Newsletter April 19th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

We note with sadness the death of Mrs. Nell Jacumin. She was a faithful long time member of Barbee’s Grove. She will be missed. We extend our love and prayers to each member of her family. May precious memories fill your hearts. Kathy, Robert, and Will, may the Lord be very near to you.

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We also extend our prayers to the family of Mr. Buddy Lee, who passed away last week. May God’s peace be your peace. He was a brother-in law to Robert High.

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When our Son, Stephen, was in school at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, he spent the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, working as a Guide with a white water rafting company. He enjoyed it. He was good at it. They rafted most of the major rivers on the East Coast. On one trip, Stephen’s raft was full of Girl Scouts. He was responsible for a group of 11, 12, 13, year old girls.

When they reached a certain place on the river, a snake fell out of a tree and landed in the middle of the raft. I hate snakes and wonder how I would have reacted. Jump out and let the girls and the snake fight it out?? Tell the girls to jump out with me and let the snake have the raft?? Beat a hole in the bottom of the raft with my paddle trying to kill the snake?? I am so glad that I was not the Guide that day.

Stephen has always been more calm, cool and collected, and “laid back”, than I am. He calmly slid his paddle under the snake, lifted it a few inches, and flipped it into the river. Crises and panic averted. No girls got bitten. Yea, Stephen.

In the Bible, the devil [Satan] is often depicted as a snake.

   …”And the serpent said unto the woman, ‘you shall not surely die'”. [Genesis 3:4]
   …”And the Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”. [Revelation 12:9]

So let me ask you a very serious question. “How are you going to react when that snake drops into your raft?” Your raft is your life. It is not a question of IF he is coming. The devil will definitely drop in on you from time-to- time. Here are some ways he does it:

   …Asking you to doubt God’s Word or God’s goodness
   …Asking you to disobey God’s Word
   …Giving you a bad medical report
   …Giving you a financial problem
   …Giving you an opportunity to be immoral
   …Allowing someone to hurt you and telling you to never forgive them
   …Attempting to bring fear into your life

Will you be calm, cool and collected when he comes? Blessed are those who have Jesus in their raft [life] when that snake, the devil drops in. Because of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be overcomers and to walk in victory. The Holy Spirit will bring answers to our prayers [John 14:13, 14] be our Comforter [John 14:16-18], teach us all we need to know [John 14:26] and give us God’s peace {John 14:27]. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and you can “flip” that snake out into the river!!

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  in the parking lot on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 850—Latest total for NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive. Continue to give during April
5. Boston Butt sale for missions—$45-Order now—Pick up on May 23

Those early Disciples were blessed to have Jesus in the boat when the storms came. Make sure He is with you as well

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church