Pastor's Points

As a mother and housewife went about her daily routine suddenly electrical power went out.   Her teenage daughter’s stereo went silent, the TV her husband was watching followed suit and the twins that had been running and screaming were nowhere to be found.   What happened she asked? Indeed she couldn’t even find her family.   After looking and calling for them suddenly power returned; the stereo blared, the TV came back to life and the twins were back to rampaging.   It was then she realized she’d just gotten what she’d been crying out for from her family; five minutes of peace and quiet!   The best way to receive and enjoy “peace and quiet” is to impose it on ourselves and while you’re at it take time to listen to God.   “Be still, and know that I am God”   Psalms 46:10a (KJV)  

We are a people most blessed and often do not, cannot or will not see this reality.   While much of the world struggles to feed itself many of us struggle with extra body weight.   At a time when many live in poverty we own fine air-conditioned homes, two plus automobiles, multiple TV’s and stereo systems.   I personally don’t make New Year’s Resolutions but I’m not against them, they just don’t seem to be something I’m good at past mid-January.    Let me make a suggestion. This coming year let’s all make Almighty God a solemn vow to seek first His Kingdom and rely solely on His providence.   This will involve taking inventory of what we have and expressing sincere gratitude to Him.   Why?   Because we really don’t own anything in this world.   Our souls are His, our time is His, our health is His, our property is His and yes, even our money is His.   What I’m suggesting is that we, with God’s help, put all things in perspective and...

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,  2 Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him.  Matt 2:1-2 (KJV) The appearance of the Wise Men from the East was a cause of great concern in Jerusalem that year.  It was, no doubt, an impressive caravan that entered the city and to date, no one really knows just how many they were.  Traveling such a great distance in a wilderness required a large contingency of men, livestock and supplies.  Then, to hear the reason for their trek, simply amazed everyone!  King Herod himself called them to his presence to inquire why they sought “he that is Born King of the Jews?” The Lord Jesus was not crowned king by popular acclaim, He did not usurp the throne through guile or violence, He was BORN King.  The only begotten ...

   Southern Baptists send missionaries from their churches, through IMB, to go into the world making disciples in the name of Jesus. In that partnership, Southern Baptists provide the funding to send and support these missionaries and their ministries. The more resources they provide, the more missionaries can be sent. “As the body of Christ, we’re like an orchestra" … each member is so vital, is so important for making beautiful music.  Your faithful giving coupled with dedicated missionaries results in souls saved and lives redeemed for Christ.  Your dollars go where perhaps you cannot but the work is not left undone.  Thank you for giving to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering this year.

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. Psalms 30:4 (KJV) What a special time of year today is! God is worthy to be praised and thanked always but today the day is set aside especially to raise our hearts and voices in thanksgiving. Take a few minutes today and list the things you’re grateful for today and then recite them to God in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.   ________________, ________________, ______________, ___________, ________________, ________________, ______________, ___________. Need more space? Thank God for His rich blessings in your life!

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 You ever find yourself at your “wit’s end” and it seems like nothing will ever be right again.  We all have and most likely will again at some time.  Believers are fortunate in that we do have somewhere else to turn; upward!  The scripture above tells us where our help will come from.  The scripture below shows us the way to accomplish success in overcoming life’s challenges.  To quote a movie line, “God is good all the time; all the time God is good!” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from .      you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye       sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning,  ...

Have you ever had conflicting feelings about your choice to seek and follow God when you see the unsaved apparently “living it up” and “living large” while you seem to just eek by and don’t seem to do enough “fun” things?   King David was having such a “Pity Party” a Major Pity Party!   He actually wondered if maybe he’d made a mistake in surrendering life to God and righteousness.   He momentarily considered going back into a life of sin (v. 15) but held back.    Then in verse 16 he considers the pain this action would cause.   How many would never come to Christ? How many would fall away from the faith?   How many lives would be damaged or destroyed because he had faltered.   Like David; let’s go into the “sanctuary of God” and understand that the reward of the wicked is still awaiting them.   We will reap what we sow.   Sow righteousness today, someone important to you is waiting to follow your lead. 12 Behold, these are the ungo...

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.  Luke 21:8 (KJV) Four times in the New Testament we find the phrase “Be not deceived” each a warning to guard against a serious danger that can derail your life and render your testimony inert.   I Cor. 6:9 warns us to guard against false salvation doctrine.  I Cor. 15:33 warns us to guard against listening to and using evil language that ultimately spoils our image as Christians.     Gal. 6:7 warns us to stay true to God as we cannot truly serve Him and the world.   Our greatest danger is not from external physical or political attacks but from personal lackadaisical attitudes which attacks our morality and spirituality.  We hold the key to a wholesome relationship with God; we can refuse to be deceived.     Choose today to stay informed of God’s ...

One thing, that if practiced, will render everyday Christian living effective and genuine is found in this passage.  We’re to love without pretense.  Life is not a game and people are real with real needs and feelings.  Jesus did not “pretend” to love us, He demonstrated it on Calvary’s cross.  I dare ask, you do not “pretend” to love God, do you?  We’re commanded to love our brother as we love God (1 John 4:21) and for good reason.  The sincere expression of true love for our fellowman will encourage the weak, increase trust and fellowship and above all, please God. If you love God, love your brother also and without dissimulation.  

Have you ever considered that at times you’re your own worst enemy?   I have, and it’s disconcerting.   In many ways it’s worse than having an inflated ego!   We often limit ourselves by responding “I can’t” when we can and should.   We can be overly considerate of others by simply say “What will others say?” instead of caring about what God says.   Many can advise you, but true wisdom is found only in God.   “5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.  8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."   Prov 3:5-8 (KJV)

Followers of Jesus Christ are anything but unconcerned about sharing the Gospel with neighbors, even in places other than their hometowns.  Our world has a need for God but does not know how to find him.  God’s vision to Paul was a clear mandate to go into another place, be it neighborhood, town, state or country and preach the Gospel to them.  While we may not always be able to travel to other places, we can give financial support to the effort.  Join us in supporting state mission today with a generous gift to the Mary Hill Davis State Missions Offering.   9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.    10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.  -- Acts 16:9-10 (KJV)

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:10-11 (KJV) This was written originally with respect to the Jewish nation in the time of Jesus’ coming.   In their sin hardened condition and selfishness they did not because they could not perceive the gift of God that was before them.   Sadly some of us, though redeemed by Jesus’ blood, often allow sin to blind us to His perfect will for us.   We drift away as ships without rudders; we wander away blind persons on featureless ground and in our blindness do perceive His presence, hear His call not heed his word.   What’s the answer?   Here’s a great way to start your journey back to peace, love, joy and holiness.   8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.    James 4:8 (KJV)