STAY ALERT, BE READY ....

February 27     Stay Alert, Be Ready…    1 Thessalonians 5:8

**THANK-YOU to our BTC Church Family for your Love, Prayers, and Generous Support! We appreciate the recognition for 15 years of service together! May God Bless BTC with many more years of productive service for our Savior! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

In His Love,

Pastor Glen & Annette

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Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

My dear friend and long-time Prayer Partner, Reverend Ricky Anderson, has told me of his experiences of standing on the hillside and looking over into the most famous battlefield that exists, the Valley of Jezreel. It is more commonly known as the Valley of Armageddon! As a student of history, I know that the first recorded battle took place there, and the exciting news is that the Last Battle fought on this earth will happen right there! This is a famous battlefield, yet the most common and most used battlefield is in our hearts and minds! The Apostle Paul gives clear instructions to cover ourselves with the breastplate of Faith and Love, and to protect our minds with the helmet of Salvation! Listen, the instructions from Paul are applicable to our lives today! Faith ushers into our lives, the righteousness of Christ, and this Love allows us to share it with others! This Hope of Salvation, that Paul speaks about, protects our minds and is a true source of encouragement! Listen Closely!!! Every single day, Satan is actively engaged in the battle for your thoughts and your very heart! He is seeking control, so that he can cause others to doubt and to stumble along this life! THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE VICTORY AND TO SERVE GOD, IS TO REMAIN ALERT AND TO BE READY FOR THE BATTLE! There is no doubt, WE ARE IN A BATTLE FOR THE VERY SOUL OF MAN! Get Ready, Be Ready and “Armor Up!” “NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused, Stay Ready…The Battle is at hand!  Victory is ours, through the Blood of Jesus! REMEMBER: THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

MIRANDA ALLEN

FREDDIE BATTEN (In Heaven)

HIS Great LOVE

February 26           HIS Great Love…      John 15:13

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  (John 15:13)

In 1 John 4:8, John wrote to the early church that “God is Love!”  Christianity is the only earthly belief system that, has at its foundation, the reality of Loving One Another!  Love is the key. Love is the central part of our God’s very nature and existence.  It is because of God’s amazing Love that He sought a vital relationship with sinful men and women, even at the cost of His Only Begotten Son.  It was this GREAT LOVE that brought Jesus to the Cross, and it was this amazing Love that Jesus demonstrated, on that old Cross, is the reality of God’s GREAT LOVE for us!  So, when Jesus says that; “Greater love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” it is a statement of our requirement to Love God and our Neighbor!  Our Jesus, willingly and with divine purpose, went to the Cross and suffered and died for our sins and this is the Greatest Act of Love that the world has ever known!!  Jesus came because God Loves us and Jesus, in His Love for Mankind, was willing to be the one, true, and final blood sacrifice for our sins!  That, my friends, is LOVE. I am excited to be a part of that “Shed Blood Experience” and to call Jesus, friend.  As my friend, I am in communication with Him, and to have Him share in my burdens, and grateful that He intercedes, with the Father, on my behalf.  The reality is clear, we are to Love God, Embrace and claim His Love through Jesus and to GO and SHARE this LOVING RELATIONSHIP and this LOVING FRIENDSHIP with everyone that we meet!!  Thank you God for Loving me enough to “Lay Down Your Son’s Life For ME!”  IT IS ALL ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR US!!  DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM?  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! 

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

EDDIE PERRY

MARTHA WHITED

OUR WORDS, OUR THOUGHTS, OUR ACTIONS

February 25     Our Words, Our Thoughts, Our Actions         Psalm 19:14

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)

Have you ever spoke in haste and were sorry for the words that you used? Have you ever thought about something, and dwelled upon it, until you made it become reality? Is it necessary for the Believer to control our speech and to control our thoughts? The Psalmist is asking for Divine intervention in controlling his words and his thoughts! It is, absolutely, necessary for the Believer to control and to govern the words from our mouths and we must control and govern our thoughts! This is a tough pair! What we think, will ultimately, come out of our mouths! God is our Father, Jesus is our Savior and Lord, and the Holy Spirit is our Strength and Our Guide! We MUST be careful what we think and what we say! Our witness for Jesus and the proclamation of His Word requires that we control our thoughts and words! In Philippians 4:8, Paul expressed a need to be in control of our thoughts and our words! He said, “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 are you thinking about right this minute? What words are ready to leave your mouth? Because of your thoughts, what actions are you about to engage in?  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

OBSERVATION OF REALITY: No generation can say they are completely free from the threat of war.  Jesus spoke of the inevitability of conflict when he prophesied of the signs of his coming.  He said in the Gospel of Matthew: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:6-8)… THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT JESUS IS COMING AGAIN AND IT IS NOT AS FAR OFF AS IT USED TO BE!  Now is the time to get thing right between you and our Savior, Jesus Christ!! (Pastor Glen Brock)

15 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

February 24   15 Years Anniversary     1 Corinthians 15:58

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

On February 24, 2008, the church family, at Baptist Tabernacle, voted to elect a short, “Pillsbury Doughboy” Preacher, with limited experience, to become their “Shepherd,” Pastor and Friend! What an amazing journey! Over the past 15 years, we have experienced many challenges and issues and opportunities (abundant blessings, also). The greatest, in a generation, challenge, has been the COVID 19 Pandemic, and the protracted and fractured reaction to its reality! During this period, I have been praying for God’s movement, God’s Blessings and for God to bring us out of this malaise, Stronger, More Dedicated, More Determined, and Ready to Serve! HE IS DOING JUST THAT!!! Thank You BTC Family for your Love and Support, and, with the empowerment of Almighty God, we will continue to serve Him, together, until He calls me home, or raptures the church (Come, quickly Lord)! Each one of you, in your own way, continue to inspire me and to encourage me and to push me towards the goals that God has for me and for us, as a Church! Keep Praying, Keep Studying, Keep Sharing…Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR FEBRUARY 23, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

AMY CREECH WATTS

MARY PAT HICKS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

LARRY & OTHELL (In Heaven) PRICE

Because of PRAYER

February 23    Because of PRAYER…    James 5:16

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

In my study of prayer, and those who were prayer warriors, I have discovered that the words of James are absolutely correct. When we study the life of John Wesley, we see that he prayed for revival to come to his beloved England, and it did, and the nation was spared the trauma and horrible conditions of the French Revolution! I remember the sermons and prayers of a Puritan Minister, named Jonathan Edwards, and the words of one of his famous sermons, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and he prayed for repentance and for lives to be changed, and a great revival came to the colonies, because of PRAYER! I recall that a simple country preacher, with faith and determination, prayed for his brother for forty years, and, this brother, came to Christ, because of HIS GRACE and Daddy’s PRAYER! Friends, regardless of the circumstances, situations or distress, God is still in the SAVING BUSINESS and HE is STILL ANSWERING PRAYERS! There is a REVIVAL breaking out in the Asbury College and it is an indication that people, you and I, are ready, hungry, and open for REVIVAL to BREAK OUT, right here, right now! BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT! Pray for our nation, each other, and the blessings that are to come! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY… “ The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE

February 21     Strength for the Battle   2 Thessalonians 1:11

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore, we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power…”  (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

How strong are you? In our culture, being strong is equated with being tough. Have you ever seen someone who appeared to be emotionless, stern, self-asserting? We refer to these folks as “strong!” Listen, regardless of how strong that you are or perceive that you are, the strength and resolve of the strongest will rapidly fade under the onslaught of pressures and battles that Satan is poised to bring to us and is in the middle of attacking our Spiritual wellbeing! For Followers of Christ, this is where the “Battlefield” really exists! In Ephesians 6:12, it tells us about the battles that we are, and will engage in, and none of us are strong enough to stand up under the onslaught and pressures of this kind of battle, on our own! Listen… “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Dear friends, do not fear the battles, because we have the ultimate weapon in this struggle between “Good” and “Evil!” God did not mean for us to fight this battle alone! He has promised Victory, and I choose to claim this Victory, Power, and Strength! Friends, we are the strongest when we surrender to Him and rely on His power, provision and His Glorious Promises for Complete and Total Victory over the Evil One! As Born-Again Believers, we are not alone, nor are we fighting this battle by ourselves! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the POWER of HIS MIGHT!!! (Ephesians 6:10).” TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused, Prepare for the Battles… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ZACHARY JONES

MILTON PARRISH (In Heaven)

STAND STRONG

February 20     Stand Strong             2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

There are days, when I want to pull the covers over my head and refuse to face the challenges of the present day! Have you ever felt that way? The Apostle Paul, in today’s scripture passage, describes the realities of ministerial life. We, as “Born Again” Believers, have a responsibility to witness and to live for Jesus, so that lost folk will see Jesus in us! I am here to tell you that, so very often, the task can be difficult! I continue to remind myself that I am only required to witness and share the Love of God, through Jesus Christ, not to “Save” folks! Jesus’ selfless act at Calvary and the Promised Holy Spirit, oversee, the “Saving” part! This evil and perverse world is absolutely opposed to the Love of God and Satan is prepared to challenge us, at every moment and about everything! Satan is so pleased when we, as representatives of the Love of God, become discouraged and weary in out righteous responsibilities. At that exact moment, Satan has his best opportunity to “Steal our Witness!” The message is short, today!! DO NOT ALLOW SATAN TO STEAL YOUR JOY, YOUR ENTHUSIAM, YOUR VISION, NOR STEAL YOUR JOY!! Paul said it and I am attempting (through the Holy Spirit) to live it… “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Remember the “Victory Principle!” “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, the joy of life. All of this I owe to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He has given me the ‘VICTORY PRINCIPLE’ for which I thank Him every day!!” NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CAROLYN BROWN

CINDY JOBE

(IN HEAVEN) JOANN YOUNG

"PERSPECTIVE"

February 19     “Perspective”           Zechariah 9:17

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!” (Zechariah 9:17)

Have you ever gotten up on the “wrong side of the bed?” At that point, you decide that you are going to have a “bad day!” Well, there have been days like that for me, and there are times when I have accepted the misery and didn’t do anything to change the circumstances, and when that happened, I really did have a “bad day!” A few months ago, I was visiting at UNC Rex Hospital, and I ran into an old pastor friend, and I could tell that he was troubled. I asked the standard question, “How are you doing?” The response caused me to stop and stare at him. “Not worth a darn, to be truthful!”  “What’s going on brother?” He replied, “I got up this morning and the coffee pot was broken, then I slipped in the shower and bruised my leg, and then my wife called and told me that she had just been fired from her job and I went out to my truck, and it would not start!” Wow! I grabbed him by the hand and told him that we were going to pray, right now, right here in the hallway of Rex Hospital! He looked a little puzzled, yet he didn’t resist, so I began to pray, out loud, for the Holy Spirit’s intervention, and a transformation of his perspective and his attitude! At the conclusion of the prayer, I opened my eyes and, believe it or not, five other people had stopped and gathered around us as we prayed! My brother had tears in his eyes, and he told me that he was so grateful for running into me and that he just needed a reality check! “I forgot that He promised that He would see us through, and I was so focused on the issues that I forgot the blessings and the promises!” Dear Friends, in this life, there will be challenges and trials and irritations and frustrations and a host of other issues, yet we are to stay focused on the “BIG” Picture and to claim His Power, Provision, Presence, and His Grace, in everything that we do and experience! “For how great, is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!” Let this be your guiding thought and may your “Attitude” be defined by His Presence in your life! Remember, stuff happens, yet as a Believer, we are the children of the King, who is not moved by the issues and trials of this world. For our God is with us and He goes before us, and we need not fear, because we are HIS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

DEAN ROUSE

KALEY WADDELL

According to HIS WILL

February 18     “According to HIS Will…”        1 John 5:14

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”  (1 John 5:14)

Many believers have been deceived into thinking that God is some type of “Genie” that pops up to grant our wishes and to answer our slightest whims of the flesh that might arise, at that moment! Pay Attention! This IS NOT TRUE! Our God does hear our prayers and He does answer our petitions that are “according to His Will!” Real Prayer does not consist of our selfish wishes and our human desires! Real Prayer is praying, “according to His Will!” This is achieved when we recognize that God wants to, and will, reveal His Will to us! The fact is that God reveals His Will to us when we are studying His Word and growing in our relationship with Him. And the most important component is to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you, and to teach you about HIS WILL! When we doubt His Will, just ask the Holy Spirit for direction and discernment! Listen, when we know the Will of God, then we can approach His Throne with confidence and boldness! When we know the Will of God, in any matter that we face, we can freely and boldly come into His Presence, and we can be assured that He will Hear us and that He will Answer us! I pray that you are walking in obedience and growing in His Grace and embracing the promise of the “Comforter,” to teach, guide, reveal and to empower our living. Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

SUTTON BOYETTE

SANDY TRIPPE

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

PAUL & CAROLYN BROWN

BE BOLD ....

February 17     BE BOLD…        Matthew 12:20-21

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.” (Matthew 12:20-21)

Have you ever felt abused or “beat-up” when you share your faith with others? Well, there was a time when I would share Jesus with someone, that I felt abused and ill-used! Every one of us have failed and fallen short of His standards, yet He loves us anyway, and will use us to complete His mission for humanity! Dear Friends, I want to encourage you to share your faith, period! When I think of a man that shared Jesus, in the face of his own shortcomings, my mind goes to Peter! Peter had failed miserably at sharing his faith and he even went further by denying that he knew Jesus! In the book of Acts, there was a change in ole Peter. He stood flatfooted and declared to the masses: “Let it be known to you all, and to the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole! (Acts 4:10).”  Isn’t it amazing! Even though Peter was weak and shaky in his initial sharing of Jesus’ love and grace, he was used by God to be a bold messenger for God and a Bright Light in the darkness of a sinful world! This is what I desire! I want to share my Faith and the source of my Faith, and I want to do it like a roaring fire that spreads across a dry and lifeless field! Please Lord, make my heart willing and my mouth anointed, to carry Your Good News to everyone that I meet! Alright Fellow Believers – BE BOLD, BE DELIBERATE, BE FAITHFUL, BE ENGAGED AND BE A BRIGHT LIGHT IN THIS DARK AND SINFUL WORLD! Never, ever feel abused or beat down; God provides, and we must embrace His Power and KEEP SHARING UNTIL WE SEE HIM AROUND THE THRONE IN HEAVEN! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

SALVATION and BEYOND

February 16     “SALVATION and BEYOND”  Philippians 1:6

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1:6)

This one scripture tells the complete story of our “Salvation!” Our God begins the miracle work of “Salvation” with the miracle of “His Justification.” Our Justification is the forgiveness of our sins and the offering of a new life that, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, puts us in a proper and restored standing with God! “Salvation” is amazingly exciting, yet it is only the beginning! Praise God! He continues to work in us to transform us into an example of His Holiness! My Daddy cammed this process, “Sanctification!” He used to tell me that God was “all in” on this process, even when we were not! Through rebellion and temptations, our God is committed to complete what He has begun in us! Here is the fact: Our God is so committed to our “Sanctification” that He will discipline and correct us, even allowing directive and correcting problems to come our way! I am excited that God is so invested in my “Salvation,” and the completion of my complete “Sanctification!” The completion of His work in me is the fact that I am going to spend eternity, with Him, in Heaven! Here is where another word becomes real! The Biblical word is “Glorification!” This is when I will be taken up to Heaven and I will have a new body, and I will never again feel the effects of sin or any of the earthly challenges! How exciting to realize that there will be no more sorrow or pain or crying or dying, just the opportunity to “Praise God and to Worship Him in the achievement of true Holiness! I can only imagine the unspeakable joy and the Heavenly presence of Jesus forevermore! I am so very grateful for the selfless act on Calvary that has provided this opportunity for me to be with Jesus and to enjoy an eternity Praising Him and Worshipping the Father, because of the Son! Thank you, God, for your unmerited favor, and for what YOU have done, are doing, and what YOU will do! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Are you in the process of real “Sanctification?” Are you anticipating that day when you will achieve complete “Glorification?” Now is the time! BELIEVE – CONFESS (REPENT) – ASK – RECEIVE…Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!