BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 1, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

JUNIOR FERRELL

HE Answers Prayer

March 1  HE Answers Prayer!  Philippians 4:19

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Recently, a dear brother in Christ, troubled with life, asked me a profound question. He asked, “Does God really answer prayer?” Wow! I was dumbfounded, for just a moment, then, almost immediately, I began to pray that the Holy Spirit would provide an answer that would be great enough to “jump start” my brother’s Faith and Fidelity! I responded, “One lesson that our Jesus teaches, is that we can have confidence in every prayer, that is prayed, in Faith and Truth!” I went on to say that, “There will be skeptics that will scoff at the reality, there will be pseudo-intellectuals that will deny the reality, and there will be non-believers that will ridicule you, yet, as believers in the gift of God through Jesus Christ, in His own words, we have the answer: ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)’” Listen, this DOES NOT mean that God gives us a “Blank Check” or a “Wishing Well” of unrestricted answers to prayer! His words are not intended to mean that we will receive everything that we pray for, as long as we continue to ask for the same thing, over and over! Our God is not a Genie with 3 wishes!! Does God promise to give us anything that we want? The answer is a resounding NO! Think about it… God loves us too much to provide ANYTHING that we ASK FOR! In our humanity, we often ask for thinks that are not edifying to the Body of Christ and are not conducive to our spiritual growth and is not a true witness for Christ! Our job, our responsibility, our calling, our blessing, is to grow in Christ, walk in His Will, Exercise His Grace, daily, and to continue to abide in Him! The more that we do this, the more that our prayers WILL BE FULFILLED! As we grow closer to Him, our Prayers will reflect His Will, His Promises and His Power! The scriptures promise that “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

TRUST HIS PROMISE! BELIEVE IN HIS PROVISION! WALK IN HIS GRACE! LIVE FOR HIM, EVERY SINGLE DAY! He Promised, I believe, and I know that He will answer my prayers! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 28, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ALLYSON CREECH

SHIRLEY LANE (60th)

"BE AN ENCOURAGER"

February 28     “Be an Encourager”         Colossians 3:16

**HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY TO SHIRLEY LANE!  THANK YOU FOR BEING THE SISTER THAT I DIDN’T HAVE!! LOVE YOU SIS, PASTOR GLEN**

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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)

It has become clear to me in my 66 plus years of living, that there are two distinct types of people in this world! One type love’s others and is always seeking to help and support and encourage others, and the other type is a complainer and is constantly draining us and trying our patience and seems to be seeking the worst that can exist! Have you ever known some one that triggers your “Flight” response whenever they come around? You know that criticism and complaining is about to happen! Conversely, how about that individual that crosses your path, and you are immediately, lifted-up, and you feel encouraged and blessed to have them in your life! There was a man with such credentials, in the Bible. A man that was an Encourager and Supporter of others. His name was Joseph, but the Disciples, changed his name, to describe this amazing man more accurately. They called him, Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement!” What a way to be known! Dear Friends, under the redeeming blood of Jesus, may we be “Encouragers” for our fellow travelers, on this journey of life, and may we be known as the “Encourager!” When we are completely absorbed in God’s Grace and Love, then we can truly and effectively be that “Encourager” that Jesus has ordained! Get your house in order and stop complaining! How do we do that? Listen and Obey… “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.”  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 27, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

AVA GARNER

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