PRAY, PRAY, PRAY ....!!!!
May 23 Pray, Pray, Pray… 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.” (James 4:7-8)
My Prayer Closet (a place free from distractions) is, literally, a closet. I go into the closet, and I come near to God through prayer. When I am weary and worn, from ministry and obedience, I come close to God through prayer. When I am excited and upbeat and feeling blessed, I come close to God in Prayer! Are you sensing a pattern? Prayer is the absolute Key to success as a Christian and for our walk in Obedience. Prayer time is a special time and I covet my time alone with my Lord and Savior. Amazingly, I have expanded my Prayer Closet to include our front porch, my car, and my lawnmower. “Praying always…,” that is what He expects! Jesus was human, yet Divine. This concept is difficult for us to absorb; however, He WAS a man, and He IS the Son of God. Jesus prayed to the Father for guidance and strength and for comfort and for the completion of His Divine Mission! If Jesus prayed and recognized the necessity for prayer, and was dedicated to the communication with His Father, don’t you think that we should do the same? How do we submit ourselves to God? WE ARE TO PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! WE ARE TO RESIST THE DEVIL!! Again, WE ARE TO PRAY, PRAY, PRAY…Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY 22, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JACK BUNN
STAN PRUDEN
"IT IS WHAT IT IS"
May 22 “It Is What It Is!!” 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)
Boy oh boy, we are living in some extremely difficult times! Troubles, strife, discord, hatred, evil and twisted thoughts, and actions abound! If we focus on the actions and words of this world, we will continue to be discouraged and our witness for our Savior will be diluted! This is just what Satan would like for every believer! PRAISE GOD, that His Word is filled with encouraging words that provide an uplifting word of hope and inspiration for your day. God wants us to comfort us in times of need and through life's challenges. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, the Bible can lift your spirits and give you a fresh start! Meditate on God’s Word, throughout the day and share them with your friends so you can send encouragement and impact someone else's day! The reality of our present age is that despair and anxiety have always been and will always be a part of life on Earth, but we can all find strength and guidance in the encouragement from the Bible, and the verses of Hope and Power. No matter what we face - job loss, relationship conflict, death of a loved one, or even a worldwide pandemic, there is always an opportunity to re-focus on God's promises.
God wants to encourage us to find joy and peace every single day, in everything that we do, or say. That's why Scripture is packed with encouraging verses and the Power to overcome! God's Word has been translated and kept alive for hundreds of centuries to speak directly to your heart now! You were meant to find hope through Jesus Christ and the love of God. The best way to fight discouragement is by meditating on words of encouragement that are found in God’s Holy Word! 2 Timothy 1:7 provides a powerful and dynamic statement of fact that we can live by… “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Friends, I refuse to be swayed by the insanity of this day, but to cling to the promises of God’s Holy Word and I fully recognize that “IT IS WHAT IT IS,” and I choose to claim His Power, Presence, Provision and Blessed Hope, regardless of the circumstances! I have used this statement of fact, often… “IT IS WHAT IT IS!!” Remember, It Is, but we have a solution to the “ills of the day!” That Solution is JESUS CHRIST, OUR RISEN LORD! I am determined to live above the chaos and insanity of this age, and to continue to claim His Victory! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! REMEMBER, “It Is What It Is,” and our calling is to Proclaim Jesus, the Answer to All of this world’s issues!!!!
SIDE NOTE: In My Opinion, there is a glaring example of “Political Correctness,” or “Chaos Driven Insanity,” in the changing of the name of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty, based on some arbitrary thought that a name is offensive and will create irreparable harm to the population! A perfect example of “IT IS WHAT IT IS!”
BIRTHDAYS FOR 05/21/23
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
ELIJAH JONES (!st Birthday)
JERRY LEE
"OUR BOUNTIFUL AND ENDLESS SUPPLY"
May 21 “Our Bountiful and Endless Supply” Romans 8:32
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… ““He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
God has promised that He would be faithful to us and that He would sustain us and never leave us nor forsake us, yet there are times when we are discouraged and lonely and in despair and we have difficulty finding our way. Remember, He is our unending and on-going supply for everything that we need to live for Him and to enjoy the “Fruit” of our Labor and to Praise God from whom, all, of our, blessings flow!! You see, God gave His Son for us. How much more will He give, in our times of need and struggles? I am excited that He is an overflowing well of resources, that brings, into my life, spiritual pride and hope and energy and vitality and His Blessed Assurance. Guess What? That’s right…God is Good…God is Mighty…God is Love and God is Good to His Children. Be Encouraged! Be Committed! Be True to His Calling! Enjoy the Prosperity that He Provides for His Children! Once again, Be Encouraged!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 20, 2023
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
RICKY & JOAN WATSON
LIFE ... Noah's Ark Inspired
May 20 LIFE… Noah’s Ark Inspired! Proverbs 4:5
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 4:5)
Several months ago, a dear friend gave me a sheet of paper that I posted beside my computer, and I have read it every morning, since I posted it. It continues to inspire me, and I want to share its encouraging words with you! It is entitled, “Everything I Need to Know About Life, I Learned from Noah’s Ark!”
1. Don’t Miss the Boat.
2. Remember that We are All in the Same Boat
3. Plan Ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay Fit. When You’re really Old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t Listen to the Critics; just get on with the Job that needs to be Done.
6. Build Your Future on High Ground.
7. For Safety Sake, Travel in Pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When You’re Stressed, Float a While!
10. Remember, the Ark was built by Amateurs, the Titanic by Professionals!
11. No Matter the Storm, when you are with God, there’s ALWAYS a Rainbow waiting… (MYBIBLE.COM)
Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
"TURN AWAY FROM SIN"
May 19 “Turn Away From Sin” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Tune into any broadcast medium and observe the headlines for that day! The priorities of the world have shifted into utter insanity, without any degree of common sense or decency! In what world is it proper for men, dressed as women, to be teaching young children, and the powers that want to be, are promoting and defending such behaviors? How is it that multiple individuals can me murdered in the inner cities of America, and little, if any outcry occurs, yet, when a police officer, in the performance of their duty, kills a suspect, that is armed and dangerous, that it immediately provokes a violent and destructive response? Are you observing the selective outrage and the targeted responses to evil? Daddy used to tell me that a day was coming when the basic common-sense standards of behavior would be viewed as evil, wrong and contrary to civil society! The day has arrived! What are the priorities of the Evil Driven Leadership of our Nation? It appears that the systematic destruction of unborn children is the number one priority, closely followed by the idea that the Judo-Christian Ethic is antiquated and contrary to the perverted thoughts of a “God-less” society! Be Not Deceived; we are living in the last days of this evil world’s domination. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is meant for today, May 19, 2023! Believer, we MUST be aware of the twisted nature of the Evil that has overtaken basic common sense, and we MUST continue to claim His promises and Live Out His Love, growing each day into the Spiritual Warriors, Armored Up, Prayed Up, Read Up, prepared to Step Up, Speak Up and to Lead as many as we can, into a Saving Relationship with Jesus Christ! EVIL EXISTS! SATAN IS MOVING, AND GOD’S PLAN IS UNFOLDING! TIME IS PRECIOUS AND WE MUST ACT RIGHT NOW! Hebrews 13:5 provides great comfort, as it instructs us… “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He has promised HIS Faithfulness! Listen, we ARE in the middle of this ugliness and decay, yet we can walk confidently and fortified in the knowledge that He will sustain us, keep us, and Protect us, when we surrender completely to His Holy Will! This world is headed towards destruction, but because of the Love of God, through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are not a part of this world, but, because of His Redeeming Blood, we are citizens of Heaven! Be Strong, Endure, Be Faithful, Continue to Proclaim His Love and Salvation, and NEVER, EVER ALLOW THIS WORLD AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS AGE, TO DICTATE YOUR BEHAVIORS! Words fail me, as I attempt to express the sadness of our present age, yet I want you to be aware that we live in this world, but, PRAISE GOD, as Born-Again Believers, WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD! Please Stay Strong & Focused, and continue to realize that, for the committed Follower of Christ, THE BEST IS, INDEED, YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MAY 18, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
TIM BAILEY
STEVE WHITE
RAYMOND HENLEY
JOANN TANNER
__________________________________________
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
SEAN & SHANNON MELVIN
CONFIDENT IN THE JOURNEY
May 18 “CONFIDENT in the JOURNEY” 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)
There are days when I struggle in my walk with my Lord! There are times when I am simply exhausted in “well-doing!” When I feel as if I am unable to go one more step, then the Blessed Holy Spirit reminds me of His Power and Presence, and I go one more step! From the day that God began the great work of Salvation in me, and the miracle of Justification, as He forgave me of my sins and started me on a new path and a new life, in Him, He has guided me, and He has encouraged me, and He has helped me to grow and to embrace His Amazing Grace! When I stumble, He is with me! When I fall short of His Love, He is with me! When I fail in my commitments to Him, He never ever Fails in His commitment to me! Every day, in every way, I am, absolutely, claiming the promise that He WILL complete the Good Work that He has begun in me!! I am Thanking God, and Praising His Holy Name for what He has done, what He is Doing, and what is to be! Regardless of your present challenges, be grateful for His Grace and embrace His Promises, to sustain us, to hold us, and to complete His Work in us! Thank you, Lord, for Loving Me, for Choosing Me, and for Saving Me! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
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!