"Being Comfortable with ME"
February 9 “Being Comfortable with ME” Galatians 5:1
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
Many years ago, I was looking for a summer job. This particular job was with the electrical engineering department at NC State. I lacked any engineering skills and was ignorant of the working of the job, yet I was interested in having the job. I talked with one of my fellow students, that happened to be an electrical engineering student, and he coached me on what I should say, and he gave me some “Target” words to say that would make me appear as if I had a clue. I rehearsed the speech, and I was so anxious about the interview. Well, the day came, and I went to the interview. A pleasant, young man escorted me into a conference room, and I asked him about the interviewer and the job. I fired off several questions about the activities and requirements of the job, and this young man assured me that this job that I sought was a good summer job. He made me feel comfortable, as I continued to express my enthusiastic desire to do the job. The more that we talked, the more I became comfortable with the prospects of securing the job. Wow! The young man stood up from the table and said, “Welcome aboard!” What? Yes, I had been escorted to the conference room by the actual interviewer, Dr. Frank Kauffman. It was at that moment that I realized that I am at my best when I am myself. Not some rehearsed process, but a real and genuine expression of who I really am. God made me to be just as I am, and I need to embrace it and to use it and to be what He has called me to be! The more that I grow in His Grace, and the more that I exercise that Grace, and the longer that I have the privilege to serve Him, I continue to claim the Freedom that comes from His selfless act at Calvary, and I enjoy being just plain ole Glen. Not trying to copy another human being, just serving God, and being me! Whatever I am to do today, and whomever I meet today, help me Lord to claim Your power, and to be the best “me” that I can be, because of the Freedom that You have provided! I am grateful to my God that I am comfortable in my own skin! Are you attempting to be something other than what God as made you to be? BE REAL! BE TRUE! EMBRACE HIS FREEDOM! SERVE HIM WITH GLADNESS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 8, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
DALE WEATHERS
JACKIE BATTEN UTLEY
ETERNALLY CONNECTED
February 8 Eternally Connected Romans 8:38-39
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
John 3:16 informs us that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is an eternal love! This is a divine love! There is absolutely nothing that can alter or diffuse this love! I am excited that God loved me enough that He sent Jesus to Save Me, if I would accept His Gift, recognize my Sin, and Ask Him to Save Me! Regardless of the challenges that are in our human experience, God’s Love does not change! We have a responsibility to live holy and obediently before God, yet our failures and our shortcomings will never alter His commitment to us! When we commit to God, through Jesus Christ, He receives us, and seals us, and our sins are washed clean, and our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and He does not use a pencil! His commitment is unchangeable, our commitment is the variable! Trust God, Live Holy, Read His Word, Pray, without Ceasing, Love Your Neighbor, Share the Good News, and Enjoy Your Relationship with the Savior! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JOY PERRY
"RESTORATION"
February 7 “RESTORATION” Acts 3:19
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.” (Acts 3:19)
On Monday, January 31, 2022, I lost the use and control of my left leg and experienced the reality of my left arm feeling heavy and difficult to control. There were so many thoughts, at the same time, cascading through my mind, and I thought about the possibilities that I might never “get back” what I had lost. Over the past few days, I stand in gratitude and awe for the amazing power and Grace of my God. In the light of my recent experience, I thought about salvation and the reality of sanctification, and I understand that sanctification is truly, about “getting back” that which was lost! Sin entered the human experience, when Adam disobeyed God’s command, and, at that moment, we lost the relationship and fellowship with God, the Creator! PRAISE GOD! He loved us enough that He desired to reestablish what we had lost, and He sent Jesus to be the “Refreshing” power necessary to reestablish the Holy Relationship with Him. Friends, Peter, and John, in the Name of Jesus, had just healed the lame man, who was near the gate that is called “Beautiful!” This lame man “got back” that which he had lost, the strength in his legs! On Tuesday morning, I “got back” the strength in my left leg and I recognize the miracle in the reality of restoration! The doctors were amazed and glad that I had made, in their words, a miraculous recovery! Hear this please! The healing of the lame man gave opportunity for Peter to preach a sermon, and he did just that! His sermon is reality for us today! He said that we are to REPENT! He declared that we should turn from our sins and, through the shed blood of Jesus, stop our sinning! He went on to instruct the Jews that REDEMPTION was the result of their REPENTANCE, and that they would be converted and would turn from their sin and would follow Jesus! His sermon concluded with the fact that, when we REPENT and we are REDEEMED, then RESTORATION occurs!! Hear me right now! My God had the power to heal the lame man’s legs, and He has the power to heal our sinful hearts and He has the desire for you to be RESTORED, so why not ACCEPT His GIFT OF REDEEMING GRACE through JESUS CHRIST and RESTORE your RELATIONSHIP with GOD! From a personal perspective, I am grateful for my RESTORATION and RELATIONSHIP with my God, and I am excited and humbled by his restoration of the strength and control for my left leg. I pray that I will forever recognize His Power and Provision and that I will constantly be in a state of Praise and Gratitude for “Getting Back” that which I had Lost! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! (Re-Posting)
BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR FEBRUARY 6, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
BROOKE CUSTER SANDERS / ALSO CELEBRATING BEING A NEW MAMA!
"SUBMIT, RESIST, VICTORY"
February 6 “Submit, Resist, Victory” James 4:7
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Many years ago, in my youthful days of adventure and rowdiness, I stepped on a broken bottle and the glass pierced my bare foot and a large piece of the glass broke off in my foot. I hobbled home and presented the issue to my mother, and she, immediately transported me to the ER at Wayne Memorial Hospital. WOW! I was privileged to encounter the most irritating and most unpleasant nurse that was to clean the wound before the doctor entered the picture. She began the “torture” process, with little regard for my tears or my cries of pain. I was gripping the sides of the bed, and I was calling on Jesus, for relief. As this heavy-handed Minion of Suffering, continued to probe the wound, I thought that I was going to be sick. Praise god, the doctor arrived, extracted the piece of glass, rinsed the wound site and declared that I was “Glass-Free!” Thank the Lord, I was prepared to get out of this place and begin my healing process! Amazingly, I had forgotten this traumatic event, until a few years ago, when I was going through a dark and challenging patch of difficulties, and God brought this event back to my memory, as a teaching moment! Just as the doctor had used antiseptics and alcohol to cleanse the would and to extract the glass, Jesus wants to cleanse us with His sponge of healing truth, and His sustaining mercies! Left to my own devices, and my own self-centered will, I will create some ugly and self-destructive issues, and just like the glass puncture, if left untreated, would turn into an ugly, festering, and destructive wound! Praise God! He has provided an opportunity for us to be cleansed, healed and to be stronger through the experience! When Satan challenges you, and he will, follow the pattern of victory that James highlights for us, “SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU!!!” I am committed to turning to Jesus and walking with Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct my paths and light my way, and, all the while, declaring “NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR 02/05/2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
BILLY HINNANT
"FELLOWSHIP"
February 5 “Fellowship” 1 Corinthians 1:9
**Today is a SPECIAL DAY at Baptist Tabernacle Church! We have the opportunity to experience the “outward” expression of an “inward” experience, for eleven (11) souls, that have claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior, and are going to experience water baptism! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! You are welcome to come and witness this amazing event in the lives of these new believers! **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)
When we come to Christ and claim His forgiving Grace into our lives, we immediately have something in common with other “Believers!” Although, we may not know one another and we may not have anything in common, at least, as the world sees it, however, through the Shed Blood of Jesus, we are one! Life is full of uncertainties and none of us know what the future holds. I am not a “Miss Cleo” psychic, and I do not have a “Crystal Ball,” that tells the future, however, even though the Future is uncertain, I KNOW WHO IS IN CONTROL and HE HAS PROMISED that HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ME! One of the greatest things about our relationship with Christ is that we know that our Future is in HIS HANDS, and we need not fear! I do know that Heaven is my Home and He said that “He came to give Life Eternal and to provide “Abundant Living,” here and right this minute!! For Believers, many details of our Future are unclear, uncertain, and unknown, but our destiny, our Future, our Lives are secure because our God is Faithful and Truthful, and He has promised! Thank You God, that Your Promises, Your Love, Your Provision, is True and our uncertain Futures are clear and secure through YOU! Fellow Believers…Our God is FAITHFUL, and He has PROMISED HIS BEST FOR US! Are you getting the message? When we claim His Provisions, and walk in Fellowship with Him, then, we are able, to truly Fellowship with one another! Do Not Worry about Tomorrow, it is secure! SERVE HIM TODAY, RIGHT NOW!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
KEN HUNTER
HARPER PEEBLES
Regardless .... I AM HIS
February 4 Regardless… I AM HIS Psalm 73:26
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
Be Encouraged! When the “Storms of Life” are raging about me, He is Still with me! When my body weakens and I am walking slower and my activities are limited, He is Still with me! When my fellow traveler is difficult and the relationship is strained, He is Still with me! When I am discouraged, and it seems that I can’t go on, He is Still with me! Believers, God is with us through the “Good Times,” and the “Bad Times,” and I am grateful for the Blessings of His Grace and the Promises of His unfailing Love for me! The message for today is a message for eternity: GOD IS IN CONTROL AND HE WILL SAVE YOU, SUSTAIN YOU AND KEEP YOU UNTIL WE SEE IN AROUND GOD’S THRONE, IN OUR HEAVENLY HOME, FOR ETERNITY! We owe Him our devotion, our Love and our every being! These earthly distractions and “momentary” challenges are absolutely nothing, when viewed in the light of His “Forever!” Be Encouraged…Be Faithful…Be Focused on what is Real and Important and is edifying to our God! Be Encourage, that He has committed all that He is, to us! Our responsibility is to “Serve Him!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
**What is going on in our country? The education system is more concerned about elementary students and their “right” to determine their sexuality, the political culture that is racked with corruption and liars, and our military and political leaders tolerating the invasion of our airspace by a Chinese Spy Balloon, what is going on! Are we at a point that Satan is in full control of the thoughts and actions of our leaders? I am concerned about the Spiritual Condition of my fellow travelers, and I know that the answer to all of the “ills” of this present age, in JESUS CHRIST! Regardless of the insanity, He is still with me! Despite the satanic influences and the ridiculous positions of those that oppose common sense, HE IS STILL WITH US and HE WILL SUSTAIN US and HE WILL SE US THROUGH TO THE END OF THE AGE! He Promised, I Believe, and I am excited about tomorrow, even with its sinful and destructive patterns of behavior, there is HOPE! Please Pray for our leaders, our nation, and our world! (2 Chronicles 7:14)
"TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE
February 3 “Two is Better than One” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Henry Ward Beecher, a pastor that lived in the 1800’s, said, “Climbers of the Alps fasten themselves together with a rope for safety.” What amazingly wise words for today! The, Words of Solomon, also referred to as, the “Preacher,” instructs us that, two are, absolutely, better than one! Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to fellowship and to support and to lift one another up. That is a part of God’s plan for us to be “Givers!” Giving of our time and talents and blessings and financial resources and our words of encouragement! Romans 12:1, instructs us to “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Many of us have excuses for why we can’t or don’t give of ourselves as encouragement and comfort for others. I want you to “THINK THIS OVER!”
God made the Sun – It Gives…
God made the Moon – It Gives…
God made the Stars – They Give…
God made the Air – It Gives…
God made the Clouds – They Give…
God made the Earth – It Gives…
God made the Trees – They Give…
God made the Flowers – They Give…
God made the Fowl – They Give…
God made The Plan – HE GIVES…
God made Man – He ____?
Serving God requires that we give! It means that we give of our time, talents, resources, blessings, and our all! God plan is for us to love and support and to work together to do His will for our lives! During this time of unsettled isolation and uncertainty, please exercise your blessings, by reaching out to others, and to bless someone that may feel alone! God has provided the example of Love, with His Son, Jesus, and we are to honor His sacrifice and to live His forgiveness as we connect to others and fulfill His plan and promises! Serve God with Gladness and be a “Giver!” We are called “TO ACTION, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!” Step up and shout the “Good News!” Remember, we are not alone in this world! We are instructed to come together and face the challenges together and to work together and to “Give” together and to support one another and, to connect, together, for His honor and benefit! The words are so true: Two are better than one! TO GOD BE THE GLORY…Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
PANSY CROWDER
JEAN HOCUTT
GARY JOHNSON
CALL UPON ME, I WILL LISTEN
February 2 “Call Upon Me, I Will Listen.” Jeremiah 29:12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:12)
All, of the greatest moments of my life have been experienced, in prayer and the results of prayer! The scripture passage for today, follows a promise that God made, to provide a future and to offer hope! I feel blessed and privileged to be able to call on my God, and to know that He has promised a “Divinely Guided Future and His Blessed Hope for my Life! You see, prayer, sincere and faith-filled prayer, is the conduit by which we enter His presence and talk with Him and position ourselves to claim His Divine Promises for our Lives! I get excited, each time that I enter the presence of the “UNLIMITED GOD,” especially, when I recognize my “LIMITED” capacity! PRAISE GOD! Because of His “UNLIMITED” provisions, I can live “LIMITLESS!” Folks, the privilege of prayer is a blessing! We can talk to God, and He will listen and answer our prayers! He listens to my “whining and my complaining and still loves me and has promised that He would provide His Grace for my every shortcoming! So, given the promise, and believing His Word, and recognizing His “UNLIMITED” capacity and power, with intensity and with clear focus, call on the Lord, in Faith, and share your burdens and struggles and needs and desires, and leave them at His feet! Every day, in faithful prayer, share your ups and downs and LEAVE THEM WITH HIM! Pray for each other and lift-up our leaders and our friends and neighbors and LEAVE IT THERE! Bring all your burdens to the Lord, put them at His Feet and LEAVE THEM THERE! Guess What? Your Husband or Wife, Your Friends, Your Co-Workers, even Your Pastor may not always listen to you, yet we have a friend, a friend that is closer than a brother, that will listen, hear, and respond to our prayers! What a privilege that we have in Holy and UNLIMITED PRAYER! Exercise the Privilege and Pour Out Your Heart to God and Expect His Blessings, Corrections, and His Provisions! HE WILL LISTEN TO YOU!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
VIKKI BROCK
PERSONAL COMMITMENT
February 1 Personal Commitment James 4:7-8
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)
Who is in charge, of your life? Who has your loyalty and devotion? Who do you look to for authority and guidance for your living? James is pointing out that we, want to serve God, yet, we allow the Devil to have authority over our lives. We have to choose who we will follow! Through the Blood of Jesus, our God has provided the ability to stand up against the wiles of the Devil, as he creates temptations, within our lives. Under the Redeeming Blood of Jesus, we are no longer controlled by the power of sin, nor are we helpless against Satan and his minions. Praise God! We have the power and the authority to stand up and speak with Holy Power, to Satan and his henchmen, to get away and to “Flee” from us! When we choose to draw near to God and resist the wiles of Satan, the scriptures tell us that He (God) will move closer to us! Remember, we have the Victory! We just, have, to claim it! Live it! Share it! I choose to resist Satan, Claim God’s Promises of Victory and be confident in my personal devotion and commitment, each day of my life! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!