Newsletters – Barbee's Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter Mar 8th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Thank you, Baptist Men, for a good day at Barbee’s Grove. Breakfast was awesome, as it usually is. The concert by the Towers Quartet was inspiring. We were blessed as Mr. Bobby Williams gave his testimony and shared from his heart. Your ministry to the church and to the Lord is deeply appreciated.
*******************
Recent extremely cold days reminded me of how glad I am to have central heating. Being able to go to one thermostat and regulate the temperature in every room is a blessing. It was not that way in my childhood. Our house was heated by a wood stove in the Living Room. That room was warm. The bedrooms usually felt colder than the inside of a refrigerator. Sometimes, at bedtime, Mom would give us a piece of flannel. We would warm it at the stove. Then came a quick dash to the bedroom. We would wrap that warm flannel around our feet in order to knock off some of the chill from the cold sheets. Then, pile on so many quilts we had trouble turning over.

Mornings were a reverse of the process. Jump out of bed. Feet felt like they were freezing on the cold floor. Dash into the Living Room. Get as near to the stove as possible without getting burned. We craved the warmth. We were blessed to have a Dad that rose early and got the fire roaring.

Let’s use my childhood memory to make a spiritual application. In the Bible, “Fire”, is often used to indicate the power and presence of the Lord.
…The destruction of Sodom [Genesis 19:24]
…The Burning Bush Moses saw [Exodus 3:2 ff]
…The fire from Heaven that consumed Elijah’s sacrifice, wood, altar, and water [1 Kings 18: 10-38]
…John the Baptist made this prophecy about Jesus, “…He that cometh after me is mightier than I…He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire”. [Matthew 3:11]
,,,On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus who were assembled in an upper room. “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and set upon each of them”. [Acts 2:3]
…”Who maketh …His ministers a flame of fire”. [Hebrews 1:7]

Filled with the Fire of God, those early Christians radically changed their world. It was not their natural abilities, or their training that empowered them. It was the Fire of God that made them so effective. Where the Fire of God is, there is power. Now, let’s consider this sad prophecy from John Wesley: “My great fear is not that our great movement known as Methodist, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. My fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great”.

Today, so many churches in multiple Protestant Denominations are exactly what John Wesley feared. They are content to have church without the Fire, The Fire is dying in some churches and has completely died in others. NO FIRE EQUALS NO POWER OF GOD. Friends, the Bible teaches us “Quench not the Spirit”. [1 Thessalonians 5:19] The Greek words in that verse can be translated as “Don’t throw water and extinguish the Fire of God.

In my childhood, I wanted to spend as much time as possible near the fire my earthly father provided. As a child of God I want to live in the presence of the Fire of God that my Heavenly Father provides. What about you, and the church you attend? Is your heart, and your church an ice box, or is the Fire of God alive and well. Are you stoking the fire, or throwing cold water? Care to join me in singing”
“Set my soul afire Lord, set my soul afire
Millions grope in darkness, waiting for Thy Word
Set my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
John Wesley quote is found on page 25 in A LIFE ABLAZE by Rick Renner

Don’t settle for freezing when God offers His Fire
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Mar 1st

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Ladies, we thank you for the wonderful way you led us in the Baptist Women’s Day service. The sharing, the music, and the message by Mrs. Janice Hopkins, were all a blessing. We appreciate you and your ministry for the Lord and for Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.
*********
This week, let’s go on to Chapter 3. You remember that a few weeks ago I wrote a Newsletter about the question so many elderly people ask, WHY IS THE LORD STILL LEAVING ME HERE? Of course, the answer is that God still has ministry for you to do. In that Newsletter I told of an older friend of mine. A medical issue had landed her in a Rehab Facility. That week she had been able to share her faith in Jesus with an older Student Nurse. The Nurse knew nothing about Jesus. Several weeks later I wrote another Newsletter about my friend. That week she was able to share Jesus with 2 different staff members. They also knew nothing about Jesus. At least 1 of those staff members indicated that she invited Jesus into her life.

My friend’s ministry has continued. She won several appeals and was allowed to stay in Rehab longer than most people. At the last, the insurance company said, “No more”. As a result, my friend was transferred to the Long Term Care section of that facility. The staff member who was pushing my friend’s wheelchair to Long Term Care began to cry. She told my friend, “I am going to miss you. You are the only person in my entire life who has made me feel loved, treasured, and valuable”. Imagine, an adult who had been made to feel like “Trash” all her life. My friend came into her life and made her feel like a “Treasure”. When we allow Jesus to flow through us we become a blessing and brighten the lives of others.

In her new room, my friend had a roommate. The lady was a couple of years younger. But she was sad, depressed, “down in the dumps”. In about 2 days my friend had the roommate happy, sharing, and laughing. The Bible says “The joy of the Lord is my strength” [Nehemiah 8:10]. It is so good when the Jesus joy in us spills out onto others.

A day or two after my friend was transferred I called her. She was crocheting. I knew that in the past, she had bought the yarn and had made and given away over 100 Afghans. The day I called she had 2 more planned. [One was for the staff member who had cried]. Days later I called again. She was teaching 3 staff members how to crochet their own blankets. Here is where it gets interesting. One of those staff members asked, “Why are you doing this?” My friend replied, “Why wouldn’t I do it?. The staff member answered, “You are a white woman and we are black. We are not accustomed to being treated so nicely”. It was another chance for my friend to witness. She told them, “Jesus doesn’t see color. He loves us all the same”. A simple act of kindness and Jesus used my friend to bless ladies of a different race.

Fellow Believers, indeed the Bible teaches, [Galatians 3:28] “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. As the children’s chorus goes, “Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight”.

My friend is still letting the Light of Jesus shine in her small corner of the world. I pray that I am doing the same. What about you?
*******************
At the risk of offending someone, I feel strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to share my personal, but Biblical based opinion. I really believe that if someone shows up at the Gate of Heaven and says to the Gatekeeper, “I have a reservation in the WHITES ONLY section of this beautiful city”, they will be sorely disappointed. I believe they will be told, “You are at the wrong Gate. Make a U-Turn and head in the opposite direction”.
Revelation 7:9—-“After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues, stood before the Throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
March 1—Baptist Men’s Day See previously announced schedule
March 1—Called Church Conference—Building and Grounds Committee recommendations

Let others see Jesus in you!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Feb 22nd

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

I can imagine that recently you had the same experience I had. Daylight came. I looked out my windows and beautiful white snow covered everything—my lawn—flower beds—the roads around my house. The world looked pristine and pure. But I knew the truth. Under that pretty snow was a lot of “UGLY”. There were areas of my lawn that were bare, too rocky to grow grass. Dead flowers and dead tomato plants from last summer were also covered. I could see beauty, but I was well aware that underneath was a much uglier scene.

Is this not a wonderful picture of the born again believers’ relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior? We acknowledge the truth of Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. We look at our past and see accidental sin and deliberate sin. But there came a wonderful day when we came to Jesus. We confessed our sin. We asked Him to be our Lord and Savior. We were forgiven, cleansed, and made holy in the eyes of God. As a result, our hearts thrill at the awesome promise of Isaiah 1:18 ” Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”.

From the moment we enter into a saving relationship with Jesus, God sees us as covered by the Blood of our Savior. The ugliness of our sin is hidden, washed away, and no longer held against us. Meditate upon these truths:
…”According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” [Ephesians 1:4]
…Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” [Romans 3:24]
…”Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 5:1]

Consider, also, these phrases from the hymn, I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE:
…”And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean”
…”He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine”
…”He took my sins and my sorrows, and made them His very own”
…”He bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone”
…”When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last will see”
…”it will be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me”

The beautiful snow covered the “Ugly” in my yard. Praise the Lord, when the precious Blood of Jesus covers my sin, then that sin is covered for all eternity. Jesus does for us what we can never do for ourselves apart from Him. THANK YOU, JESUS, for shedding Your blood that covers and cleanses us from all sin. AMEN

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
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
Prayer and Bible Study are on Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
February 22—Baptist Women’s Day
March 1—Baptist Men’s Day—-Same schedule as previously announced
THANK YOU for the wonderful meal, fellowship, and gifts that made our Widows/widowers lunch so special

Are you a Believer? If so, your sins are covered. God sees you as righteous because of Jesus
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Feb 15th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Many years ago, I read a book by Dr. Gary Chapman. Title of the book was “The Five Languages of Love”. He wrote that there are 5 ways human beings express their love for one another. Because our personalities are different, one person may enjoy and feel most loved by one expression of love while another person prefers something different. After I read the book, I could easily rate myself. Two ranked at the top. The other three only made me feel loved under certain circumstances. Also, I quickly realized how Pamela felt most loved. From that moment, until her death, I tried to do those things she appreciated the most.

If you have not read the book, here are those 5 love languages. Rate them in your own life. Think about your family and friends. Which languages bless you and /or them, the most?
…WORDS OF AFFIRMATION—Expressing love through words of affection, praise, commendation, etc.
…ACTS OF SERVICE—- Helpful actions. Helping with something they appreciate
…RECEIVING GIFTS—-Some people feel most loved when they receive a thoughtful gift
…QUALITY TIME—-Giving someone your undivided attention while doing things they enjoy-conversation, hobbies, games, etc.
…PHYSICAL TOUCH— Appropriate physical touch-hugs, holding hands, etc.

I was thinking of that book recently when the thought hit me, “God has His own love languages”. Anyone can say. “I love You, Lord” but there are ways we express that love that shows our sincerity. What are they?
…OBEDIENCE—-“If you love Me, keep My commandments”. [John 14:15]
…INTENTIONALLY BLESSING OTHER BELIEVERS—-“Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me? Yes, Lord, You know I love You. Feed My lambs, feed My sheep”. [John 21:15-17] Caring, loving, edifying other Believers, especially those new to the faith, is an excellent way to make our Lord feel loved.
…PRAISE, WORSHIP, THANKSGIVING— “But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabits the praises of Israel”. [Psalm 22:3] Of course this love language is meaningless if we neglect the first two. Jesus Himself was critical of those who “Draw nigh unto Me with their mouth and honoreth Me with their lips: but whose heart is far from Me”, [Matthew 15:8]

Let us deliberately choose to be loving to those around us and especially to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall
Widows/widowers Luncheon—February 15 after the Morning Worship Service
February 22—Baptist Women’s Day
March 1—Baptist Men’s Day — Same schedule as previously announced

As the chorus says, “The world will know we are Christians by our love”.
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

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.
***********

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

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
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.
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

Newsletter Feb 1st

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Frigid temperatures plus dangerous roads equal no church services. We really did miss those smiles, handshakes, and hugs that we share as we worship together. Praying for better weather next weekend. Baptist Men’s Day will be observed on the same schedule as was planned for this past Sunday. Looking forward to seeing YOU.
*************
Let me tweak your thoughts this week. Are there two types of salvation? Does that question start the wheels in your mind to begin spinning? Let’s think about it for a moment.

In a true sense, if we are saved, then we are saved. Anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, that He was crucified for our sin, that He rose from the dead, and who confesses those truths with his mouth is truly saved. [Romans 10:9] They have salvation and are assured of Heaven. That reality is true and will always be true.

However, I have been meditating upon Psalm 51:12 where David prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation”.[KJV] I really like the way the Complete Jewish Bible states it, “Restore my joy in Your salvation”. At that moment David had salvation, but it was a salvation without joy. Why? He had sinned and was out of fellowship with his Lord. But David was confessing his sin, turning to his Lord, asking for a return to a salvation with joy.

Is it possible to have a salvation WITH joy, or to have a salvation WITHOUT joy? One reason for a salvation without joy is that we have become careless with sin. As a result, we don’t enjoy church services, reading our Bibles, prayer, or spending time with “on Fire” Christians. Over the years, I have met Christians who were saved, but whose sin made them miserable. As 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Once our fellowship with the Lord is restored, the joy returns.

A second reason for a lack of joy is Busyness. A married couple can be “head over heels in love”. Yet, as the years pass, they get busy with careers, rearing children, and personal pursuits. One day they realize, “I don’t know my mate any more”. Sadly, many choose divorce at this point. A wiser couple will opt for quality time together in order to reignite that love they once had. In the same way, Christians can get so busy that they neglect their walk with God. They wake up one day and realize the joy they once had is missing. The wise Christian will immediately opt for quality time with the Lord so that the joy can be restored.

Christians without joy are ineffective in their personal lives and in their service for the Lord. When the joy returns, the power returns. Nehemiah 8:10 puts it this way, “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. Psalm 51 says [13] “I will teach transgressors Thy ways”, “Sinners shall be converted”, [14] My tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness”, [15] “My mouth shall show forth Thy praise”.

“JOY” salvation is a powerful salvation. That is my personal preference. What about you? Is your JOY bucket full?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are on Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
February 1—BAPTIST MEN’S DAY—Men’s Breakfast at 8:00 am. Mr. Bobby Williams will speak at the Breakfast and at the Morning Worship Service
February 15—-Widows/Widowers Luncheon after the Morning Worship Service
February 22—-BAPTIST WOMEN’S DAY

Rejoice in the Lord always
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Jan 25th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Do you remember that a few weeks ago I wrote a Newsletter about a question many older people ask. WHY IS THE LORD STILL LEAVING ME HERE? I mentioned a dear friend who was in a Rehab Facility. God had allowed her the privilege of talking to a Student Nurse about the nurse’s need to have Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

God continues to use my friend. This week a Rehab Staff member came to the room and said, “You have won your appeal and get to stay for another week. I don’t understand. Most people get 1 or 2 appeals and then have to leave. You have won 5 or 6 appeals. How do you do it? My friend told her, “I am on the Lord’s side and He looks after me”. The Staff member replied, “I never heard of such a thing. What do you mean about being on the Lord’s side?” My friend said, “I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 9 years old and He has looked after me ever since.” Again, the Staff member said, “I never heard of anything like that. How do you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” My friend was more than happy to do her best to explain how a person becomes a Christian. The Staff member left the room, but later came back and said, “I’m on the Lord’s side now”. My friend showed her a Bible and talked about the next steps to take.

Later in the week, another Staff member came to the room and said, “It makes my day to come see you. You are always so happy. How do you do it?” Again, the answer was, “It is because I have Jesus as my Lord and Savior”. This second Staff member said, I never heard of such a thing, what do you mean?” My friend had another opportunity to share her faith in Jesus.

I am thrilled that my friend continues to have opportunities to share her faith while in that Rehab Facility. I am also saddened and a little puzzled. There are over 60 Baptist Churches in that County [not to mention the Christian Churches of other denominations]. How could someone live there and not know about Jesus, their need for salvation, and how to become a Believer? Another memory pops up—-Several years ago, in that same County, a group was out visiting, inviting kids to Vacation Bible School. At one house, the kids did not know the Name of Jesus. Had never heard about Him. Yet, from their front porch, the tall steeple of the First Baptist Church could be seen.

Sometimes, I think that the Christians in the USA believe that all the citizens of our nation can be divided into 3 groups
,,,Church members who serve the Lord regularly and faithfully
…Former church members who know about Jesus. They once served the Lord but now, because of deliberate choice or slow backsliding , no longer serve
…People who know about Jesus, but who choose not to follow Him

Unfortunately, [ we may deny it] there is a fourth group. These are people who are as ignorant about Jesus as any native living in the jungles of South America. Friends, if we truly love Jesus, we will be asking the Lord to allow us to harvest in fields 2,3 and 4.

By now, I can imagine that the devil is regretting his attack on my friend’s body. His attack caused her to be in that Rehab Facility. Since she arrived, she has been faithful to lift up Jesus and the devil hates it. Jesus told His followers to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”. [Matthew 28:18-20] My friend has a “world” that is limited. She sees family and friends who come to visit, Staff Members and Therapists. If she can share Jesus in her small “world”, what can we who are “up and out and about” do to spread the good news of Jesus in our much larger world?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
$ 1075,05—Pregnancy Resource Center Offering—AWESOME–THANK YOU
January 25—BAPTIST MEN’S DAY—Men’s Breakfast at 8 am. Mr. Bobby Williams will speak at Breakfast and at the Morning Worship Service
February 15—Widow/Widowers Luncheon after the Morning Worship Service
February 22—BAPTIST WOMEN’S DAY

LET’S GO HARVESTING!!!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Jan 18th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

There is a song that has blessed me many times for over 60 years. Recently, it fit with a sermon I planned to preach. I asked Leonard to sing it. He was accompanied by Brenda and they did their usual wonderful ministry of blessing us with that song. The title of the song is “The Love Of God’. Every line is a blessing, but the ones I remember so often are:
“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest Hell”

God’s love is so amazing:
…An astronaut can get saved on the International Space Station, or after landing on the moon
…A person can be saved in the most miserable slum, or the vilest prison
…God’s Creation is awesome. He created many marvelous things to delight our eyes—-mountains, oceans, sunrises and sunsets, flowers of many colors and varieties. He created a vast array of fruits and vegetables and other foods to satisfy our taste buds
…God did us the honor of creating us in His own special image [Genesis 1:26]
…God’s love is from the beginning of time. Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. [1Peter 1:19, 20—2Timothy 1:9—Ephesians 1:4]
…God’s love is a keeping love. “No one shall take us out of the Hand of the Father or the Son” [John 10:28-30]
…God’s love is a forgiving love. “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” [1 John 1:9]
…God’s love is a sacrificial love. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sin and to restore us to fellowship with the Heavenly Father [John 10:10-John1:12-John 3:16]
…God’s love is forever. “I have loved you with an everlasting love” [Jeremiah 31:3]

God offers that love to you and to me. “He that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out”. [John 6:37] God greatly desires to pour out His love into you and over you and for you to experience that love for all of eternity.
God’s love is available. God’s love is offered. My prayer is that every person reading these words is living in God’s love. If not, please give serious consideration to receiving that love today.
“The love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest Hell
The guilty pair bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin

Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky

Oh love of God so rich and pure, how measureless and strong
It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song”

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available at 10 the parking lot on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
January 18—Special offering for our local Pregnancy Resource Center
January 25—-Baptist Men’s Day—Breakfast before Sunday School-Guest Speaker—Mr. Bobby Williams

Simply stated—God loves YOU!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Jan 11th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Thank you so much for the many ways you blessed me during this Christmas Season. The beautiful cards, the “well wishes”. The gifts, and the very generous Christmas Love Offering, are all deeply appreciated. I feel totally loved by you. My Church Family.
***********
One night this week I was wide awake at 3:00 am. I found myself reminiscing about ministry opportunities Pamela and I had over the years. But before I talk about us, I want to talk about Jesus. Here are a few examples from His ministry:

As we read our New Testaments, we learn that often Jesus deliberately chose His ministry opportunities.
…Jesus chose to go home with Jairus and minister to the daughter who was dying [Mark 5:22-43]
…Jesus chose to go home with Zacchaeus [Luke 19:1-10
…Jesus chose to visit Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus died [John 11:1-45]

But Jesus ministered to many people that He encountered daily as He walked down the road:
…A leper who ran up and said “You can heal me if You want to do so” [Mark 1:40-45]
…A funeral procession for the Widow of Nain’s son [Luke 7:11-15]
…A woman who had an issue of blood who reached out and touched Him as He walked past her [Mark 5: 24-34]
…Blind Bartimaeus, a beggar, who cried out, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” [Mark 10:46-52]

It was this type of “As we Go” ministry that the Lord brought to my memory so early that morning. Pamela had a love for Jesus and a boldness in sharing her faith that far surpassed mine. We would encounter someone, she would quickly begin the conversation, and I would join in when appropriate. The following are some of the witnessing opportunities the Lord brought to my memory:
…The Nurse from Oregon we met at an airport in Honduras and sat with on the flight back to the USA
…The young man we met on a city bus in Phoenix. He had just been released from prison. He said he had become a Christian in prison. We gave him a Bible which he needed and encouraged him to grow in the Lord
…The lady who was putting out the breakfast food at a motel in Waynesville, NC
…The lady who was putting out breakfast food at a motel in Montana. We had several days to share with her and mailed Christian materials to her after we got home
…The nice next door neighbor lady who sometimes watched our kids. Her cancer was discovered too late to be treated, and she died at a very young age. But, Pamela made sure that when she left this world so quickly, she went to Heaven.

There are many others, but you get the idea. I have my memories. Many of you have similar memories. You remember those times when “out of the blue” the Holy Spirit used you as a witness for Jesus. As we enter 2026, I pray for myself, and I pray for you, that we will be like our Lord and Savior Jesus. May we listen to the Holy Spirit and take those times when we “deliberately choose” to go and share. May we also ask the Spirit to create in us a sensitivity, a listening heart, so that chance encounters become opportunities to witness, encourage, and bless, in the Name of Jesus. LET EACH OF US SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE THE LORD CAN USE US TO BLESS IN 2026.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

What a joy it will be in Heaven to meet those we have touched for Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Newsletter Jan 4th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

It has been many years, but I still remember one unhappy event from my wedding day. I knew that our Honeymoon trip involved driving several hundred miles. As a result, I had new tires placed on my car. Everything seemed fine as I drove the few blocks from the tire store to my house and then to the church. Our wedding vows were finished about 7:30 pm on a Friday night. Pamela and I jumped into my car and headed to her parents’ house. She was going to change into some traveling clothes, grab her suitcases, so we could head out on our trip.

Suddenly, my car was almost undriveable. It bounced and jerked all over the road. I had trouble keeping it under control. My first thought was that the folks at the tire store had not balanced my new tires. My second thought was that something had broken in the suspension system. I was close to tears. I knew I would not be getting any repairs done that late on Friday night in Albemarle. The thought of spending my wedding night in the house with my new In-laws was embarrassing. Besides, I knew that if I did not leave town, my Dad would expect me to show up the next morning at the Curb Market ready to go to work.

Shortly after we finally made it to Pamela’s house, some guys from our wedding showed up. They were doubled over laughing at the prank they had pulled. They had filled my hubcaps with rocks. Every tire was out of balance, Frankly, I FAILED TO SEE THE HUMOR IN THE SITUATION! I did not use any un-Preacher-like words. But. I threatened them with “great bodily harm” if they did not fix their mess. They realized I meant it. The prospect of a hospital visit did not appeal to them, so they undid their prank. Pamela and I had smooth driving on our trip.

As we come to the close of 2025 and approach the beginning of 2026, have any rocks gotten into the “hubcaps” of your life? Life will always have “potholes” and some rough broken pavement. But life always runs smoother when we deal with the things we can control.
…Have you allowed sinful ideas or actions to creep into your life? The devil tells you it is “okay” but you know the Lord is not pleased.
…Have you been faithful with your tithing and your extra giving to Godly ministries?
…Have you been faithful, or careless, with your weekly attendance at a place of worship?
…Is the Lord pleased with the way you have used your talents and spiritual gifts?
…Have you experienced areas of hurt, and now you hold anger, unforgiveness, and thoughts of revenge in your heart?

As we clear away those “rocks” in our lives, we find peace with God and peace with others. Let’s begin 2026 having done all we can do personally to have a year of smooth driving [living].
I am praying two prayers from Psalms.
…”Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. [139:23, 24]
…”Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, my strength and my redeemer”. [19:14]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

Sunday School is at 9:00 am
Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
$ 1470—Final total for the Lottie Moon Offering for Foreign Missions

Smooth driving in 2026

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church