Wonderful Vacation Bible School. 23 kids and 27 adults participated. The Lord knows each of you and the contribution you made to bless the children. THANK YOU! He will reward your efforts. You made a difference in the life of those children.
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When I was in Seminary, one of my Professors told the following story. He said that during World War 2 he was Pastor of one of the largest rural churches in North Carolina. During the war, most automotive production went to making vehicles for the military. New automobiles for the general public were not readily available. By the end of the war, his car was held together by tape, baling wire, and prayer. His Church Leaders noticed, and decided to buy their Pastor one of the new cars that were coming on the market. These Leaders went through the congregation collecting money from anyone who desired to give. When they got to a man I will call, “Mr. Naysayer”, he replied, “Let the Pastor buy his own car. I will not give a dime to the project”.

The Leaders ignored Naysayer and his bad attitude. They collected enough money and lovingly presented that new car to their Pastor. My Professor said that a few weeks later, he was at the door, shaking hands with folks who were leaving after the service. Naysayer was standing on the porch, talking with some folks who had visited the church that morning. The Professor heard Naysayer tell those visitors, “WE really love our Pastor. See that new car WE just gave him”. Naysayer was against the project, did not give a dime, but made the visitors think it was his idea and that he was a major contributor !!!!!

Sometimes, life is not fair. We become the “Scapegoat” and get criticized for something that is not our fault. We do 90% of the work on a group project at school or at work and somehow the “goof off” gets the credit for the success of the accomplishment. We go to our Supervisor with an idea that will improve the product our company makes, or with an idea that will save the company money. The Supervisor goes to the company “Higher Ups” and presents the idea as his. He gets the praise, the raise, the promotion. You are never mentioned. Any of that sound familiar in your world???

Once in a while I decide to have a “pity party”. About the time I get to my third “That wasn’t fair” memory, the Lord stops me. He reminds me of all the blessings I have received during my lifetime. My “pity party” is over. The Lord also reminds me that the final “Setting the record straight” moment has not yet taken place. Romans 14:12 states, “So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.” There will come a day when each of us shall stand before the Lord. Not once will we be accused of things we did not do. No one else will receive the credit and rewards for the things we have accomplished. All of us will be judged and rewarded according to the life we have lived. At that moment, the Lord will take care of all the “Unfairness” we have endured in our lifetime.

It is a comfort to know that my Loving Lord is not fooled. He knows me. My past, present and future, is in His Hands. He will deal with all my hurts and disappointments, as well as my joys and successes. LIke Job, I anticipate that the end is even better than the beginning. [Job 42: 10-16]

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 29—Celebration of Communion
5. June 29  –  Children and Youth meet at 5:00 pm
   5:00 pm- Adult Prayer Time
   5:30 pm-Adult Church Training

Don’t let the Naysayers get you down

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church