Newsletter Nov 1st

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Last week, I wrote about our family picking truckloads of peaches from trees that were supposedly stripped bare. The Growers we used often joked that my Dad was good at finding peaches where none were supposed to be that “Mr. Lowder could find at least a few ripe peaches on snow covered trees in January.” After I wrote that Newsletter, my Son-in-Law, Brian, reminded me of a spiritual application I did not make.

A few days before they were to end their missionary years in Australia and move back to the USA, Brian planned one last mission outreach to Papua New Guinea. Later, Brian was talking with another minister. When that minister discovered where Brian was going, he told him, “Don’t waste your time going there”. That particular minister said that he had been to that particular region, that few people lived there, and that everyone was saved who wanted to be saved. Brian prayed about it and made the trip, despite the gloomy forecast. As a result   of the outreach that Brian and the native ministers did, there were 1724 DOCUMENTED salvations. Think of it. 1724 precious souls saved in a spiritual “orchard” that was supposedly stripped bare. Also, there were healings and other ministry victories.

Friends, sadly, many Christians and many churches, look around and see only spiritual “orchards” that are stripped bare. Any of this sound familiar?

   …Don’t bother visiting that family. They will never come to church.

   …Don’t waste your time witnessing to him. He always turns down the opportunity to be saved.

   …Our church can’t grow. There are no prospects in our community.

Yet, it is amazing at how often the Lord gives a harvest from an unexpected source. Sometimes it takes “Just one more visit”. Sometimes it takes year-after-year visits, but after many years, the harvest comes. Over the years, my Dad turned down the opportunity to be saved many times. Most gave up on him. I will be eternally thankful that Rev. Womack Keck went to my Dad that one last time. Mack witnessed. Dad listened. That time Dad said “YES’ to Jesus. It was not many months till Dad went to Heaven.

When I split wood with an axe, I learned that some types of wood split easily. 3 or 4 swings and I could split a block into 4 pieces. Other types of trees took many swings to achieve the same results. Spiritually, some folks readily accept Jesus. Others take time, patience, and extra effort.

Because we were persistent and diligent we found peaches on trees that were supposedly stripped bare. If we, as Christians, will be just as persistent and diligent, and if we will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will be amazed at the spiritual “harvest” that can be found in places that are supposedly stripped bare of people that need Jesus.

The peaches did not magically appear. We had to go after them. Neither will people come to Jesus unless we GO. How long before we get out of our recliners and go harvesting???

REMEMBER WHAT OUR LORD TAUGHT US?

   …The fields are white unto harvest {John 4:35]

   …Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in {Luke 14:23]

   …Rejoice over the 99 safe in the fold, but go seek the 1 lost sheep [Luke 15:3-7

   …Go into all the world and make disciples [Matthew 28:18-20]

Our community [and your community] have not been stripped bare of people that need Jesus. There are many unsaved folks on their way to Hell. Are they important to us?? They are important to Jesus. He died for them. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also  available at 10 on 99.1 FM in the parking lot and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study are at 6:30 pm on Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall
4. November—-Our month to give our special Thanksgiving Offering for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes

Are you diligently searching for someone who needs Jesus?

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church