SHARING THE GOSPEL
January 28 Sharing the Gospel Romans 15:16
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “That I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offerings of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:16)
Believers, we must be grateful for the calling on our lives that God has placed, securely and firmly, in our lives! What a truly awesome privilege that we have, to be the representatives of His Love and forgiving Grace, to this evil and sinful world! When I think about the Old Testament Priest, they wore different clothing, and they performed different tasks than others. These men were “Set Apart” from the masses, and they were recognizable! Their main job was to offer sacrifices and offerings that were acceptable to Almighty God. PRAISE GOD! As the Servants of God, in 2023, we do not need to offer blood sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins, because the one, true, and final blood sacrifice for our sins has been offered, in the body of our savior, Jesus Christ! When we claim the redemptive power, through Faith, we are set apart to represent Jesus Christ and we are to “Be Different,” and we are to “Act Differently,” and we are to be the “Light” into the darkness of this evil and sinful world! We are to offer ourselves up to God and be ready and willing to serve Him in obedience and in the power and leading of the Blessed Holy Spirit! On Monday, January 31, 2022, as I was laying on an Emergency Department cot, in the designated “room,” “Hallway A-3,” I had a wonderful vantage point for being a “Bright Light” for my Savior! Keep in mind, this is NOT ABOUT ME, BUT IT IS, ABOUT HIM! I am laying there, not knowing the extent of my dilemma, I was praying for His will to be, and I, simply, began to do what I always do! I was reaching out to the staff and the doctors. One of the doctors asked me how it was that I seemed to be so calm when the word, “Stroke,” was used to describe my dilemma. My answer was clear and plain! “I affirm that God’s power is rising in me, renewing, and healing my body, bringing power to my mind, giving me continued success in my calling. I am affirming health, energy, enthusiasm, and His Joy in my life. You see, all that I am and all of this I owe to my Savior Jesus Christ! I am claiming His VICTORY PRINCIPLE! In all things, I am His and I am grateful!” The doctor’s response was, “Wow!” I was able to “minister” to everyone that passed my cot, and I was able to share the “Light of God’s Love,” with the nurses and the Doctors. DJ was there to witness the opportunities that were available to me! As long, as there, is breath in the body, we are called to be “Ministers” of His Grace and Good News! Regardless of our human issues and limitations, we are, through the precious Blood of Jesus, obligated to share with others, the redeeming power of His Love! From 10:00am until 9:30pm, I was in the ED, before being brought to a room, and during this time, I was singing (to myself) these words, and I am grateful that God applied His comfort and assurance on my mind and body, and I turned my thoughts upon my calling… “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light, in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant, and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conqu’rors we are! His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!” Regardless of our physical limitations, we must share Jesus, in the Power of His Word, and with the Example of His Redeeming Grace! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR JANUARY 27, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KERRY W. GARNER
JENNIFER THOMPSON
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
JERRY & LINDA LEE
THE GREAT RESCUE MISSION
January 27 “The Great Rescue Mission” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
There is a great rescue mission underway, with the express purpose to save and redeem a lost and dying world! The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT have come together to “rescue the perishing!” This rescue mission was planned by the FATHER, the SON accomplished it, and the HOLY SPIRIT draws and convicts and is the bright light that illuminates a dark and dismal heart and makes aware the need for the redeeming Grace of God, through the SON, Jesus Christ! To every one of us that has been “born-again,” “saved by His Grace,” have a responsibility to embrace the mission and to be about the business of sharing the “Good News!” Reality Check: WE ARE HIS MESSENGERS! We have everything that we need to present the “Gospel,” and to do it with “Boldness!” There is a harsh reality that has taken me some time to embrace! Not everybody will be “Saved!” It is God’s will that all be saved, yet the reality is clear! God does not want anyone to perish and spend eternity in the fires of Hell, yet there will be those that will not accept Him! I feel a passion to share the Gospel and to make every effort to make a difference in the lives of as many as possible! This process, this mission begins with prayer! “Lord, teach me to share with Your Power and Grace and Compassion! Please give me a heart that wants to see others saved. Lord, help me to never be complacent in my Faith Journey and help me to be Bold in my witness for You! Thank you for the privilege of experiencing Your Saving Grace and the opportunity to share it with others!” Are you grateful? Are you ready to share the Good News? Are you surrendered to His Will and recognize the responsibility as a Believer? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
PS… The Need for Jesus is GREAT! Satan is actively destroying the very foundations of our society and he is using every means available. Look around… Mass Shootings (guns are blamed, not the shooters), Riots and burning and looting government buildings (with ZERO consequences), Anti-Police and Anti-Punishment for Crime policies, Reverse Discrimination, Hatred, unrestrictive violence, Extreme Sensitivity towards every little thing that happens, and the idea that what is Good, and has been Good forever, is now deemed wrong and racist and hate-speech and hurtful to those who would have our society to operate with ZERO rules or regulations that would hamper their WRONG behavior or thoughts! JESUS IS COMING SOON, AND WE NEED TO BE READY AND WE NEED TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE MESSAGE OF LOVE AND REDEMPTION AND THE REALITY OF ETERNITY!!!!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 26, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JUDY BOSWELL
STEVEN CARLYLE
MATT DILLON
CYNTHIA HUDSON
DONALD GAY
SHELBY MAKEPEACE
LOGAN WHITLEY
PEACE
January 26 “PEACE” Philippians 4:7
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Today’s world, with its chaos and unrest and the challenges and sinful ways, creates unrest and disharmony in our living. Our God recognized the need of mankind for “Peace” and the ability to live above the circumstances. Jesus died on the cross to make “Peace” between us and God! Jesus promised His disciples that He was giving His “Peace,” not the peace of the world, but the “PEACE” from the Blessed Holy Spirit! The Apostle Paul is encouraging the Philippians to receive this “Peace” through faithful prayer! Friends, we need to pray, pray in faith and believing that God will answer our petitions! In Isaiah 26:3, it says, “You will keep in perfect ‘Peace’ those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You!” If we are to have real and sustained “Peace,” we must focus our minds on the one that is in control of everything! God did not ordain us to be “anxious!” As a Born-Again Believer, being anxious, is an indication that we are out of our new normal way of life! That old nature is filled with anxiety and fear and woe is me thoughts, yet our new, redeemed nature rises above this, to claim His “Peace” for our lives! In the verses preceding this passage, Paul encouraged the Philippians to “pray,” in every situation, and do it with “Thanksgiving,” and he said that the “Peace” of God would guard our hearts and our minds! This world is going to continue to become more evil and more difficult and more perverse and more anti-God! (Just this past week, a man wearing a T-Shirt that said, “Jesus Saves,” was ejected from the Mall of America because his shirt was deemed offensive, and someone reported this terrifying act of aggression and hatred. FACT: This world has become so sensitive about everything and anything that has anything to do with Jesus Christ, and that includes YOU!!) Do not fear! God has promised that in the middle of all this chaos and despair, we have the ability to transcend the challenges and to overcome the issues! PRAISE GOD! He has, through the Grace of Jesus Christ, the power to overcome the issues and to embrace the “PEACE” of God that will keep our Hearts and our Minds! Pray – Believe – Pray – Receive – Pray – Enjoy! His “Peace” transcends our understanding, yet He provides this amazing Power to walk through this Evil World with His “Peace,” and the assurance of His redeeming Grace! Please do not let the present evil and all that goes with it, in any way, separate you from your birthright, as a redeemed child of God! His “Peace” drives away the “Anxiety” of this old world! Choose God, Choose Peace and Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 01/25/2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KATHY AYSCUE
FEELING EMPTY
January 25 “Feeling Empty…” Acts 3:19-20
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…” (Acts 3:19-20)
Have you ever felt “jaded,” or “empty?” I was in a conversation with a pastor friend, and he was sharing that he was going through the motions, and that he was feeling isolated and alone! He continued to share that he was still preaching and visiting and doing those things that were required, yet he didn’t have the energy or enthusiasm that he once enjoyed. With tears in his eyes, he asked me how I did it! My response was quick… “Do What?” He said that he observed me interacting with others and aways smiling and always with a quick word and an encouraging thought, and I stopped him, and I informed him that I have times of feeling empty and alone and isolated and weary and challenged and “down-right tired,” but when these times come, I know that I need some “ALONE TIME” with my Lord! Many years ago, my parents would play host to a traveling evangelist, and Mama would “spoil” him with all of her amazing ways! He would have the best sheets on the bed, and our best pillows, and she would put out the thickest towels, washcloths and she would make his stay with us as comfortable and refreshing as she could! I recall one young man, in particular, that told my folks that he felt so comfortable and blessed and refreshed! You can imagine that Mama was beaming her beautiful smile! The last morning that he was with us, he confessed that he came into our home, empty, weary and borderline discouraged, and that he felt a bit guilty when he wasn’t “Doing” something for the Lord, however, he had been blessed to have been pampered and to have experienced the “Brock” warmhearted hospitality, and an opportunity for some “Down-Time! (Some Guilt-Free, Refreshing Down Time) Friends, we all get weary in our daily service, and we get challenged and we have a sense of emptiness, yet we have a solution to this human condition! When I begin to feel this emptiness and weariness, I know that it is time to into the presence of God and spend time with my Lord! Alone Time, just me and Him, praying and listening and reading His word and blocking out all the distractions of this world, and allow Him to refresh me, empower me, and allow me to grow! Dear Friends, when you feel empty, and you will, COME into the presence of the Lord, and spend time with Him, and allow Him to touch you and heal you and lift you up, then you will leave “FILLED!” THANK YOU, GOD FOR YOUR SALVATION AND YOUR SUSTAINING AND REFRESHING POWER! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BE POSITIVE
January 24 Be Positive Proverbs 6:2
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” (Proverbs 6:2)
This world is a negative place, and we are products of this environment! Think about this… “I ain’t got, but one,” or “I only have one.” We have a tendency, in our words and actions to have a default position of negativity. Recently, I was reading a book about our patterns of speech and the way in which we interact with others. It has prompted me to be aware of my own speech patterns and my choice of words. Dear friends, we have a responsibility to represent the Good News, in a positive and clear fashion, and we need to pay attention to the way that we speak. I will tell you that I have been amazed at the way that I express myself. I have always been a positive, “Glass Half Full” type of person, yet I have come to realize that I speak from a position that is “negative!” I believe that Jesus recognized this human issue and He spoke to “renewing of our minds,” as a way of moving us from a “negative world view,” into a positive, “Holy Spirit Guided” eternal viewpoint. In Philippians 4:8, we are instructed to control our thoughts, (through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment) therefore, our words and actions… “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” What we think and how we think, will determine how we speak! Our Savior wants our words to be true and revealing and positive and edifying to Him. Attitude, Aptitude, Abilities, Action…We are called to have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE – We are called to STUDY to PREPARE OURSELVES for the TASK – We are called to UTILIZE every RESOURCE available to us, to HONOR OUR CALLING – We are called to put our ATTITUDE, Our APTITUDE, Our ABILITIES into POSITIVE ACTION for HIM! As I continue the call to EVANGELISM, and as I grow in His Grace, I am becoming aware of areas in my own life that I need to surrender to Him. True and effective Evangelism is Personal and Life-style Evangelism…Sharing Your Own Experiences with our Savior and allowing others to see themselves experiencing the same amazing results! I am praying that my words will be positive, and my actions will match my words and my attitude will reflect His Love and my dedication to being the best that I can be, through the Holy Spirit, that I can be! Hoe about you? Be Positive, Be Strong, Be Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 23, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
MIKE BAILEY
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!