When a certain famous author began to publish his novels a number of years ago, I read several of them. Quite frankly, I hated them. All the books that I read had unusual, unhappy endings. Even though this man has written additional books, I have never bought, or read any of them.

The truth is—I love happy endings. Throughout a book there might be troubles, trials, and tribulations. People may have disagreements, a “falling out”, unexpected difficulties. However, on the last few pages, love wins, reconciliation comes, and brings victory. As in the Old Westerns, the “good guy” in the white hat  gets the girl. Those are the stories that give me a “warm, fuzzy feeling”.

Perhaps that is why I love the Bible so much. God’s Word is honest with us. It tells of a world filled with trouble, sickness, sin, hatred, and violence. The Bible realistically portrays and foretells the exact type of world that you and I experience every day. 

As we look at current events, the devil whispers in our ears discouraging thoughts. He wants us to live in dispair.  At this very moment, he may be screaming at you, “Your situation is hopeless” . Knowing situations in the Barbee’s Grove family, I know that some of you are really hurting. That is why our Bibles are so encouraging, enlightening, and exciting. God’s Word assures us of a wonderful, glorious, joyful, happy ending. 

Be thrilled again by these very precious promises.:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away’.  Revelation 21:4

“That at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in Heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Philippians 2:9,10

Faithful Believer in Jesus, rejoice that as you faithfully follow Jesus, your present life and your eternity has a very happy ending!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study at 6:30 pm on Wednesday
4. Gifts to the NC Missions Offering now total $790. Thank you for giving sacrificially and faithfully.
5. Masks recommended but optional for all services
6. We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Margaret Allen Burgess family. Mrs. Burgess was the grandmother of Gail Perkins.
7. It is with great sadness that we note the death of Mrs. Shirley Edwards. Her smile always lit up the corner where she sat during the Worship Service. We extend our love and sympathy to each member of the family

May it comfort you to know that the thoughts and prayers of others are with you and that God will grant His comfort for Isaiah 53:4 says “Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”

Let us reach out in love to all who are hurting

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church