BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 17, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

HAILEY HILTON

ANN HORTON (In Heaven)

TAYLOR RENFROW

GRACE COZART

HIS Truth WILL SET You FREE

May 17   HIS Truth WILL SET You Free!    John 8:32

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”  (John 8:32)

My mother used to say that “The truth is the truth, and it will stand when the world is on fire!” The fact is that the only thing that will make us free, is the truth of Jesus Christ.  Boy oh boy, it was hard for me to face the truth, early in my life.  I was shy, painfully shy, and insecure and there were times that I didn’t like me.  I was in bondage!  When I came to Jesus, the Holy Spirit began a “work in me,” and I began to realize that I am God’s creation and that He doesn’t make mistakes and through prayer, study, focus and the gradual dependence on the Holy Spirit, I came to like myself! Go Figure! So much of my life has been devoted to seeking approval from people.  Every one of us want approval and validation of our existence, yet man is not the source of our eternal approval! My shyness was debilitating.  This insecurity kept me from participating in most school and church activities and my youth was marked by this burden of fear of what people might think. I will make this story short.  There was the day, in High School, that my dear mother spoke to me with power and intensity, when she told me to stop letting Satan dictate my life. Why would she say that? Sadly, she was right. I accepted the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ, when I was 12 years old and I had been growing, however slowly, since that day, yet I had not come to the fact that, as a New Creation, through Jesus, I was not under the bondage of shyness, and I am a Child of God and the only thing that matters is His approval. Amazingly, from that point, I began to “get out more,” and I began to interact with those that I thought were so much better than me and I found out that they were dealing with many of the same issues as me. Slowly, steadily, and most assuredly, God is still doing a work in my life, and I am grateful, and I am committed to continuing to grow in Him! The message for today is simple.  “Life is a process, not an event,” so claim Jesus, keep growing and focus on serving God and DO NOT TRY TO IMPRESS MAN!  So, here I am, 66 years old and still short and still plump and still balding and still struggle with crowds, and proudly claim the “Pillsbury Doughboy” title, yet I am truly comfortable in my own skin because of the Grace of God and the fact that I have God’s approval through Jesus, and I am still, a work in progress! Please do not allow the bondage of man’s approval to hamper your witness or your service for God. I could go on for days with this thought, however, I will leave you with this! Real Freedom is found in Jesus Christ! Our bondage is born of the sin that burdens every human being, yet God loved us enough to send Jesus to take our sins and make us acceptable and free, through His redeeming Blood!  Be BOLD, Be STRONG, Be BRAVE and Live Your Life as a Reflection of His Grace and Power! THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 16, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ZACHARY ADAMS

MICHAEL BROWN

TYLER ALLEN

HONESTY, TAUGHT UNDER PRESSURE

May 16   Honesty, Taught Under Pressure   Proverbs 10:9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”  (Proverbs 10:9) 

Many years ago, I had a way of making money and I was dedicated to the task.  I would walk along Highway 111, with my wagon in tow, and I would pick-up drink bottles that were scattered along the roadside.  This is not a story about littering, although, I was most excited about it, at that time of my life!  I would gather a wagon full of bottles and I would immediately head for Mr. Price’s store, to redeem the bottles for cash!  This particular day I was in line to redeem the bottles, behind a boy that I looked up to and thought that he didn’t even know me.  You know the type!  He was older and he hung out with the “IN” group, and he was the idol of every underclassman.  Well, it just so happened that he called me by name.  He said, “Hey Glen, I see you have the same job as me.”  We chatted a bit while Mr. Price was counting bottles.  We went inside of the store to receive our “wages” for our days work.  Skip and I were over near the candy shelf, and he said something that created some extreme mental difficulty for me.  He suggested that we steal some candy.  He said that he would create a distraction and I could take some candy.  Boy oh boy was I feeling pressure to “Fit-in.”  Here it is, I have an opportunity to impress this boy and I might even make it into the “Cool” crowd.  Struggling with this dilemma, I gave in to the pressure and slipped a pack of chewing gum that looked like chewing tobacco.  I thanked Mr. Price for taking the bottles and I quickly made an exit.  We were outside of the store and Skip said, “I didn’t think you had it in you!”  Oh well, I did it and now I was feeling that the results of my actions were not worth the guilt and regret that I experienced.  “Skip, good to see you.  I need to go home and do my chores.  See you around…”  The walk home afforded me the opportunity to talk with my wagon and to prepare for the face to face with my mother.  Keep in mind, Mama had no clue about my activities.  Arriving home, I immediately went to doing my daily chores. Well, I should have known!  Mama said, “What’s going on?”  “What do you mean?”  “Something is going on…what have you done?”  What I had feared was here…I began to “sing” like a canary.  Mama was calm and she said for me to get in the car, and we were going back up to the store and we were going to settle this issue.  We were one mile from the store, however, that ride seemed like it was 50 miles.  We entered the store and Mama told Mr. Price that I wanted to share something with him.  So, I told him the entire sorted story and I apologized for my actions and placed the money for the gum on the counter.  His response was not expected…He said, “Glen, I know that you took the gum! I keep my eyes on that boy Skip.  He and his buddies steal something every time they come in.”  Immediately, I DID NOT WANT to be a part of their crowd.  I thought that confession and payment would settle the issue.  I was wrong!  Mr. Price told me that it was ok, and that the payment was enough, but Miss Barbara had other ideas.  She asked Mr. Price if he had any odd jobs that I could do to compensate him for my dishonesty and lack of integrity.  So, for 2 months, I went to the store, and I organized the stock room and had to separate the returned bottles, by brand and I was required to sweep and dust and to do anything that was required and needed.  Mama was not finished…I had to quote this specific Bible verse, from Proverbs 22:1, every single day… “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”  I am so grateful for my mother’s influence and her intensity in teaching a valuable “Life’s Lesson!”  Folks, we must be careful following the “In Crowd,” seeking approval from this world and its sinful ways.  How are we, as representatives of Jesus Christ, to live our lives?  Simply put… “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8… Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!!!! (Re-Posted with a Purpose)

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 15, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

TONY DRIVER

SONJA LEE

"BEING COMFORTABLE WITH ME"

May 15     “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 work 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, reflecting His Grace, attempting to be “Christ-Like,” 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,” because of YOU, 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 MAY 14, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

WALT DILLON

TOMMY MOORE

ROSE POPE

MOTHER’S DAY 2023

May 14     MOTHER’S DAY 2023       Philippians 2:1-4

**HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL! **

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

 My dear mother used to quote this scripture to me, and she attempted to live it out, in her life, every day! As I have gotten older, I recognize that every mother is not the same. There are some great ones, some good ones, and there are some terrible ones, yet they are our mothers! I am so glad and blessed to have had a great one!

A familiar Mother’s Day poem written in the early 1900’s is:

M is for the Many things she gave me,
O means only that she's growing Old.
T is for the Tears she shed to save me,
H is for her Heart of purest gold.
E is for her Eyes with love light shining,
R means Right and Right she'll always be.

Put them all together, they spell MOTHER.
A word that means the world to me!

Take a moment, today, to express your love and gratitude to the one that is, or was, your mother. Regardless of her mothering skills, she deserves your gratitude and praise! In Exodus 20:12, it instructs us to “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Today, I honor every woman that has taken the role of “Mother,” and that includes those that have been Mothers to children that they did not birth! THANK YOU, GOD for our mothers! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 13, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

TAMMY BAKER

"AM I ALONE IN THIS?"

May 13     “Am I Alone in this?”       Hebrews 6:19

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “This Hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil.”   (Hebrews 6:19)

There are days when I am satisfied that I must be going crazy! I have asked myself if I am the only one that feels this way and am I the only one that sees the craziness and insanity that is going on! We are all faced with the realities of life, whether we acknowledge it or not. The challenges that come from a “New” normal; that has been thrust upon us, and all that goes with it, create upheaval and descent in our thoughts and actions. Dealing with the insanity and the “Storms” of life causes us to become disillusioned and become a bit fearful. There are times when we feel as if we are adrift in the middle of a raging storm with no “Safe Port” in sight. Folks, I am here to declare that WE DO have HOPE! We need to ANCHOR DEEP! Our ANCHOR is JESUS CHRIST, and HE IS OUR HOPE!! HE is firm and strong and secure and, if we are to navigate through all the craziness of this present age, we MUST be firmly and securely attached to our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! You have heard me use this before: “In times like these, you need a Savior, In times like these you need an Anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, Your Anchor holds and grips the SOLID ROCK! This ROCK is JESUS, yes, He’s the ONE; This ROCK is JESUS, the ONLY ONE! Be very sure, be very sure, Your Anchor holds and grips the SOLID ROCK!” In times like these, we really do need that ROCK, which is JESUS CHRIST! So, the answer to the question is clear…NO, you are not going crazy; crazy things are happening, however, when we anchor deep in the promises of Jesus, HE WILL HOLD US, SECURELY AND STEADFASTLY, UNTIL THE STORM PASSES BY!! I am clinging to the anchor, which is my Savior, and when I feel confused and a sense of despair, I grip that anchor rope that gives me peace and strength and ETERNAL HOPE! I pray that you will “ANCHOR DEEP,” and grab hold of the HOPE, read John 3:16 and embrace the HOPE that is found, only in Jesus! Remember – You Are Not Alone!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 12, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

TONY WILSON

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

STEVE & JUNE WHITE

THE CHURCH ....

May 12          The Church…                Acts 2:46-47

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”  (Acts 2:46-47)

Almost every time that I help a family with a funeral, for their loved one, the funeral home will do a DVD of the pictures of their lives, their activities and their priorities.  Usually, the pictures will be from the earliest times of their lives, up to the present day.  When I think about the scripture for today, and I think about the DVD’s, of one who has passed, I think about the “Church” and what would a DVD look like today!  The authors of the New Testament used beautiful words to create pictures of the amazing images of the early church.  Amazingly, the church, in its infancy, was a powerful influence in the community and the individuals that made up the church were committed and dedicated to the same goal!  They were committed to sharing the Good News and to Fellowship with God and Each Other!  Folks, these words from Acts 2, still paint a portrait of what the church should be!!  On Thursday, July 22, 2021, I was a part of an ordination council, for a prospective pastor, in the Triangle East Baptist Association (formerly the JBA), and Dr. Hinton was discussing the role of the pastor and the changing dynamics of the ministry and the church, and he said something that has stayed with me.  He asked the candidate if he had ever considered being a “Church Planter.”  He continued to explain the extreme need for new churches, with new enthusiasm and new commitments!  As I thought about this, I realized that the “Existing Church Structure,” is not fulfilling the mandate of the “Early Church!”  A picture of the experience that I endured, just, a few short years ago, when I was ministering to a young man, and he had been offended by someone in the church body, and he said that he was leaving the church!  You know the thought… “I’ll get my toys and go home” mentality.  This is not “finding favor” or “gladness!”  It boils down to this fact: If the church, as it exists today, were following the example of the early church, then the need for a “New” church plant would not be necessary!  Folks, the picture that God provides, for us, from Acts 2, does not even resemble the church of today!  What is our priority?  Why are we not “in one accord?”  These early believers were dedicated followers and they had re-focused their lives and were living for Christ and that which was their attitudes and actions, no longer existed.  They were united under a single, life changing element: THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS!  People were drawn to this new fledging movement, and they were being saved from their sins and added to the church.  So, compare the picture of the church, from Acts 2, and today! How are we doing?  Do we need to return to our roots?  You see, “A picture is worth a thousand words!”  I am praying every day, that God will use me to lead and direct the church into a renewed vision and a more active role in sharing the Good News!  It is JESUS, not jobs or structures or trappings!  Fellowship requires commitment and the ability to lay aside our preconceived notions and to fully surrender to God!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 11, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

GINGER BULLOCK

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

BRUCE & CHERYL WHITLEY

Message From GOD

May 11     Message from GOD          Hebrews 10:23

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”  (Hebrews 10:23)

“Good morning, this is GOD, and I will be handling ALL of your problems today. Please remember… I WILL NOT NEED YOUR HELP!! If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD box (Something for God to do). It will be addressed in MY time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it! Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair! There are people in the world for whom driving is an unheard-of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who, has been out od work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it is like to love and be loved, in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient, in chemo, who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, and asking what is my purpose? BE THANKFUL! There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, Remember…things could be worse! You could be them!! Because I do not sleep, nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose sleep! REST MY CHILD! If you need to contact Me, I am only a prayer away! Love Eternally, The Lord your God!” (Author Unknown) TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR 05/10/23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

TYLER SLOAN

PEGGY SCOTT

KAYTLIN HALES CULLIPHER

RANDY BRIGGERMAN

GEORGE STRICKLAND (In Heaven)

We Must WALK by FAITH

May 10     “We Must Walk by FAITH”      2 Corinthians 5:7

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Every time that I look in the mirror, and every time that I witness the insanity of this present age, with its chaos, evil, depravity and uncontrolled insanity, I am so glad that my precious God has provided an opportunity to live above these circumstances, and has provided the atoning Grace of His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Life Changing Blood to cleanse and restore our relationship with the Father God! The scripture passage for today, clearly tells us that we must not walk, through this life, depending on the actions, beliefs, circumstances of this world, but we are to claim God’s Presence, His Provision, His Power, and we are to embrace His Promises and, by Faith in Him, walk in that FAITH! Listen, those who walk in FAITH, have surrendered their lives to God and are relying on Him for His Power to sustain them and to protect them! They count on God’s Promises and Live Abundantly! To walk in Faith requires a focusing on the Word of God, a Faithful Prayer Life, and a confident and enduring attitude of assurance, as we face the unrelenting attacks and challenges of the Evil One! James 1:2-3, expresses some beautiful words of instruction and faith…  “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” What a joyful expectation! We will have tribulations, we will have challenges, we will face hardships, tragedies, and peril, yet, when we WALK IN FAITH, we are promised VICTORY and HOPE! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 9, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

ROBBIE EDWARDS

DONNA ANDERSON

JAKE STRICKLAND

JANE STRAUTNIEKS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

TOMMY & CHRISTIE MOORE

PRESS ON !

May 9                 “PRESS ON…”           Joshua 1:9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

When I read this passage of scripture, I am transported back to my youth, when I would hear my Daddy say these words, that still instruct and inspire me, today! When face with the challenges of life, he would shout, “Press On!” Daddy would remind me that God is in control, and we must trust Him for our living. When we think about this passage from Joshua, we will remember that Moses, the chosen leader, had died, and Joshua was the new leader! Joshua was struggling with the new responsibilities of leadership, especially in the shadow of the great leader, Moses. “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!” With this promise, Joshua continued to lead and direct the Hebrew peoples and fulfil his mission! Friends, God wants us to look to the future, with confident hope, and to embrace the lessons of the past, while living abundantly in the present! We cannot change the past, however, don’t discount the past, but learn from it, and be encouraged that you can live abundantly! Joshua had a great task before him, and he embraced each step along the journey! The message for today is very simple! WE MUST PRESS ON IN SPITE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARISE! WE MUST PRESS ON, AND EMBRACE AND CLAIM HIS PROMISES! WE MUST PRESS ON IN THE POWER AND MIGHT OF HIS PRESENCE AND PROMISES! Remember, when we walk in God’s presence, we have His Power, Peace and complete Provision for every task and challenge that we encounter! Are you facing a challenge, crisis, or tragedy? Stay Focused… Don’t overreact… Keep Looking to God! “Carpe Diem,” seize the day, and keep PRESSING ON! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 8, 2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

DORIS DRIVER

CATHY SASSER

"STEADFAST, BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE"

May 8       “Steadfast, Because of His Love”   Philippians 4:12-13

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:12-13)

Every day seems to bring yet another challenge and another “shortage” and another record price hike, on the essentials of our living, and another “shooting,” that triggers the idea of eliminating guns as a solution to evil and lawless thoughts and behaviors. Shortages, general unrest, violence and destruction, and a host of other challenges, have created an atmosphere of dread and despair among so many, including believers! So many have asked me, “What are we to do?” Well, the answer is simple! We are to continue to serve our God, and we are to continue to live for Him, and we are to continue to share His Grace and Good News, and we are to look to God’s provision and power for our living! The Apostle Paul stated clearly that he has experienced “Good times” and “Tough times,” and he was “Good,” either way! He declared that “Christ was all that he needed to be an overcomer!” That is the same recipe for us, right now, today! Yes, there are shortages, there are political and social issues, there are conflicting thoughts and actions, there are individuals that are determined to undermine the American way of life, and our basic human freedoms are being assaulted, every single day, yet we do not have to be discouraged, for our God has promised VICTORY, in and for our living! Remember, IT IS YOUR ATTITUDE, NOT YOUR APTITUDE, THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR ALTITIUDE! Listen, I do not understand how we can go from prosperity and plenty, to shortages and record high prices for basic goods and services in the span of 24 months, yet it is what it is and because I am a Child of God, and He has promised that He would sustain me and that He would never leave me, then I am excited that He is in control and that is one less thing that I must be concerned about! We have a choice! We can gripe and moan about the circumstances, or we can be “Overcomers,” and live ABOVE the Circumstances! I choose to be “AN OVERCOMER!” Paul said it best… “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!