Delight in the Lord

March 12    Delight in the Lord   Psalm 37:4

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”             (Psalm 37:4)

“Delight” is an interesting word. It has such a deeper meaning than what we might think. “Delight” is followed by “also,” in today’s scripture passage. It implies that our “Delight” is to be greater than our present capacity and expanding to be more our present “Delight!” Our Call, Our Duty, Our Privilege is to “Delight in the Lord!” We do this, by rejoicing in the Lord and to come before Him with Thanksgiving and Anticipation of His Gracious Provision. Desires are things that we want to receive. It is sort of like your desires for Christmas and the “loot’ that you will haul in! For our desires to be fulfilled, we must have hearts that are sincere and dedicated and committed to His will for our lives. You see, in God, what we are to do is “Delight,” then what we receive is “Desires,” as they become one. We must align our delighting and desiring, so that it honors Him and that our focus is on His Grace, His Promises, His Glory, and His “Desires” for our lives! God has promised, to us, the “Desires” of our Hearts, however, it requires our dedicated commitment and surrender to HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES! Relationship is KEY! I pray that you will embrace His Promises and live to bring honor and glory to God! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 11, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

MRS. SANDY KELLY

DWAIN DIEHL

Harmony!

March 11             Harmony!      1 Corinthians 16:14

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Many years ago, a wise older man shared some wonderful words of wisdom with this young, inexperienced, and slightly arrogant “whippersnapper!” He told me that I was required to work together with others, and that I should make every effort to do it with harmony and with love! Wow! How difficult is that? Working together with people that are difficult, moody, opinionated, arrogant, and all together unpleasant. When I inquired about the secret to this miracle that he expected, he simply spoke one word, and it made me stop in my tracks! He said, “JESUS!” He went on to explain that life with others, especially in the church, is like an automobile engine. There are many different parts, different parts, that are not alike, yet work together to seemingly create the impossible. Every part, working together, to achieve the desired goal, an engine that runs! Like this engine, the church is a finely tuned product that should operate in harmony with others, to achieve the ultimate goal of sharing Jesus Christ with a lost world, and to promote harmony among the brethren! It is our responsibility to create an atmosphere of harmony and friendship and love among fellow believers, and to create a witness that will promote and encourage non-believers to desire a Life-Changing relationship with Jesus Christ! Remember, when you greet others with friendship and an attitude of HIS Love, then they will, in most cases, respond in kind! Let us commit to being friendly, courteous, kind and diligently work to keep our focus on Jesus, and not on the petty issues of the day! I fully believe that we should commit to being “Witnesses of Kindness and Love,” created and promoted by the Author of Love, Jesus Christ! Try smiling today! Try speaking to others with His Love! Embrace the fact of His Grace and share the Good News! “YOU ARE TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 10, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

AUSTIN HORNE

RAY SMITH

WARREN RICHARDSON

JULIE HUNTER DANIELS

“Perspective”

March 10          “Perspective”            Isaiah 55:8-9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’” declares the Lord. “’As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

“The way that I see it, you are wrong!” That was the beginning of a conversation with a church member, just a few days ago! “Your vision is way too small, and you need to listen to me!” What was I to say? So, I remembered the scripture passage for today’s devotion, and I responded, “Thank you for helping me to see the way that you think that I should go!” You see, our perspective id determined by our level of Faith and our obedience. The plans of God are far above our human concepts, yet, we can grow in our Faith and our Belief and Continue to expand our Obedience to His Calling, and His Word! Our Perspective must be through the Eyes of Christ and the Understanding that HE, as HIS Obedient Children, will guide us and direct us! “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11)! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

Who is in Charge of Your Life?

March 9 Who is in Charge of Your Life? Matthew 12:25

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Pastor of Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, NC… “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.’” (Matthew 12:25)

As I observe the activities and the actions of churches around the area, it becomes clear that the idea of “God’s Will” may not be the defining force in church life! Recently, I have had the privilege to counsel 2 young, gifted pastors that have become discouraged and, unfortunately, are questioning their calling to pastoral ministry, and are considering the idea of leaving the pastoral ministry. Sadly, every word, every issue that these two fellow believers shared with me, I have felt those same issues! My words to them were, and continue to be, “Anchor Deep, Pray More, Study More, Pray More, Pray for Wisdom, Continue to Grow in His Grace, and as you mature in the Faith, you will see the need to continue to proclaim His Grace and Guidance!” I explained that there will always be “Tares among the Wheat!” Individuals, and they will always be quick to disrupt and to use every means available to create chaos and disharmony! Amazingly, over the years, fellow believers continue to have personality conflicts and challenges as we serve God in the church! A simple question, applied to every issue, would solve many of the ongoing challenges! “IS IT EDIFYING TO CHRIST AND WILL IT PROMOTE UNITY AND IS IT A TRUE WITNESS FOR JESUS?” When we remove personalities and prejudices from our encounters, and we desire the unity of the body, then our motivations are different! Sadly, well-meaning, and dedicated individuals are either active in creating offences or they are the ones being offended! HE Knows our thoughts and HE is fully aware of our Motivations! We are to, as much as possible, to live peaceably with everyone! Unfortunately, when people come together to accomplish any good thing, personalities prevail! Are your words and actions building up the body of believers or are your words and actions tearing down the fellowship of believers? “My Way or the Highway” attitude and mentality WILL NOT and DOES NOT EDIFY and GLORIFY GOD! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! I am asking you to Pray for the Pastors around our area, and to focus on living out, in every area of your life, the divine calling on your life, to be a witness for Him, every day, in every way! Be a UNITER, not a DIVIDER! Remain Strong, Remain Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MARCH 8, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

RICKY NARRON

TINA RIEPER

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

SEFTON & CAROLYN STEVENS

Loving Our God Under Trials

March 8        Loving Our God Under Trials        James 1:12

** I will be posting March 9 Devotion today. I will be unavailable on Saturday… **

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

Many years ago, in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina, there was a Mosquito born disease scare. These blood sucking insects were spreading a particular disease and there was a mass concern about these tiny death carrying creatures. How do we escape these predators? YOU DON’T! There was a swamp or “slew,” within a mile of every living being! It was a “right of passage” to have red itchy spots on our arms and legs, during the summer months! My dear Mother’s solution to protect her little baby boy, was to cover me in Avon’s “Skin So Soft” lotion! There are days when I can still smell a faint odor of this noxious concoction. Constantly aware, always wary of the critters, it created a serious “Trial” in daily living! This little creature created inconvenience, pain, irritation and was always unwelcome! With all the prepared and homemade concoctions, avoiding these irritating beings was still impossible! I have thought many times, “What purpose do these creatures serve?” Life is full of irritations and trials and challenges, and we must place our trust and faith in the Creator to empower us, to guide us and to protect us! Trials of life are inconvenient, painful and “down-right” wrong, yet they are necessary for our overall well-being! Through these challenges, we learn patience, and perseverance, and we develop grateful hearts and attitudes! The reality is that we grow closer and deeper in our Faith and Dependance on our Savior, Jesus Christ! These Trials, do we really need them? ABSOLUTELY! WITHOUT A DOUBT! Trials serve a noble purpose in making us more like Jesus, and ready to take on the challenges of life, strong, determined, and ready to share His Grace and His Power and His Ability to Guide us through the irritating, yet growth inspiring Trials! THANK YOU, GOD, for the Lessons of Life! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 7, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CHASITY BUNN

KEVIN CREECH

MICHAEL O’NEAL

NEGATIVE INTO POSTIIVE

March 7      Negative into Positive    Matthew 5:11

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” (Matthew 5:11)

One of the saddest situations that you will ever encounter is a Christian, a professing Believer in the miracle divine power of His transforming Grace, to be the most gloomy and negative example of living! There are individuals that are, by their nature, negative! Regardless of the circumstances, they will always be positive that things are negative! Mama used to call these folks, “Gloomy Gus.” How can we “Fix” our tendency to be negative? How can we transform our human nature to be gloomy and negative? Matthew 5:11 (a part of the Sermon of the Mount) explains that in the face of negative and general persecution, that we can be happy (blessed) and that we can overcome the tendency to be negative! For the Believer, difficult, rough, unfair, terrible times, heartbreak, tragedy, do not give us the right to be negative! Through the miracle of His Amazing Grace, we have the power and privilege to be joyful, in the face of challenges! When I think of negativity, in light of the recent pandemic, I never want to “Test” Positive of being “Negative!” I affirm the Power of God that is rising and dominating my very thoughts and attitudes! Please Lord, Keep me focused on Your Promises that I might live as an example of Your Grace and Glory! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR MARCH 6, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

RENEE DRIVER

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

MIKE & SUSAN ADAMS

Do We Deserve Mercy?

March 6     Do We Deserve Mercy?   Luke 23:43

Please be aware that Satan will use every means available to discredit the name of Jesus! I am fully aware that we are doing what God intends for us to do because Satan is using every tool in his arsenal to thwart, hamper, distract and disrupt and complicate God’s message and our obedience! PLEASE do not allow Satan to use you to be a stumbling block. Personalities, preferences, habits, rigid inflexible attitudes are prime opportunities for Satan!  We have a choice and I continue to pray that the choice will be to Glorify God and to promote unity and harmony among fellow believers!

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  (Luke 23:43)

The courtroom events had occurred, the sentence had been declared, and the Roman soldiers were leading Jesus to Golgotha, and they nailed Him to that rugged and despicable cross and placed our Lord between two common criminals.  One of the criminals seemed to take pleasure in mocking our Jesus when he sarcastically soke to Jesus… “If you are the Christ, save yourself and save us!”  The other criminal had a completely different statement!  He said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom!”  Wow!  What an example of humanity and our reaction to the Love of God!  One mocked Him and had an attitude of rejection, and the other one was contrite and humbled and believed that Jesus was the Savior!  The words of our Savior should give us hope!  The answer to this thief is an indication of our great hope!  “Today you will be with Me in Paradise!”  Did this criminal deserve any mercy?  Absolutely Not, however, NO ONE DOES!!  God’s Word tells us that we are all sinful and that none of us are worthy.  God loved us enough that He was willing to send His Only Son to die for us and to take our sins upon His being and take them to that cross and to shed His Blood for the remission of OUR sins.  Listen, our Salvation is not based on our merit or our worthiness, it is entirely and completely a gift from God.  His Grace and Mercy is provided to us, freely, because of His Great Love for Us!  God’s Love, manifested in His Forgiveness and Mercy, is our, for the asking!  Folks, just like the criminal that was hanging there on Golgotha, right beside of our Savior, we have the promise of His Mercy and His Grace, that one day, one day very soon, we will be with Him in Heaven!  I, for one, am grateful for this promise and I am anticipating the day when I am in His presence.  Thank you, God for loving me, even when I am unlovable!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

“The Real Deal”

March 5             “The Real Deal”                 1 Corinthians 11:1

** REMEMBER to VOTE TODAY! **

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Sadly, we live in a world with plenty of fakes, phonies, imitations and “look-alikes!” In the furniture industry, presenting the appearance of “real” wood, while being an imitation, has been brought to an art form! Think about it, jewelry is a perfect example of something that appears to be real yet is simply a shiny imitation! Recently, the news outlets were reporting that a gang of individuals were arrested for selling “knock-off” designer handbags at a local flea market! Over the course of my life, I have come to appreciate and desire to be involved with the “real thing!” Many of you knew a dear lady, Mrs. Kay Chamblee Perry, and when I think about the necessity for being real and using real things, I think of Kay! Kay Perry made the most amazing Chocolate Pie, and, after years of begging, she finally gave the recipe to me. In her instructions, she was adamant that the vanilla extract to be used MUST BE REAL and NOT IMITATION! Wow! Being Real, using the Real stuff, not presenting a “Fake” front is critical and essential in our Christian walk! As a Born-Again Believer, we have a basic task to imitate Christ and to be real and Genuine in everything that we do and say for Him! Jesus Christ is the greatest example of humility, compassion, forgiveness, longsuffering, selflessness, and Divine Love! As we study His Life, we discover a selfless pattern of worship, service and devotion to prayer and obedience! We are to imitate Jesus and the more that we grow in Him, the more we develop into the person that God expects! I love what I heard, many years ago, in a sermon preached by my daddy! He said that there is a paradox of our Faith: Only when we truly imitate Jesus Christ can we truly become the “Real Thing!” Ruminate on that thought! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

“BE CONFIDENT”

March 4             “BE CONFIDENT”              Philippians 1:6

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

The very essence of our Christian experience is encapsulated in this scripture passage! It describes our entire salvation story, from beginning to end!  Our God begins the work of forgiveness, or the miracle of “justification,” and He puts us in the proper relationship with the Father, through the Son! Hang on, that is just the beginning… Salvation starts with our conversion, our receiving the amazing Grace of Jesus’ sacrificial act at Calvary! The process does not stop at our conversion! God continues to do a work in us and through us and for us! I like to call this process “Sanctification!” Praise God! He is committed to the fulfilment of the process, yet often time we rebel or struggle, yet He is true to His Word, and He is ready to continue the process of completing this “Good” work in you! God is committed to accomplish His promise in us and the ultimate outcome is eternal life, with the Father and the Son, in Heaven! I believe that the biblical word for this is “Glorification!” So, it begins with God’s Love, and continues when we receive this Love by asking for forgiveness and receiving Jesus into our hearts! Once we have re-established the relationship, through Jesus, with the Father, the Blessed Holy Spirit takes over! He leads and guides and strengthens and empowers and corrects and is responsible for the “Sanctification” of our lives! When it is all said and done, and we stand before God the Father, and we see the face of Jesus, our redeemer, there is going to be “joy unspeakable,” forever! Thank God for His Love for us! Thank God for providing the means of re-establishing our relationship with Him, and the rewards of our commitment and service to Him! Praise God for what He has done; Is Doing, and Will do for us, if we will only trust, believe and receive His Amazing Grace! Get Ready! The Time is Drawing Near! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 3, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

PAULA BUNN ZURAWSKI

JAMIE CREECH (In Heaven)

RAY GARDNER (80)

WADDELL MITCHELL

BILLY PROCTOR

“Exercising Great Love”

March 3   “Exercising Great Love”  2 Peter 3:9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

My earliest memories involve the love of my mother and the mercy that she demonstrated towards this “active and mischievous” little boy! I was inquisitive and I wanted to see how things worked, and that would include taking things apart and putting them back together. One example was the Electrolux vacuum cleaner. It came apart easily, and it went back together just as simply, with 2 parts left over! Oops! Here comes the exercise of her great love! I know that I put Mama through some trying times, yet she was so compassionate, and she loved me through the “growth.” Now, her patience had limits! From time to time, she would exercise her great love at the end of a belt or a “switch (I would have to fetch)!” Mama was my first example of the Love of God and the depth of His love for a wayward people. My God loves each one of us and He does not want any to perish, and this great love is extended to all! Just as Mama would show mercy, our God shows mercy to us! He does not overlook sin, or ignore His Holiness, but God is patient and loving and He is ready to forgive and to reconnect with us. Folks, I would ask why it was that I would receive a “killing” for my actions, yet my friend would get a pass from his mother! “Because I love you more,” was my mother’s answer! Peter said that it might appear that our Lord was “slack” in punishing the sinful, however, God is patient and loving and He wants us to repent and to claim His Grace and to re-establish a “Right” relationship with Him. God is patiently waiting for you today! Every day, in everything, God is actively demonstrating His Great Love for us! Sadly, not everyone will be SAVED! God’s Love demands Holiness, and His Holiness is always tempered by HIS LOVE! Just remember this: God Loves You and He is Not Slack with this Love! He has Promised redemption, and Eternal Life, with Him, and the Price of Admission to Heaven has been paid on the Cross of Calvary! God is ready to forgive your sins, and He is willing to show His Mercy towards you, and to offer His Grace (His unmerited favor) for the remission of your sins! My dear Mama corrected me because she loved me, and my God offers His Love and He corrects me and guides me and protects me, and He is not SLACK in Doing IT! I have rambled on to say this and it is the most important lesson of all: “… not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHHDAYS FOR MARCH 2, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

COLE GIDDING

JOSEPH LAMBERT

“Attitude of Joy”

March 2             “Attitude of Joy”               Luke 15:7

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”  (Luke 15:7)

Are you rejoicing? What is it that motivates your rejoicing? As you live your life, what are the main priorities of your daily responsibilities? Are you preoccupied with earthly and temporal things or are you focused on heavenly things? We must take a serious and honest look at our lives, and we must really determine who we are, to answer this question! Luke is telling us what causes a smile in heaven! God is not impressed with our human righteousness and our human attempt to “act” righteous! Our God finds great pleasure when a sinner comes to Him through repentance and receives the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ! Sadly, not everyone will come to Christ! We are all sinners, and we need to call out to God for His Mercy and Grace, as we repent of our sins and ask Him to forgive and to cleanse us and to make us acceptable, through the shed blood of Jesus. There is absolutely nothing, in our human existence, that we can do to qualify for this Amazing Grace! It is by His Great Love for us and His desire that we should re-establish a relationship with Him, through Jesus’ Redeeming Blood and our recognition of our sinfulness and for our repentance and acceptance of His atoning Grace that we are able to claim victory for our living! Friends, outside of knowing Jesus Christ and His redeeming Love for us, our job, our joy, our responsibility, is to share this Great News with others! Every time that I share Jesus with another soul, and they, through faith, confess, believe, and accept, as their own, the Amazing Grace of God, I REJOICE! What makes you celebrate? We have the absolute privilege to serve as Ambassadors for God, in this world, every day of our lives! May you continue to become heavenly minded and continue to live so that others WILL SEE JESUS IN YOU!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

BIRTHDAYS FOR MARCH 1, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

CHRISTIAN GIDDING

JUNIOR FERRELL

MASON TAYLOR

“Call Upon Me, I Will Listen.”

March 1   “Call Upon Me, I Will Listen.”     Jeremiah 29:12

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”  (Jeremiah 29:12)

All of the greatest moments of my life have been experienced, in prayer and the results of prayer! The scripture passage for today, follows a promise that God made, to provide a future and to offer hope! I feel blessed and privileged to be able to call on my God, and to know that He has promised a “Divinely Guided Future and His Blessed Hope for my Life! You see, prayer, sincere and faith-filled prayer, is the conduit by which we enter His presence and talk with Him and position ourselves to claim His Divine Promises for our Lives! I get excited, each time that I enter the presence of the “UNLIMITED GOD,” especially, when I recognize my “LIMITED” capacity! PRAISE GOD! Because of His “UNLIMITED” provisions, I can live “LIMITLESS!” Folks, the privilege of prayer is a blessing!  We can talk to God, and He will listen and answer our prayers! He listens to my “whining and my complaining and still loves me and has promised that He would provide His Grace for my every shortcoming! So, given the promise, and believing His Word, and recognizing His “UNLIMITED” capacity and power, with intensity and with clear focus, call on the Lord, in Faith, and share your burdens and struggles and needs and desires, and leave them at His feet! Every day, in faithful prayer, share your ups and downs and LEAVE THEM WITH HIM! Pray for each other and lift up our leaders and our friends and neighbors and LEAVE IT THERE! Bring all your burdens to the Lord, put them at His Feet and LEAVE THEM THERE! Guess What? Your Husband or Wife, Your Friends, Your Co-Workers, even Your Pastor may not always listen to you, yet we have a friend, a friend that is closer than a brother, that will listen, hear, and respond to our prayers! What a privilege that we have in Holy and UNLIMITED PRAYER! Exercise the Privilege and Pour Out Your Heart to God and Expect His Blessings, Corrections, and His Provisions! HE WILL LISTEN TO YOU!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!