Today, let’s briefly continue the theme of FAITHFULNESS. In three of the churches where I was the Pastor, there were long-term Organists. Each began as a young teenager. In fact, one told me that she was so small that someone had to pick her up and place her on the organ bench. Her hands could reach the keyboard but her legs were too short for her to reach the foot pedals. It has been over 50 years. Two are still playing each Sunday. The other played over 50 years but when her church changed music styles they no longer wanted organ music.

In 50 plus years, how many good sermons and how many “not so good” sermons have they heard? How many good Music Leaders and how many “Not so good” Music Leaders worked with them? How many times did they not feel well, but went to church anyway? They knew their church was depending on them. Thank you, Judy. Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you, Brenda. Your decades of FAITHFUL years at the organ have led your congregation in worship, have honored the Lord, and have been a blessing.

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“Regifting” is a practice that some find “tacky”, others hate, and still others find to be a good practice. Someone gives you an item you already own. Maybe they give you food that you cannot eat because of your medical condition. Perhaps, you receive clothes that are not your size. You have three choices, trash the gift, put it on a shelf to collect dust, or “regift” it to someone else who will appreciate it and gladly use it. Personally, I am a fan of thoughtful and prayerful “regifting”.

I am also a huge fan of another type of “regifting”. Let me explain. Most of you who read these Newsletters are Christians. Jesus gave you the gift of salvation when you believed in Him as your personal Lord and Savior. That gift probably came through a relative, Pastor, friend, or Sunday School Teacher. They told you about Jesus. You listened and believed. You received Jesus, the greatest gift of all. Now you are forgiven, changed, and on your way to Heaven.

Now, those of us who have been given the gift of salvation, have the honor, privilege, and responsibility to “regift” Jesus to others who will accept and appreciate that gift. The amazing, wonderful, thing about “regifting” Jesus is that while we give Him to someone else, we still get to keep Him for ourselves. We give, but, still have!!! How long has it been since you “regifted” Jesus to a person who desperately needs Him?
   …”Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. [Matthew 28:19]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. During the month of November we will be giving our annual Thanksgiving Offering for our NC Baptist Children’s Homes. Give as the Lord leads
5. Boston Butt sale for mission projects
   Order by Tuesday, November 19
   Pick up Saturday, November 23 from 9-12 am
   $ 45 each
6. Children and Youth Christmas Program practice every Sunday at 5 pm
7. Adult Church Training–November 10 and 17. 5:30 pm

“Regifting” Jesus is a great idea

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

In last week’s Newsletter I wrote about the 200th Anniversary Celebration at Brush Creek Baptist Church. I mentioned that the strength of Brush Creek [and any church that lasts and thrives] was that there was always a core group of committed faithful members. But what does faithfulness look like? It can have many different faces. After I sent out that Newsletter, the Holy Spirit began to remind me of people I know, or knew. Today, I want to share a few stories the Holy Spirit brought to mind. At a later date I may share other stories…  

   …It is a Sunday morning about 1920. Three sisters and their brothers start to church. It is a walk of several miles. Depending upon the weather, the path may be hard packed, dusty, or muddy. Along the way, there are some small streams of water they must wade. They walk barefoot, carrying their shoes. When they reach the church yard they stop and put on those shoes. Then they enter to worship. After the service is over, they take off the shoes for the long walk home. Would you or I be willing to do that? One of the sisters died in mid-life. The other two were still serving the Lord in the 1980s.
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS
   … He is a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Choir Member. There is 8-10 inches of snow on the ground. He’s concerned because part of the church building is almost flat. If more snow slides off the Sanctuary roof onto those flat places they may collapse. He calls the Pastor. Then he drives his WW2 Jeep to the parsonage and picks up the Pastor. Together they drive through snow to the church which is 5 miles away. They climb on the roof and shovel the snow to the ground.
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS
   …She is a Nurse at the local hospital. Two Sundays a month she is at church both morning and evening. The other two Sundays each month she has to work the day shift at the hospital. She is on her feet all day. But when her shift is over she does not go home and put her feet up. She heads to the church for the night service.
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS
   …He is a young married man with children. He works in one of the building trades. He and his wife are unpaid Youth Workers. Even though he needs to be up early for work, many warm nights he sits in his yard until after midnight. He is surrounded by the youth of the community and is ministering to their needs.
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS
   …He’s in his 20s. The church recognizes his Godly character and ordains him as a Deacon. He experiences some hard blows in his life, but remains true in his commitment to the Lord and to the church. As he grows and matures over the years, he becomes a Father figure to the church. Everyone looks to him for leadership, direction, and wise counsel.
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS
   …She and her husband serve the Lord and the church all their lives. Now, her husband is dead and she is in a Retirement Home several counties away from her church. Her Social Security check is small and the Home takes it all. She has a small metal frame on which she weaves pot holders. She sells these pot holders for a dollar or two. With the money she earns she buys toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, and other essentials that the Home does not provide. One day her Pastor receives an envelope in the mail. Inside are 3 crumpled one dollar bills and a note that says, “I love my church. Please put this in the Offering for me”. It was a widow’s mite… 
THAT IS FAITHFULNESS

All of these examples tug at my heart and speak to me. These were regular church members who were doing their best to serve their Lord and His church as best they knew how to serve Him. I pray that the Holy Spirit will use these examples to stir your faithfulness as well. Remember God’s promise “…be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life”. [Revelation 2:10]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
4. $ 3340–latest total for our Disaster Relief Offering. THANK YOU—you may continue to give to this offering as Lord leads you to do so. However, now we turn our attention to our annual Thanksgiving Offering for our NC Baptist Children’s Homes. That is our November focus.
5. Boston Butt Sale for missions
   Order by Tuesday, November 19–the earlier we get your order, the better we can plan Pick up Saturday, November 23 from 9-12 am
   $ 45 each
6. November 10 and 17–Next meetings for Youth and Children and Adult Church Training

Faithfulness

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

We welcome Margie Lowder into our church fellowship. She comes by transfer of her church letter. Pray for her as she joins us in serving Jesus at Barbee’s Grove.

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Many of you know that a few weeks ago I went to Siler City, NC in order to participate in the celebration of Brush Creek Baptist Church’s 200th anniversary. Brush Creek was actually organized in 1824, but folks had been meeting in a little log building for at least 10 years before then. It’s hard to realize, but Brush Creek came into existence not many years after the United States became a nation.

Brush Creek was my first Pastorate. Pamela and I were newlyweds. What I knew about being a Pastor you could put in a thimble. In spite of that, the church loved us and blessed us. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary while I was the Pastor. It was an honor to be able to preach for the 200th celebration.

Brush Creek is a rural church like Barbee’s Grove. 200 years old and still vibrant, alive, and reaching people for Jesus. Very few churches last 200 years. As I contemplate that lengthy existence, I try to imagine why God has so abundantly blessed. As with most churches, Pastoral leadership has varied. There have been good Pastors, average Pastors, poor Pastors, and one or two that should have been selling used cars!!! The strength of Brush Creek has always been that there was a core group of committed, faithful Believers. Some were leaders, some were followers, but all were faithful. As I mingled with the congregation, I renewed friendships with some that had faithfully served for over 60 years. They followed in the footsteps of their parents who also served 60 years or more. Some of those families trace their ancestors in the church back to Civil War days. Year-after-year, good times and bad times, good Pastors and not-so-good Pastors, they stayed faithful to Jesus and to His Church in that community.

Some folks “come and go”. They can seldom be counted on to contribute much to the life of the church. Every church that survives and prospers depends upon that committed core group of the faithful. From time-to-time I ponder over some New Testament facts. In 1 Corinthians 15:6 Paul tells us that Jesus [in His resurrected body] showed Himself to over 500 people in the same gathering. That many people knew Jesus was the Living Lord and Messiah. Yet, on the Day of Pentecost, there were only about 120 Believers gathered in that Upper Room. [Acts 1:15]. But God rained down the Holy Spirit upon that 120, that core group, and birthed and empowered His Church. God always uses those who are faithful.

No matter what church you attend, may you be one who is faithful, committed, sold out to Jesus. May your church endure with a powerful witness till Jesus returns.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM 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–October 20
5. October 20
   Children and Youth  5=7 pm
   Adult Church Training  5:30-6:30 pm
6. Disaster Relief Offering for areas damaged by hurricanes—$ 2090 given last week. Add $ 800 from previous week. Total $2890. AWESOME-THANK YOU

Faithful-Committed–Honoring Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

I was preparing a different Newsletter when I learned of a story that was so sweet that I had to share it with you. When I was the Pastor of Dutch Cove Baptist Church in the mountains of North Carolina, our, across the road neighbors, were Ronnie and Vicky. Not only were they neighbors, they were fellow church members and good friends. When hurricane Helene hit, Vicky was in Wisconsin visiting their daughter, Katie. Naturally, they watched the TV news as the story of the devastation happened. They saw houses washed away. The hurricane was also a topic of conversation. Later, some of Katie’s Wisconsin neighbors brought donations of money and relief supplies. That was a generous blessing.

Meanwhile, someone else was watching and listening. Katie’s daughter, Vicky’s granddaughter, Lucy, is 3 and a half years old. She was paying more attention than anyone realized. She also understood far more than you would think a 3 and a half year old would understand. Lucy began to place her little hand over her heart and say, “I so sad. I hurt”. Isn’t that precious? But it gets better. Later, they found Lucy in her room. She had gone through her toys and made two piles. She indicated one of the piles and said something like this, “I don’t need these any more. Take them to some little girl who lost all her toys”. 

What a sweet, precious, tender heart. A 3 and a half year old willing to divide her treasures with someone who was hurting, someone she did not even know. It makes this old Pastor teary-eyed every time I think about it. Two Scriptures came to mind.
   …”A little child shall lead them”. Isaiah 11:6
   …”Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19:14

It is so easy to grow cynical and callous. There is so much trouble and suffering in our world today that, if we are not careful, we become like the two men in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We pass by and ignore the man who is hurting. I find myself praying, “Lord, keep my heart tender and sensitive”. This week, 3 and a half year old Lucy, reminded me to keep praying that prayer. Thank you, Lucy.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. October 20–Quarterly Church Conference
5. $ 1535–NC Missions Offering Total
6. $ 800 NC Disaster Relief Offering –$ 300 donations and $500 from Barbee’s Grove Women’s Ministry
   Continue to give as the Lord leads
7. October 15–Golden Agers Mountain trip. Plan to go
8. October 13 and 20
   5-7  Youth and Children meet
   5:30-6:30  Adult Church Training

Hard hearted or tender hearted? Let’s examine ourselves

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Most of you know by now that my singing voice leaves a lot to be desired. However, that does not stop me from loving Christian music. Choruses, Contemporary, Southern Gospel, the old Hymns, I love them all. As long as the song has a nice tune and the lyrics are Biblically correct, then I love the song. This week, I would like to share with you some thoughts from an old hymn. The Holy Spirit has been singing this song in my spirit for a couple of weeks. 

“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus Name 

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand”

I have no clue what the writer meant when he wrote “I dare not trust the sweetest frame”. What picture enters your mind when you sing that phrase? This is the thought that always pops into my mind. When I think of a “sweet frame” I think of a woman. First, I think of my sweet little Mama. Mama loved Jesus, West Albemarle Baptist Church, and her family, and I think in that order. But I can’t trust my Mama’s love for Jesus to get me into Heaven. My next thought is of my dear wife, Pamela. Her love for Jesus was powerful and tenacious. I was always in awe of how completely Pamela loved Jesus.  But I can’t depend upon Pamela’s relationship with Jesus to get me to Heaven either. [Oh, by the way, let me pop someone’s bubble. I can’t depend upon some Saint, or even the Virgin Mary, to get me to Heaven.]

Heaven is a real and blessed place. Hell is also real and is a horrible place. Every person who is born will spend an eternity in one of those two places. Your hope, and my hope, of Heaven all depends upon our acceptance of Jesus. Truly, His blood and righteousness is the key. We believe [have faith] that Jesus was the sinless, righteous Son of God. He took our place on Calvary’s cross. He shed His blood to pay our sin debt. He was buried, rose again, ascended into Heaven, and is soon coming again to rapture His faithful Believers. Jesus is the Solid Rock upon which we must build our lives and our hope of living eternally with God. Any other foundation is “sinking sand”.

The hymn writer got it right. Your eternity is too important to make the wrong choice. I pray that you are building upon Jesus. He is the Solid Rock who will never leave you, forsake you, or fail you.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 615—Latest total for our NC Mission Offering. Let’s finish our giving this week. Goal is $ 1500
5. October 13 and 20
   Youth and Children meet
   Adult Church Training
6. October 15–Golden Agers Mountain Trip
   Leave church at 8:00 am. Lunch at Daniel Boone Inn. Stop for apples. Please sign up for the trip

How Firm a Foundation is Jesus the Solid Rock 

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

You may remember that around the first of March I wrote a Newsletter lambasting the new online sports gambling laws. I said they were a mistake and were an evil in our society. Those who approved the laws said this would be a blessing to our society and a boost to our economy. What is the result? The facts I am about to share are things I have read in the news. I can’t verify them, but I assume they are correct.
   …News reports said that in the first few months, gamblers LOST $ 100 million dollars per month. Of course, owners of the websites danced gleefully as they pushed wheelbarrow loads of money to their banks. In the meantime, that is $ 100 million dollars per month that is no longer available for house payments, rent, groceries, eating out, clothes, school supplies, etc. A few years of this and businesses will close due to a lack of customers. Folks will be unemployed. HOW IS THAT GOOD FOR SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY?
   …During the March Madness NCAA Basketball Tournament one star player reported that he received almost 100 nasty social media contacts from bettors who lost money on him. He didn’t score the correct number of points or grab the correct number of rebounds. When the Major League Baseball season started the same thing happened. Athletes were angrily contacted because they did not hit a home-run, or get enough strikeouts, etc. This past week, a quarterback for a prominent college reported that gamblers contacted him demanding that he repay them for money they lost because he played poorly. How long before some disgruntled loser grabs his weapon and goes looking for the athlete that he blames for costing him all his money? HOW IS ANY OF THAT GOOD FOR SOCIETY OR THE ECONOMY?

You ask me, “Ed, why are you mentioning this again in a church Newsletter? You are supposed to be writing about spiritual matters.” Why? Let me tell you why!! It is because, most of the time it is us, the Christians, who are the major backers of the Homeless Shelters, the Soup Kitchens, Stanly Christian Ministries, West Stanly Christian Ministries, etc. We think we have a homeless problem now. We haven’t seen anything yet. One news report said bankruptcies will skyrocket in the next 5 years. Are we as Christians making preparations to handle the multitudes of individuals who have foolishly gambled away everything and who come crying to us for food and shelter? Are we ready for even more people sleeping on the streets? How far will our compassion and our resources stretch?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don’t be lured in by the promise of big gambling earnings. In fact, one report stated that the gambling sites closely monitor their customers. Those who win too often find that their opportunity to bet is restricted. The gambling sites want losers, not winners. PLEASE, also warn others to stay away from foolishly gambling away their money.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 495–latest total for our NC Mission Offering—Even as I type this, NC Baptists have teams on the NC coast helping the victims devastated by the floods this week. Our gifts make that ministry possible.
5. Children and Youth Meetings September 22 and October 13 and 20
   5-7 pm
   Adult Church Training —Same dates
   5:30-6:30

A word to the wise should be sufficient,

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church  

One of the passages of Scripture that has always intrigued me is Exodus 10:21-23. It is the account of the Plague of Darkness, one of the Ten Plagues that the Lord brought upon the Egyptians. The darkness in Egypt was so thick that it could be felt. People could not move about for three days. Yet, in the region of Egypt where the Israelites lived, there was bright sunshine. The Israelites had no trouble seeing. Light or darkness, it all depended upon where you lived.

The world you and I inhabit is also a world divided into light and darkness. Think of the darkness we see around us—-school shootings, murders, wars, hatred, prejudice, violence, unforgiveness, revenge—-the headlines astonish us. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble”. Jesus said, [John 12:35] “He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth”.

County Commissioners, State Legislators, Congressmen, all say, “We cannot have this darkness in our land”. So, they pass gun laws, other laws, build prisons and rehab facilities, all in an effort to bring light. The problem is : Laws cannot change men’s hearts. Men with sin darkened hearts live in darkness and do evil deeds. They cannot help themselves. It is their very nature to do evil.

But, PRAISE THE LORD, there is a better way, a way to bring light into our world. God gave Israel light and He gives us light. That Light is Jesus. Consider these wonderful Scriptures:
   …”The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up”. [Matthew 4:16]
   … :In Him [Jesus] was life; and the life was the Light of men”. [John 1:4]
   … “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin”. [1 John 1:7]
   … That [Jesus] was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”. [John 1:9]

These, and many other verses, tell us that our Loving Heavenly Father, sent Jesus, His Son, to be the Light of the world. Those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are different from those who have not chosen to follow Jesus. They think, talk, act, and live, differently. As 1 John 1: 7 [see above] says, “we walk in the light as He is in the light”. The only way to change our sin darkened world is to bring that light of Jesus into the hearts of those who are unbelievers and who live in darkness. Please study Matthew 5: 14-16. There Jesus makes a statement about us, His followers. “Ye are the light of the world”. Then Jesus gives us this command, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”.

Because of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit living in you, may the joy, love, peace, glory, and light of Jesus shine through you this week.  AMEN

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $300—Beginning gift for the North Carolina Mission Offering—Disaster Relief, and other mission projects in our state are funded through this offering. Please give . You may give any Sunday in September
5. September 8 and 15
   5-7 pm—Youth and Children meet
   5:30-6;30–Adult Church Training

May Jesus be sunshine in your life and through your life!!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Would you allow me to get up on my soapbox and plead my case one more time?
Think back 2000 years. A little group is gathered in an upper room. In the world’s eyes they are a bunch of “Nobodies”, fishermen, tax collectors, etc. Jesus, their Master, has ascended back into Heaven. He has left them with the awesome task of telling the entire world about Him and the salvation He offers. Think about the obstacles this group faced:
   … Their world was hostile to the Name of Jesus
   …The group was small, approximately 120
   …They had no printed New Testament
   …They had no printing presses, thus no Christian literature
   …There were no Denominational or Mission Board structures
   …No bicycles, motor bikes, cars, buses, trains, or planes
   …No telephone, internet, Facebook, or TV

Yet, something amazing and supernatural happened. It began with 3000 being saved [Acts 2:41]. Then, 5000 more were saved [Acts 4:4]. The Lord was adding daily those who were being saved [Acts 2:47]. Multitudes were healed, even by the shadow of the Apostle Peter [Acts 5:15]. Demons were cast out [Acts 5:16]. The dead were brought to life again {Acts 9:40]. Idol worshipers forsook their idols and witchcraft and followed Jesus [Acts 19:18-20]. Soon, it was said about these followers of Jesus, “They have turned the world upside down” [Acts 17:6]. The good news about Jesus was spread far and wide {Romans 15:20-24].

What made the difference? Choose your preferred term. They were: “Baptized”, “Filled”, “Anointed”, “Saturated”, with the Holy Spirit. The Third Person of the Trinity controlled their lives. The Holy Spirit gave them the power to accomplish the will of God. These early Christians had many disadvantages, but they lived in a demonstrated power. When they came to town, demons trembled and lives were radically changed. Today, we have advantages they never dreamed of having. [Imagine the Apostle Paul with an airplane and a computer and the internet.] However, as I have written earlier, we are missing that key ingredient they had. So many churches seem to have lost the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. They believe “The day of miracles is over”. They have tied the Hands of God in their midst.

All my life I have heard the expression, “I am Southern Baptist because Southern Baptists are the most like the New Testament Church”. How can that be true if we are not living in the manifested power the New Testament Church had? For years, I have also heard the expression, “If the Holy Spirit went back to Heaven, 75% of our Baptist work would go on as usual”. Friends, the work we do in the flesh is “wood, hay, and stubble”. Only the ministry that is Holy Spirit led, and Holy Spirit empowered, is “gold, silver, and precious gems”. [1 Corinthians 3: 10 ff.]

We sing, “Give me that old time religion, It was good enough for Paul and Silas, and It’s good enough for me”. The “Old Time” religion that Paul and Silas had was a power religion. Their religion was a Holy Spirit religion, an earth changing religion. Would they be welcome in your church when they began to heal the sick and cast out demons? When will we not only sing about that “Old Time” religion but begin to believe it and practice it? The world laughs at a religion without power. However, they sit up and take notice when the Living God arrives powerfully on the scene. How long will we play church? How long before we grow tired of the status quo and cry out “Come Holy Spirit, fill us with Your Presence so that we become a real New Testament Church”?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. September 8 and 15
   5-7 pm—Youth and Children meet
   5:30-6:30—Adult Church Training
5. September–Our month to give our NC Missions Offering. Much of this offering goes for Disaster relief. Our gifts make a difference in the lives of so many hurting people
6. Deacons 2024-2025
   Leonard Harvell –Chairman
   Kenny Linker -Vice Chairman
   Lionel Hahn -Secretary

As the old song says, “Lord revive us again”

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

LABOR DAY
A day to celebrate the men and women who make life possible. We honor the farmers who provide our food, the Builders who erect our houses, the Crafts People who create the furniture and decorations for those houses, the Teachers who give us the basic life skills, the Religious Leaders who point us to Jesus, the Law Officers and Fire personnel who protect us, the Medical Professionals who endeavor to keep us strong, and all others who contribute to our way of living. Today, we salute all who engage in honest work.

I mentioned the Farmers. As I did so, I thought of many Bible verses. A quick summary of them goes like this:
   …”Seed time and harvest” [Genesis 8:22]
   …”A time to sow, a time to reap”. [Ecclesiastes 3:2]
   …”The one who doesn’t sow, has nothing to harvest”. [Proverbs 20:4]
   …”Seed may fall on hard soil, rocky soil, thorny soil, or good ground”. [Matthew 13:3]

A good gardener, or farmer knows that if seed is not planted at the proper time, there will be no harvest. Good intentions don’t count. The procrastinator has an empty barn, or pantry, or deep freezer at harvest time. 

The Holy Spirit reminds me that there are spiritual applications to that last thought. 
   …How many parents [who say they are Christians] have small children? They know these children need to be in church learning to know and to follow Jesus. Yet, these parents are careless and choose other activities. Years pass, the children are grown, out on their own, unsaved, and on the road to Hell. No seed sown, no harvest reaped.
   …Often the Holy Spirit speaks to us about inviting someone to church, ministering to a need, or sharing the plan of salvation. We plan to do it. Our heart is in the right place. But, we don’t act. Time passes. That person moves away, develops dementia, or dies, and our opportunity is gone.

How much greater happiness and joy comes to the diligent gardener, farmer, or Christian who plants good seed in good soil, at the proper time. The crops are huge at harvest time.
   …There is great joy to see that family you invited drive into the parking lot.
   …You join the angels in Heaven as they rejoice when someone is saved. Especially when you shared Jesus with that person.
   …It is with great satisfaction to watch boys and girls you have taught grow into responsible, Godly, men and women.
   …It is humbling to see tears and to hear a quiet “Thank You” as you minister to a hurting person. Jesus told us that as we ministered to one of the least of these, we ministered unto Him. [Matthew 25: 40]

When we love Jesus and serve Him, every day can be a day of planting and reaping. This Labor Day be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul, “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord”. [1 Corinthians 15:58] Also be warned by the old song, “Work for the night is coming, when man’s work is over”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. September 8 and 15
   5-7 pm Youth and Children meet
   5:30-6:30 pm- Adult Church Training

May you enjoy a bountiful harvest in the Lord’s fields,

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Homecoming 2024 was a good day in the Lord. Dr. Andy Prince preached a fine message. Our Choir blessed us with their special music. The food tables were full. The food was delicious. Our fellowship with our Christian Brothers and Sisters was sweet. Thank you for making it happen.
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For several weeks now, a certain song has been running through my mind. Day and night, I hear the lyrics. They are with me constantly. But, before I tell you what the song is, let’s talk about some of the realities of life. When we are babies, we never leave the crib unless someone carries us. As toddlers, if we are in a crowd, someone holds our hand to keep us from getting lost. An accident, disease, age, or surgery may cause us to depend upon a cane, crutches, or a walker. At times, we may need the services of a Physical Therapist. Then, there is always the comfort and stability of holding an arm as we walk.

Everything I have written points to the fact that there are times in life when we need some type of assistance. We may proclaim, “I’m a self-made man. I don’t need any help.” When we say that, we are fooling ourselves. No one makes it through life without help. Now, let’s see the lyrics of the song that keeps flowing through my mind:
“Learning to lean
Learning to lean
I’m learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I’ve ever seen
I’m learning to lean on Jesus”

What wisdom there is in those few sentences? It is an admission that throughout life we need help, someone we can trust. It is a recognition that Jesus is the Solid Rock, the One true, strong, unfailing source of strength and power. Whatever our need, guidance, comfort, encouragement, strength, Jesus provides. He will “Never leave us or forsake us”. Satan offers many alternatives: money, fame, family, friends, education, as sources of strength. All will eventually fail us. The wise man or woman is the person who recognizes that Jesus is the only One we can fully trust. The wiser we are, the more we “Learn to lean on Jesus” in every situation in life.

Sometimes, younger folks may have doubts and may not realize the true wisdom of “Learning to lean on Jesus”. Those of you who are like me and who have had multiple birthdays, know that it is Jesus who has led and empowered us every step of the way. So many times over the past 70 years I could not have endured except for being able to lean on Jesus. I am so blessed to know, “Learning to lean on Jesus” is the most wonderful way to live.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at !0:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Sunday August 25
   5-7 pm Youth and Children meet
   5:30-6:30 Adult Church Training
5. Sunday  August 25–Called Church Conference–Add two members to Building and Grounds Committee

Who or What are you leaning on today?

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

At our Church Conference this past week, Mr. Kenny Linker was elected to a three year term as a Deacon. He replaces Mr. Grant Hartsell whose term has ended. We thank Grant for his service and pray for Kenny as he begins to serve.
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We extend our love and sympathy to Rev. Jim and Janice Hopkins upon the death of Janice’s Daughter-in-law, Mrs. Betsy Gibson. We pray that the Lord will surround you with His peace.
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If you are like me, there are times when our powerful, victorious walk with the Lord doesn’t appear to get the results we seek. We aren’t seeing the results the Bible seems to promise. This week, I have been contemplating this thought: Is it because we get tripped up by the “IFS”, “THENS”, and “WHENS”, of Scripture and the possibilities those words convey? 

Think with me: “THEN will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. [2 Chronicles 7:14] As Christians we desire for America to be healed. We pray for a genuine move of God. God implies that it is possible. So, what is the problem? Have we ignored the instructions that come before “THEN”? “If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN”. We only receive the glorious promise when we meet the conditions that precede “THEN”.

Now, consider these verses: “IF, I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes….”. [Malachi 3:10] We all want financial blessings for ourselves, our families, and our church. We plead with the Lord to give us those “windows of Heaven blessings”. Yet, how many want the blessings but ignore the instructions that precede the IF? God tells the people to stop “robbing Him” and then says this “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine House, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, IF…”. Only those who tithe and bring offerings to the Lord can expect the “windows of Heaven blessings”.

Let’s consider another verse: “Thou shalt be saved”. [Romans 10:9] Salvation, a right standing with God, a home in Heaven, is promised. But it is not automatic. Meditate on the IF that precedes the promise, “That IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead”, then salvation is yours.

One more verse to consider: “And ye shall seek Me and find Me….”. [Jeremiah 29:13] It is a promise of a close, intimate fellowship with God. But not everyone has such a walk. Why? Read the remainder of the verse: “WHEN ye shall search for Me with all your heart”. Those who live close to God are those who have an intense, never give up, pursuit of that relationship.

Our Lord is wonderfully clear. He leaves no doubt with anyone who can read. I have only mentioned four of the wonderful promises in the Bible. Meet God’s conditions, receive His blessings. How simple and clear is that?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. LAST MINUTE REMINDER——HOMECOMING IS AUGUST 18

The Lord desires to bless you today

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

I can’t imagine why anyone would want to run for public office. As soon as a person announces that they are a candidate for a certain office, the team for the opposing candidate gets busy. They get out their shovels and start looking for “dirt”. They start with the year you were three years old. You pushed your baby sister down the steps causing her to break her arm. Starting at that point, they try to discover every prejudiced, biased, ugly, hateful, foolish, stupid, crooked, thing you have ever done, said, or written. They put a big clothesline in your front yard, as near to the road as possible. On that clothesline they hang all your “dirty linen”. They are proclaiming to the world and to voters that you are so wicked and unworthy that you should never be considered for public office. Your past disqualifies you. As American citizens we all recognize this concept.

As I thought about what I have written above, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God has a totally different reaction. Let’s meditate upon a few verses:

“If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. [1 John 1:9] 
“As far as the East is from the West, so far hath He [God] removed our transgressions from us “. [Psalm 103: 12]
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more “. [Hebrews 10:17]   A quote from Jeremiah 31:34
God is so good! He is so full of amazing grace. We confess. He forgives. He forgets!!!  Hallelujah!

Then the Lord puts up His own clothesline in our front yard. He hangs our garments on the line as He sees them. They are brilliant, pure white, washed in the Blood of Jesus. Meditate on some other verses as you consider the beautiful garments the Lord displays.

“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” [Isaiah 1:18]

“…that He [God] might present it to Himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle”. [Ephesians 5:27]
“… Christ liveth in me…”. [Galatians 2:20]
” But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory…”. [2 Corinthians 3:18]
” For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”. [2 Corinthians 5:21]

Suppose a stranger walks up, sees those pure white garments, and says, “Surely this individual had some spot or stain in their past”. The Lord smiles and gives them this kindly reply “Maybe, I guess they could have, but if they did some sin I don’t remember it”. God is so good. He isn’t digging up the :dirt” from your past. He has graciously, lovingly, forgiven and forgotten it all. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior that past was washed away by the blood that was shed on the cross. Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. Would this be an appropriate time to leap to our feet, raise our hands, and shout, “Glory to God, Hallelujah, Thank You Jesus”? Start praising now. Get practiced up for Heaven.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. August 11–Called Church Conference
5. HOMECOMING– August 18—Dr. Andy Prince preaching—Mission Strategist for SMBA  Invite others. Fill your picnic basket–Join us for worship and fellowship

Our wonderful Savior hangs out pure white garments

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Do you “Live for the moment”, or do you like to “Plan ahead”?
Many, many, years ago, I had a relative who could not seem to look into his financial future. During the warmer months, Spring, Summer, and Fall, he had a job where he made bucketfuls of money. He had no job during the cold winter months. You would think he would take some of the money from those big paychecks and put it in a “Cookie Jar”, anticipating cold weather. But, it never happened. Year-after-year, he and his family spent carelessly, foolishly, wastefully, extravagantly, when the money was flowing. Consequently, about Christmas each year they were broke, scrambling not to go hungry. He just could not, or would not, provide for the future.

Tragically, there are many just like him. Some never save. They spend everything that comes into their hands. I read of professional athletes who sign contracts for millions of dollars a year. In one year they make more than most of us receive in a lifetime. Yet, five years after they retire, they are broke. It is the same with many who win the Lottery, the Sweepstakes, or who inherit large sums of money.

Others, act as if they are immortal and will live forever. They don’t respect and care for the only body they will ever have. Alcohol, drugs, immorality, and other forms of wild living exact their price. Suddenly, these people are old, their body worn out, long before it should be so decrepit.

However, the saddest, the most tragic of all, are those who make no preparation for eternity, for life after death. Of course, some don’t think there is such a thing as life after death. Others, believe that they are “special”, and that God will make allowances for them, no matter how they live. However, Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment”. If Heaven were automatic, there would be no reason for a “Judgment”. Revelation 20:11 ff. tells of an End Times Great White Throne Judgment. The Bible is clear. At the end of this age as we know it, Believers in Jesus will be separated from non-Believers.

Are you planning for your future? 100 years from now, the only thing that will be important to you is this: Did you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and did you live for Him? Whether we are in Heaven or Hell 100 years from now will be determined by how we answer that question. How careful are you about planning for your future?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. HOMECOMING—Sunday, August 18

Jesus is coming soon—Let’s all be ready

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

CONGRATULATIONS—-IT’S A GIRL
Briar Rose Barbee
Parents–Chris and Winter Barbee
Grandparents—Corwin and Cindy Barbee—-Scott Davis
Great Grandparent–Betty Davis
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As I was reading my New Testament this week, I was reminded of an old hymn. You may have heard me quote that old hymn previously, but it fits with what that Scripture brought to mind, so I will quote the hymn again. The portion that came to mind goes like this:

“I once was an outcast stranger on earth
A sinner by choice and an alien by birth
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown
I’m a child of the King….”

Often, when a person considers becoming a follower of Jesus through salvation, or when a believer considers doing ministry for Jesus, the devil attacks immediately with doubts. He quickly reminds us of our sinful past and tells us how unqualified we are. “God can’t save someone who did what you did. God cannot use you in ministry because of your sinful past. You would be an embarrassment to the Lord’. The devil pours out his lies. If we don’t recognize those lies we can miss the blessing of God.

What Scripture was I reading? The first chapter of Matthew. There we learn of the genealogy, the Family Tree, of King David, and also King Jesus. As we read that list of Jewish men on the Family Tree, we suddenly read that one of them married Rahab. Who was Rahab? She was an idol worshipper, a non-Jew, from Jericho. She was also a prostitute. Later we read about Ruth. She was an idol worshipper from Moab. Also a non-Jewish woman. Two very unqualified women to be in the Family Tree of Jesus. Yet, at some point they came to the place and time where they became believers in the Living Lord God of Israel. That made them qualified, worthy to be ancestors of Jesus.

If the Lord can take these two women with the baggage from their past life and use them, He can save and use you, my Friend. God is a miracle working God. Recognize the devil’s lies, ignore him, and follow Jesus.

The writer of the hymn I quoted describes himself as “a stranger on earth, an outcast, a sinner by choice, an alien by birth”. That sounds like someone sure to be disqualified. BUT, “PRAISE THE LORD”, Jesus changed him. Jesus adopted him into the Family of God. He is now a child of the King. He is now entitled to a “mansion, a robe, and a crown”.

I am so happy that from the beginning of time the Lord has been adopting into His Family the unqualified. Since the Bible teaches that every one of us is a sinner who falls short of the grace of God, then no one, not a single one of us, is qualified for Heaven. But, HALLELUJAH, Jesus died on the cross, shed His blood, to qualify us for adoption into the Family of God. Receive Jesus. Thank Him. Love Him. Follow Him.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, July 26–6-8pm—–Registration and a meal
   Saturday, July 27—9 am-3 pm–Classes [Breakfast and Lunch provided]
   Sunday, July 28—2-5 pm—Water Fun Day and Ice Cream

YOU QUALIFY—SERVE JESUS

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Now that I no longer have a sweet wife at my house to remind me to “Get off the couch and get busy”, I find that my “TO DO” list is divided into two parts. The first part contains all the “MUST DO” items. On the list are such things as: show up at church at the appropriate times, prepare and preach a sermon and teach a Bible study, write a Newsletter, write my tithe check, pay my taxes, get an adequate amount of sleep, etc.

The other part of the “TO DO” list contains the “SHOULD DO” items. I should sweep the floor, mop the kitchen, dust the furniture, wash the sheets, trim that overgrown bush in the backyard etc. These are things that need to be done, but perhaps not immediately. Some days I feel energetic and adopt the philosophy, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today”. I accomplish a lot those days. Other days, I have the exact opposite idea, “Why trouble myself doing it today when it will wait till tomorrow”. After all, no one comes to my house. What does it matter if I wait a day or two to sweep? As a result, some “SHOULD DO” items stay on my list for weeks.

In the light of eternity, I don’t guess it really matters which day I sweep, vacuum, mop, or dust. As long as I am content and the little doggie doesn’t complain, it’s all good. However, in the light of eternity, there are things that do matter. These should never be put off or delayed

1. Make sure that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Some folks plan to get saved “someday”. However, they wait too late, life ends, and they step out into eternity. They find that their final destination is not Heaven. Please don’t make this mistake.
2. Make sure that you have forgiven everyone who has wronged you. It’s not easy, especially if the hurt runs deep, but life is too short to have it consumed with hate, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Those emotions make a person miserable. Forgiveness brings healing.
3. Make sure that you have apologized and sought reconciliation from all those you have wronged. Jesus told us to “leave our gift at the altar and go seek reconciliation.” [Matthew 5:24] Others may, or may not, forgive you, but if you have sought forgiveness in a spirit of humbleness, you have pleased the Lord. He will bless you.
4. Make sure to seek out and to “Thank” the people who have been a special blessing in your life. It may have been kind words, gifts, wise counsel, loving acceptance, instruction in some facet of life, there are so many ways others bless us. If at all possible let these special people know what a blessing they have been. It will brighten their day and your day as well.

When our “TO DO” list finds these four things checked off as “DONE” we find that we are so much happier. We live at peace with ourselves, with others, and with our Lord.. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. July 21–Quarterly Church Conference
5. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, July 26–6-8 pm—Registration and a meal
   Saturday, July 27–9 am -3 pm–Classes [Breakfast and lunch served]
   Sunday, July 28 –2-5 pm–Water Fun Day and Ice Cream

Let’s get busy on our “MUST DO” list

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

The Service this past Sunday night was wonderful. As usual, the Towers Quartet was awesome. The Sanctuary was comfortably full. There was a sweet spirit of joy in the building. We enjoyed fellowship and food after the service. Thanks to all who made it happen.

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The Lord created humans with the capacity to have joy and to laugh. Since we are created in His image I personally believe that the Lord also has a sense of humor and laughs. Over the years I have sensed the Lord laughing when we mortals get puffed up, think we know it all, and make foolish judgments. Let me share a time when I think the Lord laughed.

When I was a teenager, a young man I knew announced that God had called him to preach. The best way to learn to preach is to get into the pulpit and do it. In the kindness of his heart, the Pastor of that church encouraged the young man. About once a month or so, the Pastor allowed the young man to preach at a Sunday night service. Frankly, he was not a good speaker. Eventually, some of the church leaders rebelled. They went to the Pastor and said, “We always support the church. We will be here tonight to hear the young man attempt to preach. But this is the last time. If you ever schedule him again, we will not be here”.

No Pastor wants to hear that his leadership contemplates boycotting services. At that point, I imagine the Lord laughed and said something like this, “So that is the way you guys think? I called the young man into the ministry. I will have the last laugh”. The young man preached that night. When he gave the Invitation three teenagers, 14, 15, and 16 years old, walked the aisle and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.!!!!!  [The church leaders did have the humility and grace to go back to the Pastor and say, “Forget what we said. We will attend”.]

There is an old hymn that I heard often during the first 40 years of my life. Now, it seems like it has been 40 years since I heard a church sing it. The chorus goes like this:
  “Every work for Jesus will be blest
  But He asks from everyone his best
  Our talents may be few
  These may be small
  But unto Him is due, our best, our all”.

That hymn reminds us that we may not be the greatest preacher, teacher, singer, witness, in the universe. But when we do our best in serving the Lord, He uses us. We are blest and we become a blessing to others. The young man mentioned above never became the Pastor of a large church. However, he went on to have a successful, God blessed ministry that lasted 50 years or so. He and I remained special friends until he graduated to Glory a few years ago. Friends, there is great joy in doing our best to serve the Lord and watching Him bless others through our feeble efforts. We saw what Jesus could do with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Imagine what He can do through you, His faithful servant.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, July 26–6-8 pm.  Registration and a meal
   Saturday, July 27–9 am – 3 pm–Classes [Breakfast and lunch provided]
   Sunday, July 28–2-5 pm –  Water Fun Day and Ice Cream

Your best pleases God

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

A few weeks ago we celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-day.  It was one of the most important battles of WW2 and perhaps in the history of mankind. I had relatives who were in the military at that time, but no one ever mentioned where they were stationed on that day. My Mom had a sister, Alice, who was an Army Nurse. I was told recently that Alice served on the planes that transported the recovering wounded from Europe back to the States. I can only imagine the pain, suffering, and misery she saw on those flights.

In a week, we will celebrate July 4. We will remember those brave Patriots who fought to secure our freedom from England. Only the most hard-hearted can read of the conditions General George Washington’s troops endured that winter at Valley Forge and not weep.

Some of you have served in the military. Others of us have family, friends, and classmates, who served. Those who served honorably are our heroes. They served, and some died, that we might enjoy the freedom we now have. Let’s remember their service and be thankful.

The United States is not perfect. There are many ills in our nation. It is so easy to gripe and complain. But, as Christians, what are we doing to improve our country? Serving where we can make positive changes, voting under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, repenting of our own sins, and praying for the Lord’s intervention, are good places to start. Despite our faults, be reminded of this: Those on our Southern Border are attempting to “enter” the USA, not “exit” it. These people know we have it good compared to their countries of origin.

I love history. I always wanted to make a trip to Normandy to see those D-day sites. [Now that Pamela cannot go with me, the trip would no longer be enjoyable.] Each time I see images of the acres of white crosses in the Normandy cemeteries, my heart is deeply stirred. I weep for those men who never came home. At the same time, I am thankful for their sacrifice. 

At Normandy, and at battlefields around the world, there are many crosses. 2000 years ago, outside of Jerusalem, there were only 3 crosses. The center cross was the most important in the history of mankind.  On that cross, Jesus Christ, the Sinless Son of God, died. He died to provide your freedom and mine. What a glorious freedom it is: freedom from sin, freedom from the devil’s control, freedom to live a Godly life, freedom to enjoy the peace, love, and forgiveness of God, both now and for all eternity. HALLELUJAH! Spend some time meditating upon this verse: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed”. [John 8:36]

This week, you have two reasons to celebrate:
    1. Your freedom as an American
    2. Your freedom as a “blood bought” child of God 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. NO Prayer and Bible Study this week due to the holidays
4. Sunday, June 30–6:00 pm
   The Towers in concert–Celebrating the birth of our nation
   Fellowship after the service–The church will provide hot dogs and the “fixings”. We ask you to bring finger foods and desserts
5. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, July 26—–6-8 pm———Registration and a meal
   Saturday, July 27——9 am-3pm—-Classes–Breakfast and lunch provided
   Sunday, July 28—2-5 pm–Water Fun Day and Ice Cream

Free Indeed—Because of Jesus

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

We want to thank the Ladies from Barbee’s Grove for the coffee, donuts, gifts, and kind words this past Sunday. You made Fathers’ Day special for all of the men. THANK YOU

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It may be a greenhouse owner, patiently placing one seed at a time in a pod of planting soil. It could be a lover of beauty throwing seed in a flower garden. Perhaps it is a gardener in his backyard, dropping vegetable seeds in a row he has plowed. Or, it could be a big-time farmer driving his massive tractor pulling a planter that puts many rows of seeds in the ground on every pass through the field. All are expecting a harvest.

Now, think of your own, individual life. Presumably, you married into your present family because you were “in love”. You have chosen to work at a certain job. You live in the house you chose and in that specific community. You made these choices. You may, or may not, have felt the Lord leading in these choices. However, He did not force these choices upon you.

Since you have made these choices, do you think there may have been a purpose for them?. Recently, I was reading 1 Peter 1:1 in the Passion Translation and read this :”From Peter, an Apostle of Jesus the Anointed One, to the chosen ones who have been scattered abroad like ‘seed’ into the nations….”. Peter believed that Believers were “seed” scattered into various places around the world. Indeed, every Believer is a “seed” in the Kingdom of God. A few years ago, the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted” was popular. There is no need to be “pushy” or “obnoxious”, but a quiet, steady, loving witness for Jesus can make a tremendous impact on family and community. Do folks observe us and say, “There is a man [or woman] of God?

Some of you are in places where the soil is fertile. Good spiritual harvests come quickly. Others have much slower harvests. Your field may only yield a 30-fold harvest. Be thankful and do not be envious of the one with the 60-fold harvest. The Lord rewards on the basis of faithfulness, not on the size of the harvest. Also remember, it may take years for a harvest to come. Plant a peach seed. It germinates and forms a little sprout. Years later there is a peach bearing tree. A few years ago, I preached a Homecoming at one of my former churches. A lady walked up to me and said, “You visited me and invited me to church for 9 years. I never came. Now I never miss”. 9 years of planting and watering, but finally, a harvest.

Can you imagine the impact upon our world if every Believer saw himself or herself as a seed and “Bloomed where they were planted”?  Think of Christians, living like Jesus, loving like Jesus, walking in power like Jesus. Our world would never be the same again. You are only one seed, but you can show the beauty of Jesus where you are planted. Let’s do it!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Sunday, June 23
   5-7 Children and Youth meet
   5:30-6:30 Adult Church Training
   6:30 Choir Practice
5. Sunday, June 30–Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
6. Sunday, June 30–6:00 pm
   The Towers in Concert—Celebrating our nation’s birth
   Fellowship after the service. The church will provide Hot Dogs and “fixings”. We ask you to bring finger foods and desserts
7. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   Friday, July 26, 6-8 pm – Registration and a meal
   Saturday, July 27, 9 am-3 pm – Classes—-Breakfast and Lunch provided
   Sunday, July 28, 2-5 pm—Water Fun Day and Ice Cream
   Please attend and bring others with you!!!!

The Harvest is on its way

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church 

This past Sunday [6-9-24] was a wonderful time at Barbee’s Grove. The building was full, there were many visitors, and a sweet presence of the Lord. We honored our graduates, Michael Barbee and Christopher Barbee. There was also a Baby Dedication Service for two precious girls–Austyn Sage Hartsell [daughter of Grant and Erin Hartsell] and Whitley Christene Triplett [daughter of Aaron and Hannah Triplett]. May God’s blessings rest upon each of these.

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Most of you know that a few weeks ago I attended a Bible Conference in Oklahoma. It was a joy to spend time with some really dear friends. A special joy and blessing was spending time with my granddaughter, Hannah. She attends college in Tulsa. Hannah had brought me a very special gift from Australia, a quilt. Let me explain. Before our daughter, Sarah, and her family went to Australia as missionaries, and while we still lived in Oklahoma, Pamela and Sarah took a quilting class. They each made a quilt, one perfect for reading or watching TV. You can guess what happened next. I began to tease Pamela, “Where is my quilt? I am taller than you so make mine 2 feet longer”.

Soon thereafter, Pamela was hired as a full-time elementary school teacher and Sarah and family moved to the mission field. I still teased once or twice a year, but basically gave up the idea of having my own quilt. After Pamela went to Heaven, I knew getting my own quilt was no longer possible. I also knew that I would not be doing any sewing. So, I gave Pamela’s sewing machine and all her sewing supplies to Sarah and her girls.

As they were sorting through those sewing supplies, they found a quilt that Pamela had started for me. They did not tell me. Instead, they sneaked the quilt into their Australia luggage. When they got home, Sarah, Hannah, and Maggie finished the quilt that Pamela had started for me. Hannah brought it back to me. What an awesome, wonderful surprise.

Pamela, Sarah, Hannah, and Maggie, 4 of my favorite ladies, all had a hand in my receiving that quilt. Can you imagine the love I feel when I am wrapped in that quilt? It is a treasure, a gift of love.

It is wonderful to have a special treasure. It is even more wonderful to be a special treasure!! Do you realize how special you are to the Lord? You are greatly treasured. He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that you can go to Heaven [John 3:16] Think of it, God wants you to be with Him for all eternity. Wonder of wonders, Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. God loves us even before we love Him.

Now, meditate upon Malachi 3:16,17. “Then they that feared the Lord spoke often to one another, and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, sayeth the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them….”.

As God’s child you are one of His special, precious jewels. You are more valuable to the Lord than all the Crown Jewels of England. That is a reason to shout, “Glory, Hallelujah”. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. June 30–6:00 pm – The Towers in concert. Please bring finger foods for the fellowship time which will follow the service
5. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   6-8 pm–Friday, July 26–Registration and a meal
   9 am-3pm -Saturday, July 27, Classes–Breakfast and lunch provided
   2-5 pm–Sunday, July 28–Water Fun Day and Ice Cream Party
   PLAN TO ATTEND AND INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN YOU

You may not think yourself valuable. God sees you as a precious gem

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

It is amazing. I sit down on a Saturday afternoon to watch a sports event on television. By the time the event is over I have learned about 6 new medicines. Never heard of these medicines before, nor have I heard of the diseases that they are designed to treat. It makes me wonder, “Are doctors and drug companies inventing diseases and drugs in order to increase profits?”

Of course, all of these drugs have side effects. Many of them list stroke, heart attack, and death as possible side effects. Interspersed with the ads for these new drugs, are advertisements from lawyers. They are wanting to sue on your behalf if you, or a loved one, was harmed or died as the result of that drug that was popular and highly advertised 10 years ago. These lawyers promise to collect thousands of dollars on your behalf. Popular medicine today, subject of a lawsuit 10 years from now.  It might all be funny, if it was not so tragic.

BUT, WHAT IF, you saw an advertisement for a medical remedy that had a tendency to lower blood pressure, cause less stress, give greater immunity to disease, make you happier, healthier, and enable you to live longer. Best of all, there were no known side effects. What would you be willing to pay for such a remedy? Would you be surprised if I told you that you could have all these beneficial health benefits and pay nothing unless you wanted to pay?

“Pastor, I beg you, please tell me where I can get that medical marvel?” Simple, GO TO CHURCH REGULARLY!!!! A study by a major University in the United States discovered that people who attended church regularly had all these health benefits [lower blood pressure, less stress, better health, longer life, more happiness, and greater immunity to disease]. The study showed that those who attended church regularly had health benefits similar to non-smokers. Those who did not attend church had health similar to those who smoked.

I assume those benefits came to those who attended a normal, Bible believing, loving church and not one of those toxic churches. Also, churches encourage you to tithe and to give, but no one is at the door, charging you to enter.
Physical health benefits of regular church attendance are wonderful. More important are the eternal spiritual benefits. Church attenders are more likely to believe in Jesus and go to Heaven. Consider these Scriptures:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord’. Psalm 122:1
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”.Hebrews 10:25
“…and as His [Jesus] custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day… “. Luke 4:16
Barbee’s Grove, and your own church, offer free health benefits every Sunday! Take a good dose this week!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. June 30–6:00 pm—The Towers in concert–Finger food fellowship after the service
5. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
   6:00-8:00 pm–Friday, July 26–Registration and a meal
   9:00 am-3:00 pm–Saturday, July 27–Classes-Breakfast and lunch provided
   2:00-5:00 pm–Sunday, July 28–Water Fun Day and Ice Cream Party
   PLAN TO ATTEND AND INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN YOU

May you grow healthier, wealthier, and wiser,

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

When you think of the moment a Christian enters Heaven, what picture comes to mind? It may be you, or someone you love, stepping through that Gate of Pearl. What do you imagine?. In many of our conversations and in many of our funeral sermons, this is what we describe. We are greeted by a crowd of loved ones—spouse, parents, children, brothers and sisters, etc. There is hugging and joy. Jesus joins the group and the joy increases. Then, the group strolls down the street to that mansion that has been prepared.

This past Sunday, May 26, would have been the 57th wedding anniversary for Pamela and me. I miss her greatly, but I am so thankful for the 55 and a half beautiful years we had as husband and wife.

Since the moment Pamela passed into glory I have had a mental picture of that event. It is a mental picture that has some of our usual thoughts, but with a slightly different twist. I think I have this picture because of the person I knew Pamela to be. Pamela was, and is, a worshipper. When she was in a charismatic church, she enthusiastically joined the other worshippers. If she was in a “half dead” Baptist Church, she still worshipped. She did not care if the more “frozen” members thought she was “out of Order”. She loved Jesus and was not ashamed to show it. In addition, she turned our home into a place of worship. Prayer, worship, praise, praise music happened often.

That is why I picture Pamela’s entrance into Heaven as being slightly different. This is how I see it. She would not have been hasty or rude, but I see her giving that crowd of relatives and friends a “high five”, a quick loving hug, some loving words, and then I see her sprinting down that golden street to God’s Throne Room. I can hear her saying, “I worshipped Jesus as an earthling for 70 years. Now I get to worship Him fully, completely, face-to-face with my Heavenly body. This is the moment I have been longing to experience! The location of her mansion would not have been nearly as important to her as worshipping Jesus. She joined that Heavenly choir as they sang “Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever”. [Revelation 5:13].

Friends, are you a worshipper? Meditate upon this: “How beautiful it is when we sing our praises to the Beautiful God, for praise makes you lovely before Him and brings Him great delight”. [Psalm 147:1 TPT]Streets of gold, no tears, mansions, reunion with loved ones, make Heaven a wonderful place. However, it is the glorious presence of Jesus, the Lamb of God , who died to take away our sin and to open the access door to Heaven that will be the best part of our eternal life.

If you are a Believer, be thankful and live daily a life of worship. Anticipate the glory of Heaven and of worshipping the Lord there. If you are not a Believer, please don’t miss Heaven. I plead with you to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior today. You will be glad you made that decision.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9 00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. June 2
   5-7 pm  Youth and Children
   5:30-6:30 pm   Adult Church Training
5. June 9
   Graduate Recognition
   Baby Dedication
6. June 30- 6:00 pm   Towers leading in worship
7. June 2–11:10 am  Church Council
   June 5 -7:30 pm  Deacons Meet

Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

It is a scene from a Romance Novel or a Hallmark movie. The handsome man kneels at the feet of the beautiful lady. He holds out a diamond ring and says, “I love you, will you marry me?” Of course, she says, “Yes”. In the novel and the movies “they live happily ever after”. In real life sometimes there is a “happily ever after” and sometimes there is a “unhappy, miserable Divorce Court”.

Personally, I was blessed with a “happily ever after till death doth us part” marriage. Even after 50 plus years of marriage. When Pamela walked into a room, my heart “skipped a beat” and a smile appeared on my face. I think it was the same with Pamela when I walked into the room where she was. If you are in a “happily ever after” relationship, celebrate your spouse and be thankful to the Lord. If you are relatively new in marriage make the Lord Number One and allow Him to create that “happily ever after”. No matter what your marital status is, married, divorced, single, widow, widower, the Lord desires to bless you and to be very near to you.

This week, I am thinking of a similar, but different relationship that will be “happily ever after”. Over 70 years ago, when I was an 8 year old boy, Jesus [symbolically] got down on His knees in front of me and said, “Ed, I love you and I invite you to be in my family. Say “Yes”, and “I will never leave you nor forsake you” [John 14:18] and I will build you an eternal mansion [John 14:1-3]. Jesus offered me no diamond. but I could see by the nail scars in His hands and feet, that His love for me was real.

I am so blessed that I said, “Yes”, to that proposal Jesus made that day. For more than 70 years Jesus has been faithful to love me and to meet my needs. It is amazing, but after all these years, my heart still “Skips a beat”, and my face lights up when Jesus walks into the room. I may be reading my Bible, listening to a sermon, worshipping with music, or, sometimes, “Just out of the blue”, I am aware of the sweet presence of Jesus. OH, what joy those moments are!!!

I also realize that this is more than a “Till death doth us part” relationship. Indeed, after death our relationship will be purer, sweeter, face-to-face. [1 Corinthians 13:12]

I know that most of you reading this Newsletter understand exactly what I am saying. You received that proposal from Jesus and you also entered into a relationship with Him. You are living that life of joy and are anticipating that Face-to-face moment. Join me today in saying, “I love You Jesus. Thank You for including me in Your eternal family.”

However, perhaps there is a person reading this who knows, “I am not a member of God’s eternal family”. You can be. Look down. Jesus is kneeling at your feet. Nail scarred hands are reaching out to you in love. Jesus is saying, “I died to pay your sin-debt. Please accept Me as your Lord and Savior”. If you will believe in Jesus and proclaim Him as your personal Lord and Savior, your life will change like my life changed over 70 years ago. Then, find a good Bible believing, Gospel preaching church to attend and they will rejoice with you when you share your salvation experience.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. May 26 and June 2
   5-7 pm Youth and Children
   5:30-6:30 pm Adult Church Training
5. June 9  Morning Service
   Graduate Recognition
   Baby Dedication
6. June 30  Evening Service
   The Towers singing as they lead us in worship and in celebrating our nation’s birth

What a joy to be in the family with Jesus,

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

As long as I am being controversial, I might as well go for two in a row. Again, I say, these are my own personal opinions and beliefs and do not necessarily represent Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church or its members. I was cutting a cantaloupe recently and had this thought, “I really believe that God wants His people to prosper”. [More about the cantaloupe later.]

Mention a Gospel where God wants His people to prosper and watch eyebrows rise and heads shake in some Christian circles. There is one group that seems to believe that the Lord wants His people to be poor and sick in order that they will be humble and spiritual. Look at all the poverty worldwide. If that group is correct, the world should be full of spiritual giants. It’s not happening, is it? Another group seems to imply that if we had enough faith we could all be multimillionaires and live in luxury. That doesn’t seem to be right either.

Personally, I believe there is a middle ground. It is a middle ground that includes prosperity plus spirituality. I believe that the Lord does want us to prosper. I believe He built prosperity into the very nature of the world He created. What did the Lord tell Adam and Eve, “Reproduce yourselves”? No! The Lord said, “Be fruitful and multiply”. [Genesis 1:28] Let’s examine some other verses. In Exodus 3:8 the Lord promises to take Israel to a “land flowing with milk and honey”. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is He that gives you the power to get wealth”.

Now, let’s get back to that cantaloupe. I cut it in half and needed a spoon to scoop out all the seeds. I did not count, but there seemed to be a hundred or more seeds. Suppose I planted all those seeds. Hundreds of cantaloupes would result. Then, suppose I planted all the seeds from that harvest. In a few years I could cover all the farmland in the county with cantaloupes. If the Lord did not want us to prosper, why not limit the number of seeds in each melon to two or three? Fruits like peaches only have one seed. However, each seed produces a tree which can have bushels of peaches. Plant all the seeds from each harvest and soon your orchard will cover the county. Is that not prosperity built into Creation?

It is not a question of “How much can I pile up?” The question is “What do I do with what I have?. Many of our heroes of faith were very prosperous [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David, Solomon, etc.] How did they use that prosperity? Abraham “paid tithes to the Priest, Melchizedek”. [Hebrews 7]. David used his vast wealth to provide the funds so that his son Solomon could erect that magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. [ 1 Chronicles 29] The person Jesus criticized was the man who prospered, but did not think of God or others. Instead he planned to tear down his barns and build even bigger storage areas so that he could selfishly hoard his great harvest. [Luke 12:16-21]

3 John 2 states, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.” The Lord wants us to prosper financially, physically, and spiritually. That is the balanced middle ground I mentioned. A prosperous soul spiritually will be able to handle financial prosperity to the glory of God. Remember Deuteronomy 8:18? God gives us “the power to get wealth”. Another part of that verse tells us why, “To establish His Covenant”. GOD BLESSES US IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT BUILD HIS KINGDOM. No matter how much we are blessed, our goal should always be, “How can I help build the Kingdom of God?’ Personally, I have nice vehicles, clothes, house, but to me they are no big deal. [The last article of clothing I bought came from a Salvation Army Thrift Store. I can afford Belk’s, but I have better things to do with my money] My greatest joy each month is when I sit down, write my tithe check to Barbee’s Grove, and then write other checks to Ministries that are reaching people for Jesus.

Remember, prosperity looks different in various places of  the World. An American Pastor usually needs a car to fulfill his responsibilities. In other parts of the world, a prosperous Pastor is one who owns a bicycle. In some places, a prosperous church is one that has a metal roof instead of palm leaves. Probably would not work in the United States!!!

I encourage you to cooperate with the Lord’s creation. Learn to plant good seed in good, productive soil. Plant love, kindness, forgiveness, precious words about Jesus, and finances at every opportunity. Watch the Lord bring an abundant harvest into your life. The more He blesses, the more you can keep planting. [The more cantaloupes you harvest, the more seeds you have to plant.] A soul that is prospering spiritually will know when, where, what, and how much, to plant in every field.

HAPPY PLANTING AND HAPPY HARVESTING

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. May 26 and June 2
   5-7 pm Children and Youth
   5:30-6:30 pm Adult Church Training

The Lord loves a cheerful giver

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Please note the heading above. What you are about to read is my own personal opinion and belief. It does not reflect the official belief of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church, its Deacons, or its members. This week I feel really led of the Lord to write a strong word of prophecy. It will not be popular with many in our denomination. I totally realize that prophets often get “stoned”.  So, if you want to throw any rocks, throw them at me, and not at Barbee’s Grove or any of its members.

Why do I believe that I have a strong word from the Lord? It is because of the condition of our denominational churches [Baptists, Methodists, etc.] Over the past 50 years I have heard the cries of alarm: “Half of our churches are in decline. 7 out of 10 are in decline,” and the last number I read, “9 out of 10 are in decline”. We have lamented the decline and saw churches dying for years. We have tried various methods to “revitalize” those dying churches. Yet, the situation gets worse every year. Why? Because we will not acknowledge that faulty theology is the real reason for our problem.

Many of these churches will die quickly. Others will have a slow death as older members pass into Glory, the uncommitted cease attending, and the youth stay away as soon as their parents stop forcing them to attend. Some of these dying churches will combine with other dying churches. That will slow the death rate, but because of the spiritual sickness inherent in these churches, death is still sure to come. In order to maintain growth, some churches will become religious “Entertainment Centers”. Each week they will forsake the Gospel and put on a religious performance to draw a crowd. Sadly, we see other churches and denominations forsake the life changing Gospel. Christian Churches have always said, “No matter what your spiritual condition is, you are welcome. Come, let Jesus save you, and let His power transform you from sinner to saint”. Now they are saying, “Immoral, unGodly, agnostic, atheist, come on in. You do not need to change. God will take you to Heaven in your sinful, unbelieving condition”. In my opinion, that message would be a shock to the Apostle Paul [See Romans 1:16-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-15]

All the time, we are ignoring the real reason for our spiritual decline. Indeed, we celebrate the reason with Biblical “proof texts”. We are seeing the fulfillment of End Times Prophecy. Churches have become 2 Timothy 3:5 churches, “Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof”. Over the years, we have become so worldly, so carnal, so full of doubt and unbelief, that we have no spiritual power. We have “church” but God seldom shows up. In order to cover up our lack of power and in order to save ourselves the embarrassment of being spiritually weak, we have begun to explain it away by saying, “The Day of Miracles is Over. God no longer does miracles like He did in Bible days”. [Please don’t call me, or write me, quoting verses. I was taught them. I know them. I believed them, but not anymore.]

We are like a group sitting around an unlit fire pit. It’s cold and snowing. Everyone is shivering. Someone says, “I heard that once there was something called FIRE that helped in times like these”. Another person replies, “It may happen once in a while, but is not to be expected. The Day of FIRE is over. God doesn’t usually send FIRE anymore. We must sit here, covered in snow until we eventually freeze to death”.

What if we study some other Bible verses? Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever”. Unless that verse is a lie, Jesus still does miracles just like He did 2000 years ago. Mark 16:14-20 promises all types of miraculous power in the lives of “Them that Believe”. There is no time limit or “Expiration Date” for “Them that Believe”. Hebrews 8:6 says that New Testament Believers have a “better covenant” with “better promises” than the Old Testament Saints had. The Old Testament is filled with miracles. If our New Testament Covenant is “better” we should experience greater and more miracles in our day. In John 14:12, Jesus Himself promised [to those who believe on HIm] “They shall do the works that I do and greater works because I go to My Father”. To me, It does not sound like Jesus expected the Day of Miracles to end before His Return.

We can have a pile of wood as big as a football field. But if there is no flame, there is no warmth. Friends, here is my prophetic word. We can attempt to “revitalize” our churches and continue to watch them die, or we can choose to believe in the God of the Bible, the miracle working God. We can stop making excuses and repent of our unbelief. When we begin to have true Bible faith the God of the Bible will appear in our midst. Dead and dying churches will come alive and will burst forth with God-given New Testament power and growth. May it be so!!!!

Unbelievers look at many of our churches and see them as glorified civic clubs. They aren’t interested. But when true believing faith brings God powerfully on the scene, and miracles happen, unbelievers always show up. Many of them soon desire to know personally that powerful Lord Jesus.
Call me a heretic if you wish. That is your choice. But I am tired of making excuses for a dying church. I choose to be a “Believer” and not a “Doubter”. Anyone interested in joining me?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12;30 PM
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. May 5 
   5-7 Youth and Children
   5:30-6:30 Adult Church Training
5. $ 1100 Final amount given for the Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive
   $ 2020 Final total for Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions
    THANK YOU FOR CARING AND GIVING  

Love in Jesus, our Lord

Rev. Ed Lowder    

We welcome Mrs. Hanna Triplett into the Barbee’s Grove membership through the transfer of her church letter. Pray for her and her family as they join us in serving the Lord at Barbee’s Grove.

*************************

Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you”. [John 15:12] The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle John to write, [1 John 3:17, 18] “But whoso hath this world’s goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth”. Then, think of how the Believers met the needs of fellow Believers in the Book of Acts. [Acts 4:34-37]

Genuine Christianity leads to loving acts of ministry. May I share with you how this service is being demonstrated by  a Sunday School Class in one of our NC Baptist churches? I am acquainted with this church and know some of the class members.

The class became aware of a new younger couple in the community. The couple had several children, some with medical needs. The class began their ministry by taking meals to this family. They did it often. Class members soon realized that taking meals was not enough. As a result, when they dropped off a meal they would go in and do other acts of service. Some of that help involved working with the children, feeding them, holding them, etc. Children were being showered with love. It has now reached the point that, when these “Adoptive Grandparents” enter the house, the kids reach out their arms, wanting to be held. This family is being reached by the love of Jesus.

However, this ministry has continued to grow. The class realized that this young family also had financial needs because of the medical issues.Therefore, some of the class members had a discussion and made this commitment: For a year, the class would cover some of those financial needs. Each week, those who have made that commitment, hand their love gifts to class leaders, who then pass that money on to the family.

The meals, the child care, the love continues. Financial needs are met. Friends, that is Christian love at its finest, its best, its purest, its most Christ honoring. Is there someone you know with a need you can meet? If you cannot meet that need alone, do you have a friend, or friends, or a class, or a church that can join you in meeting that need? The world has many hurting people who need not only to hear about the love of Jesus, but who need to see the followers of Jesus putting that love into action. You and I are those followers.

As the little chorus says”
‘They will know we are Christians by our love
Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 800–New total for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive
5. April 28 and May 5
   5-7 pm–children and Youth activities
   5:30–6:30 pm–Adult Church Training

To whom can you show the love of Jesus this week?

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

What a joy it was to baptize Hudson Snider this past Sunday. Pray for him as he becomes the newest member of Barbee’s Grove.
***************
Jesus said, “Suffer the little children and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”. [Matthew 19:14] As I was driving home last week, still basking in the warm glow of the Baptismal Service, I began to think. I thought of how much the Lord loves children, and of how often He uses children to minister for Him. First, I thought of some Bible examples. Samuel was a small boy when the Lord began to speak to him and through him. [1 Samuel 3:1-21] A little maid, a captured Israelite girl, ministered to her Master, Naaman, and enabled him to be healed of leprosy. [2 Kings 5: 1ff] Jesus Himself, at age 12, astonished the exalted religious leaders at the Temple with His knowledge and wisdom. [Luke 2: 46-52]

Then the Lord turned my thoughts to some modern examples of His work in the lives of children. I remembered a 5 year old girl. Her parents sat her down and explained that the Lord was leading their family to leave the USA and to move to a foreign country as missionaries. Did the child cry, and whine, saying she didn’t want to go? No. Instead she said, “Oh goody, I have wanted to be a missionary all my life”. Even at 5 she had a heart for Jesus and for others. That same little 5 year old came home from school one day and said, “Mama, I know we aren’t supposed to talk when we are in line at school. But today, I talked, and my friend became a Christian”.  I know of another 8-10 year old girl. She invited her girl classmates to her house for “sleepovers’. She led several of these to Jesus. Then, she would take her allowance money and buy them a Bible. In another Church Newsletter I read about a 9 year old boy. “He never misses Prayer Meeting [he had to walk there by himself], he has read all the age appropriate books in the Church Library, and he may become another Billy Graham”. He never preached great crusades like Billy Graham, but he did grow up to become a full time Pastor. Then, who can forget the message of our last 2 Newsletters? A 19 year old girl changed thousands of lives because she insisted that an unsaved classmate go with her to a James Robison Crusade.

Friends, Children are God’s precious gifts to us. As they are given love, guidance, Bible training at home, and as they receive that same love, guidance and Bible training from Godly church leaders, these children can be like Jesus, who, “Increased in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.” [luke 2:52]

Oh, by the way, God is an Equal Employment Opportunity God. Not only does He use children and young people in His ministry, He also calls older people to His service. Abraham was 75, Moses was 80, and the Apostle John was around 90 when he wrote the Book of Revelation. We never get too old to serve the Lord. The Bible lists no retirement age for Christians. Paul’s testimony was this, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. [2 Timothy 4:7] Paul ran all the way to the Finish Line. May we do the same. That is my goal. I pray that it is your goal as well.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $300–Amount given for the NC Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive. You may continue to give
5. April 28 and May 5
           5–7 pm–Children and Youth activities
           5:30–6:30 pm—Adult Church Training

Keep running toward the Finish Line

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

“”…whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report; if there be any virtue, think on these things.” [Philippians 4:8] Let this verse be on your mind as you read the following testimony. Several years ago, I heard the Pastor of a rather large church give his personal testimony. He said that his family never attended church when he was a child. His Mom and Dad had a lifestyle of drinking, gambling, with lots of vulgarity and profanity. That atmosphere surrounded him daily.

This Pastor stated that he returned home after his first year in college. A female high school classmate saw him and began “bugging” him [in a nice way] to attend a James Robison Crusade with her. He did not want to go, so he hid. The classmate chased him down. Reluctantly, he went with her to the Crusade. That night, the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart. He went forward during the invitation time. The Crusade was held in a baseball stadium. He related, that about the First Base marker, a Baptist Deacon explained the plan of salvation and that he was saved.[Born again]

The Pastor said that on the way home, the devil began to assail him with doubts. “It was all emotional. You didn’t really get saved”, etc. With these doubts in his mind he walked home. It was about Midnight. As he walked onto the porch, there sat his parents and their buddies. As usual, they were drinking and cursing loudly. Suddenly, a revelation hit the young man. He stated that for the first time in his entire life, what he was seeing and hearing “felt dirty to him”.

Jesus had given this young man a new heart, a clean, pure heart. That new heart immediately recognized that which was impure, unGodly, and evil. He testified that at that moment he knew the devil was lying to him and that indeed he was a truly saved, changed man.

Friends, our reaction to vulgarity, immorality, impurity, and evil, tells us a lot about ourselves. 1] Are we truly saved? 2] Are we saved, but backslidden? 3] Are we walking close to Jesus? It is very simple to give ourselves a checkup. What type of books do we read? What movies and programs do we watch? What are our music preferences? How do our friends speak and act? If we can hang around where profanity is rampant, women are not fully clothed, words are unGodly, we have a problem. If the Holy Spirit lives within us, He will be grieved by unGodliness. We need to ask, “Am I really saved?” “Am I satisfied to be backslidden?” “Is the Lord pleased with me?” Truly saved individuals will flee filth, and will automatically seek the purity and holiness of the Lord.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 pm—Next Children and Youth meeting
5. Sunday, April 7–5:30 pm—Church Training
6. Sunday, April 14–Baptismal Service
7. $ 1180–Final total for Annie Armstrong Home Mission Offering
8. April—NC Baptist Children Homes Spring Food Drive. If you give money, put “Food Drive” on the envelope. If you bring food or other items, please be sure they are not out of date. These items need to be at the church by Sunday April 21 in order to get them to the pick-up site.
9. THANK YOU-THANK YOU
   1. To all who came and made Easter one of our highest attended services since before Covid
   2. To the Choir–You did an awesome job and blessed each of us
   3. To the men who came so early in the morning and prepared the delicious Easter Breakfast
   All of you made this Easter a special day in the life of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church
10. April 7–7:00 pm -Choir Practice

What a wonderful, glorious Savior we serve

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

Our daughter, Sarah, and our son-in-law, Brian both graduated from Oral Roberts University. Both, also, have advanced degrees from Oklahoma State University. The featured speaker at their ORU Graduation was a United States Congressman. During his speech, he told a story that was so bizarre that it troubles me all these years later.

The Congressman said that one day he was in our nation’s Capital and was introduced to a King from another nation. He noticed that among the King’s entourage, there was a man who did not seem to fit with all the other dignitaries. He asked about that man and was told, “That is the designated Heart Donor”. The explanation went like this. The King is too important to our nation and we can’t let him die. The nation has been searched and this man’s heart is medically compatible with the King’s heart. The King travels with a skilled heart surgeon. If the King suddenly needs a new heart, the transplant can begin as soon as an Operating Room is available. I often wonder, did the Heart Donor volunteer for the position because he loved the king, or was he forced into that role?

I am sure that very concept troubles you, just like it troubles me. But, yet, is that not the message of the Cross and of Easter? We, as human beings have bad hearts and need a heart transplant.
   …”The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” [Jeremiah 17:9]
   …”Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”. [Romans 1:21]

While we were lost sinners, with dark, evil hearts, Jesus, voluntarily, out of love for us, became a man. He did this so that He could take our place, die for our sins. On the Cross, Jesus made it possible for us to have new hearts, and enable us to enter into Heaven. Praise God for the new hearts Jesus gives us.
   …”Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience….” [Hebrews 10:22]
   …”And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within you, and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh”. [Ezekiel 11:19]

Jesus is your Designated Heart Donor. He gives you a new, God-like heart. With the heart Jesus gives, you become a member of the family of the King of Kings. I pray that every person reading this has received new life, eternal life, from Jesus Oh, how we praise Jesus for His great love for us!!!!!!!!!!!!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am [NO SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER SUNDAY]
2. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
3. April 14–Baptismal Service
4. $ 1120 is the latest total for the Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions. Easter is our last Sunday to give.
5. Easter Schedule
       5:30–Cooks arrive
       7:00 –Sunrise Service
       7:30 –Breakfast
       8:30 –Morning Worship–Communion

Let’s celebrate our Risen Lord Jesus this week, and every week

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

I was reading in Psalms this week and realized that throughout the ages of time, when men experienced difficult situations, they asked the question: “Why doesn’t God do something”? Many believe that God is ALL KNOWING and ALL POWERFUL. Thus, God knows everything that is happening in the universe. God also has the power to alter anything that is happening. Yet, we hope, dream, cry, and pray, and nothing changes. As a result, some become angry and turn away from God. Others, keep trusting, but live with disappointment. Today, let’s explore the question, “Why doesn’t God do something”?

One answer is this—-God has eternal purposes that we don’t understand at this time. For example, when Jesus hung on that cross, I can imagine that His mother, the disciples, and other followers, thought, “Why doesn’t God do something [intervene]”? Only later did they understand that the cross was God’s way of dealing with sin and offering us salvation. It is a fact of life, there will always be situations that we will not understand until later in life, or perhaps not till we get to Heaven.

There are at least 3 Biblical reasons keeping God from intervening in certain situations. Psalm 78:41 says that because of Israel’s actions they “limited the Holy One of Israel. Their actions short circuited God’s power. They “tied God’s Hands”. Sometimes, we don’t know God’s eternal purposes. At other times God doesn’t change a situation because we have “limited the Holy One of Israel”. Let’s look at 3 ways the Bible says we “tie God’s Hands’.

…Sin ties God’s Hands. It doesn’t get any plainer than Isaiah 59:1,2,”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.”

…Unbelief, doubt, a lack of faith ties God’s Hands. The New Testament tells us that Jesus performed many miracles and healed thousands. Yet, Matthew 13:58 tells the sad story of Jesus going to His hometown “And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief”.

…A lack of intimacy with God [a weak prayer life] can tie God’s Hands. Matthew 17 tells that when Jesus came down from the Mt. of Transfiguration he found His disciples discouraged because they could not heal a demon possessed boy. Jesus quickly dealt with the father’s unbelief and brought healing. Later, the disciples asked, “Why could we not cast him out”? [17:19] Jesus gave a 2 part answer—–“your unbelief” [17:20] and “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting”. [17:21] The disciples needed to spend more time in intimate fellowship with God in order to replace doubt with a powerful faith.

Some situations in life may always remain a mystery until we get to Heaven. Those are the times we keep trusting in God, knowing that He is good and always plans the best for us. However, we do need at other times to repent of sin, and to walk in such closeness with the Lord that faith replaces doubt. Then, some of those “Why doesn’t God do something” moments will change into,”Wow, look at what God did” moments.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. $ 900–Updated total for the Annie Armstrong Home Mission Offering
4. Sunday, March 24–6:00 pm—Choir Practice
5. Thursday, March 28–6:30 pm—Maundy Thursday Service [No Wednesday Bible Study that week]
6. Saturday, March 30–10:00 am—Easter Egg Hunt for the children—Please bring guests
7. Sunday, April 7–5:30-6:30 pm—Church Training. In the beginning, we plan Church Training to be on the same Sunday nights as the Youth and Children’s meetings.
8. Easter Schedule–March 31
   5:30- Cooks arrive
   7:00- Sunrise Service
   7:30 -Breakfast
   8:30 -Morning Worship
   No Sunday School Please invite others to attend with you

Never forget—-Jesus died for YOU

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church