Growing, maturing, Christians believe God’s Word. They trust God’s Word. They act upon it. It is the foundation for all they believe and do. But, did you know that non-believers, agnostics, skeptics, and atheists also believe and act upon God’s Word? Naturally, they would deny it. In fact, many proclaim the Bible to be irrelevant, out-of-date, and of no use at all. However, probably unknowingly, they still believe and trust to be true, parts of the Bible.

Hannah, our sixteen year old granddaughter, is awesome as she leads praise and worship at her church in Australia. Lately, a song she sings, keeps running through my mind. I find myself hearing those phrases many times a day. Title of the song is, “The Waymaker”. God is called the “Waymaker”.

One of the phrases which sticks with me is, “He made a way when there was no way”. The Bible is full of examples. In Exodus, we read that the Children of Israel were trapped. They had no hope of escape. Suddenly, their Lord parted the Red Sea and Israel walked across on dry ground. God “made a way when there was no way”. Many times the Lord has done the same for me and my family. I’m sure that some of you have that same testimony. The God who can make a way when there seems to be no way, is certainly worthy of our worship and obedience.

Two other lines in that song say:
“Even when I don’t see it, He’s working”
“Even when I don’t feel it He’s working”

Those thoughts bring me great comfort. They remind me that our Lord never takes a nap or goes on vacation. In some situations, I may not see it or feel it, but He is always working on my behalf. Even in those times we feel dull, dry, dead, lifeless, and abandoned by God, He is still working to bless us. During those times we trust our Lord. We walk by faith, and not by sight or feeling. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end [ hope in your latter end ]”. Romans 8:28 reminds us “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”.

Truly, our Lord is “The Waymaker”. Let that fact give you great comfort and peace. Expect His presence and blessing in your life. Honor your Lord.Then respond to the call of Jesus, who is “The Way”, when He said, “Come follow Me”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Communion will be May 29
5. Vacation Bible School will be June 27-July 1. Let’s make it a priority to help and to attend

The Way, the Truth, the Life. That is Who our wonderful Jesus is !!!.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Luke [ 18:9-14 ] mentions an interesting parable that Jesus told. It seems that two men went to the temple to pray. The first, a Pharisee, a learned religious leader, spent his prayer time telling God what a great man he was. This Pharisee went to great lengths extolling his virtues. He congratulated himself that he was so much better than the poor sinner over in the corner.

Meanwhile, the “poor sinner”, the publican, was too ashamed to even look up to Heaven. He cried out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”.

The Pharisee knew the Old Testament Scriptures. However, he only knew them in his head, not in his heart. Consider what he should have remembered:|
    Proverbs 16:18—“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”.
    Psalm 34:18—“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken spirit; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit”.
    Isaiah 64:6—“…all our righteousness is as filthy rags…”.

The publican got it right. He came to the Lord with that “humble, contrite spirit”. Should we not have that same reverence as we approach Holy God? Jesus tells us that the Pharisee “prayed with himself”. God was not listening. The publican went away “justified”. He was in right standing with God. Paul tells [2 Corinthians 5:21] “For He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”.

Friends, we are instructed to live holy, Godly lives as believers. However, we do not earn righteousness. Romans 5:17 tells us that righteousness is a “gift” from God to believers. What should we do with this most generous gift? Receive the gift and then thank the Giver [God]. Let’s also remember that the attitude with which we approach Holy God determines the results of our visit. We must approach Him with reverence, awe, and worship. We must also come with love and consideration of others.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Again THANKS for giving. Final totals
       $ 2495  Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions
       $ 705 plus $ 100 in gift cards plus food for the Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive
5. Vacation Bible School will be June 27-July 1. Plan to attend. Plan to help if possible. We need YOU! 
6. Join us this Sunday [May 8] as we celebrate Mother’s Day
7. Communion will be May 29

Our God is an awesome God
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Remember seeing those old time portraits and photographs from 100-150 years ago? Almost every person looks as if they were eating sour pickles. There is hardly a smile in sight. Was there no joy in their lives? I may have had the wrong impression, but in my early years it seemed that we were instructed to leave our smiles outside when we came into the church building. I remember a service when I was a Pastor. We had several moments of laughter, As we were leaving, one old codger snarled at me, “I did not come to church to laugh. If this is the way it is going to be then I will take my membership elsewhere”. Many times after that I wished that I could have handed him his church letter and told him, “Enjoy your new church”.

Why do I write all this? Because, as we were exiting the building this past Sunday, several members said, “That was the funniest Quarterly Conference I have ever experienced”. Indeed, there was much laughter, joy, and teasing, as we transacted church business. One of the things I especially enjoy about Barbee’s Grove Baptist church is the sweet fellowship which includes laughing, teasing, rejoicing, and loving our fellow members.

Every service should have worship and praise. There should be seriousness and solemnity. After all, we are dealing with eternal souls and eternal matters. However, there is also plenty of room for laughter and joy. Consider two things the Lord says to us:

1. “… the joy of the Lord is your strength”. [Nehemiah 8:10]
2. ” A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. [Proverbs 17:22]

God created us with the capacity to laugh. Good, clean, laughter is healthy. It contributes to our well being. The church is a perfect place for a joyous laugh. After all, we are born again, forgiven, enjoying the love of Jesus, have the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and are on the road to Heaven. Knowledgeable Christians are the happiest people on earth.

Times may be good, or they may be bad, but I plan to laugh and rejoice all the way to Glory. Then, eternal life will be even more fun. Join me in that journey.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. THANK YOU FOR GIVING GENEROUSLY
       $ 2475 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions
       $ 685 plus gift cards plus food – Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive

“Rejoice in the Lord always…” [Philippians 4:4]

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Those of you who have gone past our house know that we have a fence around the back yard. When we first got Heidi she was so small that she could escape through the bars of that fence. Because of that, we always had her on a leash when we took her out. Now, months later, she is too big to get through the fence. Recently, we decided to let her run free. We opened the door and told her that she could go out. Heidi just stood at the open door and did not move. We tried over and over, but never could coax her to go out without that leash. Yesterday, I left the door wide open as I walked to the far end of the yard. Heidi never moved from the sun-porch.

Heidi could be free to run and play, but somehow she is fearful, mentally tied to that leash. She reminds me of so many people in our world today. First, there are those we call “lost”, “unsaved”, or “non-believers”. They are chained in Satan’s kingdom and will never be free until they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Ephesians 2:1-22 gives the sad description of unbelievers, but also shows the glorious hope and change that comes to those who believe.

Secondly, it is sad, but there are many who are believers, who are saved, on their way to Heaven, but who still live tied to a leash. Remember the Children of Israel? They were excited when the Lord delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Yet, every time things got tough, they started talking about returning to Egypt and saying, “Those were the ‘good old days'”. What are the chains that bind believers? It may be spiritual ignorance. It could be religious tradition. Perhaps, it is an habitual, besetting sin. For some it is fear, unforgiveness, anger, or past hurts. Those are but a few of the possibilities. Those believers could be free. They could enjoy life and their faith to a much fuller extent. Yet, like Heidi, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, they are still tied to a leash.

Let’s consider some things the Bible teaches us: 

  Romans 6:22 –  “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life”.
  John 8: 32 – “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.
  John 8:36 – “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”.
  Galatians 5:1 – “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”.

These awesome words offer us God’s deliverance from bondage. He offered the Israelites a Promised Land. He makes a blessed promise to you as well. Believe God’s Word. Let Christ truly set you free. As Pamela and I are encouraging Heidi to live free, the Lord is also offering you freedom from your leashes. Learn to walk in that freedom. Life is so much more wonderful and enjoyable when we learn to live in the truth of God’s freedom.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Quarterly Church Conference will be April 24
5. Thank you for fantastic mission giving
       $ 2455 Given for the Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions
       $ 370 plus gift cards given for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive
       [Let’s finish these two offerings this week. Thank you ]

6. Easter Sunday was a true worship and time of celebration. The fellowship was great. Thank you for attending. THANKS , also to the cooks and to all who made Easter a special day at Barbee’s Grove

Allow the Lord to set you truly free.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

There is an interesting tidbit of history found in Matthew 27:32. “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross.” Evidently, Jesus was so battered by the crown of thorns, the beatings, and the scourging with the whip, that He was too weak to carry His own cross. The Romans selected Simon to carry that cross for Jesus. An unknown man, yet his name lives forever in Christian history. Wonder how Simon felt? Angry? Frustrated? Treated unfairly? No matter how he felt, he had no choice in the matter. He did what the Roman soldiers dictated, or he faced their wrath.

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus issued this challenge, “And He said to them all,’If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me'”. [Luke 9:23] Notice these clear instructions:

1. “If”–We get to choose. Each of us makes our own decision concerning following Jesus. No one compels us.
2. “All”—It is an open invitation to all. No one is excluded. But, we all must choose. Do we follow Jesus, or do we turn away?
3. “Deny himself”—We choose to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. He comes first. His plans take precedent over our plans.
4. “Take up our cross daily”— It’s a one time decision, which is reaffirmed every day. We choose to pay the price of being a true disciple of Jesus. It may involve the way we spend our time or money, or our willingness to do what is right even if we are ridiculed, or perhaps some harsher suffering. Christians all over the world lose jobs, are jailed, or are killed for their faith. There is a cross to bear, a price to pay.

Is it worthwhile to choose our cross and to follow Jesus? Read Matthew 19: 25-30. Notice especially 19:29, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life”. It does pay to choose Jesus

Simon was  compelled to carry the cross. You and I get to choose. May we choose wisely. Our earthly happiness and our eternal future depends upon the choice we make.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. EASTER SCHEDULE

    6:45 am–Sunrise Service
    7:00 am- Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall
    8:00 am – Sunday School
    9:00 am – Morning Worship–Celebrating the resurrection of our Lord.

2. Mission Offerings- A chance to give as led by the Holy Spirit

    Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions – Given thus far $935
    NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive–Give food items or money by May 1
    Ukraine Relief–NC Baptists on Missions or Samaritan’s Purse–Send directly to addresses found in a previous Newsletter

HE IS RISEN!! WORSHIP YOUR LORD WHO IS ALIVE !!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

We invite you to gather with us this week as we celebrate the events of Easter week. The Maundy-Thursday Service will be Thursday, April 14, at 6:30 pm. It is always special as we celebrate our Lord’s death through Communion. The Sunrise Service will be Easter morning at 6:45 am. Breakfast, and a time of fellowship follows at 7:00. At 8:00 am we return to the Sanctuary for a celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. Please join us!!

For several weeks I have been pondering the thought of, “How do we equate the word, ‘celebration’, with the Crucifixion”? After all, crucifixion was a most horrible way to die. Even before the cross, Jesus was brutally whipped. His body was torn, battered, and bruised. Then came the cross, the nails, the spear, the death. What is there to celebrate about that torture?

Let’s think of reasons to celebrate:

1. The provision for physical healing for all who will receive it by faith–“By His stripes we are healed”. [1 Peter 2:24]
2. Our sins were placed upon Jesus– “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree”. [ 1 Peter 2:24]
3. We get to exchange our spiritual deadness for spiritual life–“We being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness”. [ 1 Peter 2:24]
4. We are redeemed from the curse of the law and receive the blessing of Abraham–“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written ‘Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree”. that the  blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ…”. [ Galatians 3:13, 14a]

If those four reasons do not put a shout of celebration on your lips, you need to go back and read them again. Hallelujah, Thank You, Jesus, and Praise the Lord ought to explode from our very being in gratitude for all Jesus did on the cross. When we really realize, believe, and accept personally for ourselves, all that the cross means , joy should well up within us.As the little chorus says:

Oh how He loves you
Oh how He loves me
Oh how He loves you and me
He gave His life
What more could He give
Oh how He loves you and me

Truly, every moment of every day, and especially this week, we need to celebrate Jesus. His love is a saving love. His love is an eternal love. His love is a personal love for each of us. Rejoice in that love!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. No Wednesday Service on the 13 th.
4. Thank you to every person who was able to participate in our Work Day. You do great work. The improvements are a blessing.
5. Opportunities to give–no “arm twisting’–give as led by the Holy Spirit
   Annie Armstrong Home Missions Offering–Total given to date  $615
   NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive–Food items or money by May 1
   Ukraine Relief–NC Baptists on Mission or Samaritan’s Purse–Send directly to addresses as found in a previous Newsletter
6. Easter Schedule– See the first paragraph of this Newsletter

Thank You, Jesus, for dying to provide us with an opportunity to be saved!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.

Today, let’s be reminded of God’s wonderful love and amazing grace toward us. Think of the events in that Upper Room on the night before Jesus was crucified. Jesus told that He would be betrayed and forsaken by those men with whom He was eating. Of course, all of the disciples loudly declared that they would never be guilty of such deeds. [Mark 14:31]

Let’s go now to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus asked His friends to watch and pray. He, then, poured out His heart to His Heavenly Father. A great agony of prayer took place in that garden. But, how involved were the disciples? They were asleep. [Mark 14:38] Jesus said several things to them. However, notice this comment: “The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” [Mark 14:38]

God recognizes our humanity. Yet, He still offers us love and grace. Have you ever vowed to do more praying, have a deeper study of the Bible, be more faithful in church attendance, take a meal to a hurting family, share Jesus with a nonbeliever? You had the best intentions. Did you always follow through? Personally, I’m sad to say, it might take an adding machine to calculate how many times during my life when I had good intentions, but my flesh “wimped out”. Some of you might have to make the same confession.

Amazingly, God still loves us and offers us grace. Let’s be reminded: this does not excuse sorriness, laziness, or sin. Let’s make the assumption that we are endeavoring to do our best. Even the Apostle Paul faced the same dilemma. “The good that I would do, I do not, but the evil which I would not, that I do.” [Romans 7:19] He then asks, ” Who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?” [Romans 7:24 TPT] The answer comes back: ” I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 7:25] He goes on to affirm: “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” [Romans 8:1,2]

Rejoice, fellow Believer, the Lord knows your frailties. He loves you anyway. Then, through your walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit enables you to keep growing, improving, and walking in victory. Read the Book of Acts. Those same weak disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2] They did not become perfect. However, they lived in great power and love as they followed Jesus. We can be filled and live as they lived! May it be so!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $545 is the new total for the Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions. Thank you for your gifts. You may give anytime before Easter.
5. NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive is also now in progress. You may bring food items, or make financial gifts by May 1.
6. Easter schedule
   6:30 pm- April14- Maundy Thursday Service-Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
   6:45 am Easter Sunrise Service
   7:00 am Breakfast
   8:00 am Morning Worship

Meditate upon God’s love this week

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Those of you who have heard me preach more than once or twice, know that I often joke about my singing ability, or my lack thereof. Indeed, I do often wish that I had the ability to sing in a way that blesses others. However, the Lord did not make me that way.

At times, many of us do question why the Lord made us the way we are. We ask such questions as: “Why was I born into this family? Why in this time in history? Why in this part of the world? Why do I look this way? Why do I have certain talents and abilities and lack others? Why have certain people and situations been allowed to impact my life?” The list of such questions goes on and on.

As I was pondering these thoughts, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a time and an event in Israel’s history. It was during the building of the first Temple to the Lord. Here is the specific verse that came to mind. [ 1 Kings 6:7 ] “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building”.

Measurements were taken. Then at the quarry, every stone, large and small, was fashioned to fit its exact spot in Soloman’s glorious Temple. All was prepared beforehand, so that no adjustments had to be made.Perhaps, we can take two lessons from that historical event. First, each one of us, you included, are unique, “One of a Kind”. God has given each one of us our own particular talents, abilities, and experiences, in order to shape us for our role in His Kingdom on earth. God has a place and ministry for you that no one else can fill. You are irreplaceable. Remember, that when the Holy Spirit reminds you of some area in your life that needs to change, it is not that God is angry with you. NO! It is the Lord’s way of sanding off some rough edges so that you will fit better in your assigned spot.

Secondly, God’s reasons for our personal talents, experiences, etc., is that He is preparing us for our ministry during the Millennial reign of Christ and for eternity. The Bible does not give great detail, but there are several Scriptures that imply we will be doing more than sitting on a cloud, strumming a harp.  God has exciting things for you beyond the grave!. We are now in training for that service.

In conclusion, rejoice and thank God that You are You. He is the Potter. You are the clay. Allow Him to mold you, shape you, and use you, for His glory!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Church Work Day is Saturday, April 2, 8:00 am. You are all invited to come help
5. $ 370 is the total given to date for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. Your gifts help bring the news of Jesus to our nation
6. NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive is also now in progress. You may bring food items, or make a financial gift by May 1
7. Easter Schedule
   Maundy Thursday Service is April 14. Observing the Lord’s Supper
   6:45 Easter Sunrise Service
   7:00 Breakfast
   8:00 Morning Worship

God’s blessings upon you this week

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

This week, we want to use the Newsletter to inform you of a number of events:

1. An Area Wide Revival has been planned for this Fall.
   September 5-9 and 12-16
   Held at the Stanly County Fairground on Highway 52 South
   Minister—Rev. Ralph Sexton of Asheville, NC
   Prayer Services are now being held each week at various local churches.
   Call Prospect Baptist Church if you want more information and to get Prayer Meeting schedul
2. Remember that we are currently giving our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions.  Watch the news for a few moments. You will quickly see that we definitely need to be attempting to reach the unsaved and hurting in the United States. Your gifts make a difference.
3. The NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive is also happening in April. Because Easter comes so late this year, the two mission offerings overlap. You may give money, or bring food items. Food needs to be at the church no later than Sunday, May 1. A list of requested items is available at the church. Please make sure that all donated foods are not out of date.
4. A Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at 8:00 am. You are invited to join us as we do some needed repairs around the building.
5. EASTER
   Maundy-Thursday Service is April 14. Observing the Lord’s Supper
   Easter Sunrise Service–6:45 am
   Breakfast–7:00 am
   Morning Worship–8:00 am

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

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

As we look toward Easter, we need to remember to focus on the main person. It is not the Easter Bunny. Jesus, dying upon the cross for our sins, and rising from the grave to become our Everlasting Lord and Savior, should be our focus. Sins forgiven, and worship of our Living Lord, are tremendous reasons to celebrate. We look for His coming at any moment.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

If I counted correctly, this is Newsletter 104. Who knew that when I started writing two years ago that I would still be at it. Early predictions were that the Covid pandemic would be over in two weeks, three at the most. The experts were wrong. Covid is still a problem.

In the meantime, Thank You for reading what the Lord has given me each week. I have kept my own copies in a notebook. From time-to- time, I go back and read some of the older writings. It is interesting to read, and to often be blessed, by what was written months ago. I know that some of you have kept your own notebooks. My hope and prayer is that your notebook will become a devotional book that will bless you in future years.

Over the past two years, Barbee’s Grove has had no services, website services, under the oak tree services, masked social distancing services, and normal services. You have been faithful. THANK YOU. God has blessed Barbee’s Grove through your continued faithfulness. However, we have not grown as much as we had hoped. There are still empty seats at each service. Even so, I am excited about something our Son-in-law said as he preached in Australia last week. [Their Sunday morning is our Saturday night, so we get to watch their service online each week.]

As he preached, Brian asked the question, “When is the barn the most empty?” Of course the answer is, “Right before the harvest. The harvest refills the barn.” Amen! Friends, there is coming an End Time, right before Jesus returns, harvest on the horizon. Let’s be out in the fields reaping that harvest. Our present world situation has people questioning, fearful, and open to the Gospel. Let’s be quick to share Jesus. He, alone, is the Hope of the world. May the barn we call Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church be filled with a fresh harvest of born again souls who have become a part of God’s Family. Are we preparing ourselves to accept, love, and disciple these new believers? Is our building equipped to handle an inflow of seeking souls?

Last week, I emphasized the need to pray, and to give, to alleviate the misery caused by the present crisis in the Ukraine. Have you been praying? I also mentioned that our gifts should go to legitimate organizations that will use them wisely. Here are two such organizations. [Put “Ukraine Crisis” on your check].

     NC Baptists on Mission                                   Samaritan’s Purse

     PO Box 1107                                                  PO Box 3000

     Cary, NC 27512                                              Boone, NC 28607-3000

This week, someone made the comment, “Ten years from now, we will have a hard time living with ourselves if we don’t do all we can now to help a hurting nation.”

Some of you may be having a hard time even paying your own bills. The Lord understands. Others of us have the means to help. If you are in that latter group, please do all you can. God makes this special promise [Proverbs 19:17] “He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” You cannot lose when you invest with the Lord!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Baptist Men’s Retreat is March 25-27. Plan to attend
5. We are currently giving our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. How much is the Lord asking you to give?
6. We extend our love and sympathy to Mr. Leonard Harvell and his family due to the death of his sister, Mrs. Linda Swaringen. May the Lord bring you great comfort.
7. TIME CHANGE–DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME-MARCH 13-Move clocks ahead one hour

Keep loving Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

From the time I type and send this Newsletter to our Deacon Chairman until you get it online takes several days. Those who get a paper copy by mail have a longer wait. With that in mind, I realize that what I write today may be out of date when you read it. However, I think this will still be relevant.

We all know that the world situation is dire. Russia’s unprovoked attack upon Ukraine is pure evil. It pains us to see the suffering that is taking place. However, we are not totally helpless. Powerful changes could come if we spend quality time in prayer. Are you doing that?

1. Pray for the Christians in both nations. I know people [including family and friends] who have been there to share Jesus. Those Believers have much to lose. They need the fresh revelation of God’s presence and love.
2. Pray for protection and wisdom for the President of Ukraine.
3. Pray for sanity in the Kremlin.
4. Pray for the military and civilians in Ukraine who are fighting for their existence. Ask the Lord to send warring angels to their aid. I have already heard reports that missiles were sighted, but seemed to disappear before any target was hit. Could an angel have snatched them out of the sky? Only the Lord knows. God often used such tactics in the Old Testament to bring confusion to an enemy and victory to His people.
5. Pray for wisdom for our own governmental leaders. It does not matter if you like or dislike them. They are the ones who will make decisions that will help, or hurt, the situation.
6. Pray for open hearts and open pocketbooks that will support legitimate organizations who will be ministering to refugees now, and to the people of the Ukraine after the war is over.

Each time I feel helpless I am reminded by the Lord, “Just bow your head and pray”.  I am also reminded that it was prophesied that such evil would be a sign of the soon return of Jesus. There are times I find myself earnestly listening for the trumpet to blow and the summons, “It is time to come home My children”. It is so reassuring to know that when all comes to an end, evil is defeated and our Lord reigns victorious. Aren’t you glad to be a Believer and to be on the winning team?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Final total of the offering for the local Pregnancy Resource Center is $ 890. Thank you for your generosity. You have been a blessing.
5. A Baptist Men’s Retreat has been scheduled for March 25-27. Men, we hope that you will plan to attend.
6. Our Baptist Men’s Day was a blessing. Good food, special fellowship, and a great testimony from Barret Eatman, and another from Gary Hamilton at breakfast, made for a special day. Thank you to all who made it happen.
7. As we enter March and then April, be asking the Lord how you should support the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions and the Spring Food Drive for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes. You will hear more about these later.

Keep following Jesus. He will never lead you astray.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Today, I am thinking of warm summer evenings, about 65-70 years ago. One of our favorite activities was to go out into the yard and watch the lightning bugs. It seems that the area around our house was usually full of them. If we could, we would gently grab one in our hand. Then we would slowly open our hand and watch it glow as it sat on our palm. Sometimes, we used a canning jar to catch as many as possible. [We quickly learned to punch holes in the lid so that they could have air]. The darker the night, the more those bugs glowed.

My favorite school subject was history. My studies lead me to believe that this present moment is the darkest period of American history in well over 100 years. Politically and spiritually our nation has grown increasingly dark. Night is falling quickly.

However, there is no need for despair or depression. All is not hopeless and lost. Fellow Believers, now is our time to shine. One lightning bug is not a spotlight. But he does bring light to the space he occupies. The Lord does not ask you to shine like the sun. He does ask you to shine where you are. Also, the more of us who let our lights shine, the brighter our dark world will be.

Listen to this prophecy concerning Jesus [Isaiah 60:1-3 : “Arise, shine; for the light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee  and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to the light and kings to the brightness of Thy rising.”

Now, let’s hear what Jesus said about us, and what He call us to do [Matthew 5:14, 16] “Ye are the light of the world………Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”]

Remember this wonderful truth: Light always overcomes darkness. That is so encouraging. So, let’s keep allowing Jesus, the Light of the World. to shine through us. May it continue as long as we live. Then, we will inherit this glorious promise [Revelation 22:5 “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10, and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Our gifts to the local Pregnancy Resource Center continue to grow. $ 620 is the new total. Let’s finish our giving this Sunday if possible.
5. Baptist Men’s Day is February 27. Breakfast at 7:00 am. Guest Speaker is Barret Eatman

Keep shining for Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Those of you who have access to Facebook already know that I gave Pamela a couple dozen roses for Valentines Day. I figured that she deserved them. After all, in May, she will have put up with me as her husband for 55 years. [Some of you are probably thinking, “Two dozen was not nearly enough. She deserves a lot more.”]

Tuesday morning, as I was eating breakfast, I was face-to-face with those roses. Suddenly, without realizing what I was doing, I heard myself say, “Thank you, Lord, for creating beauty”. My thoughts continued in that direction. God could have created a drab world, a world without color. Instead, there is beauty all around. Think of flowers, trees, sunsets, and sunrises.So many gorgeous sights. Then, God could have created only two or three types of food. Instead, there are so many fruits, vegetables, and meats to delight our taste buds.Individually, we may not like all that is available, but the choices are so many, that there is something for everyone.

Next, think of the people the Lord created. He could have made the first man and woman and then created a duplicator that made everyone else an exact copy. Imagine a world of 7 billion people who were all alike. Not a pretty picture, is it? In reality, we are all different. We are different races, sizes, have different personalities, talents, and abilities. Why? God likes variety and He made us that way.

As the Lord finished His creation, He said, “It was good”.Indeed it was. God made it all. Then, out of the goodness of His heart He gave it to man. He told man to enjoy and to be blessed in that wonderful creation. Man has messed up some of what God created. However, there is still beauty, provision, and blessing for those who will seek it.

Let’s not forget God’s greatest act of love. That is when He sent Jesus , His Son, to live as a man, to die on the cross, and to be resurrected. He purchased our eternal salvation.

Today, I encourage you to enjoy all the wonderful beauty and blessings that the Lord has prepared for you. He did it because He loves you. Most of all, rejoice in Jesus.  Enjoy the forgiveness, peace, holiness, righteousness, guidance, and comfort that He gives.

Oh, what a Great God we have!! Praise His Holy Name!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 460—An excellent start for our offering for the Pregnancy Resource Center. Your gifts will minister to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. You may give during the month of February.
5. Rescheduled– Baptist Men’s Day. —February 27—Breakfast at 7:00 am. Guest Speaker will be Barret Eatman

Let the love of Jesus flow into your life then let it flow out to others.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

This week, let’s do a little math. We start by totaling the amount of time we spend each week making ourselves presentable to the world. Bathing, clothing selection, shaving or make up, hair preparation, all go into the total. If we do some type of exercise program in order to stay fit, then add those hours as well. What is the approximate number of hours each week that you spend trying to look your best?

Now, let’s total the number of hours we spend trying to look our best spiritually. Time in church, worshipping and listening to God’s Word taught and preached, is the beginning point. Add to that, your personal devotional time. Add any time outside of church listening to teaching [TV, radio, CD, etc.]. Finish by adding the time you spend allowing the Lord to renew your mind, build your faith, and make you more like Jesus.

How do the two numbers compare? Where do you spend the most time? Is it on your physical appearance or your spiritual appearance? Does it even matter?

In 1 Samuel 16 we read that the Lord told the Prophet Samuel to go to Jesse’s house and to anoint one of his sons as the new King of Israel. When Eliab came, Samuel thought, “Surely this is the one”. Listen to the Lord’s reply, [16:7] “Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”. You will remember that Samuel eventually anointed David, “A man after God’s own heart”. [Acts 13:22]

We can have movie star good looks, or the athletic abilities of an Olympic champion. That does not impress the Lord. He looks at our heart.Do we love Him? Are we loving, kind, caring, forgiving, patient, Christlike toward others?

Let’s all try to look our best physically. The people we encounter will appreciate our efforts!! However, may the main focus of our lives be to have a loving heart like Jesus. That will truly please our Lord.

SPECIAL NOTE

We try to remember the battle against abortion and to lift up our local Pregnancy Resource Center in our prayers throughout the year. During February we bless the Pregnancy Resource Center with our finances.  Ask the Lord for the amount you should give. You may give that love gift any of the remaining Sundays in February. Simply put PRC or Pregnancy Resource Center on your envelope. Thank you for being a blessing.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Rescheduled— Baptist Men’s Day—February 27—Breakfast at 7:00 am—Guest Speaker, Barret Eatman

Tune your heart to Heaven’s frequency. God will transmit wonderful things to you

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

One of the realities of rural Stanly County is the cluster of grain storage bins that are seen at many farms. I can imagine that the larger bins hold hundreds of bushels of grain. Can we use our imaginations for a moment? Suppose a farmer has a huge bin, with hundreds and hundreds of bushels of wheat. A tiny ant crawls up to that bin and asks, “Mr. Farmer, can you help me?’ The farmer gives that ant one grain of wheat. That does not sound like much. However, in reality, one grain is all that the little ant can drag back to its nest. Is the farmer impoverished, poorer, or more needy because he granted the ant’s wish and gave away that grain of wheat? NO! The farmer has so much that he will never miss that grain of wheat.

In our humanness, we sometimes forget the vast resources of our Father God. He has unlimited, beyond our understanding, resources. No matter how much He gives us, He always has more. I heard a minister say that when he first began to preach, he always imagined himself in the prayer line behind Billy Graham and Oral Roberts. He knew they needed so much money, anointing, and other things for their great crusades that he would get discouraged. The devil added to that discouragement by telling him that God would be bankrupt by the time he got to the head of the line. Now, that minister laughs and says that he discovered that no matter how much the Lord gave to others, there was still plenty for him.

What is our problem?

Sometimes we are shy about asking.

Sometimes we feel unworthy to ask.

Sometimes we fear of asking for too much.

Sometimes we think that if we get what we need, others may not get what they need.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” As God’s dear children, and joint heirs with Jesus, we are invited to ask, believe, and receive. Do not fret it!. You are not going to bankrupt God! When He gives you all you can handle, He still has more.

Today, I invite you to kneel at the door of your Heavenly Father’s storage bin and to ask Him to graciously grant what you need.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Let’s try again—–Quarterly Church Conference will be February 6 after the Worship Service.

Let us continue to lift our Brothers and Sisters in prayer before God’s Throne of Grace.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

The church where I was Pastor in the mountains had an unusual Senior Ladies Sunday School Class. The Teacher was a precious lady in her mid-eighties. Four ladies in the class were over ninety years old. All had good minds and good health. All attended almost every Sunday. The wit, wisdom, and love in that class was a joy.

Eventually, one of those ladies had a fall and the surgery that followed. As a result, she recuperated at home for several months until she could return to church. No one else in her family attended our church. Therefore, each time I visited her, she handed me her latest batch of tithing envelopes. She faithfully filled them out each week and had them ready when I visited.I was most happy to help her. I never looked to see any amounts. That was her concern. She loved her Lord and she loved her church.

Over the years, I have observed others who had weeks, or seasons, when they could not faithfully attend. Yet, like Mrs. Clara, they loved Jesus and they loved their church. Their tithes always came. These are the people who provide a strong foundation for a church. As a Pastor, I am thankful for those who love Jesus and His Church. Better yet, these are the ones who delight the Lord.

The thoughts above took me back almost seventy years. I was a kid. I walked, or rode my bike, three miles every day delivering the Salisbury Evening Post. For all that effort, I made the magnificent sum of $ 2:00 per week!!!! Even as a kid it was a joy and a thrill to put my 20 cents in an envelope and give it each week.I loved Jesus and I loved West Albemarle Baptist Church.

All these years later, 20 cents seems like a pitiful sum. But, think of those prices of so long ago.  20 cents would have bought me a soft drink, a pack of cheese crackers, a Moon Pie, and a candy bar. In my mind, these things did not matter compared to my love for Jesus.

What is your tithing , giving testimony? How has the Lord directed you? How has He blessed you? I thank the Lord for all the faithful givers at Barbee’s Grove.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Quarterly Church Conference is January 30
5. Observance of the Lord’s Supper is January 30
6. Continue to pray for all that are challenged by Covid, and by other needs. Your prayers do make a difference. The Church, the Body of Christ, is a wonderful, lasting spiritual connection. We share with Jesus and with each other.

Weather permitting, let’s worship together this Sunday.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

One day last week, I heard Heidi rattling one of her bowls. I looked and she had placed her food bowl squarely in the middle of the Kitchen. She wanted us to know that she was hungry. Later in the week, Pamela and I were in the Living Room listening to a Bible Teaching. Here came Heidi with her empty water bowl. She put it down in front of us. Only a few months old, yet she already knows who is the source of her food and water. I immediately gave her a full bowl of fresh water.

Those events took my mind back many years. Every afternoon Dad drove to the farm to feed his cows. Other vehicles could go down the long dirt drive to the farm and the cows would only  look up. But, when that old International truck drove by, the cows immediately headed to the barn. They knew food was on the way.

People often comment about “Dumb Animals”. But sometimes, animals are smarter than some humans. Consider the sad commentary the Lord makes through the Prophet Isaiah [1:2-4].

“…for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. The ox knoweth his owner and the donkey his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider…”.

Is that not a terrible indictment against a people? They ignore the God who is the Source of their blessing. Today, it concerns me that I hear so little of the Lord in our national life. Even many church people don’t give him much recognition. I hear about bank accounts, talents, politicians, the government, the medical profession,the news experts, the American way of life, but who is remembering the Lord? It is He that gave us this great nation. It is He who has blessed us, sustained us, and carried us through previous difficult times. He is the only One who will enable us to survive!!

Sometimes, I wonder if the Lord looks down from Heaven and says, “Ed, your dog is smarter than you are”. I hope not!

Folks, we need to focus our thoughts, prayers, worship, attention, and allegiance upon the only One who is the Source of our blessings.  Amen

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Quarterly Church Conference is January 23
5. The Lord’s Supper will be observed on January 30
6. Baptist Men’s Day is January 23. Breakfast at 7:00 am. Guest Speaker is Barret Eatman
7. Pamela and I are improving. We plan to see you soon. Thanks for your prayers. Pray for others who are also suffering.

Never forget, The Lord still sits enthroned in glory!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

One of the frustrations of modern life is scheduling. Does any of this sound familiar? You have a medical issue. When you call your doctor you are told that it will be weeks until you can see him. Or, you go to the Emergency Room and wait hours to be seen. Perhaps you have an important call to make. You get a busy signal. Maybe you hear, “The party you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible”. Worst of all is this, “Calls are answered in the order received. Please stay on the line”. For three hours you listen to terrible music, hearing “Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line”. After three hours, the line goes dead, and you need to start over.I am still developing patience, so those type of events do not make me a Happy Camper.

How different was the life of Jesus. He was a busy man. He spent hours in prayer speaking to His Father in Heaven. He walked from town-to-town, teaching, preaching, and healing. Yet Jesus never told anyone, “I don’t have time for you”. Remember the four guys who tore a hole in a roof and let a sick friend down in front of Jesus. Did Jesus say, “Pull him up boys, you are disrupting my sermon.I will deal with him when I finish preaching?. NO! Jesus met this man’s need for forgiveness and healing quickly. Remember Jairus, “My daughter is near death. Please come.” Did Jesus say, “You will have to check with Andrew.He keeps my appointment schedule. He will let you know when I am available”?. NO! Jesus immediately headed to Jairus’ house.

Child of God, aren’t you glad that God always has time for you? As soon as you go to the Heavenly Father through the Name of Jesus, there is immediate contact. You never get a busy signal, are never put on hold, or encounter an anger screening the Lord’s call. Your prayers are a priority with the Lord. Go to Him with your joys and your sorrows. Ask Him for the things you need. Allow Him to answer your questions. Jesus always had time for people while on earth. That access is still available today. Use it often.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Quarterly Church Conference is January 16
5. Lord’s Supper will be observed on January 30
6. Baptist Men’s Day is January 23. Breakfast at 7:00 am. Guest Speaker is Barret Eatman
7. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is approaching. We will be receiving our usual offering for our local Pregnancy Resource Center. Will announce the date later.

God is so good!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

I was still eating meat when I went on mission trips to Brazil. The last night of my first trip, a large group from the Brazilian Church took us to a fancy restaurant. Ronnie Vaughn [Pastor of Centerview] and I were the only two in the group that really spoke English. The only thing we understood was that we paid one price, and then we could eat all we wanted. The waiters brought platters of vegetables and some small link sausages. We began to eat. Then, they brought larger sausages. Other meat, maybe chicken, came next. At last, they brought some expensive cuts of beef. I had a problem. Since I did not know the the menu, I was full of the “cheap stuff” and had very little room for the “good stuff”.

Pamela was with me on the second mission trip. Once again they took us to that restaurant. This time I was ready. I explained the procedure to Pamela. I told her to take a bite or two of the “cheap stuff”, just to see how it tasted. But, I told her to save plenty of room for the “good stuff”. I did the same. This time when they brought the best cuts of beef I was ready with a mostly empty stomach.

Life is like that. Each one of us has the same number of hours in a day, days in a week, and weeks in a year. How we fill those hours and days is our choice. Life can offer some bad, evil, harmful choices. Surely, all of us are wise enough to avoid those. Life can also offer many choices that are not really “bad,” but are not the “best”.

So often we are busy all week. At the end of the week, we realize that we had no room left for the “good stuff”.By the way, what is the “good stuff” spiritually? It begins with taking ample time to spend with the Lord—reading His Word, praying and worshiping with other Believers. It also involves taking quality time loving our families and caring for our friends. Meanwhile, every day and in every way possible, we share God’s love with all those we encounter. That is the “good stuff” . It is the worthwhile priority.

As I write this , 2022 begins in a few days. I know I will be busy. Many choices will come my way. I am challenging myself, that in my busyness, I will not forget to save room for the “good stuff”. Would you be willing to challenge yourself to do the same?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. As we come to the end of giving our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, it is with great joy that we announce a grand total of $ 3378. Thank you for generous giving. Thank you for “going into all the world” with your money.

Let’s anticipate great encounters with the Lord in 2022. Let’s plan for joyous service in His Name.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

What are the Christmas traditions in your family?

  Baking cookies with Grandma?
  Caroling?
  Ripping open packages at the crack of dawn?
  Re-gifting that hideous sweater to another family member, year-after-year?
  Big family meals?
  A quiet family time?

How does the story of Jesus fit in your celebration? Do your children and grandchildren realize that Jesus is “The reason for the season”?

When Pamela and I were dating, we always tried to find a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service to attend. Later, after our kids were born, we would sit down on Christmas Eve as a family. She, or I, would read the stories of the birth of Jesus from the Bible.We tried to make sure that Stephen and Sarah were aware of who Jesus was, and why He came. Often, on Christmas morning we would have a cake, or at least a cupcake, with a birthday candle. We would sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

Your traditions are your own. Make them special. The more we honor Jesus, the more joy there will be in our Christmas celebration.

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

What a wonderful time of worship, celebration, and fellowship we had at our Christmas Program and meal this past Sunday night. The feeling of joy and love in the building was so precious. Every testimony and song was different. Each one was a blessing. Thank you for sharing and opening your hearts to your fellow church members. There was laughter, smiles, and maybe a few tears, as we worshiped together. Thank you to everyone who attended, those who shared in testimony or song, and those who prepared food. If you went away hungry,either spiritually or physically, it was by your own choice.

Thank you also for the generous way you are giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. We have reached a total of $ 3008. As we add to that total this next Sunday, we know that we are pleasing our Lord. After all, Jesus is the One who told us to take the Gospel to the “uttermost parts of the earth”.

Additional Thoughts

1. 9:00 am–All Adult Sunday School classes meet in the Sanctuary. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

We pray that you have a blessed, Christ-centered, Merry Christmas

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

The other day, I saw a little girl in the toy section of a local store. It was obvious from the way she kept pointing, that she wanted one of almost everything on the shelves. That took me back to those days of so long ago. Daily, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we thumbed through the Sears and Roebuck Catalog. We looked at all the wonderful things that were available. It was agonizing to know that we would not get most of those things we desired, and might not get any of them. It was all about our desires.

It is a strange concept to most people, but the Bible quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. [Acts 20:35] It may be strange, but it is true. I have been thinking of Leonard’s suggestion that we share some of our most memorable Christmases. As I think of mine, they involve giving, not receiving. May I share some with you?

1. Pamela and I were on our way to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. In a fumbling, bumbling, stumbling way, I offered her a small diamond engagement ring. I.definitely was not suave, or “cool”, but she graciously accepted the ring and agreed to marry me. Over 50 years later she is still a blessing, the joy and delight of my life.
2. One Christmas morning many years later we had Pamela close her eyes. Stephen, our teenage son, and I, brought in a reproduction antique pie safe that I had bought in Oakboro. When Pamela opened her eyes and saw it, the look on her face was priceless.
3. One Christmas, early in our marriage, we barely had enough money to buy presents for each other. But we knew a Mother who had three small children and had been abandoned by her husband. Those children faced a bleak Christmas. We scraped together a few dollars to buy presents for those kids. It is a memory that still brings us happiness and joy.

It is “more blessed to give than to receive”. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved that He gave His Son, Jesus”. What blessing did God receive from that gift? I am glad you asked. God is blessed with a loving family of saved, born again, Believers who will live with Him in Heaven forever. It will be a glorious place and time of eternal fellowship, thanksgiving, worship and praise.

Aren’t you glad you are a part of the Family of God? Even now, at this Christmas season, let’s honor the Lord with our worship, our living, and our giving.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Called Church Conference –December 19–Purpose is to elect Stewardship Committee members and Sunday School Secretaries
5. December 26 all Adults will meet in the Sanctuary for Sunday School
6. $ 1623 is the new Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total. Thank you for caring about the unsaved around the world
7. Thank you to all the volunteers. You emptied the Fellowship Hall so that the floors could be cleaned. Afterwards, you returned all the furniture to its proper place. You bought, sold, made slaw, made sauce, cooked, and prepared the Boston Butts for delivery. Many helping hands got it all done. THANKS
8. 6:00 pm on December 19 is our Christmas Program. Carols, solos, testimonies, children’s presentations and other sharing. A fellowship meal will follow the service. Bring desserts, finger foods, or your favorite crock pot dish. Please join your church family as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Let us all be a blessing this Christmas

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Let me ask you a strange question. Which are you

   Artificial ?

   Cut ?

   Planted ?

Now, let’s explore possible answers. At our house we have a number of artificial flowers. Pamela rotates them by season. They are beautiful, but lifeless, and do not reproduce themselves. Then, from time-to-time, usually on our anniversary or Pamela’s birthday, I like to buy a dozen fresh cut roses. They are a gorgeous living plant. We keep them watered, but because they are cut off from their roots they soon droop, fade, and die. We also have plants that are firmly rooted in the ground. Because they are always receiving nourishment from the soil, they bloom at the proper season, year-after-year.

Some folks are like those artificial plants. They portray themselves as Christians. They may look somewhat like a Christian. Perhaps someone told them that if they were baptized as an infant, or took a membership class, or joined a church, that made them a Christian. However, they have never had a “born again” experience with Jesus Christ and made Him their Lord and Savior. Their faith is artificial, lifeless, and non-productive.

Others are like those cut flowers. At one time they were beautiful, fresh, alive. However, over a period of time they have allowed themselves to be cut off from Jesus, the Source of life. As a result, their walk with the Lord and their positive influence on the world, fades away.

Finally, there are those deeply rooted Believers. They are firmly grounded in Jesus. They constantly receive fresh nourishment, insight, and power from the Lord. Their lives bloom and show forth the beauty of Jesus in all seasons. Jesus described such people in John 15:5

“I am the Vine. Ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for apart from Me, ye can do nothing”.

Believers who are making a difference in the world today are those who continually abide in Jesus, the Vine, and allow Him to bear fruit through them.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Called Church Conference -December 19-Purpose is to elect Stewardship Committee members and Sunday School Secretaries
5. December 26 all adults will meet in the Sanctuary for Sunday School
6. 6:00 pm on December 19 we will be having our Christmas Program. Carols, solos, testimonies, children’s presentations, and other sharing. After the service we will have a fellowship meal. Bring desserts, finger foods, or your favorite crock pot dish.
7. Wonderful Giving update
   • $ 1225-New total for the Baptist Children’s Homes
   • $ 1220- Lottie moon Christmas Offering total to date. We will be giving this offering through the month of December. Folks around the world will hear of Jesus because you give
8. Remember to get your Christmas cards for your church family to the church by December 15. Place the money you would have spent for stamps in the Lottie Moon Offering

The same Jesus who came to earth about 2000 years ago will soon return. Let us all be ready to greet Him!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

I jokingly say that by now almost everyone east of the Mississippi River knows that Pamela has a new “puppy dog”. If Heidi is like our last two dogs, she will often give me Newsletter material. Such is the case this week. In our kitchen, we have one of those wire dog crates. Pamela put a nice soft blanket in there for Heidi’s comfort. The door stands open so that Heidi can come and go at her choice.

While I was eating breakfast one morning last week, I heard Heidi grunting. I looked and saw that a corner of that blanket had come through one of the small openings in the crate. She had pulled about six inches of the blanket through that hole. The remainder of the blanket was bunched up and would never come through that little hole. Heidi pulled, tugged, growled, and worked ever so hard. She made no progress and was becoming frustrated. She did not have the reasoning skills to understand and fix the problem. In a few minutes, I took pity on her. I pulled the blanket back through the hole and placed it in the open door. Heidi jerked it out of the crate and was soon happily rolling around on it.

Immediately, I saw a parallel with us. So many times we see something we want, or need, or desire to accomplish. We grab hold and get to work. We struggle, strain, do our best. Frustration comes when nothing seems to be happening.

I stepped in and did for Heidi what she could not do for herself. Sometimes, out of His sheer grace and mercy, our wise, loving, Heavenly Father, steps in and does the same for us. Be very thankful when that happens. At other times, our Lord is ready and willing to help. However, He is waiting patiently for us to seek His help. Remember these verses from the Book of James:

  “Ye have not because ye ask not” [4:2]

  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”. [1:5]

Life is always more joyful and less frustrating when we learn to rely upon the superior wisdom of our Lord. My desire is to grow in this grace. I pray that it is also your desire.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. 2  Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. 4.Thank you for your excellent and generous giving
   • 56– Number of Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes
   • $ 1175– Amount given for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering
   • $ 250–Amount given for West Stanly Christian Ministries Day of Giving
5. This is your last notice to order your Boston Butts and slaw from the Baptist Men. Pick up day is December 11 from 9:00 am to 12:00 at the church. Boston Butts are $ 40. Slaw is $ 4 per pint and $ 15 per gallon. See one of the Baptist Men to order
6. December is the month that we give our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. There are lost souls who need Jesus. We know you will give generously so that they can hear the good news of our Savior.
7. Remember that you can prepare Christmas cards for your church family and have them placed in each family’s box at the church. Place the money you would have spent for stamps in the Lottie Moon Offering. Get your cards to the church by December 15
8. Called Church Conference on December 5. Purpose is to approve a Church Budget for 2022
9. Special Christmas Program is Sunday evening on December 19. A Fellowship Meal will follow the service.

Celebrate Jesus our coming King

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

It is not my favorite thing to do, but I have learned to drive up to a post with some holes cut into it. When a voice says, “May I take your order, please?” I tell that voice what I want. I drive to a window and place money in a hand sticking out that window. I drive to a second window and a hand offers me my bag of food. I drive away and eat all by my lonesome self. Of course, sometimes when I order, the voice in the post says, “We are out of that today”, or “That machine is broken”. Then I drive off disappointed.

Much more enjoyable is when I sit at a loaded Dining Room table, surrounded by precious family and dear friends. We share jokes, teasing, stories, laughter, and maybe even a tear or two. Faces beam with the glow of happiness and love. Even if all my favorite foods are not on the table, there is such an abundance of good things that I never leave disappointed.

For far too many folks, prayer is like that first illustration. They feel like they are talking to an impersonal God. They can’t see Him but they know He is there somewhere. Sometimes they receive  what they request, but often they leave the Prayer Closet disappointed. It is no wonder that prayer becomes a chore and is often neglected.

For others, prayer is like the second picture. There is joy, happiness, and sweet fellowship. The loving Heavenly Father who sits at the head of the table is wonderful to know. His personal presence brings a glow to the prayer experience. At His table there is such an abundance of blessing that you never leave disappointed. You are looking for something, but don’t see it. Suddenly, you are offered something that is far better. Then you realize that your Heavenly Father has prepared this table of blessing just for you. When this is your experience, prayer becomes a thrill. You leave the table, but immediately want to run back for another time of fellowship.

I encourage you, precious Friends, grow so much spiritually that you find yourself often in the Father’s presence. Dine at His loaded table. You will look back on those earlier days of speaking to a garbled voice in a post and rejoice that those days have passed away.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm. We will meet in the Sanctuary this week
4. This is our last week to give to the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering. $ 705 has been given thus far. Your gifts bless children who are looking to us for food, clothing, shelter, Jesus, and love. Thank you for giving.
5. A Day of Giving—West Stanly Christian Ministries–December 11. Toys with a minimum value of $25 or money to buy toys are needed. These toys go to kids in our own community. See Lionel Hahn if you have questions, $ 150 has been given to date.
6. The Baptist Men are having a Boston Butt and slaw sale December 11. Pick up at the church from 9:00 am to 12:00. Boston Butts are $40 and slaw is $4 per pint or 15 p gallon. See one of our Baptist Men to order the items you need.
7. This week we have several families that we need to support with our prayers as they experience the loss of loved ones:
   • Mrs. Pat Burgess in the death of her Sister, Mrs. Helen Gaddy
   • Steve and Gail Perkins in the death of Steve’s Mother, Mrs. Beatrice Mason
   • Anna and Angela Frick in the death of their Grandfather, Mr. James Howell

To each of you, and to your families, we send our love and sympathy as your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Let us bless the Name of Jesus! Let us serve Him with gladness!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Despite our moaning, groaning, and complaining, most of us have many reasons to be thankful this week. Consider this—thousands of people, from many different countries, are hiking across Mexico. They are headed to the United States border. Their hope is that legally, or illegally, they can slip into our country.

What is the Big Deal?

These folks realize that life here is so much better than where they were born. Our worst meal of the week is better than their best meal. In fact, many of them would be thrilled to have the food we threw in our garbage this week. The most decrepit housing in America is probably better than where they lived. I came home from mission trips to Brazil and to Honduras with the realization that the pigs on my Dad’s farm had warmer, drier, safer, places to live than the huts many natives had.

Let’s be Thankful for our food and our homes!

Most of you reading this have heard about Jesus and know Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Even at this moment, your home in Heaven is assured and is being built. Billions have never heard of Jesus and are lost, on their way to an eternal separation from Almighty God.

Let’s be Thankful that we live where Jesus is known and preached! Let’s be Thankful for our salvation.

I am also Thankful to be a part of the Family of God. Christian friends from all over the world bless our lives regularly. At birthdays, anniversaries, and many other times throughout the year, Pamela and I receive calls, texts, emails, cards, and Facebook posts, that remind us of how much we are lovingly connected to the Body of Christ. Some of these we see regularly, some just once-in-a-while. Some we may not see again until we get to Heaven. I am so Thankful for these precious friends. You folks at Barbee’s Grove are a significant part of those special friends.

Let’s be Thankful for our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord.

There is much wrong in our world, but we still have many reasons to be thankful. With hearts full of joy, love, and gratitude, let’s approach our Lord Jesus with Thankful praise this week!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Bible Study and Prayer is canceled this Wednesday in order that you have time to prepare for Thanksgiving
4. Thank you for continuing to give to the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering. You are blessing needy children with your gifts.
5. The Baptist Men are having a Boston Butt and slaw sale on December 11. See one of the Baptist Men to order the items you need.
6. A Day of Giving—-West Stanly Christian Ministry-December 11. Toys with a minimum value of $25, or money to buy toys, are needed. See Lionel Hahn if you have questions. These toys go to needy children in our own community.

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.

Sitting along one of the walls in our living room is a green plant that was given to Pamela’s family when her Mom passed away. I was told it was a Peace Lily. [I would not know!!] From time-to -time, we look at that plant and notice that the branches are drooping and the leaves are curling. Immediately, we pour some water on the plant. Amazingly, in a few hours that plant looks refreshed, strong, almost as good as on the day of Helen’s funeral.

That plant reminds me of our walk with Christ, our lives as Believers in Jesus. We can be strong, vibrant, shiny, with the life of Jesus: OR, we can be wilted, droopy, a poor witness to the world of our faith in our Lord. It all depends upon how much we drink of the Water of Life, which is Jesus. Have you ever considered how often the Bible talks about the spiritual water that refreshes our souls? 

Jesus told the woman at the well in Samaria, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”. [John 4:14]

Isaiah offered this invitation, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…”. [Isaiah 55:1]

Jesus said on another occasion, “If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink”. [John 7:37]

The Bible ends with a similar offer, “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely”. [Revelation 22:17]

We come to Jesus and receive the water of life, salvation. That salvation becomes a permanent refreshment to our lives. However, we often need a fresh drink. It is not that we get saved all over again. Instead, it is a fresh drink of God’s presence. I am so glad that when the world and the devil have turned up the heat and I begin to feel “droopy” as a Christian, that I can spend time in God’s Word, fellowshipping with Jesus, and suddenly I can be refreshed spiritually.

Fellow Believer, how are you today? Are you well-watered, shiny, and vibrant: or are you dry, droopy, and sagging? The amount of quality time you spend with your LORD will make the determination!!.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Bible Study and Prayer is Wednesday at 6:30 pm. [No service on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving –November24]
4. You may give your special love offering to the NC Baptist Children’s Homes any time during the month of November. It is always a joy to care for hurting children and to bring healing, salvation, and happiness into their lives.
5. The Baptist Men will be having a Boston Butt and slaw sale on December 11. See one of the men to place your orders.
6. Watching those filled Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes pile up on the platform is a thrill. Remember they are due this Sunday, November 14.

No ministry for the Lord goes unnoticed  or unrewarded.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

The pride and arrogance of man is both foolish and sad. I recently saw a headline for a news article that went something like this: THE FATE OF THE PLANET WILL BE DECIDED AT GLASGOW. Evidently, the author believed that the climate summit at Glasgow would determine the fate of the earth.  Men and women would vote on such things as carbon emissions, climate change, and global warming, and everything would be different. Mankind would save the world!!

Friends, long before there were automobiles, fuel burning manufacturing plants, and other fossil fuel users, this planet has had Ice Ages and periods of warming. There have always been storms, floods, and earthquakes. Man may make it better or worse, but climate change is a part of world history.

It is sad, and laughable, that man thinks the fate of the world is in his hands. The real, eternal fate of this world will be decided in the Throne Room of Heaven. Almighty God, the One who created this world, and the One who sustains it, sits upon His Throne. He, and He alone, will decide the fate of the earth. In fact, throughout God’s Word, the Bible, we read comments concerning the ultimate end of all things. God has not given us the exact date and hour, but we know this world will be dissolved, and that there will be a new Heaven and a new earth. [2 Peter 3:10–2 Peter 3:13–Revelation 21:1] Psalm 2 tells us that God sits in Heaven and laughs when puny man thinks he overrules the Lord.

I do not fret global warming, or any of the other crises the media is always proclaiming. Almost 70 years ago I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I am safe, secure, held lovingly in His hands. He can determine the fate of this planet when, and how, He pleases. I will be in glory with my Lord.

Today, are you “wringing your hands’, troubled over the fate of the planet? Are you trusting man to save the earth? OR, are you resting safely and securely in the arms of Jesus?. Make sure today that your trust is in Jesus. He is Lord. He is in control!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Thank you for preparing so many Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes. Please have them at the church by Sunday, November 14
5. The Baptist Men will be having a Boston Butt and slaw sale on December 11. See one of the men to place your orders
6. During November we will be giving our annual Thanksgiving Offering for the Baptist Children’s Homes.
7. Thank you for all the ways you have expressed your appreciation to Pamela and to me during the month of October. We received gifts [with the donor’s names, and anonymously], a wonderful love offering, cards, and so very many kind words. Indeed, you express your love for us throughout the year, not just in October. Thank you. We love each of you, and we love serving the Lord alongside of you at Barbee’s Grove.
8. Remember, this Sunday, November 7 is the time to set your clocks back to Eastern Standard Time
9. We note with sadness, the death of Mr. Charles Hatley. He was a good man who will be missed by his family, his friends, and our church. Please keep his wife, Jewell, and all the other members of the family in your prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Keep your hands to the plow and look for Jesus at the end of the row!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

 I resigned as Pastor of Prospect and became a Pastor in the North Carolina mountains. After that, I had a sojourn in the foreign land of Oklahoma. In all, I was gone from Stanly County for over 20 years. When I moved back here, two things quickly stood out: 1] Many churches that once were strong and healthy were now sickly, nigh unto death; and 2] New churches, many vibrant and alive, had been established. WHY?

Churches are started for several reasons:

1.   Someone recognizes an unreached part of the community and begins to minister to those people.
2.   Spite. Remember the playground threat, “If you won’t let me pitch, I’ll take my bat and ball and go home”? Sometimes a group realizes that no one will allow them to dictate the way their church is run. They get angry and in a sense, “take their Bible and hymnbook” and start their own church. Usually, those “spite” churches never become healthy and do not last long.
3.  A group of Christians is “on fire”, in love with Jesus, and eager to worship and serve Him. Sadly, they realize that their current church is “stuck-in-a-rut”, satisfied with the status-quo, and has no vision [see last week’s Newsletter]. These people leave their old church to start a new one that is alive, excited about worship and service. They leave with a vision of being a New Testament church. They leave, not angry, but with broken hearts. They realize that their old church is doomed by its spiritual deadness.

Since the Barbee’s Grove Pastor is not too long-winded, I am usually driving by other churches by 11:30 am on Sundays. I see new churches with overflowing parking lots. I see older churches with just a few vehicles.

I do not know the condition of every church in the area. However, I can think of only two older Baptist churches in the Albemarle area that are really flourishing compared to 20 years ago. It is not a matter of saying, “We need to grow, we want to grow, we need to change”. Saying it does not make it happen. Those two churches had a vision, still have a vision, and are continuing to take the positive steps to make those visions a reality.

What about Barbee’s Grove? The answer lies in the heads, the hearts, and the hands of the 50-60 really Active members. Will you personally vote for life?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Thank you for the socks, tee shirts, and other items that you donated for the needy students in the Stanly County School system
5. Thank you for your enthusiasm in filling those Samaritan”s purse Shoe Boxes. Your generosity will be a blessing to children in hurting places in our world. Boxes are due by Sunday, November 14. The church will pay for the shipping
6. Communion is Sunday, October 31
7. Masks are optional at all services

Jesus loves YOU so very much!!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

 Every time I read anywhere in the book of Proverbs, I am reminded once again of how wise our God is. Even though Proverbs was written 3000 years ago, verse after verse gives us wise guidance, instruction, and warning. Written so long ago, yet still speaking to us today. This week I have been meditating upon Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”.

 How true that verse really is. In ordinary, everyday life, vision led men and women to build giant corporations, create helpful inventions, and grow mighty nations. They dreamed, planned, worked, and those dreams became reality.

It is the same spiritually:

    Moses had a vision of leading his people to freedom.

    The Israelites had a vision of a land flowing “with milk and honey”.

    David had a vision of a beautiful Temple as a place to worship God.

    Paul had a vision of taking the Gospel to regions where Jesus was unknown.

    Jesus left Heaven and came to earth and the cross with a vision of saving lost mankind.

 But what about you? What is your God-given vision for yourself and for Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church? Let’s assume that 5 years from now, Jesus has not returned, and that you are still alive. How do you envision your personal walk with the Lord? How do you plan to be serving Him? What do you see happening at Barbee’s Grove? Will we be larger, stronger, on fire for Jesus, or just a memory in this community?

 Some folks exercise on a treadmill. There is much activity, effort, and perspiration. However in the end, they get off where they got on. To actually get to a destination, a person needs to run from Point A to Point B. It is not a matter of the effort expended, it is a matter of heading toward a goal. What is your God-given goal for 5 years from now?

 As Proverbs tells us, if we have no God-given vision as individuals, or as a church, we will perish. That is a simple, but indisputable truth. How long has it been since you got alone with your Lord, and asked Him to reveal to you His vision for you personally, and for your church?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10, and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Quarterly Church Conference is this Sunday [October 24] after Morning Worship
5. The Lord’s Supper will be October 31 during Morning Worship
6. Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes are at the church. Instructions for items you can place in the boxes are also there. The church will pay for shipping, so there is no need to place money with your box. These will be due November 14. Over half the boxes were taken last week. However, more are available
7. Masks are recommended, but optional at all services

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and seek opportunities to minister to others.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Did you ever look at a certain person and say, “They succeeded because they had an unfair advantage”? Perhaps they were born with a natural beauty. Maybe they were born into a rich family. It could have been that they came out of college and immediately got the prestigious, high paying job you wanted. After all, their Daddy owned the company. At one time or another, most of us have said, “It just isn’t fair”.

Did you realize that you, as a true believer in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, have an unfair advantage over every non-believing person on the world? 
Pastor, are you serious? Yes, I am serious. Consider two of many such verses: “The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you”. [Romans 8:11 paraphrased] “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.  [Colossians 1:27]

Friend, if you are truly “born again”, the Bible says that you are a living, breathing, walking around, container of Almighty God. He lives in you. Think of the advantage that truth gives you in every area of your life! 

    God in you is wisdom

    God in you is power

    God in you is love

    God in you is righteousness

    God in you is protection

    God in you is overcoming victory

No matter what the situation, you have resources no non-believer has. No wonder Paul could write, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”. [Romans 8:37] Consider also, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds”. [2 Corinthians 10:4]

Please do not let the devil convince you that you are a poor, powerless, worm in the dust. Recognize the truth that Almighty God lives in you. Lift up your head. Live like an overcoming Champion! Use your “unfair advantage” to defeat the devil. Use it as you love others. Use it as you live your daily life.

The devil ought to hate to see you get out of bed each morning. Why? Because he knows that you know who you are in Christ. Also, because he knows that he has no power against you when you resist him in Jesus’ Name, and that the Jesus in you is going to make you, “prosper, and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. [3 John 2]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM.
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
4. October 17—Bring the Tee shirts, socks, underwear, and other items you are donating to help needy kids in the Stanly County School System.
5. Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes are at the church. Instructions naming items that you can place in your box are there also. There is no need to place money in the box. The church has agreed to pay shipping cost. These will be due November 14.
6. Masks are recommended, but optional at all services.
7. Thanks to every person who helped make the Ronnie Lowder Benefit a success
8. Study our Prayer List. We have many in the Church family who are battling serious illnesses and need our prayers.
9. It is with great sadness that we note the death of former Pastor, Rev. Terry Burris. His preaching, singing, and most of all, his friendship, will be missed. He left us far too soon. Continue to remember his family in your prayers.

Stay close to Jesus!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

It has been about a year, can I have your permission to get back up on my soapbox?

Last week, there was a lot of hand wringing and anguish in the news. Those the world calls, “important people”, were lamenting the fact that the media was reporting that Covid deaths in the USA were now at 700,000. {Personally, I think the actual number of Covid deaths is a lot lower. However, I will leave that discussion to another time and place.} I understand that there  is a display of white flags on the National Mall in Washington, DC, representing each of those 700,000 deaths. It must be an impressive memorial.

Think with me for a moment. When Covid first hit the nation, a few individuals attended “Covid Catching Parties”. However, most of those who have had the disease did not want it. Many do not know who gave it to them, nor when or where it happened. It was an accident. It was not their choice to be sick, or to die. No matter what the actual number of deaths is, every death is sad, tragic, and leaves behind broken hearts. We, as fellow Americans, share their grief.

In the meantime, every week in America, 17,000 babies are aborted [murdered]. That means approximately 900,000 babies died last year. Notice, that number is far higher than the reported number of Covid deaths for an 18 month period.

These babies died, not because they accidentally contracted some virus, but by deliberate choice. It was a choice by medical practitioners, nurses, and clinical staff where those babies were killed. It was a choice by mothers who decided that their innocent child should be put to death. Again I say, it was not an accident. It was a deliberate choice. Sad-to-say, a majority of those mothers claimed to be Christians. Do we really think a Loving, Holy, God approves of such a travesty?

Where is the hand wringing and anguish by national figures over these deaths> Where is the Memorial on the National Mall acknowledging the deaths of these precious children?

Friends, from my soapbox I proclaim:

1. We need to pray.
2. We need to take a stand opposed to innocent deaths.
3. We need to vote for the proper people to be elected to office.
4. We need to offer wise, loving, Godly, counsel to those considering abortion.
5. We need to continue to support our local Pregnancy Crisis Resource Center, the Love Life Organization, and other such ministries.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CARE?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1.  Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 PM.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. A last minute additional donation to the NC Missions Offering brings our total to $2360. Fantastic-Thanks
5. Remember to begin planning to fill your Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes. They will be due the Second Sunday of November
6. October 10 and 17 are the days to bring: Underwear, Tee shirts, Socks, and personal hygiene items to benefit kids in the Stanly County School System. Clothing for all ages and sizes, and for boys and girls, are needed.

God still Reigns!!!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Let us begin this week by looking at parts of some verses in Genesis:

12:7 “And the Lord appeared to Abram’ and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land; and there builded he an altar unto the Lord who appeared to him.”

12:8 “And he removed from thence…..and there built an altar unto the Lord and called upon the Name of the Lord.”

13:4 “Unto the place of the altar which he had made there at first; and Abram called on the Name of the Lord.”

13:18 “…and dwelt in the plain of Mamre….and built an altar unto the Lord.”

18:19 “For I know him, that he shall command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment…”.

Abram [Abraham] came to the land of Canaan. God promises to give that land to him and to his descendants forever. Notice, as Abraham surveys the land, he moves his tent from place-to-place. At each site, he builds an altar and worships the Lord. No matter where he settled, God was at the center of his thoughts and actions. Think of what a powerful witness that was to his family, to his servants, and to the heathen people who lived in the area. Eventually, God comments, “I know Abraham will pass his relationship with Me to his family and to future generations.”

Blessed is the family that has God-centered parents as leaders of the home. When children observe Dad and Mom reading their Bibles and praying, these kids are led in the right direction. When kids see parents making church attendance a priority, they learn that worship is important. As kids watch parents put their faith in Jesus into action in their daily lives, those kids learn that Jesus is real.

Abraham was human. The Bible record tells us that he “messed up” a few times. But Abraham was a “man of faith”. He followed the Lord. He worshiped the Lord. He believed the Lord. He set a positive example for his family. Approximately 3700 years after his death, we still honor his walk with God.

May you and I be such strong people of faith, such committed followers of Jesus, that we will be positive witnesses to our families, friends, and to others who observe our lives. AMEN–LET IT BE SO.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99,1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study on Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Called Church Conference-Sunday, October 3. Purpose is to elect members of the Building and Grounds Committee, and for a consideration of a proposal to do cleaning work in our Kitchen and Fellowship Hall.
5. Masks are recommended—but optional
6. Wonderful Giving
   • $1360–Final total for the NC Missions Offering
   • 280–Afghani Refugee Offering
   • 1000– Special donation for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes
   • Thank you for the way you lovingly give to meet the needs of hurting people!

Have a God blessed week

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

There is a passage in the Old Testament that speaks deeply to me every time I remember it. In 1 Chronicles 21 we read of a time when Satan stirred King David to number Israel. Evidently, it was the sin of pride at work. As a result of that sin, a plague hit the nation. In order to stop the plague, David was instructed to build an altar and to offer a special sacrifice to the Lord. The designated site of the altar was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 

Ornan, out of respect for King David, offers to give the land freely. He also offers the free gift of his oxen and his wooden threshing instruments. Just think for a moment, David had a chance to make a sacrificial offering to the Lord and it was not going to personally cost him anything!!!! 

Now comes the verses that intrigue me [24, 25] “And King David said to Ornan, “NO, BUT I WILL PAY THE FULL PRICE; I WILL NOT TAKE WHAT IS YOURS FOR THE LORD, NOR OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS WHICH COST ME NOTHING.” So David gave Ornan for the site 600 shekels of gold by weight”. 

David understood that a real offering to the Lord must cost us something. When we express love and gratitude to our Lord, we want to give Him our best. Consider two women in the New Testament. One gave two mites [pennies]. [Luke 21:1-4] It was all she had. Another gave a costly ointment to lavish upon Jesus. [John 12:3-8] 

Throughout the ages, men and women, out of thankfulness to the Lord for their salvation, and out of a desire to express their love to Him, have placed their sacrificial offerings at His feet. For some, the gift was money. But it is not always money. Some sacrificed countless hours on their knees in prayer. Others went to great lengths to share Jesus as soul winners. Many others went to the hurting and gave Christ’s love as they met needs. Sometimes, when you don’t think you have a minute to spare, you take an hour or more in sympathetic listening to a hurting friend. 

The list goes on. It is important to remember, if we want to be like King David, “a man after God’s own heart”, we offer to the Lord the best we have. We give the best, not the “leftovers”. God always honors our best. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM 
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm 
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm 
4. September 26-Called Church Conference for the purpose of electing messengers to the Stanly-Montgomery Baptist Association 
5. October 3-Called Church Conference for the purpose of electing members to the Building and Grounds Committee and for consideration of a proposal to do cleaning work in our Kitchen and Fellowship Hall 
6. $840 is the new total for our NC Missions Offering. September 26 is the last day to give 
7. September 26 has been designated as a time you may give to help settle Afghani  refugees who are coming to the Raleigh area 
8. DEACONS FOR THE NEXT CHURCH YEAR
   • Jeff Keplinger—Chairman
   • Gary Hamilton–Vice- Chairman  
   • Kenny Linker–Secretary 
   • Grant Hartsell 
   • Leonard Harvell 

Pray often for your Pastor and your Deacons 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

When a certain famous author began to publish his novels a number of years ago, I read several of them. Quite frankly, I hated them. All the books that I read had unusual, unhappy endings. Even though this man has written additional books, I have never bought, or read any of them.

The truth is—I love happy endings. Throughout a book there might be troubles, trials, and tribulations. People may have disagreements, a “falling out”, unexpected difficulties. However, on the last few pages, love wins, reconciliation comes, and brings victory. As in the Old Westerns, the “good guy” in the white hat  gets the girl. Those are the stories that give me a “warm, fuzzy feeling”.

Perhaps that is why I love the Bible so much. God’s Word is honest with us. It tells of a world filled with trouble, sickness, sin, hatred, and violence. The Bible realistically portrays and foretells the exact type of world that you and I experience every day. 

As we look at current events, the devil whispers in our ears discouraging thoughts. He wants us to live in dispair.  At this very moment, he may be screaming at you, “Your situation is hopeless” . Knowing situations in the Barbee’s Grove family, I know that some of you are really hurting. That is why our Bibles are so encouraging, enlightening, and exciting. God’s Word assures us of a wonderful, glorious, joyful, happy ending. 

Be thrilled again by these very precious promises.:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away’.  Revelation 21:4

“That at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in Heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Philippians 2:9,10

Faithful Believer in Jesus, rejoice that as you faithfully follow Jesus, your present life and your eternity has a very happy ending!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study at 6:30 pm on Wednesday
4. Gifts to the NC Missions Offering now total $790. Thank you for giving sacrificially and faithfully.
5. Masks recommended but optional for all services
6. We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Margaret Allen Burgess family. Mrs. Burgess was the grandmother of Gail Perkins.
7. It is with great sadness that we note the death of Mrs. Shirley Edwards. Her smile always lit up the corner where she sat during the Worship Service. We extend our love and sympathy to each member of the family

May it comfort you to know that the thoughts and prayers of others are with you and that God will grant His comfort for Isaiah 53:4 says “Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”

Let us reach out in love to all who are hurting

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Sometimes, a congregation listens to a Pastor as he makes an appeal for them to give to some particular offering. Because they respect the Pastor, and because they love the Lord, they do give. But, all the time, they may be wondering, “Do my gifts really make a difference”? 

Let me assure you. Your gifts do have an impact in the Kingdom of God. Those who saw the video last Sunday morning know it is true. As we watched that older man, on a walker, praising NC Baptists on Mission as they repaired his severely damaged house, tears came to our eyes. He had slept in his truck for months, now we are making it possible for him to go home. Thank you for your gifts to the NC Mission Offering. [Last week, you gave $590. You may give any time during September]. 

Now, let’s look in another direction. The work of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board is supported by the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Did you realize that internationally, during 2020, despite Covid, 18,380 churches were planted, 144,322 new Believers were born into the Kingdom of God, and 86,587 were baptized? Your gifts helped make it possible. 

Let’s look some more. This week, we received an urgent appeal from our friend, Rev. Patrick Fuller. The Raleigh Baptist Association is getting 52 Afghani refugee families. There is an immediate need for money for food, housing, and other needs. Because of past generosity, Barbee’s Grove has sent $1000 to help with that need. [The last Sunday of the month, September 26, you will be given an opportunity to personally contribute to that need.]    

Thank You!  Thank you!  Thank you! 

Caring hearts, people who love Jesus and who love others, do make a difference. Remember the precious words of our Lord: “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40  

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available on 99.1 FM in the parking lot.
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available at 10 in the parking lot and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. NC Missions Offering continues through September
5. Special gifts to aid Afghani refugees is September 26.

Let’s pray often for one another! 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

Do you remember the old Board game, Monopoly? If you were unlucky, you landed in Jail. It cost some of your cash to get out and to continue playing. However, if you had a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card you could use that card. No one that ever played in a game with me took pity on me and handed me their card and said, “ use my card to go free.”

Our Heavenly Father is much more loving. Because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden we were all born in the devil’s jail. Unfortunately, no amount of money could get us out. However, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and to become our “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. John 3:16 reminds us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. 

Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Would you do it now? If you you are already a Believer how long has it been since you said “Thank You” to the Lord? As a Believer are you sharing the good news of this free offer of God’s “Get Out Of Jail Free” salvation? So many are trapped in the in the devil’s clutches. They need to hear God’s good news.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM.
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Please remember the importance of our NC Mission Offering. We are ministering to so many hurting people as well as reaching new Believers. Your gifts make a difference.
4. Please continue to pray for our family that we call, Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church. Many are dealing with serious medical issues. Let’s show our love in every possible way.
5. We are continuing with services as usual. We encourage social distancing. Masks are optional but recommended.

Pray for the Lord to return soon!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Why do you bother to go to the table to eat? Here are some reasons.

1. You love the taste of food.
2. Your growling stomach urges you to eat.
3. Your body needs the nourishment and strength that food gives.
4. At a loving family table, or a Church Homecoming, there is sweet fellowship.

In the beloved Psalm 23 [v.5] the Lord promises us that He will “Prepare us a table in the presence of our enemies”. That is an encouraging, wonderful word to every follower of Jesus.

We all face enemies. Our Adversary, the devil, makes sure of it. Who are your enemies? Hostile co-workers? Unbelieving family members? Cancer? Covid? Other health issues? Fear? A broken heart? Financial troubles? Discouragement? A crisis of faith? The list can go on and on.

Your enemies are real. They are frightening. However, your Loving Heavenly Father has prepared a personal table, just for you, in the face of those enemies. The Lord invites you, indeed, He welcomes you to come to His table and eat. Partake of His Word personally, and at His House of Worship. Spend time meditating, praying, singing alone and with others. Let your life be one of continual fellowship with the Lord.

As you dine with the Lord, you will discover that the sweet fellowship you experience with Him gives you peace. At the same time, you will be nourished, and that nourishment will give you strength for the day. You will walk in a power greater than your own human power.

In the natural, we need to eat regularly in order to maintain our strength. It is the same spiritually. We need to go to the table the Lord provides often if we are to stay strong emotionally, spiritually, as well as physically.

The Lord’s Table is there for you. He is ringing the Dinner Bell. Do not miss a single meal!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study—Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
4. Communion—Sunday, August 29, 10 am
5. NC Missions Offering – September–this money goes to mission projects throughout our state. For example,at this very moment, Baptists on Mission are using some of our gifts from last year to help flood victims in the NC mountains. Please give generously.
6. Many of our Barbee’s Grove members are facing difficult situations at this time. Several have very serious health issues. Be sensitive to pray for each other regularly and fervently. We strengthen each other.

God’s love sustains us!!!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s grove Baptist Church 

In Luke 10:30-36 we read the parable that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. You remember how it goes. A lonely traveler is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite walk past and ignore the man’s pain. Eventually, a Samaritan passes. He does not have an ambulance, or an Emergency Room. But, he does what he can. He ministers to the man’s wounds. Then he sees that someone cares for the man’s needs till he heals. Jesus encourages us to do the same. 

These days, the news shows us that there is much pain in the nation of Afghanistan. It is tempting to get on our soapboxes and yell at each other about the troop withdrawal and how it was handled. Let’s leave that till the next election cycle. If we only point fingers, we become the priest and the Levite. Instead, let’s be good Samaritans. 

How can you and I be good Samaritans? We are not military. We fly no rescue planes. However, if we are Believers in Jesus, we have a powerful weapon. It is called, “Praying in faith”. Our prayers can have situation altering power. 

1. Pray for the Christians in Afghanistan. They are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. They face persecution and death.
2. Pray for the women and children. They face harsh, hateful, degrading laws.
3. Pray for the tens of thousands who supported and aided the American military. They face imprisonment and death.
4. Pray for the Taliban. Pray that from the lowliest soldier, to the highest leader, there will be a Divine encounter with the living Lord Jesus.

The God who delivered Daniel from the Lion’s Den and Peter from prison, has not retired or died. He is still on the throne!!! Prayer can make a difference. It is not found in the Bible, but I often speculate—–were there some faithful Believers praying for that despicable Saul of Tarsus when he was on the road to Damascus and had that life altering meeting with Jesus and became the great Apostle Paul? Please join me in prayer for the nation of Afghanistan. 

After a year of absence, it was wonderful to once again celebrate Homecoming at Barbee’s Grove. Good music, good preaching, plenty of food, sweet fellowship, what more could we want? Brother Terry Burris preached a fine message from Psalm 78:41. He strongly urged us to read the entire Psalm. I hope you did read it. Later, that afternoon, Pamela and I discussed several of the verses in that Psalm. They speak to our current world situation. I am sure the Holy Spirit pointed you to some of the same verses. If you did not read Psalm 78, please do so now. I sense additional sermons or Newsletter articles coming from that special place in God’s Word. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 Fm“
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study-Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Choir Practice    – Sunday, August 22 at 6:00 pm
5. Communion will be Sunday, August 29 at Morning Worship

Have a God blessed week 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

Do you remember this picture from the “olden days”? You were busy in your home when suddenly the lights went out, or the appliance you were using stopped working. After a moment of confusion, you thought of the Fuse Box. You looked, and quickly saw that the circuit you were using had blown a fuse. If you were prepared, there was an extra, spare fuse on hand. As soon as the blown fuse was replaced, power was restored.

It was so simple. There was plenty of power available from the Electric Company. The wires were fine. But, one little blown fuse cut off the power. Many Christians believe in a Loving, Powerful God. Yet, they do not experience God’s power working in them, or through them. Perhaps, something our Lord said through the Prophet Isaiah explains the problem:

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1,2

God’s power is readily available. However, sin, like a blown fuse, disrupts that power. Sin prevents God from working mightily in our lives. When I was growing up in church, sin was usually defined as adultery, drunkenness, theft, and murder. Since most Christians were not guilty of those particular sins, they felt that they were right with God. However, as I have grown, and as I have continued to study my Bible, I find that the Lord also calls the following sins: pride: unforgiveness; unrighteous anger; misuse of the Lord’s Day; misuse of the Lord’s tithes; prayerlessness; gossip; hate; prejudice; lying, and mistreatment of others; to name a few. 

A home, or any other building, that wanted full electric power had to deal with each, and every, fuse in the box. The Christian who desires to walk in the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit must deal with all known sin. If we want to experience the God-sent revival we wrote about last week, we cannot be careless with sin. Good news is found in 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

May we allow the Holy Spirit to examine our lives in order that we can be sure that all circuits are open for the flow of the power of God!!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10:00 am and on the website after 12:30 PM
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Homecoming is August 15. Speaker is Rev. Terry Burris. Plan for a covered dish meal. IF WEATHER PERMITS, there will be some tables set up outside for those who do not feel comfortable eating inside.
5. Choir Practice-Sunday, August 22 at 6:00 pm
6. Thank you to everyone who made our Vacation Bible School a success. Your work, talents, and sacrifices are appreciated.
7. Newly elected Deacons–Gary Hamilton and Grant Hartsell. They replace McChord Barbee and David Talley, whose terms have ended. We appreciate these men, and all our Deacons, who serve our church so faithfully.

Let’s replace those “blown” fuses

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church  

I would expect that almost everyone reading this Newsletter would agree with this statement: “The United States, and the world, desperately need a God-sent, Holy Spirit anointed revival”.  We need a move of God greater than anything we have seen in the past 150 years.

We agree that we need revival. We pray in a general way for revival.  Many believe that revival is coming. Indeed, it seems to have begun in a few areas. But, when, where, how, through whom, is the Lord going to assert His glory in our nation?

Something I read recently has caused me to speculate that perhaps we are the reason revival is slow in coming. Remember the old hymn?
“Lord, send a revival
Lord, send a revival
Lord, send a revival”
Now, what is the next line in that hymn?
“And let it begin in me”

I remember old-time preachers using this illustration: “Stand on the ground. Draw a circle around yourself. Then pray, ‘Lord I am not moving until revival comes inside this circle'”.

That old hymn and old illustration make revival personal. Starting with Pastor Ed, let’s be honest. As we have prayed for the Lord to revive America, how many of us have desperately prayed for our own personal revival? General, wide-spread revival only happens as the result of individual personal revival. When each of us get really serious about how we stand before Holy God, then we will see a change in our nation.

Frankly, what the Lord has led me to write above, has brought me under conviction. Perhaps, I need to draw my own circle and pray for the Lord to revive the one inside that circle. Is the Holy Spirit convicting you to do the same?

Notice God’s promise [Jeremiah 29:13] “And ye shall seek Me and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Homecoming-Sunday, August 15-Guest Preacher-Rev. Terry Burris-Plan for a covered dish meal

Let’s seek a Heaven sent revival

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Pamela and I have some special friends who live on a little farm in the mountains. Each Fall, they make sorghum syrup [molasses]. We enjoy that syrup so much that we tease those friends that we hope the Lord allows them to keep making syrup in Heaven.

Think of that cane. It is standing in a field, enjoying God’s sunshine and rain. If the cane had human thoughts, they might go something like this, “Life is good”. One day, someone comes to the field, cuts the cane, and throws it into a wagon. Suddenly, life is not so good. Next comes the press, which separates the stalk from the juice. The juice flows through several filters, removing impurities. At last, the juice flows into a stainless steel pan [about 4×8 feet]. By this time, the juice must be thinking, “What is happening to me?” It gets worse. A fire is built under the pan. As a result, green foam of additional impurities floats to the top. Someone with a special handheld scoop skims this foam and throws it into a bucket. The “skimming” of impurities goes on for hours. At last, only the pure, sweet syrup remains. The final purpose for which that cane was created is revealed, and it is a blessing. Put some on a hot-buttered biscuit and you might dream that you had died and gone to Heaven.

Trials, troubles, pressure, and heat come into all our lives. The cane may not be able to feel pain, but we feel it. When troubles and difficulties come into our lives we hurt. Please know, God did not send bad things into your life. The Bible tells us that good things come from God [ James 1 }. Bad things come from the devil [ John 10:10 ]. Satan does his best to bring trouble into our lives. When hard times come, what happens next, is our choice.

The hard times in life reveal what we have inside. They may reveal sin, wrong priorities, or other imperfections in our relationship with God. Often, they are a challenge to our faith and to what we believe. At this point, we can grow hardened and bitter. Or, we can allow the Lord to do some “skimming” and remove these impurities. If we allow the Lord to do His purifying work in us we will grow sweeter. We will also become the Godly person the Lord created us to be.

Sad are those who come to the end of life, sour and bitter. Precious and enjoyable to be around, are those who have matured into sweet, loving, like Jesus individuals. The cane has no choice. You and I do have a choice. Let’s make a commitment to allow the challenges of life to create in us a life of sweet blessing.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Vacation Bible School is Saturday, August 7. Light breakfast begins at 8:45 am. Lunch provided. Day ends about 1:00 pm. There will be an adult class
5. Guest Preacher-Sunday, August 1- Rev. Darrell Huneycutt
6. Homecoming-Sunday, August 15- Guest Preacher- Rev. Terry Burris–Plan for a covered dish lunch
7. Special called Church Conference- Sunday, August 1–Purpose is to elect Deacons to replace those whose terms are ending

Walk in the will of God and walk in His blessing!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

My earliest childhood memories say that when we planted tomatoes, we just let them grow. As more and more tomatoes appeared on the plants, those weak vines began to collapse. We harvested tomatoes. However, many laid on the wet dirt and rotted. Part of the harvest was lost. At some point, a farmer realized that he could drive a stick or rod beside each plant. When the plant was tied to that stronger rod, it stayed tall, bore more fruit, and better fruit. The stronger rod made the difference.

Did you realize that illustrates a Biblical principle? Listen to these words:

[1 Thessalonians 5:14] “Now we exhort you, brethren… support the weak….”

[ Romans 15:1] “We then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Those are strong, wonderful admonitions. All around us are opportunities to be a blessing to those who are weak. For example, a new believer often needs instruction in things such as how to pray, study the Bible, or how to get started serving the Lord. Fifty-some years ago, I knew nothing about being a Pastor. I will forever be thankful for the 3 or 4 older Pastors who became my mentors. They taught me so much. They were the “strong rods” that held up my “weak” vine.

Many of you at Barbee’s Grove have been believers in Jesus for a long time. You have grown in the faith. Look around. Is the Lord pointing you to someone you could strengthen? It may be a fellow church member, a co-worker, a family member, a friend, a neighbor.

As I wrote this, I was reminded of a next door neighbor Pamela befriended just after we were married. One day, Linda said, “I want to know Jesus like you know Jesus. I want the joy you have.” Pamela introduced Linda to Jesus. Linda died in her 30’s from liver cancer. That is sad. However, there is joy in knowing she is now in heaven. It is because my wife showed Linda the love of Jesus.

Who is your “Linda”?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm
4. Choir Practice is Sunday, July  25 at 6:00 pm 
5. Vacation Bible School is Saturday, August 7. Light breakfast begins at 8:45 am. Lunch provided. Day ends about 1:00 pm
6. Guest Preacher-Sunday, August 1-Rev. Darrell Huneycutt
7. Homecoming-Sunday, August 15- Guest Preacher-Rev. Terry Burris
8. The Financial Report that was shared at the Quarterly Conference last week tells us that you have been very faithful with giving your Tithes and Offerings the past months. Thank you for showing your love for Jesus and for our church!

How precious is the Name of Jesus.
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church  

Often, churches like Barbee’s Grove, bemoan the fact that their smallness and isolation prevent them from accomplishing much for the Lord. They know that they can do some things for Jesus. However, because there is more farmland than houses in the area, they feel that their usefulness to God’s Kingdom is limited.

May I respectfully disagree? Recently the Lord pointed me to some individuals in the Bible and to their successes. Today, let’s consider John the Baptist. First, we read about his birth. The next time we see him, he is a grown man. [Matthew 3:1-6] Consider John’s clothing: a camel’s hair garment with a leather belt. Study his diet: locusts and wild honey. More importantly, what is John doing? He is preaching! Where is he preaching? His pulpit is in the Judean wilderness near the Jordan River.

Is that not strange? God called John to be the Prophet who prepared the path for Jesus, the Messiah. Second only to the words of Jesus, John’s message was the most important in the history of the world. You would have thought that the Lord would have placed John in the Temple in Jerusalem to proclaim the coming of Jesus. Instead, John is preaching in one of the more isolated regions of the nation. Yet, even in the wilderness, multitudes came to hear John’s message of “Repentance”, “Baptism”, and “Prepare for the Messiah”.

John’s story teaches us these truths. Location may be important in real estate but it is not as important in the Kingdom of God. When a person, or a local church, is in the will of God, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and serving the Lord in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, they can do great things for the Lord, no matter where they are located.

God can do more with an “on fire”, Spirit-filled church in a rural community than He can do with a “large”, “dead”, church in a mega city. Of course, He cannot do anything with a “spiritually dead” rural church either. When God is present in power, people will come and be blessed. Remember the words of Jesus, [John 12:32] “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me”. Are you willing to allow our Lord to exhibit His power and His glory at Barbee’s Grove?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10:00 am and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Wednesday at 6:30 pm—Prayer and Bible Study
4. Adult Choir restarts Sunday , July 11, at 6:00 pm. Former Choir members and new singers are urged to attend.
5. Vacation Bible School -One Day- Saturday, August 7
6. The Women’s Quartet was a wonderful blessing this past Sunday. Thank you Kathy, Rita, Tonda, and Pamela. We look forward to hearing you again

Celebrate Jesus this week

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

Have you ever been in a place, or situation, where you did not feel welcome? I have. I have been in churches where no one spoke to me, family gatherings where my spiritual commitment clashed with the values of other family members, and class reunions when my moral stance offended some classmates. It is not a comfortable feeling, is it? How much sweeter are those situations where I am surrounded by friendly people who have similar religious beliefs, morals, and love for Jesus.

In the Gospel of John [14:16,17] Jesus promises that He will give us the Holy Spirit.

” And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

Notice the words: “abide”, “dwelleth with you”, and “shall be in you”. When you were saved, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, came to permanently abide, live, and be in you.

Do you remember the little chorus I mentioned in the Newsletter last week, “Holy Spirit You are welcome in this place”? Now, for the big question. The Holy Spirit lives in you, if you are a believer in Jesus. But, does He really feel welcome in your life? Is He ignored, or do you spend time in sweet fellowship with Him frequently? Are there sinful attitudes or actions in our lives that grieve Him and make Him uncomfortable? Are there parts of our lives that He wants to change, yet we rebel against those changes?

The Father gave us the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, guide, love, bless, and perfect us. The more welcome He feels, the more He will lead us to become like Jesus.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10:00 am and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Wednesday at 6:30 pm—Prayer and Bible Study.
4. Adult Choir will restart July11.
5. Date for Vacation Bible School will be announced soon.

Let’s join together this Sunday to celebrate our nation, and to worship the Lord who gave us our salvation.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Over the years, I have enjoyed reading about those early wagon train trips to California, Oregon, and other places in the West. It was a long, arduous, dangerous trip that took many months. Not everyone who left the East survived the journey west. 

The most needed and important person on every trip was a wise, experienced Guide. At the beginning of the trip he offered advice concerning type of covered wagon, animals to pull the wagon, supplies that each family needed, and a leaving date. As the trip progressed, he knew the best places to cross the rivers, sites to stop and rest, hunting grounds, when to watch for enemies, and the forts where additional supplies could be purchased. The Guide was essential. 

Each of us, you, and me, face a long, arduous, dangerous journey. We call it, “Life”. The marvelous truth is that God, our wise Heavenly Father, knew that we would desperately need a Guide for this journey of life. Therefore, He lovingly gave us the Holy Spirit. 

“…when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth…”  [John 16:13] 

Some folks opt to disbelieve, or to ignore the presence of the Holy Spirit. They choose to make their own plans and to go their own way. The end result is a disastrous life on earth and an eternity of torment. 

Others, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then they become filled with the Holy Spirit. Moment-by-moment, they listen for His direction and instruction. He knows where the pitfalls are and where to find the blessings. He guides as we travel through places of danger and times of trouble. He leads onward and upward until we arrive at our glorious Heavenly destination. 

Friends, the Lord provided the Holy Spirit as a blessing, your personal spiritual Guide for life. Be thankful and tell the Lord you are thankful. Choose each day to allow the Holy Spirit to direct your steps. When you come to the end of life, you will be happy you made such a wise choice.  

There is a little chorus that has this phrase, “Holy Spirit, You are welcome in this place”. In the depths of your heart would you join me in whispering this prayer as you go about your activities this week? 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS  

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. [Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM]
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. [Also available in the parking lot at 10:00 am and on the website after 12:30 pm]
3. Prayer and Bible Study on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
4. Adult Choir will restart July 11
5. Be watching for an announcement concerning Vacation Bible School

The safest place to be in life is to be in the will of God.  

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

In one of my previous pastorates, I was out visiting one afternoon. I rang the doorbell at a certain house. A toddler came to the door. He peeped through a side window of the door and took off running. In a few moments, his Mother came to the door. She was doubled over, laughing. She told me that her son burst into the room where she was, excitedly yelling, “Mama, Mama, Jesus is at the door”. I joined her laughter. 

It was a logical conclusion for a 2-year-old. He went to church and heard all about how special and important Jesus was. Since I was up at the front, leading, and doing most of the talking, he just assumed I was the Jesus his teachers were describing. 

You and I know that I am not Jesus. I am not and will never be Him. [If you doubt it, ask my sweet wife. She will quickly tell you that I am very human.] Jesus is and will forever be, the One and Only Lord and Savior. Jesus was the perfect Son of God who died for our sin and who rose again. However, I do love Him, serve Him, follow Him, and endeavor to be like Him. I do hope and pray that others see Jesus in me. 

My afternoon visit was a vivid reminder to me, and I pray, an example to you, that we must always be aware that people are watching us. They are studying our lives. They want to know— Is this Jesus these people talk about on Sunday a reality in their lives? Does Jesus make a difference in the way they live 24/7? 

Remember the old hymn that says 
“Your life’s a book before their eyes 
 They’re reading it thro’ and thro’ 
 Say, does it point them to the skies 
 Do others see Jesus in you?” 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS  

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. [Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM]
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. [Also available in the parking lot at 10 am and on the website after 12:30 pm]
3. Prayer and Bible Study on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
4. Continue to hand your written suggestions of facility improvements to members of the Building and Grounds Committee.
5. THANK YOU to all who came to help with the Workday last Saturday. We had a good group of workers and got a lot accomplished.
6. Wasn’t it wonderful to see the Sanctuary full as the Singing Towers blessed all of us this past Sunday night?. The music, the worship, the joy, and the special fellowship that only Christians can enjoy, made for a memorable night.

This week, let others see Jesus in you! 
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church  

The older folks reading this will remember the days of Kerosene lanterns. In some homes, these lanterns, along with candles, and the fireplace were the only light in the house after dark. We used lanterns on hunts and on other outside trips at night. In order to have good light, you needed kerosene in the tank, the wick properly trimmed, and the glass globe cleaned. If any one of these three got “messed up”, then the light grew dim or went out. 

Do you remember Jesus saying, “Ye are the light of the world…..Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”? [Matthew 5:14, 16] As faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ our desire is to be bright, shining lights. We want a lost world living in darkness to see that light and to turn to Jesus. How do we do that? 

Remember the three things the lantern needed to shine brightly? It is very similar to what we need in our lives in order to shine brightly as Christians. 

1. Oil is often equated with the Holy Spirit. Thus, to let our light shine brightly, we need to be full of the Holy Spirit. Being full of the Spirit means an intimate walk with Him. We listen. We obey. He gives the direction and the power. Does that describe you? 
2. The wick must be properly trimmed. This means we must allow the Lord to plan, direct, regulate, and be in total control of our lives. Not our wills, but His be done. 
3. The glass globe must be kept clean and free of soot. Questionable living, un-Christian attitudes and practices, and flagrant sin, all bring dimness to our witness for Jesus. We must continually seek to have a clean heart and a pure spirit as we live each day. 

It is easy to tell where a Christian’s heart is and where his priorities are. How willing is he to do those things necessary to let Jesus shine brightly through him. Are you a shining light in the Kingdom of God? 

 ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1.  Sunday School 9:00 am [Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM] 
2.  Morning Worship and Children’s Church. 10:00 am. [Also available in the parking lot at 10 am and on the website after 12:30 pm] 
3.  Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday at 6:30 pm 
4.  The Singing Towers will be at Barbee’s Grove on Sunday, June 13, at 6:00 pm. This will be a time of honoring Mr. Heath Hahn 
5.  Continue to hand your written suggestions of facility improvements to members of the Building and Grounds Committee 

Live expecting Jesus to return at any moment!! 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

The wonderful realization is that I have the Lord all the time. He is ever with me. He came to live in me the moment I was born again as an 8 year old. The same is true for you. The Lord came to live within you the moment you were saved. Jesus promised His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, that He would come to them. [John 14:18] That same promise is mine and yours. Hallelujah!

We have the Lord all the time. We can quench Him, grieve Him, ignore Him, OR we can love Him, fellowship with Him, learn to hear His voice, obey Him, and rejoice in His sweet presence. He is with us in the valleys and on the mountain tops. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Today, let’s each draw closer to the Lord. You are welcome in His presence. He cherishes time with you. He rejoices when you allow Him to direct your paths, when you come to Him for comfort, and when you approach His throne with praise and thanksgiving. Oh, what a great and wonderful Savior and Lord we have!!   Amen

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School restarts this Sunday–June 6  9:00 am
   1.      Adult II and III meet in the Sanctuary
   2.      Adult I meets in the Fellowship Hall
   3.      All other classes meet in their normal places.
2. Worship Service in the Sanctuary—10 am. Children’s Church meets at the same time. 10 am Service is also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM or on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study has resumed—6:30 pm
4. Sunday, June 13, 6:00 pm, the Singing Towers will host a gospel singing at Barbee’s Grove to honor Mr. Heath Hahn. You are invited.
5. Work Day – Saturday, June 12 – 8:00 am. You are invited to help do repairs and some “sprucing up” at the church.
6. The Building and Grounds Committee welcomes your suggestions for improvements to our facilities. In writing if possible.
7. Thank you to ALL who helped to make the Baptist Men barbecue sale a success. Your work is appreciated.

Fellowship with the Lord this week.

Join us as we worship Him on Sunday!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

These past sunny days, Pamela and I have done lots of yard work. It’s amazing, the projects that woman wants us to do !! We have both made multiple trips to Lowes and to Brother Ted Barbee’s Greenhouse. Of course, I should not complain. She works longer and harder than I do. This morning, I was thinking of how you can take a bulb [Tulip, Daffodil, etc.] and plant it. The bulb looks dead and lifeless, but at the proper season, a green shoot pops through the ground and soon a beautiful flower emerges.

1. Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00 am. It is okay to bring your lawn chair if you do not think you will be able to stand for the service. As usual, there will be a service on the website after 12;30 PM.
2. April 11, 10 am, we restart inside services. Masks suggested but not required. Choose inside, parking lot, or web, whatever makes you comfortable. Children’s Church also restarts the same day.
3. Quarterly Church Conference on April 18.
4. Our Annie Armstrong Home Missions Offering total is now $ 515. Thank you for giving. Let’s complete our giving on Easter.
5. As we restart inside services, it is a good time to renew our commitment to the Lord and to Barbee’s Grove. Let us vow to be faithful with our attendance and our financial support. [Of course, the Lord understands when health issues prevent our attendance. Perhaps you could spend that hour at home praying for me and the services.] Call and Invite folks that you know who are not in church anywhere. Pray for our church, our Deacons, and for me as your Pastor.

Over the past few years it has been fun to get together with Brother Jerry Kelly and talk about funerals the two of us have conducted. Both of us have had some interesting and unusual experiences. We kid each other about writing a book together. It might not be a “Best Seller”, but I guarantee it would hold your interest.

This week, Pamela and I did a stroll down Memory Lane about a funeral I had when I was Pastor at Prospect. It was held at another Baptist Church in the county. I was asked to participate because I was a longtime friend of the gentleman who was deceased. At the appropriate time, I stood and had my part in the service. A former Pastor of that church followed me. Last, was the man who was Pastor of that particular Baptist Church in those days. In the course of his message, he said something like this, “There is no resurrection of the dead”. Evidently, he believed that you were born, you lived, you died, and that was the end, you ceased to exist. I was so shocked I almost fell off the platform.

Earlier that morning I had taken a pain pill and had passed a kidney stone. Since I was still a little “loopy”, Pamela had driven me to the funeral. When we got into the car to drive to the cemetery, I asked her, “Did that Pastor say what I thought he said”? She assured me that, even though I was a little “fuzzy”, I had heard correctly.

I know that the Apostle Paul would have been as shocked at that heresy as I was. I encourage you to get out your Bible and read all of 1 Corinthians 15. Let me quote a few verses:

 v.12- “Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some of you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

 v.13-“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen”?

 v.16-“For if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised”?

 v. 20-“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that have died”.

Paul is correct. Our entire faith and assurance of eternal life is guaranteed by the truth of the Easter Resurrection. Jesus is alive and those who trust Him as Lord and Savior will be resurrected to live with Him in Heaven forever!!!!

That Pastor offered the family no hope. He ignored the plain teaching of God’s Word. I offer you hope, not of myself, but the hope given to us by our Risen Lord. As you celebrate Easter this year, rejoice in your hope as a Believer that you will live with Jesus forever!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. March 28–Parking Lot service [FM 99.1] at 10 am and after 12:30 on Web.
2. April 4-Easter- Sunrise Service at 7 am. If weather causes any change you will receive a One Call. No other service that day. A service will be available on the web at the usual time.
3. April 11-We resume inside services. Masks recommended. PLEASE, do whatever makes you comfortable [Inside, Parking Lot, Fellowship Hall – all at 10 am] or the website. Children’s Church resumes that day also.
4. Quarterly Church Conference on April 18.
5. $220 is the amount already given for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. We would like to conclude our giving by Easter. We believe that each of you is asking the Lord how much He wants you to give.

“Because He lives, we shall live”.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church. 

Wow !

If I counted correctly, this is Newsletter number 53. That means we are starting our second year of writing. Last year at this time, no one had any idea that we would still be in a pandemic a year later.  Can I take a moment to say,”Thanks” to some people?.

1. I thank our Deacons for giving me the permission, honor, and privilege of writing. Without their “okay” none of this would have happened.
2. I thank Deacon Chairmen David and Leonard for receiving my work and passing it on to the appropriate people.
3. I thank Brenda and Wesley for making sure you received your printed copy or email version each week. Without them, all would have been left in the computer.
4. I thank you, my friends, for faithfully reading each week, for your positive comments, and for passing these articles on to family and friends.
5. I thank Jesus for giving me something to write each week. I am well aware that it is not my “smarts” that produces these articles. It is the revelation of ideas and Scriptures by Jesus each week that gives me something to say. He gets the praise and the glory.

To all of you, I say “Thanks”. Like everything we do for the Lord, it is a team effort all the way.

As we begin Year 2, I have been thinking of what a pleasure it has been to see the fields of wheat, corn, soy beans, or cotton as I drove to Barbee’s Grove every week. I get joy out of seeing land bring forth a crop.

However, we all know that, if a farmer decides not to plant a field, he will not expect neat rows of a crop that year. Isn’t it interesting? Good crops do not repeat themselves without our intervention. Instead, an untended field brings forth grass, weeds, and briers. That is a reality of life.

It is the same spiritually. You have to work at your spiritual life if you are planning to reap a Godly harvest. If you are neglectful spiritually, the devil will fill your life with all manner of unpleasant, useless, and sinful things. Spiritually, you cannot just “coast” and expect to become more like Jesus. Please note——-No matter how much you work, YOU CANNOT EARN YOUR SALVATION, IT IS A FREE GIFT OF THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD. Salvation comes to all who will accept Jesus as Lord. However how much we grow and develop spiritually, is our choice.

Let us strive to honor Jesus by allowing the fruit of the Spirit to grow abundantly in our lives., [Galatians 5:22 ff. TPT]

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions

  joy that overflows

  peace that subdues

  patience that endures

  kindness in action

  a life full of virtue

  faith that prevails

  gentleness of heart, and

  strength of spirit”

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Services next 2 weeks. Parking lot [FM 99.1] at 10 am and website after 12:30 pm
2. EASTER SUNDAY April 4–Sunrise Service at 7:00 am. Outside if weather permits.. If weather is bad, you will receive a One Call denoting changes. This will be our only service for the day There will still be a service on the website.
3. Sunday, April 11, we restart inside services. 10:00 am. Masks recommended. You have 4 options [Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Parking Lot, or Website]. Children’s Church restarts the same day.
4. Quarterly Church Conference is April 18.
5. Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions is now being given. Special envelopes and brochures are available at the church. Of course, you can use any envelope you have available. Just write “Annie Armstrong” on it. The turmoil that has been happening in our nation lets us know that here is a great need to reach the USA with the gospel of Jesus.

Let’s plant some good seed this week!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.  

1. You have faith to believe that when you get out of bed and stand, the floor will hold your weight.
2. Every time you sit, you have faith in the chair.
3. All day, you drive by faith. You believe the other drivers will stay in their lanes.
4. You eat with the faith that your food will give strength and energy.

1. Your employer offers you a weekly wage. He does not pay every 15 minutes. No, you work all week, or maybe all month, trusting that you will receive your pay at the appropriate time.
2. You deposit your hard earned money in a bank, believing the word of the banker that he will safeguard your funds and return them when you ask.

1. Services continue as usual for the next 3 weeks. Parking Lot at 10 am on FM 99.1 and on the website after 12:30 pm
2. EASTER SUNDAY, April 4, we will have a Sunrise Service. Exact time to be announced later. If weather is bad, you will receive a “One Call” announcing any change.
3. Sunday, April 11, we will restart inside services. You will have 4 options, Inside, Parking Lot, Fellowship Hall, or Website. Masks recommended for the inside service. Please choose the option that makes you the most comfortable.
4. Our plans are to restart Children’s Worship on April 11.
5. The details on the sale of the Parsonage are being worked out.
6. Since we plan to be back inside, we should be able to have our Quarterly Church Conference on Sunday, April 18.
7. This is the time of the year that we give our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. It is estimated that over half the citizens of the United States are not born again Christians. Therefore, this offering is needed more than ever. I know you will be generous. Give between now and Easter.

If I asked you to describe the earthly ministry of Jesus, many of you would say something like this: “It was awesome. Jesus taught, preached, and healed all manner of sickness. He raised the dead. He took authority over demons. He was crucified, but rose victorious over sin, death, and hell. Jesus came with power and glory.” 

If I asked you next about the Second Coming of Jesus, what would you say? Would it be something like this? “Jesus is coming with great power and glory. He will rapture His Church, deal with the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet. He will cast the devil into the bottomless pit. Then, Jesus will reign over the earth for 1000 years. Afterward, the devil will be defeated in a final battle and be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Then comes an eternity of blessing for every Believer.” 

You would be correct in all you spoke about Jesus in the past and in the future. Glorious, powerful, anointed, life changing and world changing are His attributes both past and future. 

If my third question to you was, “What about Jesus at this present moment? How do you see Him at this present hour?” Would you hem and haw and stumble a little bit? Do you picture Jesus way off, up in Heaven, maybe doing a little ministry on earth and saving a few? OR, do you see a powerful Jesus, reigning supreme and victorious? 

After the awesome encounter the Apostle John had with the Risen Jesus, he wrote these words [Revelation 1:4] “John to the seven churches which are in Asia :Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come….”.: Take careful notice of John’s words. The same Jesus who “was” and the same Jesus who “is to come” is the same Jesus who now “is”. Jesus has not changed. He is the “same yesterday, today, and forever” [Hebrews 13:8] 

Should we not be expecting the same glorious, powerful Jesus to be working in our world today? YES! Indeed, there are places in our present world where the New Testament is being relived every day. The secular news will not be reporting it, but it is happening. What will it take for us to join this move of God? FAITH! Think of the many times someone came to Jesus with a request for a miracle and Jesus said “According to your faith be it unto you ” [ex. Matthew 9:29] People believed and received. [There is a difference between “believing” and “hoping” but that is a separate article.] 

Dear friends, we are “Believers”. We had faith [believed] and were saved. Let’s believe that the same Jesus who “was” and who “is to come” is the same Jesus who walks among us today!!! 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Service times as usual. Parking lot on 99.1 FM at 10 am. Website after 12:30 pm.
2. Remember, Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14.
3. Final offering total for the Pregnancy Resource Center was $1035. You have done well. People will be blessed because you care. Thank you!

May the Lord bless you mightily this week. 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

Recently, as I was reading from one of my devotional books, the writer, a great minister, mentioned that he and his wife had been in a deep conversation. As they talked, the train of thought turned to people who had harmed and opposed their ministry. When he realized that the negative talk was making him angry and depressed, he immediately changed directions. They began to remember all the people who had been a blessing and who made them smile. The tone of the conversation changed dramatically.

As we sat down for lunch, I mentioned that devotion to Pamela. We have had plenty of negative people in our lives, but immediately my sweet wife started naming some of those “make you smile people”. I added a few and we had a great time reminiscing about special individuals who had been a blessing to us.

All through lunch, we kept saying names. Each brought a smile of remembrance and a new bubble of joy. Some of these we contact regularly, and some are waiting for us in heaven.  All of these “make you smile” and “fill your heart with joy” friends have been God’s special grace gift to us.

The challenge each of us face, is to be that kind of person. When others think of you and when they think of me, do their memories of us bring joy? Are they excited about seeing us again?  Sweet words, loving attitudes, and acts of kindness are ways of leaving positive thoughts in the minds of others.

The Psalmist [19:14] said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer”. When our hearts and words please the Lord, we will be a blessing.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians [1:3] “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”. As he wrote to the Thessalonians twice, he said [1:3, 2:13] “But we are always bound to give thanks for you”. Here were two churches that brought a smile to the Apostle’s face. 

Let’s vow to strive to be such a blessing to others that we become “smile bringers”. As a result, others will be touched, and Jesus will be honored. AMEN 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Services continue as usual. 10:00 am on FM 99.1 in the parking lot and after 12:30 pm on the website.
2. The total of our offering for the Pregnancy Resource Center remains at $975. This is the last week to give. You have done well!
3. The Realtor is now showing the parsonage to all interested buyers.

Let’s continue to worship and serve Jesus together. 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

Many years ago, a new Pastor came to our Baptist Association. One of the first times he met with us he stood up and boldly proclaimed, “I want to be upfront with you. I want you to know that I drink all the alcohol I want and I cheat on my wife as often as I want”. While we were standing there with our jaws dropping open, he grinned, laughed, and said, “Since I got saved I don’t want any alcohol and I don’t want to cheat on my wife”. It was his way of telling us that his “wants” changed when he entered into a real relationship with Jesus.

That memory reminds me that we Christians have often approached the sins of our nation from the wrong angle. How many times have you heard it said, “If we can just get the right President and the right Justices on the Supreme Court they would reverse Roe vs. Wade and outlaw abortion?” The same is often said about other evils in the nation that the Bible calls sin.

Let me disillusion you. Under the current climate in our nation, such a move would cause protests and riots that would make what happened last summer seem like a walk in the park. It would likely lead to civil war. Remember, the days of Prohibition were a noble attempt to regulate morals by law, but it failed miserably.

What this nation needs is the same thing my Pastor friend had, a relationship with Jesus that gave him a changed heart and in turn, changed his “wants”. Is such a miracle possible? YES! In days of old, revival swept through various parts of the world. Saloons closed, not because of some law, but because “born again” folks had no desire to drink. Jails emptied because no one was committing crimes. Let me point you to a few Scriptures:

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold all things are become new”. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

“How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord. Within their hearts are the highways of holiness”. [Psalm 84:5 TPT]

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. That by these you might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. [2 Peter 1:4]

Catch that last thought— True Believers have the Divine nature, the nature of God. Since there is no sin in God, when we receive His nature in our lives, our “wants” change and we strive to renounce sin.

Friends, the only way this nation will change is not by new laws and court rulings, but by changing the hearts of our fellow citizens. A man or woman who is truly born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, is taught the Word of God, and who follows the leading of the Spirit, will choose to do what is right and honorable.

I ENCOURAGE YOU:

1. Be sure of your own salvation
2. Be filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Be knowledgeable of what the Bible teaches
4. Be led by the Spirit and choose to live a holy life
5. Be a person whose “wants” are pure before God
6.  Be a Godly example to others
7. Be a witness to your unsaved family and friends
8. Be prayerful for yourself, your family, your church, and your nation

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Services as usual–Sunday at 10 am on 99.1 FM in the parking lot and on the website after 12:30 pm
2. $975 is the new total for our offering for the Pregnancy Resource Center. Awesome! Thank you! You may still give through the end of the month.
3. We realize that some of you are concerned because we have not returned to inside worship. We are exploring ways we can SAFELY do that. Since additional church members have contracted Covid in recent weeks, we are being cautious. Please be patient, prayerful, and share with us any suggestions that the Lord gives to you.

Be blessed!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

You probably remember seeing a cartoon of Heaven and it was pictured like this: Some lonely guy is floating past on a cloud. He is playing his harp and not at all looking happy. As a result, many people are not interested in going to Heaven. They see it as a boring place. Will you spend an eternity there in boredom?

NO! Heaven will be the most exciting, thrilling, not to mention, the most beautiful place you have ever seen. Imagine, worshiping Jesus with all that is within you. Unhindered, pure worship will flow from your innermost being as you proclaim the glories of your Lord. Think of walking up to Jesus, falling on your knees, and beginning to thank Him for forgiving your sin, saving you, and for the thousands of blessings He bestowed upon your earthly life. We will probably do that every time we encounter Him.

Think of meeting all your Bible heroes and getting to know them. Then, think of being reunited with all those you have loved in this life. Think of meeting some you never knew. I learned this past year that I had a great grandfather who was a preacher in Montgomery County in the 1800’s. It is going to be so interesting to meet him, compare doctrine, preaching styles, ministerial experiences, and our own personal walk with the Lord. Is there someone special that you anticipate meeting?

Another part of the excitement of Heaven will be seeking all the people who were a blessing to you. People helped you, loved you, made positive contributions to your life. You will surely want to express your thanks and gratitude.

Think of the people who will walk up to you and say “Thank You”. Let me share a report I received this week. Covid, shutdowns, and social distancing, made the work of Samaritan’s Purse especially difficult this year. Despite the pandemic, 9 million boxes were packed and processed. They were distributed in hundreds of villages around the globe. 3.5 million children participated in “The Greatest Journey” Bible Study. 1.3 million of these children accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What an awesome harvest!! Barbee’s Grove family, some of these children will be looking for you in Heaven to say “Thank you for my box and for my salvation”. Nothing boring about that!

Others will come up to you and say something like this: “I never knew my Daddy. Mom was strung out on drugs. My brother, sister and I often went hungry and dirty. One day a nice Social Worker took us to the Baptist Children’s Home. We had food three times a day, a clean warm bed, lots of love, and best of all they told us that Jesus loved us. Thank you so much for making a difference in my life.

Another may come and say, “I was in despair and thinking of taking my life. Your phone call and kind words gave me the courage to face my difficulties and to continue living” Still another may say, “Because you gave to the Pregnancy Resource Center their counselors were there. They talked to my Mom. She chose to let me live. I had a long full life because of you”.

Doesn’t it thrill your heart and make it beat with anticipation at spending an eternity thanking Jesus and others, and being thanked in return? You might be thinking,”Ed, with all these words of appreciation and ‘Thank yous’ being said, will we not become proud and conceited?” Oh no! Just the opposite. Every time we see Jesus we will lay the latest round of “Thank Yous’ at His feet. They will be given to Him as trophies of His grace and love. After all, our wonderful Savior made it all possible. He gets the glory and praise! PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS!  Heaven will not be boring!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Parking lot service on 99.1 FM at 10 am on Sunday. Website service after 12:30 pm.
2. Through the Newsletter and Leonard’s announcements we try to keep you updated on church business. If you ever have questions about anything please call your Deacon for clarification.
3. $775 is the last total I have for our Offering for the Pregnancy Resource Center. Excellent! Several members have indicated that they will be mailing additional gifts. As a result, Brenda will hold off writing the check until all gifts are sent. It is not too late to give if the Lord leads you to do so.
4. Continue to spend much time in prayer. The needs are abundant.

Remember, “We are one in the bond of love”.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

When our kids were small, almost every week we drove from Siler City to Albemarle to visit grandparents. [And usually for me to work a few hours at the farm]. On the trip back to Siler City the kids usually fell asleep in the backseat. They felt safe, secure, and comfortable. Dad was driving. Mom was constantly turning around to check on them and to lay a loving hand on them. The sun may have been shining or the moon and stars might be lighting the sky. Even if it was raining, snowing, or gusting cold blasts of wind, they slept peacefully. After all, they knew they were in the care of loving parents.

Believing Friends, followers of Jesus, somedays the sun shines in your life. On other days there are storms. That is a part of human existence. However, as a Believer in Jesus, you live “in a kingdom that cannot be shaken”.[Hebrews 12:28] You have a Good Shepherd who “Leads you beside still waters, into green pastures, and with the power of His rod and staff, He protects and comforts you”. [Psalm 23] He promises to “Never leave you or forsake you”. [Hebrews 13:5]

Today, is your life sunny? Or, are the storms of doubt, fear, and concern in your sky? Rest secure. Be at peace. As a Christian you have Someone unbelievers do not have. You have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, living inside of you. You, as God’s child, are far safer and far more loved than were our kids in the backseat of our car.  [Read and meditate on Psalm 91 often]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Services continue as usual. FM 99.1 on Sunday at 10:00 am in the parking lot or after 12;30 pm on the website.
2. As of today, you have given $185 to the offering for the Pregnancy Resource Center. That is a nice start. Please make your gifts by this Sunday, February 7.
3. Thank you for your continued giving to the needs and ministries of Barbee’s Grove. Whether you drop them in the mail or drop them in the white bucket on the porch on Sunday morning, each gift is appreciated. Each time we give we are expressing our love for our Lord and for His Church. 

Call someone today and lift their spirits with a word of God’s blessing! 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

In days of long ago, back when I was a teenager, my Dad often came to me and said something like this, “Early tomorrow morning go to the farm, take a certain tractor, hook to a certain plow, and plow a certain field”. I may have thought, “Why that tractor and plow and why that particular field”? However, my job was not to speculate, but to obey. Dad was the one with the big picture in his mind. He knew how many acres of each crop he wanted to plant. He knew the fields where each crop would go. He knew which crops needed to be planted first each Spring. Because he was my Dad, I honored him by obeying.

Often, God speaks to our hearts, instructing us to do or say certain things. “Pray for this individual. Share your faith here. Call this person. Give to this cause. Study this passage of My Word. As a witness, get up and go to church even if you do not feel like going.” [The list goes on.] Sometimes, the Lord instructs us to do things that we really do not understand. He tells us, “Forgive and do good to them that wrong you. Pray for political leaders and others in authority even if you do not like them. Be careful with the words you speak, for you are determining your destiny”‘ and other such commandments.

We may not understand, but God sees the “Big Picture”. He knows how every prayer, every gift, every act of forgiveness, fits into His plan for changing our circumstances and our world. We simply trust and obey.

I honored my earthly father each time I followed his instructions. We honor our Heavenly Father each time we obey His commands. Obedience is another way of saying, “We trust our Lord. We have faith in His Word. We believe. He speaks and we act”.

When we obey our Father’s instructions and do His will we are following in the steps of those who have gone before us.[Hebrews 11] Abraham packed up his family and moved to an unknown country. Joshua and Israel marched around the walls of Jericho. Gideon took an army of 300 and defeated an army of over 100,000. The Bible is full of examples.

Walking in faith is walking in obedience. Is it not exciting and joyful to watch our Lord work powerfully when we do things His way and in His timing? Which tractor, plow, and field is your personal way and place to honor your Lord today?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Services continue as usual. You may listen in the parking lot at 10:00 am on FM 99.1 each Sunday or on the website after 12:30 pm. The number of cars in the parking lot is growing.

2. We continue our giving to the ministry of our local Pregnancy Resource Center. Your gifts are a blessing. Please give by February 7.

3. Get out your world globes or an atlas. Look for the nation of Honduras. [Hint—It is in Central America]. That is the nation that received the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes from Barbee’s Grove. Since I made 3 mission trips to Honduras, I cannot help but wonder if someone in a family I met, received one of our boxes. Thank you again for giving!

We miss seeing you in person, but Jesus still binds us together!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

This week, the Lord reminded me of a cute story from the Presidency of John Kennedy. It seems that President Kennedy was holding a meeting in the Oval Office. It was a serious meeting attended by important government leaders. In the meantime, President Kennedy’s son, 4-year-old John-John, decided he wanted to see his Dad. He did not care that an important meeting was in session. He simply marched through the door and climbed up onto his Dad’s lap. The President stopped the meeting, spent a few minutes loving his son, and then sent him back out to play.

Think of it! The confidence a son had that he was always welcome to go see his Dad. Think of a Dad, who even though he was busy, made time for his son.

I pray that the little paragraph above describes your relationship with your Heavenly Father and that you know you are always welcome in His Presence. The Throne Room of God is not a crowded waiting room, where you take a number and wait and wait and wait. NO! Anytime you wish, you can have instant access to the Father through the Name of Jesus. [John 16:23, 24] The Father will quickly treat you as if you are the only person in the room.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.

May each of us be found often bursting into the Throne Room to spend quality time with our Loving Heavenly Father!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1.Services continue as usual. You may listen in the parking lot at FM 99.1 on Sunday at 10:00 am or on the website after 12:30 pm.

2.The Quarterly Church Conference will be postponed until we can meet in person.

3. Ordinarily at this time of year, we would be having a speaker from our local Pregnancy Resource Center. These folks do a wonderful ministry fighting against abortion and aiding the families that choose to let their babies live. That work continues despite the pandemic. Even though we will not be hearing an inspiring speaker, we still want to support this ministry with our usual Love Offering. As the Lord leads you, and as He enables you to give, you may give in the usual ways [by mail or in the white bucket on the porch on Sundays]. Simply mark “Pregnancy Resource Center” on your envelope. Let’s finish our giving by Sunday, February 7.

4.When things were “normal” we often witnessed for Jesus by inviting family, friends, and neighbors to attend church with us. At the present time, that is not possible. So, what can we do? 1. We can invite them to park beside us in the parking lot on Sunday morning. 2. We can point them to the website. 3. We can make copies and share our Newsletters. I know for a fact that some of those Newsletters have been sent all over North Carolina and to a number of other states. I say that not to brag, but out of thankfulness that God is using what He gave me to write, to speak to many people. Do you know of someone who would be blessed by something the Lord said in one of those articles? 4. You can share your personal testimony of your relationship with Jesus by phone, text, or other social media.

5. In conclusion, let me remind you once again of 1 Timothy 2:1-4. There the Lord tells us that if we want to live a “quiet and peaceable life” we are to pray for, all those in authority [our bosses and all government leaders]. As we think of those in leadership in Washington, Raleigh, and Stanly County, we may be thrilled, sad, angry, or frightened. Our feelings are irrelevant. God says, “Pray for them”. God says, “Pray for ALL of them”. God says, “Pray for them First of All”, not a few mumbled words before we say, “Amen”. Let us believe that God is smarter than we are. Let us believe that He can take any leaders and accomplish His purposes. I encourage you, if you want to live that “quiet and peaceable life”, let’s obey our Lord. HE IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER ON HIS THRONE!!!!

Have a God blessed week.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

2020 was one of the strangest years in American history. Devastating hurricanes, massive wildfires, rioting in the streets, and a contentious political campaign were bad. Add in, Covid-19 with its sicknesses, deaths, lay-offs, shut-downs, quarantines, face masks, social distancing and shortages of products like cleaning supplies and toilet paper and you have had a hard year. With that in mind, let’s look at Barbee’s Grove, a small country church that has 60-70 active members. Let’s look with our “wide angle lens” and see what the Lord accomplished in 2020.

1. I think of wonderful folks at Barbee’s Grove. You brought your folding chairs and endured the heat and the bugs as you faithfully worshiped under the big oak tree all summer. When the cold weather forced us inside, you wore your face masks and practiced social distancing. Those of you who could not attend listened to the webcast, read your Newsletters, and regularly mailed your tithes and offerings. A small group sacrificed your Saturday afternoons for weeks in order to produce those website services. It was not “church as usual” but the praises of Jesus were sung, the Word of God was preached, Christian fellowship continued, and Believers grew in the Lord.

2. Since none of my paychecks “bounced” I know that you faithfully gave to meet the needs represented by our Church Budget.

3. Do you have any idea how wonderful and faithful you were in joyfully and sacrificially giving to missions?. Let me add it up for you.

$ 1500 Cooperative Program [Budget]

   1500 Stanly-Montgomery Baptist Association [Budget]

   1200 NC Baptist Children’s Homes [Budget]

   4000 Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive

   5000 Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering

    581 Children’s Homes van for Guatemala

    390 NCBAM [Otis Goins Memorial] Children’s Homes aging ministry

    900 NC Missions Offering

  2360 Lottie Moon Christmas offering for International Missions

  2900 West Stanly Christian Ministries Day of Sharing

   456 Christmas boxes for shut-ins

   576 Mailing Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes

   355 Law Enforcement Appreciation Meal

   900 Pregnancy Resource Center

   260 Food for a needy family [Benevolence Fund]

22878  TOTAL MISSIONS GIFTS IN 2020

All of the above gifts went through the church offerings. When we add the $100s of dollars that you spent filling those shoe boxes and the $100s you spent buying the pajamas for the nursing home residents then we can probably add another $700-800 to the total above. That is impressive for a church the size of Barbee’s Grove.

4. Then we must not forget the 1000s of phone calls, texts, emails, cards, letters, and hours of prayer that were a part of church life last year. Time after time you demonstrated your love for Jesus as you loved one another.

Consider these words of Jesus. [John 15:12] “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” [Matthew 25:34-36] “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungered and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger and ye took Me in: Naked and ye clothed Me: I was sick and ye visited Me: I was in prison and ye came unto Me'”. . Then notice verse 40 “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren. , ye have done it unto Me.

2020 was not an ordinary year. But despite all the turmoil you have been faithful. You were sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and you ministered to Jesus as you ministered to others THANK YOU! Heavenly rewards are in your future.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Services available on 99.1 in the parking lot at 10 am and on the website after 12:30 pm.

2. The Tithes and Offerings bucket will be on the porch on Sunday morning. You are also able to mail your gifts and any time.

3. As we continue to be consistent and faithful in our love for Jesus and our service for Him God has great things ahead for Barbee’s Grove.

Keep following Jesus!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

The school kids are back in “remote learning”. As a church, Barbee’s Grove is back in “remote worship”. It is sad that we feel led to do this, but for your health and safety we believe that it is necessary. We will meet back in person as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have two options to worship together. You can listen to FM 99.1 in your car in the church parking lot at 10:00 am each Sunday. You can also listen on the website after 12:30 pm each Sunday.

As we read the Apostle Paul’s letters to the churches, we discover that he writes wonderful words about the deep things of God. He also writes of practical ways that we can practice our faith. Would you allow me to suggest some practical ways that you can maintain your walk with Christ during this difficult time?

1. In six weeks you can become seriously backslidden, or you can grow closer to the Lord and a more powerful Christian than ever. It all depends upon the daily and weekly choices you make.

2. Plan time each Sunday to attend the service in the parking lot or to listen on the website. DO NOT let anything interfere with the time you have chosen. If more than one person lives in the house, try to listen as a family. Sing along with the music. Follow the message in your Bible. Turn off the TV. Do not be distracted by cooking, washing dishes, etc.

3. On Wednesday night at 6:30 get your Bible. Go to a quiet place. Read a chapter. Spend time meditating upon what the Lord is saying to you.

4. Many of you are Sunday School Teachers. Ordinarily, you would spend a certain amount of time studying and preparing to teach. At the time you usually would be studying, go to the place where you study, and spend that time praying by name for your class members. Also, pray for your Deacons, your Pastor, and other members of the church.

5. During our regular devotion times all of us should pray for all those listed above. Then, we can add to the list the unsaved, the backslidden, inactive church members, the sick and hurting, and others the Holy Spirit brings to mind. The Bible says, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” [James 5:16]. Imagine what an awesome power will be generated for the Kingdom of God as we members of Barbee’s Grove send faith filled prayers to heaven.

6. Write your Tithes and Offerings check at the normal time each week, put it in your envelope and drop it in the mail or place it in the white bucket that will be outside the church each Sunday morning.

7. If each of us will do the things listed above, we will remain spiritually strong. The devil’s attempt to undermine our faith will be brought to naught. He loses and you and the Kingdom of God win.

I am hearing reports from all over the world. God is at work powerfully.  People are being born again. Churches are being started. Believers are learning and growing in their faith. What the devil meant for evil our Lord is using to bring honor and glory to the Name of Jesus. Let that also be true at Barbee’s Grove. Amen and Hallelujah!!!!

We send you our love and prayers.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

In the Newsletter last week, I discussed the wonderful Bible truth that at this very moment, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us [Hebrews 7,8] That is good and thrilling news.  This week, I want to continue that thought. Did you realize that you can make the intercession of Jesus for you more effective or less effective? How is that possible?

What do you have faith to believe and what words are coming out of your mouth? For example, if Jesus often hears you saying,”I am poor, sick and sorry; I come from a long line of people who were poor, sick, and sorry; I will never be anything but poor, sick, and sorry”; then He has little with which to intercede. His hands are tied to a certain extent.

However, if Jesus hears you saying in faith, “Father, I ask for wisdom. You promised to give it to those who ask”. [James 1:5] “Father, thank You for the peace You give” [John 14:27] “Thank You that ‘By the stripes of Jesus I am healed'” [1 Peter 2:24] “Thank You that ‘You supply all my needs according to Your riches in Glory in Christ Jesus'” [Philippians 4:19] “Thank You that ‘I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus'”[Romans 8:37] “Thank You that You did not give a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind” [2 Timothy 1:7] and other such Scriptures, then Jesus can get to work on your behalf. He leans over and whispers to the Father, “Listen to Your beloved child. They are standing in faith, believing and quoting Your Word. Since We always honor Our Word, let’s get busy on behalf of this precious believer.”

I grew up with a long line of “negative” people, both family and acquaintances. So, for me, this has been a learning process. Each day, I am trying my best to speak God’s Word back to Him. I want Jesus to see and to hear my faith as He intercedes for me. I encourage you to do the same! As we enter 2021 it is so vitally important that we know the Word of God, that we believe the Word of God, that we build our faith on the Word of God, and that we speak the Word of God.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Drive in Service – 10:00 am Sunday. Only available on the radio at 99.1 FM in the parking lot or on the website after 12:30 pm.

2. Adult Bible Study – Canceled until further notice.

3. Our final Total for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is $2330. That is a great amount. Thank you for faithful giving.

4. We note with sadness the death of Mr. Don Whitley. Don’s joy, laughter, and faithfulness will be missed at Barbee’s Grove. He was a blessing. Continue to keep Barbara and the other members of the family in your prayers.

5. Your faithful attendance, giving, encouragement, and prayers have blessed Barbee’s Grove during this pandemic. THANK YOU!. As we begin the New Year let us make a commitment to Jesus to continue that faithfulness. As we attend regularly, give faithfully, pray daily, and invite others to attend at every opportunity, we will experience the blessing of the Lord and we will see His Mighty Hand at work at Barbee’s Grove.

Anticipate and expect a meeting with the Lord when we worship together!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

The Holy Spirit recently reminded me of one of the most amazing, wonderful, precious, truths that is a reality of heaven. I pray that the thought will bless you as much as it blessed me. First, remember that the word “intercession” means to go to another and make a plea, usually on behalf of someone other than the intercessor. Now, let us look at some Scriptures.

Hebrews 8:1-“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”. Where is Jesus? He is seated in glory at the right hand of the Father. It is a place of honor, prestige, power, and access. What is Jesus doing there? Hebrews 7:25–“Seeing He is also able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them”.Jesus is making intercession for us. Think of it. At this very moment, Jesus is leaning over and is whispering in His Father’s ear special requests just for you. What is your situation? Are you ill? hurting?, sad?, lonely?, financially distressed?, concerned about a friend or loved one? Jesus has noticed your situation and is talking to the Father about that need.

You protest, “I am a ‘nobody’. God doesn’t have time to notice me”. Consider Luke 12:6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God” You are much more important than a little bird. If God is aware of a little bird, He is surely aware of you. You protest, “There are millions of people in the world. I will be lost in the crowd.” Remember, God is Supreme. He can hear, and keep in mind, millions of requests from Jesus without a single memory lapse. You protest, “That is wonderful news for you Christians, but it does not apply to me. I am not a believer”. Oh, but it does apply to you. At this very moment, Jesus is whispering, “Father see that precious one? They do not believe. What can we do to show them how much we love them and how much we want them to accept me as Lord and Savior, and how much we want them to join our family in heaven”?

Friends, rejoice. Your name and your situation are on the lips of Jesus as He speaks to the Father about you AT THIS VERY MOMENT. Let that heavenly reality of the intimate love and care that Jesus has for you thrill your soul. Let it refresh your spirit and cause words of praise to bubble from your lips.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary service-10:00 am Sunday–Also available on the radio in the parking lot and on the website after noon.

2. Adult Bible Study – Wednesday-6:30 pm

3. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is now $ 2250. We have one more Sunday in December to give. Somebody from another country is going to be in heaven because Barbee’s Grove loves, cares, and gives.

4. Pamela and I want to wish you a God blessed, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 2020 was a troublesome year. However, our Lord was with us every step of the way. He is in us, and He will walk with us no matter what 2021 brings. Pamela and I thank you for the cards, gifts, nice love offering, and well wishes you have given us. We appreciate your love for us, your love for others, and your love for Jesus. It is a privilege to serve the Lord with you at Barbee’s Grove.

Jesus came once and HE IS COMING AGAIN! Prepare for His Coming!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

In their Gospels, Matthew and Luke tell us those wonderful “birth of Jesus” stories that delight our hearts. We thrill as we read them. In his Gospel, John does not take the time to repeat the things Matthew and Luke had already written. Instead, John goes quickly to the purpose of who Jesus was, and why Jesus came. As you read those first verses in John 1, notice especially verse 5. It reads, “The light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not”

We usually use the word “comprehend” to mean “understand”. Truly, many of the people of Jesus’ day did not understand who Jesus was and why He came. Even His own disciples often had trouble discerning what Jesus was teaching. Only after the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and Day of Pentecost, did they finally “get it”. Even today, many do not understand that Jesus is Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the only way to Heaven. We must continue to share that good news.

Interestingly, many translations of John use a different idea for the word “comprehend”. They translate it as the darkness could not “overpower the light”, “put out the light”, or “absorb the light”. I like that thought. No matter how deep, dark, or black, the darkness is, it can never “overpower or put out the Light” that is Jesus. Religious leaders and dictators have tried their best for 2000 years. All have failed. All will fail forever. Jesus still sits on His throne in glory!!! Jesus is the Light. He will be the Light forever!. As men and women see the Light, draw near to the Light, they will find warmth, love, healing, forgiveness, salvation, and joy.

Two little songs have played through my mind as I have been typing. “Brighten the corner where you are” is the first. You may be the only Believer in your home, your extended family, your circle of friends, or your workplace. Brighten that corner with the Light of Jesus. The second chorus is one the children often sing, “This little light of mine,I’m going to let it shine”. If I remember correctly, it has a phrase, “let it shine all over the world”, and another that says, “let it shine till Jesus comes”.

A decorated, well lighted house can be a wonderful attraction in a neighborhood. An “on fire” “full of Jesus”, Believer, shining with the glow and glory of Jesus is a beautiful witness in a time and place of spiritual darkness. Everywhere, and forever, let the Jesus who lives in you shine forth as a witness and a blessing to the world.  Amen

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service- 10:00 am. Also available on the radio in the Parking Lot and on the website after noon.

2. Adult Bible Study-Wednesday, 6:30 pm

3. Called Church Conference-Sunday, December 20-Purpose is to consider the sale parsonage.

4. Our total for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has reached $1055. It is wonderful to see that number growing each week. Your generous gifts will reach people who have never heard of Jesus. They will join us in Heaven. Thank you for caring and sharing.

5. Over the past 3 years that Pamela and I have been at Barbee’s Grove, and especially during this weird Covid-19 year, you have been awesome in your generous giving to those who have needs. You not only helped when asked, indeed you have gone looking for people who needed help. The Lord has taken notice and as we have sown, we are reaping. This past Sunday an anonymous donor gave Barbee’s Grove $6000 for our Benevolence Fund. “WOW”! This will enable us to help others in need in the months ahead. The Lord knows He can trust us to “do the right thing” with this gift, so He impressed upon someone’s heart to give it. [This is a good time to say, “Thank you Jesus”.] We also believe, that when we ask, you as a congregation, will continue to dig deep into your pockets and checkbooks and give to help others. 

 It is not the size of the congregation that matters. It is the size of the “loving heart” of a congregation that matters and that makes a difference in a lost and hurting world. Thank you for caring and sharing!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Years ago, if I planned a trip to somewhere I had never been, I asked a friend for directions. If no one was available, I unfolded a state road map and carefully plotted my route. Today, my computer can print step-by-step directions down to tenths of a mile. It is even possible to ask my phone for directions.

Think back to Genesis 12:1 and the word Abraham received: “The Lord said…Get thee out of thy country… unto a land that I will show thee”. That is pretty vague isn’t it? Many of us would have balked at such a word. It must have been frustrating to stop and ask the Lord for directions at every fork in the road. Many of us have the attitude, “I want to see the whole trip in print before I take the first step”.

Yet, life is not like that. Every day is new. Every day is different. Every day we need new guidance. Which school should I attend? Whom do I date? Who will be my marriage partner? Where do I work? How do I handle the Covid-19 crises? Do I take this trip, or stay home? Can I eat out? Which restaurant? Is it okay to shop at this particular store? Your phone, nor your computer can answer those type of questions.

One of the blessings we have as Christians, as a child of God, is the same blessing that Abraham had. We believe in, and follow, the One True God who has all knowledge. He is the One who knows from beginning to the end. [Isaiah 46:9-10] Jesus said [John 10:27] “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Paul wrote [Romans 8:14] “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. The Psalmist says,[37:23] “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord….”

Abraham walked in faith and listened to the voice of God, reached his destination, accomplished the will of God, and received the multiplied blessings of God. Our world is crazy, mixed up, and has many voices crying for our attention. The more we learn to hear and follow the “still small voice” of our Lord, and to walk in faith, the more confidently we can live our daily lives. Even in a Covid-19 pandemic, the Lord will direct our paths in marvelous ways. We will be a fruitful blessing to others and receive in return our Lord’s blessings upon our own lives!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1.Sanctuary Service-10am on Sunday-Also available on radio in the parking lot and after noon on the website.

2. Adult Bible Study-Wednesday 6:30 pm

3. Christmas cards need to be at the church this Sunday [13th]

4. Called Church Conference-Sunday December 13-Purpose is to elect Sunday School Secretaries and to consider a proposal about the Baptist Children’s Homes Offering.

5. Called Church Conference-Sunday, December 20-Purpose is to consider the sale of the parsonage.

6. More than 40 sets of pajamas have been delivered to the nursing home. The Administrator and the Activities Director were thrilled as we stacked their cart full to running over. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVING GENEROSITY

7. The total Sunday for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions was $465. Some Mission Board Highlight from the past year

     12368 New churches planted

     535,325 Heard about Jesus

      89,325 New believers

      47,929 Baptisms

Your gifts are making a difference all over the world! We have the remainder of December to add to our total.

Love in Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

You remember the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke [2]. A group of shepherds were out in the field minding their own business, which was, watching their sheep. Suddenly, the sky was full of angels loudly proclaiming “Boy, are you guys in for a lot of trouble. God is so angry with you earthlings. He cannot wait to slap you on the head”. Is that what those shepherds heard? Many folks seem to think so. Many of us grew up hearing of an angry God who was just waiting for a reason to do us harm. Some still believe that all their troubles come from God. One of the most famous sermons in American history had as title and theme “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’. It is a fearful and depressing way to live. 

Let’s look again at the real announcement that first Christmas day. “Good news of great joy” [2:10]; “For all people” [2:10]; “A Savior is born” [2:11]; “On earth peace and good will toward men” [2:14]. Ponder those phrases. Let them sink deep into your inner being. Let them thrill your soul.  

What is God’s real attitude toward us? God has “good will” toward men, not anger. He sent a Savior so that we might have peace with Him and peace with each other. The Lord offers this peace to “all people”, not to just a select few of the elite. That peace is for you and for me and for all who will believe and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

To know God loves me and wants to save and bless me is truly “good news”. It is a reason to join the angels in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest”. Praise the Lord for His great love. 

We do need to be reminded that if we reject the love and salvation that is offered, we will come under the judgement of God. However, that is only a last resort. God stands with open arms, proclaiming, “Look at Christmas, the cross, and Easter. That is how much I love you. I plead with you to accept my love and to come live with Me forever”. 

Christmas is “good news” of God’s “good will” toward you. Believe it, receive it, live it, rejoice, and thank the Lord every day for that wonderful news. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Sanctuary Service-Sunday- 10:00 am [Also on radio in parking lot and on website after 12:00].
2. Adult Bible Study-Wednesday-6:30 pm
3. We voted to give West Stanly Christian Ministries $2300 for their “Day of Giving”. Additional donations have pushed that total to $2900.
4. Another $1305 was given Sunday for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering. That brings our total to $4550
5. Thank you for the pajamas that you are giving for the residents of a nearby nursing home. Remember that your gifts need to be wrapped and at the church this Sunday [December 6].
6. Our December special offering is our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions. As we pray and as we give, our international missionaries are sharing the good news of Jesus in the far corners of our world.
7. If you are giving Christmas cards, please have them at the church by December 13. We need time to process them before the 20th. As usual, we are asking you to take the money you would have spent on stamps and to give it to the Lottie Moon Offering.

YOUR GIVING THIS MONTH HAS BEEN AWESOME. WE THANK YOU. THE LORD WILL BLESS YOU FOR YOUR LOVING GENEROSITY 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church. 

Did you realize that the devil was a recycler? He has recycled the same lies for thousands of years. He does that because he finds people in every generation who believe those lies. Remember the scene under the “Forbidden Fruit” tree in the Garden of Eden. How did the lie go? “God did not really mean it when He told you to stay away from this fruit. Besides, He is cheating you out of a wonderful experience.” Adam and Eve believed the lie, ate, and suffered the painful consequences.

The lie was repeated when the Children of Israel dwelled in the Promised Land. “God did not mean it when He told you not to intermarry with heathen nations around you. Also, He is robbing you of the blessings you can receive from worshiping their gods and goddesses.” Time-after-time, Israel violated God’s clear directions and reaped disaster.

Today, that same lie is still being repeated. “God did not mean it when He said Marriage is one man to one woman for life, Forgive those who hurt you, Love your enemies, Live a holy life. God is depriving you of pleasure.. Besides, if you Christians would stop advocating a strict, pure lifestyle and would ‘loosen up’,and  relax your standards, people would like you and would flock to your churches.” 

The sad result is this: Throughout America there are those who have fallen for the lie and now the members and ministers of some churches are not really believers in Jesus. They live and preach a sinful, unGodly lifestyle. Some have relaxed their standards until they have no standards at all. New Testament Believers would be appalled at what is preached from some pulpits. The result is that the unsaved world has no respect for the real Church of Jesus. The Lord is not pleased and we are reaping a painful harvest in our nation.

Think of this truth. In John 6, when the crowd said, “This is a hard saying” [6:60] and many left Jesus [6:66], did Jesus relax His standards so they would return? NO! When the Rich Young Ruler [Mark 10:17-23] walked away sorrowful, did Jesus call out, “Come back, I will make it easier for you”? NO!

Consider these words from Psalm 24: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully.” Pretty high standards it seems to me. Think of the message of Jesus [Matthew 5:13] “Ye are the salt of the earth. Salt that has lost its saltiness is worthless and is thrown out.” It appears to me that Jesus is saying that compromising, sin filled members and the churches they attend are worthless to the Kingdom of God.

Believing and living the devil’s recycled lie may get a Pastor or a church some type of “Pastor, or Church of the Year Award” from the local sin filled community. Such does not interest me. I am waiting and longing to hear my Master, Jesus, say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. What about you?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1.Sanctuary Service-10:00 am Sunday

2. NO Adult Bible Study this Wednesday -NOVEMBER 25 

3. Called Church Conference- Sunday November 22. Purpose is to elect committee members and to switch some unused line items in the 2020 Budget to mission gifts.

4. $420 plus $1775 plus $850 equals $3045

Your loving, sacrificial gift to the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering keeps soaring. THANK YOU   Two Sundays left to give.

5. Thank you for helping to provide pajamas for nursing home residents. Many have given Pamela money and asked her to buy items that are needed. Those of you who selected a name and chose to do your own shopping are asked to have your gifts at the church by Sunday, December 6. 

Those who plant, reap a harvest!

God bless you

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church    

In America today, where is the most dangerous place to be, the place most likely to lead to death? It depends upon the day, and the particular news media you use. We have been warned to stay away from churches, bars, large gatherings, and even your extended family Thanksgiving meal. But, are these the most dangerous places?

Consider these facts that came from a very reputable source: On an average day in in America:

    587 people die from injuries

    688 people die from medical mistakes

    846 people die from Covid-19 [This number is rising]

   1662 people die from Cancer

   1795 people die from Heart Disease

   2363 babies die from Abortions

It should be shockingly sad to all Believers in Jesus that the most dangerous place in America, is in a mother’s womb. Think of it!! For each person who dies of Covid-19, almost 3 innocent babies are killed. God have mercy on a nation that allows and encourages such activities.

Every person who dies from Covid-19 is a loss, a pain, a tragedy. We hurt for them when they suffer and feel the pain of their families when death comes.  Millions of dollars are being spent to find a cure and a vaccine for Covid-19 as well as cures for Cancer and Heart Disease. I have no problem with seeking cures for all of these diseases. Abortion is not a disease. With a few simple rulings, and at zero cost in dollars, over 2000 lives could be saved every day. Of course, I understand that in a few cases, a medical emergency could make an abortion necessary. Those cases are rare.

It is so sad, that those who push for abortion are so often the same folks who lead the campaigns to “save the whales, the seals, the snail darters, and other species of plants and animals”. All life is precious. Our Lord created life. But, man, who was created in the image of God, has the most precious life of all.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let us repent of the sins of our nation. Let us ask the Lord to forgive our nation. Let us ask Him to change the hearts of men and women. Let us pray that the womb becomes a place of nurture and safety.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service-Sunday 10:00 am

2. Adult Bible Study-Wednesday 6:30 pm

3. Called Church Conference-Sunday, November 15-Purpose is to approve a Church Budget for 2021

4. Called Church Conference-Sunday November 22-Purpose is to elect some committee members and to vote on transferring some line items in the 2020 Church Budget

5.WOW!   WOW!    WOW!

You are being so loving and generous

…. $420 plus $1775 equals $2195 given already for the Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering. We are on our way to a record gift.

…. You have given generously to Pamela’s request to buy pajamas for nursing home residents.

…. You are responding to the West Stanly Christian Ministries appeal to help needy children and families at Christmas

…. 64–The number of Shoe Boxes you prepared for the Samaritan’s Purse. Since this is the first time in recent years that  we have done this, it is a great number for a church our size. Samaritan’s Purse recently sent out this report. ” A 7 year old boy in Burundi received a box. In the box was a pair of shoes. They fit him perfectly. His widowed father was too poor to buy the shoes his son so desperately needed. Tears flowed. Now both dad and son have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior and are faithfully attending church”. It is all because of one little shoe box that these two will be in Heaven.

THANK YOU FOR LOVING JESUS AND LOVING OTHERS AND GIVING GENEROUSLY

Great rewards are coming to God’s people

The love of Jesus is flowing at Barbee’s Grove

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

As I write this, the election results are not yet known. When all the votes are finally counted, some of you may be in dismay and others will be thrilled. No matter who wins, all Christians are exhorted in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 to “pray for kings and for all in authority.”. Imagine what thoughts must have passed through the Apostle Paul’s mind when the Holy Spirit told him to write those words. “Lord, have you noticed how evil that Caesar in Rome is? Do you really expect me to pray for those local leaders who keep beating me and throwing me into their jails? Do you really mean it?”

The answer is, “Yes”. Our Lord orders us to pray for our leadership, no matter whether they are good or bad. In those same verses He says that we are to pray, “In order to lead a quiet and peaceable life”. No matter who sits in the place of authority, our prayers make a difference in the way we live as citizens.

Study your Bible. Research the Egyptian Pharaohs, King Ahab, Cyrus, the King of Nineveh, Belshazzer, Nebuchadnezzar, Ahasuerus, the two King Herods in the NewTestament, and others. None of them were nice men!  Sometimes God stopped them in their tracks, sometimes He changed their hearts, sometimes He used them for His Purposes and they did not even realize it, and sometimes the Lord removed them from the scene.

I can guarantee you this–The Lord is not sitting in Heaven, wringing His hands, and saying, “What am I going to do? Now that Mr.———is elected My hands are tied”. Brothers and Sisters, God is still on His throne. Let’s obey our Lord’s instruction to us and pray for our country and for those in office. We can like them, or dislike them, but in a spirit of Christlike love, we can pray for the Lord to guide their steps. AMEN

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service-Sunday 10:00 am

2. Adult Bible Study-Wednesday 6:30 pm

3. Called Church Conference-Sunday, November 15. Purpose-Approving Church Budget for 2021. Copies available this Sunday.

4.Please continue to pray for Immanuel Baptist Church and the family of Rev. Joe Smith. They need our prayers as they walk through this difficult time.

5.Try to get your Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes to church this Sunday. Do not put money in the boxes. Our church will pay those shipping fees from a mission fund.

6. $420–The amount that was given this past Sunday for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Thanksgiving Offering. It is a good start for what is going to be a fantastic offering from Barbee’s Grove. Let me share additional good news. When the total offering from all NC Baptist Churches and individuals is compiled at the first of the year, an anonymous donor has promised to match it! That means this first $420 will eventually equal $840. More than 100,000 people are impacted each year through the ministries of these Homes. THANK YOU FOR GIVING

When we are on our knees talking with our Lord we are powerful!

The Lord bless you!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Elijah, our 15-year-old grandson in Oregon, has loved ice hockey since he was just past the toddler stage. Last year he was selected as 1 of
the 3 best hockey players in Oregon in his age group. In May, he was on his way to Nevada for tryouts with a chance to make the USA Jr. Olympic team. Covid-19 shut that down as it did so many other events.

How did Elijah get to be so good? First, God gave him some natural talents and abilities. However, Elijah has worked extremely hard to develop those abilities. In the summer, when other kids are “sleeping in”, playing video games, “goofing off”, and eating junk food, Elijah has an entirely different routine. He eats healthy food. He gets up at 6:00 am, rides his bike to school, runs the track, and does some work in the gym. After he gets home, he goes into his backyard. There he has a hockey net. He spends hours hitting pucks into that net. He is determined to be the best he can be. Pamela and I are so proud of his commitment to the sport he loves.

In our “heart-of hearts”, most of us want to excel as Believers in Jesus. We want to be the best Christians we can possibly be. But, becoming a “super” Christian doesn’t “just happen”. There will be Sundays when we will have to pull ourselves out of bed to go to church, even when we would rather “sleep in”. Like shunning unhealthy food, we will choose to forsake people, TV, movies, video games, computer programs, books, and magazines that pollute our minds with trash, unbelief, and unGodly ideas. We have to choose love and forgiveness over hate and bitterness. Then, we will have to discipline ourselves to maintain good habits—Bible study, prayer, meditation on the things of God, and using our spiritual gifts to serve our Savior. It is as simple as daily saying “No” to the things that harm our walk with Jesus, and “Yes” to the things that strengthen that walk with our Lord.

Elijah is good at ice hockey because he chooses to do the things that enable him to excel. God’s gifts, plus Elijah’s dedication bring results. The Lord will enable any of us, and each of us, to be a “super” Christian if we will dedicate ourselves to making the right choices.  What choices have you made this week?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service-Sunday, 10:00 am

2. Adult Bible Study- Wednesday, 6:30 pm

3. Children’s Church restarts November 1. 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. To seek to do this safely, temperatures will be taken as every child enters.

4. Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box information

     a. Boy/Girl labels go on the lid. Place on the end of the lid and not in the middle

     b. Do not put money in the box at this time. We will tell you what to do later

     c. Additional empty boxes are available at the church

5. Baptist Children’s Home Thanksgiving Offering will be received during the month of November. This year, the need is greater than ever.  Prayerfully, ask the Lord to lead you in the amount you should give.

6. PLEASE VOTE–Pray before you vote. Remember, Jesus is in the voting booth with you

7. Franklin Graham has asked that we make this Sunday [October 25] a Day of Prayer and Fasting for America. Let us join 1000’s of other  Christians in praying for our nation.

God is still on His Throne!
Be blessed of the Lord this week!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee‘s Grove Baptist Church    

If we were ever accused of a serious crime and were facing a lifetime in prison, we would want the best lawyer in the country. In fact, if he was a real person we would want Perry Mason. Perry’s clients always walked out of the courtroom as free men and women, declared “Not Guilty”.

But what about the courtroom of Heaven? We stand before the Judge, Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. We know we are guilty of sin, and the Judge knows we are guilty. Is there any hope? YES! 1John 2:1,2 says “And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”.

We stand before the Judge, guilty, ready to be condemned and sentenced. Then, stepping up to our side is someone better than Perry Mason. It is our Advocate, our Lawyer, Jesus Christ the Righteous. Suddenly a glimmer of hope springs up in our chest. We might have a chance after all. Jesus boldly proclaims, “Let this man, this woman, go free. Their sin debt has been paid. I paid it on a cross on a lonely hill outside of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The debt does not need to be paid a second time. Now, as you can see, this person is covered with My Righteousness”. The Judge listens to Jesus, checks the historical record, and replies, “You are correct”. We stand before Him, trembling, waiting for His next words. He turns to us and says, “Your Advocate vouches for you. I declare you, ‘Not Guilty’. You are free”.

What joy, what peace, what freedom, what comfort it is to know, that when we as Believers, confess our sin we are forgiven and cleansed. [1 John 1:9] Have you looked upon the Face of your wonderful Advocate lately, and told Him, “Thank You”? If not, today would be a good time to do so.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
1. Sanctuary Service—10:00 am Sunday
2. Adult Bible Study—6:30 pm Wednesday
3. Quarterly Church Conference this Sunday [October 18]
4.You may bring your filled Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes to church any time before November 8. Place them on the platform near the piano.
5. Children’s Services will restart November 1. 10:00 -11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. We will take all possible precautions for safety. Parents are encouraged to check their children for any signs of illness before you leave for church.
6.We thank each of you for the many ways you expressed Pastor Appreciation to Pamela and me. The words, the gifts, the cards, the gift of money, the newspaper article, all were very special. Know that we love and appreciate you as well. It is wonderful to be your Pastor

Have a week that is blessed of the Lord!!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

You will remember from your study of the Bible that God used Moses to miraculously deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Their
destination was the land that God had promised to give them. However, doubt, unbelief, and disobedience led to approximately 40 years of
camping in the wilderness.

Imagine, an estimated crowd of 3 million people looking for food in a place where there were no Farmers’ Markets or grocery stores! Exodus 16
tells us that God performed another miracle. 6 days each week for the entire 40 years, “Manna” fell on the ground around the camp. It came every morning and simply had to be picked up and prepared for the daily meals. Any that was not gathered was melted by the heat of the day [v.21].

Several interesting facts:
1. It was provided daily and there was enough for everyone.
2.If a person “slept in” and did not go out in time, nothing was available.
3. If someone tried to gather enough on one day to last several days, the amount left over to the next day rotted, bred worms, and stank [v.20].

I see a spiritual analogy in this historical story:

1. God wants to give a fresh revelation of Himself to every Christian on a daily basis. He wants you to experience His presence every day you live.

2. The truly strong and healthy Believers are those who take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Lord every day. They crave the “fresh manna” He gives.

3. Less spiritually healthy are those who seek the Lord on a “hit and miss” schedule. They “eat spiritually” from time-to-time, but not often enough to be really powerful in their faith.

4.Those who try to live on past encounters with God and seldom seek Him in the present, soon develop problems. People who live on “stored up” faith, whom I have known personally, usually have beliefs that are not Biblical, attitudes that are harmful, and a lifestyle that shames the Name of Jesus. Like the “stored up manna” their faith is not a pretty sight.

Our Precious Lord has fresh manna for you every day. Choose to receive it, enjoy it, be refreshed, and live in the strength it gives you to serve Jesus!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1.Services in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am

2.Adult Bible Study–Wednesday, 6:30 pm

3.Childrens Church/Sunday School
Immediately after the Morning Service Sunday [11th], we would like to have a meeting of parents, grandparents, and anyone who can give the Deacons input on restarting activities for our children. Volunteers who help with these activities are also invited. We need ideas, children, and leaders to make this work.

4. It has been exciting to see the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes go out the door each Sunday. Let’s have them back to the church by Sunday, November 8. It will be a blessing in Heaven to have someone walk up to us and say, “You do not know me, but I want to Thank You. You prepared a shoe box. It was exciting to open it and to find all the nice things you sent. Best of all, the kind person who handed me the box told me about Jesus. I gave my heart to Jesus and now I am in Heaven all because you cared enough to share. Thank You”.

The Lord is doing great things. Praise His Name.

Have a God Blessed week!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee‘s Grove Baptist Church.

Most of you know that Pamela’s mother, Helen Almond, recently graduated to heaven. This is something I wrote about her. I hope that you will
find it informative and instructive.

Is it true that unfavorable circumstances early in life, forever, and always, prevent a person from being successful, productive, and happy in
life? Some folks loudly proclaim it. I do not agree.

I think of Helen, my Mother-in-law of over 50 years. She was born in the 1920’s at the beginning of the Great Depression. Home was an isolated
“holler” far back in the coal mining hills of Kentucky. Her Dad became an alcoholic, leading to a divorce. Mom, Helen, 3 sisters, and 3 brothers moved to live with an uncle. The house where they lived was substandard by today’s definition. Helen was never able to finish school. [One of the proudest days of her life was when she received her GED from Stanly Community College around the time of her 40th birthday.]  From all outward signs, you could not expect Helen to turn out well or to accomplish much in life.

During WW2, Helen joined her sisters in Newport News, VA. looking for work. She found much more than work! She met Hubert Almond, a young man from Albemarle. They came to love one another and were married. Out of that marriage came four good children, Pamela, Kenneth, Timothy, and Jill. All four grew to become fine, loving, hard-working citizens.

Helen found several jobs in retail, including many years at Belk’s. She became the Manager of Albemarle Christian Bookstore when it was struggling to exist and turned it into a prosperous enterprise. In addition, she was one of the founding members and major leaders in the early days of Albemarle First Assembly. Not bad for someone who entered life with 3 strikes against her.

The things that made the difference in Helen’s life are the same things that will be a blessing to every one of us

1. Helen came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior early in life. Her Aunt Sue led Helen to the Lord in an experience that was real
and genuine.

2. She developed that relationship with Jesus. As a child, it was Helen’s chore each evening to climb the mountain, find the family cow, and to bring the cow home for the evening milking. Those evening walks were her “alone” time with Jesus. Day-by-day, she came to know Jesus better.

3 She chose her husband carefully. Spending our lifetime with the right partner is more important than most folks realize. Our spouses can bless
us or ruin us.

4. She maintained a committed relationship with a good, Bible believing church. She worked with the women’s group and taught a Bible class at
West Albemarle. Later, she devoted her service to the ministries of Albemarle Assembly.

5. Helen gathered around her several Godly, Christian ladies. They were a blessing to her and she blessed them as well. Christ-like friends greatly enhance our lives.

Is it not amazing how God can take us, no matter how horrible our start in life is, and turn us into one of His masterpieces? Helen did not have a rosy start in life. That did not matter. She committed her life to Jesus and walked with Him. He made her a “woman to be praised” [Proverbs 31]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service-Sunday, 10:00 am, FM 99.1 in cars or Fellowship Hall are also options.  Website after noon

2. Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes are available at the church

3.Wednesday, Adult Bible Study resumes October 7, 6:30 pm

4. THANK YOU for your gifts of $900 for the NC Mission Offering

Have a blessed week!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.

While going through some of her Mom’s things, Pamela came across a letter that she had written to her Mom from Wingate College. In the letter, she mentioned that the dorms would be closed for the Easter Holiday. Pamela’s friend, Lynn, lived too far from school to go home for a short holiday, so Pamela asked her Mom if she could bring Lynn home with her for Easter. It was agreeable and Lynn spent the holiday with the Almonds. Lynn did not have to do a single special thing to be a welcome guest. Because Lynn was a friend to Pamela, she was welcome at the family home.

So it is with you as a Believer in Jesus. Ephesians 1:6 makes the glorious affirmation that we are “accepted in the Beloved”. We cannot do anything to be accepted other than to yield to the Holy Spirit and to choose to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. At that moment, the Heavenly Father says, “If My Son, Jesus,vouches for you, then you are welcome into the Family of God. I will treat you special all the days of your life and then have a home ready for you when you pass into eternity”. It is by His grace that we are “accepted in the Beloved”.

Child of God, you are accepted, loved, wanted, and welcomed! God is for you and not against you! Rejoice, be thankful, and enjoy all the privileges of the Father’s Family!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. New service time—10:00 am

   You may listen from your car–99.1 FM

   You may listen in the Fellowship Hall

   You can join us in the Sanctuary. [Masks, social distancing in seating, and while entering and exiting are highly recommended!] This worked very well this past Sunday.

2. Website service will be a broadcast of the Sunday Morning Service and will be available after 12:00 noon on Sunday.

3. Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes are available at the church if you wish to fill one for a needy child. How many can we fill this year?

4. Sunday, September 27 is the last Sunday for the NC Mission Offering. This money goes for Disaster Relief, Church Planting, Medical and Dental missions, Mission Camps, and Association Mission projects

5. Let us give THANKS

…To the Lord for His Love and faithfulness.

…To the Lord for 6 months of good weather that allowed us to worship outside.

…For the faithful attendance of those who were physically healthy and could attend those outside services.

…For those who had health issues that prevented their attendance, yet were faithful to listen to the webcast, to read their Newsletters, and to continue to support their church.

…For all who continued to give their tithes and offerings regularly during this Covid-19 crises.

Members who Love the Lord and who love their church make a church a strong church.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church. 

Thank you for the confidence in me that you expressed when you chose me as the next full time Pastor of Barbee’s Grove. With 3 years of “Trial Sermons”, you certainly know what you are getting. Pamela and I love you and will look forward to future years of serving the Lord along with you.

Because of Covid-19 there are not many changes that we can make immediately. As time passes, I hope that we can spend more time in prayer – at the church – in small groups – and individually. Also, let’s be praying about ways we can enhance our children and youth ministries. Do you know any unchurched youngsters who need to be at Barbee’s Grove? We have a good music ministry and I believe it will get even better when Covid-19 abates and the choir can return to full strength. In addition, as soon as medical conditions allow, I plan for Pamela and myself to be knocking on some doors in the community. I want to meet folks and to learn of their church relationships. Please consider joining us.

With our cooperation, the Lord has a great future for Barbee’s Grove.

Now, let us turn to other thoughts. If you are typical, when you are out shopping, there are several types of people you meet. First, are the strangers. You may nod as you pass in the aisle, but you keep moving. Then, come the casual acquaintances. You stop, talk about the weather, ask about family, and move on down the aisle. Then, there are the people you do not like. You turn into the aisle, see them turn into the other end of the aisle, and immediately back up and choose a different aisle. Finally, comes the people you really love. You spot each other and almost run to hug, greet, and talk. 30 minutes later you are still talking and clogging traffic in the aisle.

So it is spiritually. Some folks only give God a passing glance. Others, spend a few minutes chatting with Him. Some, despise the Lord, want absolutely nothing to do with Him, and run when the Name of Jesus is mentioned. The blessed people are the ones who run to spend time with Jesus at every opportunity. James 4:8 says, ” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”. Thus, when you run to the Lord, you find that He runs to meet you. He will stay as long as you wish to stay. Like visiting with family, or old friends, how precious are the moments you spend in fellowship with Jesus.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. As the weather turns cooler, we will be altering our service conditions. We will inform you as soon as decisions are made.

2. We continue to give to the NC Mission Offering

3. We thank Leonard Harvell for preaching while I was away speaking at a Homecoming Service. I heard he did an excellent job. Deacons doing some preaching goes all the way back to those first Deacons in the Book of Acts.

4. We owe many “Thanks” to our Pastor Selection Committee. Kathy High, Rita Linker, Gail Perkins, McChord Barbee, Wes Barbee, and Chairman, Lionel Hahn spent many hours reading resumes, listening to recorded messages, interviewing prospective pastors, thinking and praying. In the past 3 years they have invested themselves in seeking the Lord’s will for Barbee’s Grove. Please extend your personal “Thanks” to each of these individuals.

Even when things seem dark, the Lord is still at work in our world. Praise Him for His blessings.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

When Covid-19 hit our area, I suggested to our Deacons that I could write a little Newsletter to keep our church informed. We all thought that I would only need to write 3 or 4. Everyone was sure that the disease would be gone in a few weeks. I just counted. This is Newsletter number 26. That is one-half of a year. Each week the Lord has been faithful to give me something to write. Some ideas I have liked better than other ideas. Since the thoughts came from the Lord, I know that He had someone specifically in mind for the message that week. The God who “knows the number of hairs on our heads” knows our hearts and needs also.

I have realized that my weekly routine and activities affect how many ideas I have for sermons and Newsletters. Let me illustrate before I explain. If a family wants to roast a few hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard, all they need are a few twigs and small sticks. A large youth group will need much more fuel and a bigger fire. Campers on a frigid night will need plenty of logs and someone staying awake to keep a large fire going. If there are predators, like wolves, around, maintaining a large fire is a necessity. It is a simple truth, the more fuel, the larger the fire.

I have found the same equation to be true spiritually. Some weeks, I am able to spend a large amount of time listening to Bible teachers and reading inspirational materials. That is “large fire” fuel. Those weeks, it seems that ideas for Newsletters and sermons come to me in bunches. Other weeks, my study time is limited by outside duties. Those are “little twig” weeks. Those are also the weeks it is more of a struggle to know what to write or preach. Interestingly, those “large fire” weeks somehow make it easier to deal with a frigid world and that evil predator, the devil.

We are all equal before God. We need Him daily. My experience says to me, and I hope says to you, “We need to spend as much time as possible in serious spiritual development. It must be a priority. Time with Jesus is of utmost importance.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Website and 9 am Parking Lot services continue as usual.

2. The vote concerning Rev. Ed Lowder becoming the next full time Pastor of Barbee’s Grove will be this Sunday, September 13.

3. We continue our giving to the NC Mission Offering. This money goes for ministries in our state and local association.

4. Our total gifts for the Rev. Otis Goins Memorial Fund for the NC Baptist Aging ministry was $390. Thank you!

5. Most of you know that Pamela’s mother, Mrs. Helen Almond, passed away this week. Thank you for your words of sympathy, offers to help, and all the other expressions of your love.

God has blessings for YOU this week. Receive and enjoy them.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

In 1Kings 20 there is an interesting acted out parable. God uses a prophet to pronounce judgment upon a disobedient king of Israel. The prophet pretends to be a soldier who was given an important prisoner to guard. However, he says, “as I was busy here and there my prisoner escaped”. He was condemned to pay a price for his negligence. The message to the king was the same, “you were derelict in your duty and now there is a price to pay”.

“Busy here and there” is a sad commentary on many lives that I have observed in 50plus years of ministry.
1.There were “on fire” Christians who got “busy here and there” and began to neglect their walk with the Lord. As time passed they grew cold toward spiritual things and began to live like the unChristian world.
2. There were Dads and Moms who got “busy here and there” and as a result neglected the spiritual life of their children. Those kids grew up unsaved with no relationship to Jesus and were on the road to an eternal Hell.
3. There were husbands and wives who became “busy here and there” and had little time for their spouse. Soon it was like two strangers in the same house. Anger, infidelity, and divorce followed.
4. Then there were the church members who got “busy here and there”. The church that they said they loved struggled and began to die.

I could go on, but you get the picture. “Busy here and there” can ruin the things that should be most precious to us. The world, the flesh, and the devil offer more than enough “here and there” activities to keep us busy for several lifetimes. Some, of course, are sinful activities.  However, many are good, helpful, fun things to do. They  only become wrong when they replace things that are of more eternal importance.  Anything that replaces the will of God for our lives needs to be changed.

Over the course of my life, I have had numerous times of re-evaluation.  Sometimes the Lord said “You are right on track”. Other times I have had to repent because He told me that I had stopped letting “first things be first”. I am blessed by God’s grace that allows me to repent. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit enables me to live differently. You serve the same Lord I serve. Are there any “here and there” activities in your life?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
1.Website and 9 am Parking Lot services continue as usual.
2.Deacon Officers for this year–Chairman – Leonard Harvell
                                                  Vice Chairman – David Talley
                                                  Secretary – Kenny Linker
3.The Pastor Selection Committee has submitted the name of Rev. Ed Lowder to be the Full-time Pastor of Barbee’s Grove. Vote will be September 13. If you need absentee ballots please contact Mrs. Janette Barbee.
4.During September we contribute to the NC Missions Offering. This money goes to NC Baptist Men and others for mission projects in our state and around the world. Some is returned to our local  association for ministries here. There are envelopes available for those the Lord leads to give to this work.
5. We extend our love and sympathy to the Doug Sasser family. Doug  was a long time faithful member of Barbee’s Grove. His death saddens us all.  Thank you for ministering to the Sasser family during this time of grief.

Serve the Lord with gladness!!
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church.

Last week, I read a news item that emphasized how depressed, discouraged, and downhearted so many Americans are. It told of a high
percentage of citizens who have seriously considered taking their own lives in the past few weeks. What a sad commentary on life in our
nation.

That is why the Gospel is such “good news” for these difficult days. We need to remind ourselves, and others, that God has a great love for us.
Many might say, “I just cannot see why, or how, God loves me. I don’t feel love. I’m not even worthy of love”.

Those negative thoughts are a lie from the devil. Jesus told a parable that reveals how untrue the devil’s words are. [ Luke 15: 3-7] Jesus
tells of a shepherd who counts his sheep. 99 are together, but one is missing. The shepherd does not say, “Oh well, it’s no big deal if I lose
one”. No, instead, he goes looking for that lost sheep and never stops looking until it is found. Neither does he beat that sheep or drive it
home with a prod. He lovingly lays it upon his shoulders and carries it to safety. The shepherd returns rejoicing that this sheep is once again
in his care.

You may be that lost sheep. Maybe, you have never been in the Family of God. Jesus is eagerly searching for you. Maybe, you have been in the
Family of God, but lately you have strayed. Jesus is also looking for you. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He will never stop His search until
you receive His love and are safely home.

Perhaps you are thinking, “I have done so many bad things. How can Jesus love me?” Two of the most precious verses in the Bible profoundly speak to your thoughts. [Lamentations 3:22,23] They remind us that “God’s mercies are new every morning”. God never says to me, “Ed, you have
messed up so many times that I am out of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Sorry, but you have gone past My limit”. God always has fresh
mercy for me, a new batch every day. He will always have fresh mercy for you also.
Jesus loved you enough to die on the cross for you. He continues to love you as He seeks you for Himself.

The world around you today may be troubled. Remember, Jesus told us, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. [John 16:33] As a Believer in Jesus, you live in
His love, and you can also be an overcomer!!! Let the Joy of the Lord lift your spirits today!  Amen

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Website service and 9am Parking Lot service continue as usual

2. Called Church Conference–August 23

Electing two new members of the Building and Grounds Committee and messengers to the Associational meeting.

3. Communion will be celebrated on August 30. We will be doing this in a safe manner.

4. This Sunday, August 23, is your opportunity to give to the Rev, Otis Goins fund to help the elderly in our area. Mark your envelopes 
accordingly Thanks for your gifts.

Look up! Jesus is giving a great revival and then He is coming for His Church.
Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Years ago, a pastor friend who taught a business course at Gaston Community College invited me to speak to his class. I talked and then hung around to hear my friend teach the remainder of the class period. As part of the lesson he used the old game that is sometimes played at parties. He whispered to a student an instruction “Go tell Bill to use the forklift to put the red pallets on the blue truck”. Each student whispered the instructions to the next student. By the time the word had gone around the room it was a mess. It was not clear who was doing what and when! My friend was teaching the students that when they got out in the business world instructions needed to be in writing or to be given without a lot of middlemen. That would lessen the confusion. 

From my perspective, it seems that this is what many have done with Biblical truth. It is not a game. It is serious business. I listen to what is said about the Bible. I hear what is taught. Christians read certain books and extoll their virtues without realizing how much error they contain. This week, my wife read me a Facebook post by a pastor’s wife. Sadly, it was not true to Scripture. 

What has happened? Just as in the little game my pastor friend used to teach his class, we have passed down thoughts about the Bible without checking the facts. “Word of mouth” is the way many people get their impression of what the Bible teaches. It has resulted in much distortion, misunderstanding, and a weak version of New Testament Christianity. 

A historical incident found in the book of Acts [17:10-12] should enlighten us. The Bible says that the Believers in Berea were “more noble than those of Thessalonica”. When God commends someone with words of honor, we need to sit up and take notice. We need to ask, “Why did God praise these folks in Berea”? Listen to what is said, “they received the Word with readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so”. The disciples in Berea listened to Paul and Silas teach with open minds and hearts. They were searching for truth. But they did not stop with only hearing. They got out the Scripture that was available to them in that day and diligently measured everything they heard by God’s Word. These folks were not satisfied with blindly following a second or third hand representation of the Gospel. They verified everything personally. God commended them for their diligence.  

The challenge for each of us is this. What do I believe and why do I believe it? It is not a good answer to say, “That is what Pastor Ed teaches, that is what I heard on TV, or that is what Grandma always said”. What if they were wrong? The correct answer is “I believe it because that is what the Bible says. Let me show you some verses”. You do not need a college degree to do this. It is amazing how our understanding opens up and our perspective changes when we have: 

1. An open mind
2. Spend quality time studying God’s Word
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to do one of His jobs—be our Teacher

Following the written instruction of God’s Word rather than secondhand reports eliminates much confusion. You may have been taught correctly. Just verify it for yourself. Getting our beliefs straight from the mouth of God is always best. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS. 

1. Website and 9:00 am Parking Lot services continue as usual.
2. Newly elected Deacons –Kenny Linker and Jeff Keplinger   Pray for these men and for all your Deacons [active and inactive]
3. Thank you for your faithfulness to attend our Parking Lot services. We know that some of you have physical conditions that prevent your attendance. God understands and so do we. Almost everyone else who could attend is doing so and we appreciate it.
4. NCBAM is the short way of saying NC Baptist Aging Ministry. It is a ministry of our convention to meet the needs of the elderly in our state. It includes such things as wheelchair ramps, plumbing issues and other repairs that the person needs to have done. Usually this is for those who do not have family or funds to get this done. Until his death, Rev. Otis Goins was the man in charge of this ministry in our county. He was a towering figure in this work. As a result, an endowment fund in his name has been started. It will be used to provide help for those in need in the years to come. We will be giving you an opportunity to add your gifts to this endeavor soon.

Have a glorious week with the Lord! 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church   

Newsletter August 2nd

The Prophet Isaiah was probably the most Godly man in his nation. Yet, we hear him crying out, “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”. [6:5] What caused this Godly prophet to cry out in repentance? 

1. He saw the Lord “high and lifted up”.
2. He heard the seraphim praising the holiness of God.

Experiencing God in holiness and glory sent Isaiah to his knees. 

Another man of God, Nehemiah, is found praying his own prayer of repentance [1:1-11]. He uses the pronoun “we” to describe the sin of Israel. Nehemiah was not the guilty party. Yet, he identified with his nation and her sin. 

Another man who walked closely with the Lord was the Prophet Daniel. In Chapter 9 we find him using the pronoun “we” as he repents of the sin of his people. Again, Daniel was not the guilty party. 

Special friends, I call upon you as Believers in Jesus, to join me in a special “Prayer of Repentance” for the sins of our nation. I can hear the cries of protest. “I have no reason to repent. I am not guilty of all the evil in the United States.” Neither were Isaiah, Nehemiah, or Daniel guilty of their national sins. 

Your body may be 98% well, but if your big toe is in pain it affects your entire body. “Technically”, we may not be guilty, but “collectively” we all share the sins of our nation. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us that repentance always begins with God’s faithful people. We know that the ungodly glorify and justify their evil lifestyle. They have no intention of repenting. We, Believers, on the other hand, desire to walk in the favor and blessing of God as individuals, as a church, and as a nation. That will happen when the real Christians in this nation get “fed up”, disgusted with the direction our nation is heading, and fall on our faces in genuine repentance. Godly repentance will save us from perishing. 

The good news is found in 1 John 1:9″ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” Add that to the promise from 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if we repent, “God will heal our land”. We have a reason to expect better days after we repent. 

I have been preaching almost 60 years. In that time our nation has deteriorated morally and spiritually. I have to take some of the responsibility for that decline and it pushes me to my knees. 

Friends, our Lord wants to revive and restore America. He is waiting for us to realize how far we have fallen and to then drop to our knees in repentance. 

PLEASE take some time this week. Listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit. Is He calling you to join me in this time of prayer and repentance for our nation? 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 

1. Sunday Service continues at 9 am. Website service also available as usual.
2. Homecoming is delayed until September.
3. Deacon election is this Sunday [August 2].
4. Please check the Barbee’s Grove website and watch the video from the NC Baptist Aging Ministry concerning a special offering in memory of Rev. Otis Goins. We will be asking you to contribute to that ministry in the next few weeks.
5. As Pamela and I begin our 4th year as your Interim Pastor and wife, we thank you for the wonderful ways you have been a blessing to us.

Be blessed!! 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

As you know, I love going to the local farmers markets to buy fresh from the garden produce. A couple of weeks ago, one of the farmers had the first okra I had seen. He had about 3 pounds. I did not want to be greedy, so I only bought part of what he had. My sweet wife loves fresh okra so when she looked in the bag she squealed with delight. Then, the first words that popped out of her mouth were, “Is this all you bought”? Of course she was teasing. Today I went back and he had another 3 pounds. He wanted to sell it all to me. I bought it all. Nothing like having a happy wife. 

How does this apply spiritually? Remember the old hair product Brylcreem and its slogan, “A little dab will do you”? When it comes to their walk with God some folks are satisfied with a partially filled bag or a little dab. They are satisfied to have enough of Jesus to be saved and to make it into Heaven as the Pearly Gate slams shut behind them. We definitely want to be saved, but there is so much more the Lord longs to share with us before we get to Heaven. There is an abundance of spiritual gifts, fillings of the Holy Spirit, blessings, and answered prayers that are available to the Believer who wants more of Jesus 

Ezekiel 47:1-12 is an interesting passage of Scripture. It tells of a river that issues from the Lord. He tells of being ankle deep, then up to the loins, and then the river became so deep that there was enough water to swim. The river was a healing flow and was filled with fish. I think God is telling us that we can go as deep with Him as we desire. We can be satisfied to wade ankle-deep or we can swim. The choice is yours and mine.

 I challenge you to never become satisfied with where you are in your walk with the Lord. Want more than a little bag, or a “dab”. Grow daily .Study God’s Word. Believe God’s Word. Live God’s Word. The deeper you go with Him, the more exciting your faith will be, and the more real and personal Jesus will be to you.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Quarterly Church Conference July 19 [Third Sunday]

2. VBS Drive Through

     Sunday July 5 [4:00-6:00 pm.]

     Drive up and receive your packet of VBS materials to take home and study. Lessons, crafts, and snacks are included. Packets are for all ages, including Adults.

3. Law enforcement officers have taken a beating lately. We at Barbee’s Grove want to show our appreciation to our local officers. Saturday, July 18, we will be providing a meal for the Oakboro Police Department, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department and the local Highway Patrol. We plan on 130 plates. We will need some of you to provide cakes for this meal. Thanks for volunteering! This will be a “Drive Through” and take to go meal.

 Have a wonderful week as you celebrate the birth of our nation.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church