It is always good to see Spring come! For the Christian this time of the year is a constant reminder of the Resurrection and affords us an "open door" to be a witness for Jesus Christ. I hope as you see each flower bloom and each tree put on its leaves that you are reminded of the new life that is in you! I am thankful that God's mercies are renewed every morning and even though I do not deserve this wonderful life and relationship I have with Christ He blesses me with them. Maybe you need a new start in life or just a new start to the day, God is waiting on you to ask. Remember we serve a Risen Savior! Death could not hold Him and Satan could not defeat Him! Just as sure as Spring comes every year God will faithfully supply our needs according to His riches in glory! This is a great time of the year to start over! Do some "spring cleaning" in your life! Join us this Sunday (march 28th) for a wonderful service of praise on Palm Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there!

Snow and Ice!

SNOW AND ICE! It is always an interesting couple of months in Arkansas from December to March. The weather changes quickly-almost by the minute at times. I guess that is the way this life is as well. I have been reminded of that this week especially. There have been several of our families who have their lives change so quickly in a matter of moments. At times like that we often ask "God why did you let this happen?" or "How are we going to make it through this?" These are hard questions for a Pastor to answer. After nearly 25 years of ministry you would think I would have some answer to give these wonderful people who are hurting. Here is the what I have to offer: (1) Only God knows what is ahead of us or our loved ones. He always wants what is best for our lives and we have to trust His hand and His heart. (2) God will always give His children what they need to walk the road that is before them. His presence is guaranteed! His grace is always sufficient! His love never ends. Whatever you may be facing today I want to ensure you that if you are a child of God He knows exactly where you are, how you hurt, and the outcome of the situation you are facing. I will remind you once again, God is good! All the time! All the time! God is good!

Free Will!

This month on Sunday nights Brother Tim Campbell is presenting a series of messages on Free Will Baptist-Who we are and What we believe. Some people do not think it is important to know what a church's doctrine is or why they believe what they believe. I believe this is a plan on the part of Satan to secure shallow Christians so that when challenges come to their faith they fail the test. Our faith goes beyond a conversation about our beliefs and when we come to temptations and trials in our life it is important that we have solid, never changing truths that have been proven to carry us through. There are absolute truths because we serve an absolute God. When people face the end of their life or the loss of a loved one it is important to know that their salvation is sure because of the absolute truths in the Word of God. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe it? Do you know what doctrine your church teaches? You may be Free Will Baptist and don't even know it! Why not come and find out?

Full House Sunday

This Sunday is Full House Sunday at our church. We have not attempted anything like this since I have been Pastor. We have been working to reach and praying for those that are our friends, relatives, co-workers, and classmates who do not go to church to come to ours on October 18. If you are reading this and you do not go to church anywhere please take this my personal invitation to be my guest. This is not a campaign about numbers it is about leading people to Christ. Daily I am amazed at the number of people I come in contact with that are not living for the Lord! Do you know someone who needs to come to Christ? Invite them to be here at 9:45 am for Bible studies and 10:45 for Worship! Better yet-lead them to Christ and bring them with you.

Revival

September 25-27 our church is holding services with Brother Terry Forrest. I struggled with what to call this meeting. A revival or Bible conference, maybe a spiritual renewal conference or church growth weekend? Maybe is should be called ALL of these! We started praying for God to do something in us and then through us! Have you ever been a part of something that is so amazing that you knew only God could do it? We need God to speak but we also need to be ready to listen and obey. Will you join with us to pray for these services? Will you join us for these services? Do you want to see God move in your life? Do you want to see God move in our church? Take the challenge! Come see what God can do-----if you let Him!

Shall A Man Rob God?

The last couple of weeks have been like a roller coaster! I enjoyed spending some time with my children and son-in-law, Jacob. I was privileged to attend the National Association of Free Will Baptist and hear Lynsey sing before thousands and her Lord. I am sure her grandfathers, one in attendance and one in Heaven, and grandmothers, one in attendance and one there in spirit, were proud of her. Lynsey is a godly woman who continues to us her talents for her Lord. I was also privileged for the first time to play ball with both of my sons at the National FWB softball tournament. Yes, they are better than their father ever though about. The Arkansas State meeting of FWB was also a blessing. It is always good to meet new friends and see old friends. All of that was the top of the hill and then came the drop to the bottom. In the last three weeks someone has either broken in the church or attempted to break in to steal items. They were successful twice. We are not sure who it is but all of the authorities have been notified. The question that came to my mind immediately was, "Who would have enough guts to break into a church and steal from God?" The thought 0f it brings fear to my heart. But yet I wonder how many Christians do this every week when we do not serve and give the way that we should to God. I hope that the authorities catch those that have stolen from the church, God knows who they are, and they will answer for what they have done but we must remember that we are accountable to God also. "Shall a man rob God? Yes you have robbed Me...." Malachi 3:8

The Battle

The longer I am in the ministry the more I realize the battle that the church and God's people are in. Satan is constantly on the attack. If he does not think that he can defeat you in your spiritual life he will attack your marriage. If he feels like you marriage is strong he will attack your family or finances. Maybe if all of those things are strongholds with God Satan will come after you in your thought life. The point is-he is coming! In your church the same principle applies. If he cannot attack you spiritually maybe he attacks your finances. If not your finances maybe your numbers, if not your numbers then your doctrine. The point again-he is coming! So....how can we defeat him? We have to be "found in Christ". Satan will then have to battle his way through Christ to get to me. That sounds simple but is hard to do. We want to be connected with Christ-close enough to grab Him when we are in trouble- but we need to be found in Him. This means that every decision is based on my relationship with Christ and nothing else. What I value is based on that relationship! Where I work is based on that relationship! What I wear, listen to, and watch! The list can and should go on and on! Are you in a battle? Are you tired on losing? Are you "found in Christ"? I was just thinking.