*New Pastor's Devotional Page

Monday, February 20, 2012

It seems like this year just began, yet here we are into the last full week of February. It'll be a day longer this year with leap year, but it still isn't long until March.

What a great day we had yesterday! We got to share in the ordinance of baptism again with Kyler Fitts and his family, had some great singing (including his sister, Kaitlyn who did a fantastic job!), and shared in the Word together. Our Women's Ministry leaders and volunteers worked hard most of the afternoon getting ready for the Conference this Friday evening & Saturday morning. (There's still time to register if you haven't yet, ladies!) We have at least 18 other churches participating at last count, and the numbers are still going up! We praise the Lord for this, and pray it will be a magnificent weekend.

Don't forget the great day planned Sunday too as Dr. Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will be preaching for us in the morning service. He will also be the speaker for our Enon Baptist Association One-Night Crusade that we host at FIVE PM on Sunday evening here at our church.

LISTEN, when good things are happening as they are right now in our church, get ready for Satan to try his best to throw a monkey wrench into it all. Our recent new teams that worked on those five function areas of Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry, and Fellowship have done a marvelous job of putting together some great goals and plans. People are getting excited about reaching out to our community, and so am I. But when these kinds of things are happening, the Enemy doesn't like it one bit. He will try to get us off track, cross ways with one another, or do anything he can to stop the progress for God's Kingdom.

Be aware of how the Enemy works, and don't let him use YOU to pour cold water on the great things that are happening. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure we communicate properly with one another about all things. When you have a problem, go to the person or persons that can best help solve it, and NOT to everyone else. One of the things God says in His Word that he HATES is those who sow discord among the brethren (family of God).

Did you realize that the Word says there are things God HATES? There is a list of them in Proverbs 6:16-20. Look at what it says there....

"These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
¹⁹A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."

We must guard against the attacks of the Enemy at all times. He loves to kill, steal, and destroy in our lives and our churches. That's what Jesus said about him in John 10:10. BUT, Jesus also said there that HE came that we might have life and have it more abundantly! So let's focus on the right things, and do all we can to be His missionaries at every opportunity. He will have our back, if we are walking in obedience to Him. Have a great week!

Blessings and love to you and yours today,

Bro. Jackie Stanfield

Pastor

*Help me keep our prayer list updated. Please send me the names of those you'd like us to lift up in our prayers, and I will put them on our new list. In the mean time, begin by praying for....

A renewed commitment to the Lord and a clarity of vision for your life and your church.

Church Family

Bobby and Martha Hamilton

Jerry Brock

Patti Henson and daughter, Sierra (more back problems).

Billy Fitts

Bethany Luzio

Dr. Sam Holder and Glenda

Friends and Family of Church Members

Glen Ziegenfuss - Vickie Foreman's dad- passed away; funeral Wednesday 2-15-12.

Jimmy Cornett - Jon Jon's dad

Keith Fuller

Donna Ayers (Mother of Erika Young) - good report!

G. W. Cooner family

Judith Barker

Alexander family in Hughes Springs

Jimmy Ponder - recovering from surgery in Dallas

Andrew Stukes - nephew of Dorothy Moser - PTL he was found.

Alene Bonner Davis - cancer