Newsletter April 5th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

We have some awesome children and youth at Barbee’s Grove. We thank Hudson Snider for blessing us with his solo this past Sunday.
Thanks to all who made the Easter Egg Hunt for the children such a special event. We appreciate you.
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Today, let’s discuss weapons. I have never been in the military, so this first paragraph is based upon what I have read and upon what veterans have shared with me. I understand that many of our military men carried the M16 rifle during WW2. I also understand that the M16 was easy to jam. As a result, early in their training, each soldier was instructed on how to disassemble, clean his weapon, and reassemble it. In fact, he was supposed to be able to do it in the dark, by feel alone. A soldier without a working weapon was in great danger. Knowing his weapon and keeping it in working condition was vital.

Now, let’s turn to a different type of fighting. I grew up in the era of TV Westerns—-Gunsmoke, Bonanza, etc. Usually, a key scene in most episodes was the “Show Down”. “Bad Guy” faces the “Good Guy”. “Bad Guy” grabs for his pistol. “Good Guy” is always faster  and wins the duel. Being fast with your  weapon was imperative if you wanted to continue to live. 

We have one more weapon to discuss. In Ephesians 6 Paul lists parts of the Whole Armor of God. This Armor is available to all Christians. In v. 17 Paul mentions “…the Sword of the Spirit. Which is the Word of God”, Roman soldiers could carry several types of swords. The Greek word for “sword” in this verse describes the most deadly type of sword that was available.

Friends, Fellow Believers, do I need to remind you that we are engaged in spiritual warfare?
   …”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness in this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:11,12]
   …”The thief cometh but not for to kill, steal. and destroy.” [John10:10]
   …”Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” [ 1Peter 5:8]

Easter is good news. The devil was totally defeated on the cross and through the resurrection. Even though he still exists and attacks us, we need not fear him. Instead, we need to use our God-given weapon against him. That weapon is the deadly Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Now let’s put it all together.
   …The soldier needed skill in repairing and using his gun. The more of the Word od God we have in  our heart and the more we understand how to use that Word, the more powerful we will be.
   …As we learn to “Walk in the Spirit”, the Holy Spirit will quicken the appropriate Word to our minds and mouths at just the right moment. We become “fast on the draw” with God’s Word. Jesus quickly defeated the devil by His fast use of His Father’s Word. [Luke 4:1-13]
   …Remember to use God’s Word. It is a deadly weapon that your Heavenly Father has provided for you. The devil is not impressed with our bluster and bravado. However, he is helpless when God’s Word is used as a powerful weapon and is spoken with authority and faith. 
I encourage you to always have your weapon at hand. Use it quickly, powerfully, and wisely. You will walk in victory!!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. EASTER SCHEDULE
   7:00 am Sunrise Service
   7:30 Breakfast
   8:30 Worship Service
2. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
3. $ 840- Latest total for Annie Armstrong Missions Offering- Easter is our last Sunday to give
4. April—-Give to the Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive [Food, paper products, cash]

Thank God the He did not leave us defenseless in the face of our evil enemy
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church