BLESSED, MORE BLESSED, AND BLESSED AGAIN!
January 23 “Blessed, More Blessed, and Blessed Again” Psalm 1:1-6
**After Church Yesterday, Another Young Person Accepted Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior and will be Baptized on February 5, 2023! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! TRULY BLESSED…
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1:1-6)
In my studies of Psalms and the writing of King David, it is thought that Psalm 1 was his favorite because it introduced the Hebrew word, “Esher,” which is translated to mean “Happy,” or “Blessed!” The message that David is proclaiming, is that, when we walk in the presence of the Lord and we seek a relationship with Him, and we are committed to doing His will, then we will be “Blessed” and “Happy!” In David’s time, the main method to establish a close relationship with God was to “delight in His Law!” They were to “Learn it,” “Meditate on it,” and to “Practice it,” daily! In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus is the fulfillment of the “law,” and, because we are unable to “Keep the Law,” in our humanity, Jesus came to forgive our sins and to reestablish our relationship with Almighty God. Psalm 1 is still relevant for us today! Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, and we are followers of Christ, then we are, indeed, keeping the Law! Folks, we must avoid those that will take us away from our devotion to Christ and we must limit the exposure to the negative actions that will cloud our pathway and cause us to forget our “Blessings!” God’s word is Clear: The one who follows God and seeks His face and turns from the wicked ways, will have the opportunity to be “Blessed” and “Happy” in this journey that we call “Life!” Once again, I reference the events of the past few days that have solidified the necessity to “seek His Face and to Praise His Name!” One Year Ago, Amazingly, in the middle of a stroke, and the aftermath of diagnosis and treatment, I have remained resolute and confident that my God was (and is) in control and that He would (and will) see me through to the end! I Praise God that I am still able to proclaim HIS Word and that I am stronger, more committed and dedicated to fulfilling HIS calling on my life! I still believe, and I am Blessed, More Blessed and Blessed Some More! Just as the Hebrews were to meditate and learn and practice the “Law,” we are to “Meditate” on God’s Word, and we are to “Learn” God’s Word, and we are to “Practice it,” and “Share it” every single day! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 01/22/2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (IN HEAVEN) TO OUR DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER, BOB HIMMEL! We MISS YOU! In His Love, Pastor Glen
BEING PRODUCTIVE
January 22 Being Productive… James 1:22
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)
“I am too busy!” This statement is often the response that we give to those who would need our assistance. Personally, I have used this to avoid involvement in situations that were unpleasant. Amazingly, in 21st Century America, I believe that we are so busy that we miss the opportunities to serve and to make a true and lasting difference! There was a time, not so many years ago, that I equated “Busy” and “Activities” of the Church, with serving God. Daddy used to warn me about misdirected activities that I would deem as service. He would say, “Son, you can be busy digging a ditch with a spoon. You exert a lot of effort with very little results!” Are we allowing our “Busy” activities to get in the way of “Real and Lasting Ministry” to others? I continue to ask God to help me determine what is “Busy,” and what is truly productive! May we continue to “Get Involved” in the lives of others and may we continue to make a difference in where others will spend “Eternity!” BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS; and learn to discern between “Busy” and “Productive!” May we never be too busy to make a difference! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to embrace Your power and direction for my life. Please create in me an attitude of service and an attitude of Joy. Thank you, Lord, for Your Blessing on me. In The Name of Jesus, Amen
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 21, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN BADGER
POWER OF GRATITUDE
January 21 Power of Gratitude 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
It is predictable and it is reality, that when we continue to surrender our lives to the will and ways of the Holy Spirit, and continue to serve God, in the beauty of Holiness, and embrace the precious gift of Jesus’ saving Grace, Satan IS going to attack! He is very good at finding areas of weakness, and he is excellent at using individuals that you would not suspect! Regardless of Satan’s attacks, we have the power to overcome, to thwart the attacks, and we have the obligation to serve God! Yesterday, Satan used a well-meaning individual to assault me, in a vulnerable area of my life, and for a moment, thought that he was going to be successful! NO WAY, NO HOW!! NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY! I kindly informed this individual that our conversation was over, and I would not be communicating with them if the communication was going to be destructive and demeaning to me, to others, and to my Savior! This is especially difficult when the individual is a member of our Fellowship! As I walked away, I began to Praise God, and to affirm GRATITUDE for HIS Grace that allowed me to separate from the negative and embrace HIS THANKSGIVING! FACT: God provides His Saving Grace and because of this one fact, we should live our lives, serving Him, in GRATITUDE and continual THANKSGIVING! As the scripture, for today, states, we MUST “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Acknowledge HIS Sovereignty, Claim HIS Promises, and be THANKFUL in EVERY Situation! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
"HIS Children"
January 20 “HIS Children…” Acts 17:28
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being…For we are also His offspring.” (Acts 17:28)
Being concerned for your children is a “rite of passage,” for a parent! I know that I am still concerned about our child and her family. Years ago, for a brief time, I, personally, had a rebellion moment. I rejected the sage advice and counsel of my Daddy, and I struck out on my own. Well, I encountered obstacle after obstacle and I fell MANY times, yet I picked myself up and kept on going! I made decisions that Daddy did not agree with, and he told me that he was upset with me. I asked him, “Do you love me? Then trust me!” As time went on, Daddy began to see that I was doing “OK!” He and Mama came for a visit, and he told me that he was proud of me. Amazingly, I had accomplished what I had set out to do, without any direct help for him. Please be aware that 20 years of learning from this man, and watching him grow, isn’t something that you forget, so he, actually, did have a strong and lasting effect on my ability to survive on my own. We were standing on my front porch, and I looked at him and said to him, “Daddy, thank you for loving me and giving me up to try it on my own, but not giving up on me!” My Christian journey has been littered with falls and missteps and errors and hurts and sorrows, yet HE has never, ever, given up on me! As a Child of God, I am grateful for His Love, His Grace, through Jesus Christ, and for His sustaining Power to lead me and teach me and to allow me to grow into what He would have me to be! Remember, “Life is a process, not an event!” How about you! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WANDA BATTEN
ATTITUDE OF ACCEPTANCE
January 19 Attitude of Acceptance Philippians 4:11
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
Growing up around some proper Southern Ladies, I learned, the hard way, that a “Gentleman never asks a Lady her age, and a Lady never tells!” There was a particular lady, in our community, that refused to accept or reveal her true age. She was offended by the aging process and if someone, who was ignorant of her disdain, were to ask her age, she would usually respond with a loud and sharp, “Mind Your Own Business!” Paul reminds us to be content in whatever state that we find ourselves. For me, “Thirty was Tremendous,” “Forty was Fabulous,” “Fifty was Fast & Furious,” and to be Sixty-six, and still being alive, and able to walk 10 miles a day, at Disney World is fantastic! Life has been busy and amazingly full, for me! I am excited about what is to come! Every day that God allows me to continue to live, I want to make a difference for Him! The Roman Philosopher Seneca said, “Let us cherish and love old age: for it is full of pleasure, if one knows how to use it…” As a fan of Robert Browning, I shared these words with Annette, almost 40 years ago: “Come grow old with me! The best is yet to be!” Praise God! As Born-Again Christians, we have a responsibility to serve Him with gladness, regardless of our age or our circumstances! Remember the words of John 10:10: “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more ABUNDANTLY.” God willing…I can hardly wait until my Seventies! Please Lord, let me concentrate on serving you and not the length of time that I have lived, or might live! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to embrace Your power and direction for my life. Please create in me an attitude of service and an attitude of Joy. Thank you, Lord, for Your Blessing on me. In The Name of Jesus, Amen
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 18, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
DANA HOCUTT
"BEING A PART OF THE HEALING!!"
January 18 “Being a Part of the Healing…” Ephesians 4:31-32
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Growing up in an area that produces a tremendous number of chickens, I learned some interesting facts about raising chickens. I discovered that the farmers would trim the beaks of the chicks. I was told that if one chick falls and gets hurt, the other chicks that are around the hurt one, would peck the wound with their sharp beaks and create an even larger sore. I understand that there have been times when the sore would even get infected and fester. Wow! When I thought about this fact, I began to speculate about our human behavior. What happened when one of our fellow Christian believers falls? How do we respond? Do we have, a tendency to “peck away” at the transgression, with gossip, whispers of criticism, stares, cold-shoulders? The reality is that even one peck can deepen their pain and make the wound larger and deeper and difficult to heal! The farmer’s solution may not be a bad idea, after all! Do you think that Jesus is calling on us to “trim our beaks?” We should lift one another up and pray for one another and we should treat others with compassion and forgiveness and kindness! REMEMBER: ‘BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GOES I…” I want to be a part of the healing, not the hurting! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
COMMENTARY ON THE EVIL OF YESTERDAY
Yesterday, January 16, 2023, some unscrupulous individuals, using my name, defrauded dear friends out of money! The only reason that these amazing people gave money, was because they thought that I was in need! This is a tangible example of the “Evil” that I have been talking about, and I will continue to point out the sad state of human affairs, and I will continue to proclaim the Name of Jesus Christ! Satan is using every means possible to thwart the message of Christ, however, NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 17, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
BROOKE BAILEY
SHEILA STANCIL
"GETTING ALONG ..."
January 17 “Getting Along…” Psalm 133:1
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Several years ago, we went on a bus trip and the inevitable happened! There was one lady that complained about everything. Her seat was uncomfortable, her seat mate was too large for the seat, the bus was too noisy. She was generally disagreeable and made the trip unpleasant for everyone. Finally, I pulled her to the side and asked her to stop being so disagreeable. I explained that she was creating an atmosphere that was not good! Wow! She was shocked that I had spoken to her in this manner. She really didn’t realize that she was such a “Negative Nelly!” We continued our journey, and she did stop being so negative, or at least, didn’t verbalize her displeasure. As I thought about this experience, I understood the call for unity. How miserable it is when one is disagreeable, and how pleasant it is when one is enjoyable and agreeable! Folks, God expects us to live in unity with our fellow believers. Keep in mind, we are not expected to be “Cookie Cutter” Christians who agree on everything! Reality Check: There is a huge difference between UNITY and UNIFORMITY! My Daddy used to say that you could tie two Tom cat’s tails together and have UNION, but you would not have UNITY! Every believer has unique talents, opinions, thoughts, and actions, yet we, under the Blood of Jesus, are to be “Like-Minded” as we serve our Savior! Our politics, our preferences, our dislikes, our desires, must take second place to our commitment to Christ! Our lives should reflect HIS Love, and our ACTIONS should echo HIS Words, and Our behaviors must edify HIM! God loves it when His children “dwell together in unity!” We are to function the way that God intends, and we must be ready and willing to yield our rights and opinions, on occasion, and be quick to give and to receive forgiveness and, then we can “Dwell in Unity! It is so easy to get tangled up in the thoughts of this world, however, as children of God, we must remain “Heart – Centered” on God and forget our petty human irritations and focus on HIM! I am counting on HIS UNCHANGING AND MATCHLESS GRACE to sustain me and guide me and to teach me how to “Dwell in Unity!” Stay Strong, STAY FOCUSED…THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 16, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
CHRISTIN HUNTER
DELIVERANCE
January 16 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!
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!