I may have miscounted, but I think that this is Newsletter 250. WOW! I had no idea that Covid would lead to a ministry that would last this long and that would reach so many NC counties and so many states. I thank the Lord for giving me something to write each week. I also thank the various Deacon Chairmen, Brenda Burris, and Wes Barbee, for making sure that my article reached you each week. They deserve our appreciation.
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Thank you for the kind words, beautiful Christmas cards, and nice Christmas bonus you gave me. It was all deeply appreciated. Most of all, I thank you for your love.
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Good old governmental bureaucratic inefficiency always amazes me. Recently, I visited a certain government agency. The Waiting Room was basically empty. I registered and sat down. In about 10 minutes I was called back to see the government official. He typed my information [Name, address, etc] into his computer. I told him what I needed. I thought, “This is going so well. All he needs to do is click on the box to order what I need, and then click on Submit, and we will be done”. Instead, he asked me, “Did you have an appointment?” I said, “No”. His reply, “You can’t just walk in and do this. You need an appointment”. He checked his schedule, made an appointment, and sent me on my way.

Instead of being finished with the entire process in 5 minutes, I had to drive back to that office another day and waste my time and his repeating what we had done the day before. It was all unnecessary. Some Bureaucrat somewhere made a rule that “: NO appointment, No business transacted”. Makes no sense to me!!! 

That afternoon, I was sitting in my recliner. Suddenly, I had a lap full of doggie. I was about half asleep and I heard myself say, “Heidi, do you have an appointment? You can’t just jump up here and expect some loving anytime you wish. You need an appointment”. I woke myself, laughing at what I had said. Heidi knows she needs no appointment.

Then, I begin to think, “I am so glad the Lord does not operate the way the government operates.” Imagine, bowing your head and beginning to pray, “Dear Father God in Heaven, I come to You in the Name of Your Son, Jesus”. Immediately, you hear the Lord say, “Whoa, whoa, it doesn’t work that way. You can’t pray any old time that suits you. You need an appointment. I can fit you into my prayer schedule next Thursday at 2:00 pm. How does that work for you?”

We are so blessed that 24/7 the Lord welcomes us into His presence. His Prayer Room is always accessible. No waiting and no delay.
   …”Pray without ceasing”.  1 Thessalonians 5:17
   …”Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. Hebrews 4:16
   …”And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint”. Luke 18:1
SEEK THE LORD OFTEN. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. 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. January 19– Quarterly Church Conference
5. January 12  — 5-7 pm  –Children and youth meet
   5 pm–Adult Prayer Time
   5:30 pm  –Adult Church Training

Your Lord is waiting for you to pray. Anytime you come, He is available

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church

We extend our love and sympathy to Mr. Lionel Hahn and family upon the death of his Son-In-Law, Mr. Chris Wade. May the presence, peace, and comfort of the Lord be with you during this difficult time.
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There is an Interesting phenomenon that sometimes happens at Christmas. Mom and Dad spend hours searching for the perfect gift for their child. It is bought, wrapped, and placed under the tree. Christmas morning, the child excitedly opens the package and begins to play with his new toy. However, later in the day, Mom and Dad notice something strange. The new toy is pushed aside, and their child is now eagerly playing with the box that contained the toy. The child is enjoying the box more than the toy. Mom and Dad are left thinking, “We should have saved our money and just wrapped an empty box”.

Swapping a wonderful toy for an empty box doesn’t make a lot of sense does it?  Yet, according to the Bible, many people make a similar swap spiritually. Romans 1:25 declares, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen”.

Around the world, men and women have forsaken the Wonderful, Powerful, Loving, Almighty God who created the world and all that is in it. They have turned their backs upon Jesus, who died on the cross to save us from our sins. Instead they worship something that is a part of the created world. It is easy to feel sad for those in certain places on the earth who worship carved or molded idols. Many of them have never heard the Name, Jesus.

Before we get too smug and self-righteous, perhaps we need to ask the question, “How many Americans worship created things and not the Creator”? What about:
   …Those who can quote all the statistics from their favorite sports team, but can’t quote Scripture?
   …Those who fill the arenas and stadiums, even in extreme weather, but who seldom attend church?
   …Those who waste their money gambling, but who give nothing to worthy ministries?
   …Those who can tell you the latest winners on Dancing With The Stars, but who have no idea of how to be saved, or even who wrote the four Gospels?
   …Those who enjoy the beautiful outdoors the Lord created, but who seldom stop to think, “God You are awesome. Only an awesome God could have created what I am seeing”.

I could go on for pages, but you get the picture. There are many beautiful, exciting, wonderful things in our world. But, in a sense, they are just the “box”. The real Treasure, the real Gift, is our Lord Jesus Christ. He, alone, is worthy of our primary attention, our worship, and our praise. As we enter 2025, I encourage you to appreciate the “box”, but to focus your main attention upon Jesus, the real Treasure. When you reach the end of your life you will be glad you made that choice. 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. $ 1840—Final Total for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
5. January 5 and 12
   5-7 pm—Children and Youth meet
   5:00 pm– Adult Prayer Time
   5:30 pm–Adult Church Training

The “box”, or the Treasure? Your choice.

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church