“HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”
October 19 “HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU” Psalm 138:7
**Please pray for the Larry Price family as we Celebrate His Life Today! **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.” (Psalm 138:7)
Wouldn’t it be great if we never had any troubles or challenges in this life? What if God promised that we would never have troubles in our lives? You know, because He loves us and as His children, He would allow us to navigate through life easily and carefree! Well, Adam and Eve messed that though completely up! All is not lost! We do have something to look forward to and that is eternal life with our Savior, in Heaven, but as for this life, trouble-free is not happening! Do not lose heart, God has promised that He would walk beside us, sustain us, and empower us in our troubles! He said that He would NEVER leave us! Hebrews 13:5 declares the promise, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” In recent days, I have had to cling to this promise, and I have had to exercise His unshakeable promise of Power and Endurance! When tough times come your way, and they will, remember this promise! God promised that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AND HE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
SIDE NOTE: 68 years ago, today, this “Pillsbury Doughboy Pastor” burst forth into this world! I am grateful to God that I am still able to serve HIM, every day, in every way! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER 18, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
SHELLEY HALES ALLEN
VICKIE RENFROW
GERALD JOHNSON ( In Heaven)
GOD IS RELIABLE
October 18 GOD IS RELIABLE Deuteronomy 7:9
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
“You can count on God to do what He said He would do!” My dear mother shared this fact with me, every time that I faced a challenge, or my faith was waning! Today, decades later, this fact and the words of my mother are as relevant and important as they were way back then! I thank mama for reminding me that God’s reliability is never in question, however, my commitment to follow His leading and to claim His promises and to be reliable, is another story! When I stumble, and I will, He is always there! When I fail to represent Him in the way that He expects, He is ready, willing, and able to forgive me and to continue to show me the way that He wants me to go! I suspect that you have witnessed the reliability of God, in your own life! Maybe He has answered a prayer or provided a moment of clarity and wisdom to face a particular challenge or simply provided comfort to overcome a struggle! THE FACT IS THAT OUR GOD IS DEPENDABLE! What He has said, He will do! There is very little, in this world, that we can depend on, in our present day! Political, Social, Cultural, Economic and Religious Upheaval create an atmosphere of unrest and uncertainty, yet we can always trust God’s Holy Word, and we can Depend on Him to DO WHAT HE PROMISED! When this old world is getting me down, I go to My Rock, My Safe Place, My Stronghold, and that is JESUS! How about you? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER 17, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
TRACEY HUDSON (60th)
SUE HENLEY
Focus on JESUS
October 17 Focus on JESUS Romans 7:16-22
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:16-25)
Passion, Devotion, Determination, Commitment, Focus, Dedication, Acceptance, Loving, Self-Control, these are just a few words to describe the Life of a Believer! When I find myself in a situation where I am not reflecting the Love of Christ, and that “Old Man…” My Human Nature rears its ugly head, and I, for that moment, live out these words of the Apostle Paul that “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Living for Jesus is not an easy task! Our Human Nature is strong and, often, dictates our Attitudes, our Behavior, our Actions and our Reactions! Amazingly, Paul shared his own struggles in his growth process, as he served our Savior, Jesus Christ! The Struggles of Paul are the same struggles that I face today! Satan enjoys it when we are not praying and when we are not reading and “feeding” on God’s Word, and when we fail to Live and Share the “Good News” with others! Paul continued growing in his Faith and his Commitment to Jesus and as his Relationship strengthened and he became closer and closer to Christ, the opportunities for conflict within his very being became less and less! The Fact of the Matter is Clear; we are in these Human Bodies and we have Human Emotions and Human Motivations, however, our Creator God has provided and promised Help and Victory through the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, “The Comforter!” Again, living for Jesus is not an easy task, yet, because of that selfless act of Love at Calvary, we have an Obligation and a Duty to Serve Him and to grow in Him and with Him and for Him! Let these words describe your Life … “Passion, Devotion, Determination, Commitment, Focus, Dedication, Acceptance, Loving, Self-Control!” DON’T LOSE HOPE, GOD HAS PROVIDED VICTORY FOR OUR LIVING! The Answer to our Human Frailties is in the Persson of JESUS CHRIST, HIM CRUCIFIED, OUR RISEN LORD! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR OCTOBER 16, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
FRED COATES
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
ROB & CAROL HIMMEL
Edifying Christ, in EVERYTHING
October 16 Edifying Christ, in EVERYTHING 1 John 1:6-7
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina…“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
Is it possible to be a “Born-Again, Blood Brought” child of Almighty God, and demonstrate a social and political position that is contrary to His Holy Word? Is it possible that our social and political beliefs and actions are separate and apart from our Christian Commitments? Can we promote a political or social position that is opposed to the standards and commitments and commandments of Christ? (“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8) It is my conviction, that every believer MUST demonstrate a true and total commitment to God’s Word in ALL that we DO and all that we SAY and ALL that we ARE! The idea that we can be one thing in our social interactions and another in our Christian interactions or our political interactions, is inconsistent with the call to be Holy and to demonstrate HIS HOLINESS! Our walk with Christ MUST be CONSISTENT with God’s Holy Word, and we MUST demonstrate HIS LOVE and Our Commitment to HIS LOVE, in our thoughts, actions and endeavors! I am amazed that individuals, that are active “churchgoers,” promoting positions and ideas that are opposed to the standards of God’s Holy Word! If our political positions or our social positions are opposed to God’s Word, then, we need to re-assess our priorities and determine if we are truly committed to the Love of Christ and HIS Saving Grace! BOTTOM LINE: If our political or social positions are opposed to the standards of God’s Word and our positions are not edifying to the Body of Christ, then we need to leave it alone, and seek His Face and continue to Grow in His Grace and Love! Satan is attacking and we MUST be prepared to face the battle that is upon us! Our job is to PROCLAIM JESUS to this Lost and Dying World. 1 Corinthians 14:8 declares a truth: “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” As a Professing, Born-Again Christian, your witness, your voice MUST be clear and committed, and NOTHING IN THIS WORLD SHOULD MUFFLE OR HAMPER YOUR “TRUMPET CALL” TO THE LOST FOLK IN THIS WORLD!! Political Positions will come and go, socially acceptable positions will change, BUT THE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS PROMISE OF REDEMPTION, THYROUGH JESUS, WILL NEVER CHANGE, AND IT IS UP TO US TO BELIEVE IT, CLAIM IT, AND TO LIVE IT! Be Consistent, Be Committed, Be Truthful, Be REAL! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER 15, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
OLIVIA COOKE
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES (LATE)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (LATE) TO:
7th: Zachary Worley, Kylie Liles
8th: Gerald Price
9th: Donnie Coley, Jr.
10th: Mrs. Luna Parrish, Rachel Bloniarczyk
11th: Mr. Bob Shuman (In Heaven)
12th: Neal Driver, Anna Walters
13th : Jimmy Bergeron
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY (LATE) TO:
8th: Robbie & Tammy Edwards
10th: Stan & Tammy Pruden
Continuing to Grow…
October 14 Continuing to Grow… Matthew 16:18
** THANK YOU to our BTC CHURCH FAMILY for providing the opportunity for some Time Off for Annette and I. We are back, Prayed Up, Armored Up and Ready to Share Jesus and to Serve God with Each One of You! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
I love ole Simon Peter! He reminds me of my life and my own responses to God’s call. You can say that Simon Peter was an example of what NOT to do in your Christian walk. Think about it! He stepped out of the boat and was walking on the top of the water, then took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. He challenged and disagreed with Jesus when it came to the matter of washing his feet. He denied Jesus three times and he acted rashly and impulsively when he cut off the servant’s ear while they were in the Garden of Gethsemane. Wow! Ole Peter made some mistakes! Actually, He has provided us with the actions and opportunities to learn from. Think about it…Peter was the only follower of Christ to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wasn’t timid or fearful to ask Jesus questions, such as when Jesus washed his feet! Amazingly, he was the only disciple to follow Jesus after He was arrested, and he tried to defend Jesus when they were in the garden. There are times when I think that I am constantly making mistakes and missteps in my Christian Walk, yet I keep moving forward. Peter made many mistakes, yet he kept moving forward! My Daddy used to say that “Life is a process, not an event,” and we need to keep moving, keep growing, keep learning and the Lord God will help us along the way to fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives! Remember that Peter fulfilled the commission of Jesus Christ, and he preached the Good News, and he led many souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Why am I still excited? Just like ole Peter, my Lord is not through with me and, even though I still have limitations and even though I still make mistakes, He has amazing and Great things ahead for me! How about you? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Are We Salty Disciples?
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Matthew 5:13
Ponder This
Salt penetrates. You take just a pinch of salt and put it in a jug of water, and the entire jug will be instantaneously salty. We need to be salty disciples. But the problem with many of us is that we’ve allowed our churches to become holy saltshakers while we sit inside and salt the salt. Jesus said we “are the salt of the earth.” He didn’t say we’re the salt of the Church. We need to be separate from sin, but not isolated from sinners.
However, salt can lose its saltiness. Most of the salt in Bible times came from the Dead Sea. They would take it from the Dead Sea, and the sun would shine on it. If it rained on that salt and stayed too long that way, the salt would leach out and leave noxious chemicals. It had no flavor, and it was actually dangerous. If you put it on the fields, it would kill the crops. If you put it down a well, it would poison the water. But they found one good use for that salt: they could put it on the roads, and it would absorb the moisture. That damaged salt was good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot. Jesus said if we lose our spiritual saltiness, we’re not effective disciples.
What does it look like to live as the “salt of the earth”?
Who are some friends or neighbors you are being salt to? Who are some people you could be salt to?
Practice This
Show your love for a neighbor or friend and be salt in his or her life today.
https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/are-we-salty-disciples
Working Honestly
Good Morning from Jimmy Faison, Deacon Chairman
(Before anyone gets “offended”, this devotion is to me, for me, and no one else, that is
unless it applies to you!)
–Colossians 3:25 He who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong
which he has done, and that without partiality.
The Bible says whatever our work is, ultimately we’re working for God, not a human
boss. That means we are to obey our employers as we obey Christ. We are also to
perform our work diligently, not slacking off or sweeping dirt under the rug–God sees
what we do even when our employer doesn’t.
In Colossians 3, we find a third lesson about work: we are to perform our work honestly.
(Read it for yourself)
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Christian or non-Christian–if you do wrong to your
employer, you’re going to be held accountable to God for that wrong. You are not to
steal from your employer.
Stealing from your employer involves more than dipping into the cash register. We’re
guilty of stealing when we steal time from our employer–that is, when we come in late
and leave early instead of working the full amount of time for which we’ve been paid.
We’re guilty of stealing when we speak badly of our employer or the organization for
which we work–in doing so, we’re stealing their reputation, which, in some ways, is
more valuable than the money in the cash register. We have an obligation to work
honestly, diligently, and obediently–that is one test of whether we’re becoming like
Christ.
Homecoming
Good morning from Matthew Lee, Deacon, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, NC.
1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him
It was great to see so many familiar faces yesterday on Homecoming Sunday 2024. I always look forward to homecoming. The fellowship, great food, (especially the fried chicken) and the sounds of happy reunions all around the room; it sure does my heart good. As I reflected on our homecoming here, as much as I loved it, I could not help but think, it will never compare to the joy that Christians will feel on that Great Homecoming Day when we all see our Savior, Jesus. We cannot even imagine what great things that the Lord has prepared for us who call on His name and accept Him as our savior.
My wife and I love good ole gospel hymns. At home, we often have the Gaither Vocal Band or other similar gospel style groups singing to us via “Alexa” or YouTube. As Leigh and I talked about BTC’s Homecoming and how much we enjoyed it, we reflected on two things; how happy we will be at the Great Homecoming to see loved ones who have gone to heaven and the words from a wonderful hymn, “That Glad Reunion Day”. The lyrics can serve as a reminder to each of us what Pastor Glen loves to proclaim. . . “The best is yet to be”.
Who remembers this song and is looking forward to the greatest Homecoming ever? I am!
Glad Reunion Day - Adger Pace
There will be a happy meeting in Heaven, I know
When we see the many loved ones we've known here below
Gathered on that blessed hilltop with hearts all aglow
That will be a glad reunion day.
A glad day, a wonderful day,
A glad day, a glorious day
There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay
That will be a glad reunion day.
When we live a million years in that wonderful place
Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face
It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace
That will be a glad reunion day.
A glad day, a wonderful day,
A glad day, a glorious day
There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay
That will be a glad reunion day.
Link to song:
James Blackwood, Terry Blackwood, Jimmy Blackwood - That Glad Reunion Day [Live]