weak preaching!” Wow! How simple is the solution to all of our issues! Unfortunately, she is partially correct! We do experience weak pulpit proclamations, and we are experiencing “powerless” declarations that are based on “man created” thoughts and doctrines and have failed to proclaim the precious Name of Jesus! Try this… In everything that you do and everything that you encounter, claim the power of the name of Jesus! “As I face the challenges of this day, please hold me, guide me, and empower me to be a witness for You, while serving You in Truth and in Deed, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!” We all face challenges! We all experience difficulties! Every morning, I choose to declare this simple declaration of Faith… “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, and the joy of life! All of this I owe to Jesus Christ, my Lord, and my Savior! He has given me the Victory Principle for which I THANK Him, EVERY SINGLE DAY! NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!!! Continue to PRAISE GOD! CLAIM THE POWER OF HIS NAME and Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Because THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 01/14/2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
RICKIE DRIVER
DYLAN MELVIN
MARY LOU RICHARDSON
TRUE Deliverance
January 14 TRUE Deliverance Galatians 1:3-4
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Galatians 1:3-4)
Life in the 21st Century is busy! No one can deny that we are, as a society, so much busier than we were just a couple of decades ago. There is so much more going on that there doesn’t seem to be enough time to get everything accomplished. The World and all its distractions and activities, tend to take us away from being the True Christian that we should be! If we aren’t careful, we will allow the “World’s Standards and Expectations” to dictate out thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors! So, the question is, how do we “separate” lives while living in this EVIL and DEPRAVED world? Fellow Believers, we have some precious promised truths in today’s scripture passage. The first truth is that Jesus is our answer to the question of how we navigate through this Evil World! He has provided deliverance from bondage of this world’s temptations and has provided instructions to follow to make it through this age, while walking in obedience and achieving VICTORY over this Evil World! The next truth is profound!! Through the shed blood of JESUS CHRIST and the LOVE OF GOD, for us, HE has, indeed, brought deliverance from sin and He has provided guidance and leadership in the ability to lead righteous and godly lives, regardless of this world’s negative and destructive influences. It is God’s will for us to live Holy and Righteous lives and He has provided the necessary tools to do just that! We are His workmanship, and we are His Hands and Feet in this world, and we are to be about the Father’s Business! It is our responsibility to be what God has ordained for us to be! It is our decision to be strong and effective servants for Christ! It is our duty, our calling, our Hope, to be the best witness for Christ that we can be! Regardless of the negative and depraved influences of SATAN and this World, we are to BOLDLY CLAIM HIS PROMISES AND LIVE HOLY LIVES, WITH THE FIRM ASSURANCE THAT HE HAS BROUGHT TO US…HIS GRACE AND HIS COMFORTING PEACE!! What God does with you, IS UP TO YOU! It ALWAYS has been, it ALWAYS will be! Please stay in God’s Word; Stay of your Knees in Prayer and continue to Share the Good News of Jesus Christ, in Word and in Actions! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
POWER FAILURE
January 13 Power Failure Philippians 2:15
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “…so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky!” (Philippians 2:15)
Have you ever experienced a power failure? It is a terrible thing to be in a place where there is a power failure! Have you noticed that, in some areas, where there is a “Blackout,” evil individuals are running around, looting, and destroying personal property and, often times assaults and even murder occur? (Have you noticed that these evil actions always occur in the cover of darkness?) The common denominator for these activities is “DARKNESS!” This is a sad time, when this occurs, however, the saddest, and far worse, is when a Christian has a power failure and their light for Jesus goes out! Every time that we step away from the light into the darkness, trouble follows! Spiritual Power Failures have brought about a sad condition in our American homes and in our communities and in the actions and motivations of many! Why has this occurred? I believe that we have allowed our convictions and principles to be compromised to the point that it is, actually impossible, to tell if we ever had any, at all! There has never been a greater need for believers to have the courage of their convictions and stand strong in the face of worldly opposition and insanity! To accomplish this, we need to be in God’s Word, every day! To do this, we need to be praying daily; we need to be witnessing (by words and actions) daily! We need to allow the Holy Spirit, to provide us with the Power to stand and to be counted as those who are “Walking in the Light!” The Power of Almighty God needs to flow through us so that this dark and decaying world will see the Light of Jesus’ Love in us and turn from their evil ways! In John 3:19, Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Dear Fellow Believers, we need, we must be the “Light” of God that shines in this Dark and Dying World! Come on Believers, let’s do something about this Power Failure! God does not want: “FLASHLIGHTS” that go off or on, temporarily! “SPOTLIGHTS” designed to put light on self, or on one spot or “STOPLIGHTS” that indicates, no forward movement or “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS;” that just turn on, for special occasions. God wants us to be “FLOODLIGHTS,” and to “FLOOD” this world with the HEALING LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST,” by letting them see Him in our lives! Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” We have our calling, we have our instructions, we have the abilities and we the POWER! So, let’s “TURN ON” and let our Light shine brightly, into the DARKNESS of this world, like the “Stars in the Sky!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 01/12/23
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JON BENNETT
WES PRIVETTE
GLENN STRICKLAND
BE A PLANTER OF HOPE & PEACE
January 12 Be a Planter of Hope & Peace Hosea 10:12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)
Would you like to witness a miracle? Would you like to make a difference in the life of an individual? Well, try this: Plant a word of encouragement and love into that person’s life. Continue to nurture and cultivate it with a friendly smile and a committed prayer life, and watch what happens, before your eyes! Our culture has a habit of sowing negative and “hate-filled” rhetoric and the atmosphere of 21st century America is replete with divisions and chaos and unhealthy decisions and sadness and despair. Let’s be the purveyor of “Positive and Uplifting” words of Hope and Goodness! Try it… compliment your neighbor, send flowers to your spouse, visit a widow, be grateful to a waitress, speak a kind word to a stranger! Sowing seeds of His Love and His Peace is like sowing seeds! You do not know the mechanics of how it works; you just know that it does! Seeds of Kindness will produce kindness and the more we sow, the stronger we become and the greater the opportunity to “Share Jesus!” Random acts of Love and Kindness will always produce positive, lifechanging results! Keep Sowing, Keep Nurturing, Keep Believing and Continue to “Push Back the Darkness” in the lives of everyone that you encounter! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
TRY WISDOM
January 11 Try Wisdom Proverbs 4:7
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)
The year was 1964, and the Brock family moved into their new home, deep in the countryside of Eastern Wayne County. We began to settle into our isolation and all that the quietness brought to the experience. We noticed that our dog’s food was being eaten, but not by him. Spot would howl and moan and bark all night, and when you are in the middle of that much quiet, it was loud! Daddy decided that he would stay up and observe what was going on. What he discovered was interesting. He observed, at approximately 2:00am, a very brave and determined raccoon. Amazingly, my dog, Spot, would only howl and bark at this “Coon,” and did not offer to hurt or chase him away. For us, it became an issue, yet this ole coon seemed to enjoy the nightly trip to consume the free food. Daddy and I were up at the local general store, and Daddy mentioned this nightly visitor. One of the old farmers gave us some amazingly smart advice. He said, “That coon was there before you, and he is only doing what he knows, so I reckon you ought to try some tolerance.” He also suggested that we put out some food, just for him. So, that very night, Mama put together a smorgasbord of groceries for our visitor. Spot stopped howling and he was able to eat his own food and the raccoon, we named him, Ronnie, was perfectly content to peacefully coexist with this family that had invaded his living space. Why am I sharing this simple story? I believe that, as Followers of Christ, we are to respect each other and we are called to love each other and we need to be tolerant of the differences that we each enjoy, while exercising the Love of God, in each situation. As it worked out for “Ronnie,” and my family; there was amble room for us all, and, following the advice of the old farmer, we employed a little tolerance and respect, and “Ronnie” seemed to understand, and I have got to believe, appreciated the opportunity to tolerate each other. Mama’s groceries, on a regular basis, didn’t hurt! Folks, we share this world with different peoples, with different ways and thoughts and backgrounds and different missions, so, if we are to be in the position to “Share Jesus” with them, we must be in “Position” to “Get Along,” and establish a relationship that we facilitate our ability to SHARE! I have established relationships with others, that, on the surface, might seem odd and unlikely, yet, if I am to Share the Message of Christ with them, I must be patient and tolerant! Notice that I didn’t say that I had to agree with their politics or social thoughts or their behaviors. My purpose, my goal, my desire, as a believer, is to be in position to honor God’s calling and to be obedient to that call! It requires wisdom to navigate through a world that is consumed by Evil, yet, God has promised that we can be and should be and must be prepared to serve! Our mission is Jesus, and we must have the attitude of service and devotion to him! This is not about us, or how “WE” feel; it is totally about Him and our obligation to Share with others! Listen, He has promised…James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all liberally, and unbraided not; and it shall be given him.” When you ask for “Wisdom,” HE WILL PROVIDE!! Equipped with the tools to serve, we must press on to fulfill our calling! “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).” Remember “Ronnie” and try a little WISDOM, PATIENCE, and TOLERANCE in your relations with others, while staying focused and true to your commitments, convictions, and your mission! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Triumph
January 10 Triumph 2 Corinthians 2:14
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Many years ago, I played on a softball team that started out, well, the worst team in the entire softball league (we lost every game the entire season). The next year, we had a new coach, and he taught us to “have a good time and enjoy the game!” For the next 3 years, we won every game, and the folks began to expect a win from us. The last game of the season had arrived, and we were ready to play ball. After the dust settled, we had lost a hard-fought game by 1 run. As we were walking off the field, I heard a lady say, “What a way to end the season… what a waste!!” A bit later, at the Pizza Party, for the team, I heard this same woman say that “Winning is not just the most important thing, it is the only thing!” We had won 35 straight games, yet she was saying that that was not enough. Guess What? Life is like a Game. We have victories and defeats and ups and downs. I think of ole Solomon. He was one of the biggest winners of all time, yet it was not enough. Think about the “Rich Young Ruler” that approached Christ with the question of his future. He seemed to have it all, but his soul was empty and bankrupt, and the answer that Jesus gave him, made him sad. He had great riches, and, apparently, to him, Jesus was not enough. Daddy used to say that “Folks will always be restless and dissatisfied, until they “Rest in Him!” Our Triumph, Our Joy, Our Happiness will always depend on our Relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit! Reflecting on the current social and political situations that exist, I remind you that, whether in victory or defeat, our Hope is found in the Love of God, and not in and of this world! The world will never be satisfied because it is empty and void of any real and lasting Hope! Our Hope; is found in HIM! When we “Rest in Him,” we are VICTORIOUS! As Followers of Christ, WE ARE TRIUMPHANT! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 9, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACKSON MORGAN
PRAYING ALWAYS
January 9 Praying Always… 1 Chronicles 16:11
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)
We were in the mountains of North Carolina, a few years ago, with the purpose of renewal and refreshing. The past several weeks had taken its toll on me, and I was just going through the motions, with no power and enthusiasm and my prayer life was suffering. It was one of those times when I had placed everything in front of Prayer Time and was just casually engaging in prayer. Annette said, “We need some down time!” She has a God-Given ability to discern when I am about to “Burn Out!” So, to the mountains we went! We enjoyed going to various “flea markets” around the local area, and this trip was no different. In one of the stores, I spotted a pair of roller skates that you put over your shoes and I purchased them. My mind went back to those days of my youth, and I could envision me skating around the carport as soon as we returned to the house. Sure enough, I put the skates on, tightened the skates, with the key, and stood upright. Ok, all is well! So, I slowly eased off from the spot where I stood. Thoughts of my agility and my joy in skating, came rushing into my mind, and as quickly as it entered, it exited. The thoughts of my youthful skill and pleasure of skating were quickly replaced with the reality that I was falling! Sure enough, my knees met the concrete and my, not so youthful body, told my mouth to groan! As I removed the skates and tossed them into the bushes, I realized that, if I was going to enjoy skating, I would have to do it more often, maybe, even every day, in order, to receive the joy that I had remembered. As I was sitting on the cold concrete, I had a moment of clarity! If I expected my Prayer Life to be fulfilling and effective, and if I were to receive the Power to serve God and to obey His commands, then, I, like this skating, need to do it more often! If I wanted my relationship with God to be more meaningful and if I wanted to serve Him in the Power of the Holy Spirit, then I was going to have to pray “Constantly!” I got up, dug the skates from the bushes, and told myself, “I’ll skate some more tomorrow, but right now, I am going to pray!” Every time that I have sags or down times, spiritually, it is because I fail to “Seek the LORD and His Strength!” PRAISE GOD! He has shown me that the Power that I operate in; is activated, at its greatest effectiveness, when I am constantly in prayer! The more that I pray, the stronger I become!! The stronger that I become, the more I need to Pray! How about you? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 8, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
SAMANTHA CREECH
DONNA SMITH
ALLISON STATON
HAPPY SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY TO:
MR. GEORGE (IN HEAVEN) & “MISS” JANE STRICKLAND
YOU ARE THINKING WHAT?
January 8 You Are Thinking What? Luke 5:22
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” (Luke 5:22)
Jesus had just healed the Leper and the religious leaders began to “reason” among themselves about who this person was and the, according to them, was speaking “blasphemies!” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked this profound question, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” Friends, it is extremely important to “bring under subjection,” what we think! You can count on the fact that what you think about and dwell on, you will, ultimately, act on these thoughts! During 2022, my thoughts were conflicted! I had thoughts of “guilt” because I perceived that I was not doing enough, and then, moments of “frustration” over the fact that I could not do things, what I perceived to be the “old” way! Thoughts of whether my “Faith” was strong enough to deal with these new and trying challenges, and the fact that “my joy” seemed diminished. There are times when I am unable to share my thoughts, even to Annette, because I truly do not want to be perceived as complaining or acknowledge any weakness. My prayer, I mean, my repeated prayer, for 2022, was for God to “cleanse” my mind and to control my thoughts and to move me into position, mind, body, and soul, to edify Him and to be what He requires me to be! The wonderful thing that has occurred, from the experiences of being a pastor, in 2022, was the realization that I can cry before my Lord and shout out that I don’t understand and to admit my fears and my shortcomings and to acknowledge that I am just plain weary! PRAISE GOD! He is ready, willing, and able to hear us and to minister to us, and to provide an outlet for our feelings of tension, anger, frustration, confusion, worry, anxieties, and to minister and alter our thoughts, and renew our Hope, and to Energize our Resolve, and to see us through, until the very end! I suspect that you have has some of the same thoughts and challenges, during 2022. Join with me in praying this simple, yet powerful, prayer, as we move into 2022: “Dear Lord, I know that sharing my thoughts and fears is the only way for me to find the strength and comfort that I need to get through the day and to serve You, with Gladness! Father God, Thank You for loving me and for Listening to me! With Gratitude and Praise, In Jesus’ Name…Amen!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 7, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
SAMANTHA HUNTER
FRANCELINE PRICE
It IS Possible!!
January 7 It IS Possible! Philippians 3:13-14
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
One of the most difficult challenges that I face, is the reality of past failures and shortcomings! Satan uses these memories to thwart my progress and to weaken my focus! The REAL Reality is that I CANNOT CHANGE WHAT HAS HAPPENED, I CAN ONLY CHANGE WHAT IS TO BE!!! Just yesterday, I heard a well-meaning individual tell his friend that “he couldn’t do a particular thing,” and the young man seemed to be devastated by the older man’s words! Do you know folks that are ready and willing to discourage you? The world is full of “Discouragers!” If we listen to these “naysayers,” we will never do anything! When God calls you to a particular purpose, He will educate you, Empower you, and He will see you through to the successful completion of this task! As Saved Believers, we are to continue to look to Him, leave the past, in the past, and press on towards the tasks that are set before us! Dr. Kelton Hinton (Missions Director – TEBA) has been proclaiming the mission for the TEBA, to “Push Back the Darkness!” That is what we are to do, as Believers! We are to forget the past, embrace God’s calling, and move forward, pushing back the darkness in the lives of all that we encounter! 2023 IS going to be a GREAT Year! Continue to hone your focus, grow in your FAITH, and keep moving towards the “Prize!” TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 6, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
DALE DRIVER
BRIAN BAILEY
WE HAVE A CHOICE
January 6 We Have A Choice! Joshua 24:15
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If you don’t want to serve the Lord, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
There is one overriding fact: God has invited us to be a part of His Kingdom, to be “Forgiven” through Jesus Christ, to embrace His Love and Grace, to serve Him and to be saved! There is no mistake in His invitation to us! God loved us enough to send Jesus to die for our sins, and He loved us enough to ensure that our lives would be secure, through the Holy Spirit, and He has provided redemption and Grace! He is clear in what He asks of us, and His offer to us is clear! God has left the choice to us! I find it amazing that God has left the choice to us! He loves us, He has provided relief and redemption, He has offered complete salvation, yet He has left it up to us! It is incredible that He has “moved heaven and earth” for us to be in a relationship with Him, and the decision is ours to accept or reject! So much of this life is a done deal! We cannot choose how tall we are, or how large we are, or if we will have a small nose or a “honker!” Praise God! We can, and must, choose where we will spend eternity! This is a BIG choice, this is a CRITICAL decision, and He has left it up to us!
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).” You make decisions every day and the only real and true and lasting and MOST IMPORTANT decision is WHO ARE YOU GOING TO SERVE! But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!!! May this be your decision for 2023!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
THROUGH THE FIREY TRIALS
January 5 Through the Fiery Trials 1 Peter 4:12-13
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
The absolute fact of living is that we will have trials and tribulations, yet we have hope (John 16:33). Have you ever met someone that seemed to be resilient and “armor coated,” as they navigate through the trials and challenges of this life? There was such a lady, in our small community, when I was a boy. Miss Ethel was the first one to respond, when needs arose, in the community and she was the first one (usually with my mother) to reach out to new people that would visit our church. She was a true example of the active, “Faith in Action” believer! Then it happened, Miss Ethel received the call that her son, a soldier, had been killed in the line of duty, in Vietnam. Before the news could settle into reality, her younger son was severely injured in a freak car accident. To compound the issues, her house burned to the ground while she was at the funeral home, planning her son’s service. Now, you would think that this would be enough to alter her attitude and crush her very soul! You would be wrong… This amazing lady, with her world crumbling around her, spoke with assurance, that her Savior had this in His hands and that she was His and He promised to take care of her! Listen to her words…they are etched into my memory: “Lord, please let me walk in Your beauty and Your Grace, not in the ugliness of despair and pain.” I witnessed His Grace fully embraced in her life. She saw the world through His eyes, and she refused to be shaken by events and circumstances. Dear friends, we have a choice in the way that we respond to adversity! This precious lady taught Sunday School for as long as I could remember, and she was active in the “outreach visitation program,” and she was always spreading joy to those around her. A few years later, I read a poem that described “Miss” Ethel completely. It is called, Let Me Rise… “Lord, in the fire of my trials, let me rise on wings of eagles to soar again. In the depths of my depression, give me the power to float upward towards the warm sun where renewal and hope are found. From the ashes of my suffering, let me find the seed of new growth, of new life. From the darkness of my despair, let me be guided homeward by the light of Your love for me” (Author Unknown). She did rise above the circumstances, and she did continue to share God’s sustaining love. Her house was rebuilt, her son that was injured in the car wreck, recovered, and the son that died in Vietnam, was honored in our community when he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Medal, for his bravery, in the face of enemy fire. The actions of this young man saved the lives of his fellow soldiers. Selfless actions in the face of adversity, wonder where he learned that behavior? I had the honor to be a part of “Miss” Ethel’s Celebration of Life Service, and I spoke of her witness and her dedication and her steadfast commitment to her God, her Faith, and Her Family. Remember this fact: Tough time will come, Challenges will occur! It is up to you how you will respond to the realities! It is easy to remain faithful during the “good times!” The challenge is to remain “Faithful” during the TOUGH TIMES! Commit these words to memory: “Lord, please let me walk in Your beauty and Your Grace, not in the ugliness of despair and pain.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
LIVING FEARLESSLY
January 4 Living Fearlessly Romans 5:3-5
** THANK -YOU to the Deacons of Baptist Tabernacle Church for stepping up to fill the gap, in my absence! To our church family, THANK YOU for the opportunity to enjoy some Family Time… 2023 IS GOING TO BE THE BEST YEAR YET!!!
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 NET)
2022 was a year of challenges and sufferings and troubles and some Blessings. It appears that 2023 is set to offer similar opportunities to be strong and to endure. As I listen to the news of the day, and the conversations of individuals, as I go about my day, I sense a level of “Fear” that has become a part of our existence. I am excited that the challenges and sufferings are producing endurance and character and hope for my life! I choose not to “Fear,” but be “Bold” in my service for my Savior! “Fear” is the enemy, and it will weaken us and make us see trouble even when there is none. God continues to teach us that “Fear” is a sign of a weakened faith, and I am praying for greater Faith and endurance and for His Hope, in these troubling times. 2023 can be what you choose to make it! I choose to live “Fearlessly,” walking by Faith and to claim His power, provision, presence, and His Victory! “I affirm that God’s power is rising in me, renewing, and healing my mind and body, bringing power to my mind, giving me success in my work. I affirm health, energy, enthusiasm, and the Joy of Life. All of this I owe to my Jesus Christ, my Lord, and my Savior. He has given me the “Victory Principle” for which I thank Him every single day!” So, my proclamation for 2023 is: “NOT THIS YEAR SATAN, NOT THIS YEAR! GET BEHING ME AND LEAVE ME ALONE!” What God does with you in 2023 is entirely up to you! It always has and it always will! Walk in Faith, Live Fearlessly, guided by the Holy Spirit, and “hang on!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!