Newsletter Feb 8th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Two Sundays in a row with no Church. We are praying that week we will be back to normal. Baptist Men’s Day will be rescheduled. This Sunday we will be back to our normal format.
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Snow covers my lawn at the moment, but I remember that soon after the first of the year, we had several days of really warm weather. In fact, one farmer expressed to me his concern. He said that some fruit trees were starting to bud. He knew that if it continued, the next cold snap would kill the possibility of fruit this summer. During that time, my front yard had a flower bed filled with beautiful yellow buttercup flowers. Pamela planted those bulbs many years ago. Once again they were doing what God created them to do. They were adding beauty to the Winter season and telling us that Spring was coming.

Cold weather came. They still bloomed. That first snow and sleet fell. The flowers were beautiful against that white blanket. Only after they had lived their normal life cycle did they begin to droop and fade away.

Several years ago, BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED, was a popular phrase. It became the subject of sermons, Bible studies, books, and Christian Retreats. It is a wonderful concept. Those flowers did not choose that plant bed. My wife chose to plant them there. So, that is where they bloomed. You and I have no choice about many things early in life. You did not choose—-your parents—-your community—-your extended family—-your elementary school—-and many other things. God allowed each of us to be born into our particular environment. As Believers in Jesus, we can choose to bloom [show forth Jesus] wherever we are planted.

As I meditated on this concept, and as I looked at my buttercups, I realized that there was a second concept that was also important. We can BLOOM EVEN IN UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS. The weather turned cold. Sleet and snow fell. The flowers continued to bloom, showing forth the beauty God created within them.

Our conditions in life vary. Your family may be loving, or unloving, or even toxic. Your neighborhood may be friendly, caring, or dangerous. Your place of employment may be your dream job, or a nightmare. You get the picture. No matter the situation, because of the Holy Spirit power that is in you as a Believer, you can continue to bloom. You can show forth the grace, power, and love of Jesus. In fact, the worse the conditions, the more brightly you can shine for Jesus.

Be challenged by the words of Jesus “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” [Matthew 5:16] Your Lord will be pleased and honored when you continue to bloom in your spot, no matter what the conditions are.

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 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study are at 6:30 pm on Wednesday

May Jesus shine through you and me!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church