PERSONAL NOTE: My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Brian, have announced that after approximately 10 years as missionaries to Australia, the Lord is leading them to return to Tulsa, OK. They will base their ministry there. I like it that now they will only be 1100 miles away and not 11000. Praise the Lord. Pray for them as they make this transition.
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James 3:1 is a verse that I take very seriously. “My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be so eager to become a Teacher in the church, since you know that we who teach are held to a higher standard of judgment.” [TPT] As a Pastor/Teacher God holds me accountable. Everything I preach, teach, or write, comes under His scrutiny. I will stand before the Lord to give an account for everything I have communicated to you. That is why you observe me quoting so many Scriptures. I try to lay a solid Biblical foundation for all I say. I want you always to hear, “Thus says the Lord”, and not, “Thus says Ed”.

Do you realize that if I fulfil my responsibility and I clearly declare the Word of God, you also have a spiritual responsibility? Consider these verses:
   …”And He (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure ye mete, and it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given”. (Mark 4:24-KJV)
   …”He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”. (Matthew 11:15-KJV)
   …”He that rejecteth Me (Jesus), and receiveth not My words, hath One that judgeth him: the words that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day”. (John 12:48-KJV)

Do you see how God has planned things? I am responsible for clearly and accurately proclaiming the Word of God. Those who listen are responsible and accountable for how well they hear the Word of God and in what manner they respond to that Word. In a sense, I put the food on the table. Whether you eat it or not, and how much you eat, is your choice. In Mark 4:13-20, Jesus describes listeners in 4 different ways. Some are hard packed soil. God’s Word never penetrates their hearts. The Devil soon steals that Word. Others, are shallow, rocky soil. The Word takes root, but because these folks have never cultivated any spiritual depth, the Word wilts and dies at the first sign of trouble. Another group has so many troubles, worries, sins, and cares that these become the thorns and weeds which choke the Word. Finally, there are those who are spiritually alive and receptive. Like good soil, they receive God’s Word and bring forth a harvest, 30, 60, or 100 fold. What type of soil are you?

The more I read my Bible, and really good Christian literature, the more I have to preach, teach, and write. God’s Word is packed with spiritual truth, promises, and blessings. Our Lord has so much that He wants to teach us. Can you join me in becoming a real student of God’s Word? Paul’s admonition to Timothy fits us as well: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more unGodliness”. (2 Timothy 2:15, 16-KJV)     THIS NEWSLETTER TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, June 20—6:00 – 8:00pm
   Saturday, June 21—-8:30 am- 1:00 pm   —Breakfast and Lunch provided

Looking for the harvest

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church