I love to preach about the end times. I have preached through the book of Revelation in three different churches. Preaching about the end times easily leads to a focus on evangelism. We want everyone to be ready for the return of Christ. So we encourage people to be saved and Christians to win souls and made disciples. For we don’t want anyone to have to face the antichrist. How terrible for those left behind to face the wrath to come!
                  "Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?'" (Revelation 6:12–17, HCSB)
                I have heard of a lot of preachers who would not preach from the book of Revelation either because they didn’t know how to interpret it or they thought it was too controversial.  That is sad because there is a special blessing for those who read and hear the book of Revelation: “The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!”, (Revelation 1:3, HCSB)
                If there is something in the book of Revelation you don’t understand, don’t worry about it. God will reveal all things in it’s time. It is far more important to take to heart, take encouragement, and act on what we do understand. There is so much instruction and encouragement for Christians in those sacred pages.
                There is so much good in Revelation and enough instruction and encouragement that we should focus on those things rather than useless speculation, especially when it puffs up with pride because we think we have special knowledge. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy:
          "Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on."  (vs. 5-7, HCSB)
                All of the important things to do and believe are made very clear in the scriptures. Let us focus on them. We have more than enough truth made clear to us over which to be thankful, and much work to do to follow the instructions that are clear in God’s word. Let us not be distracted by disputes and controversial interpretations. Let us focus on what God has made abundantly clear to us in His precious scriptures.
 
Pastor Pat

​                Is it possible the Bible does not contradict evolution? The belief that God created life on earth and man through evolution over millions of years is called Theistic Evolution or Evolutionary Creation. This raises a lot of questions. Could Theistic Evolution be true? Would a God who created time need time to create life? Would a God great enough to create the multiplied billions of stars and galaxies need millions of years to create life?
                If it took millions of years for us to be created this leads us to ask, “Would a good God create us through millions of years of death after death?” Doesn’t death through evolution contradict the scriptures?
                Beginning in Genesis 3 the Bible plainly teaches sin and death entered the world through Adam. This truth is confirmed in the New Testament. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12, HCSB).
                Like death, salvation was also brought through one man, Jesus Christ. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22, HCSB).
                Christ himself confirmed the creation account in Mathew 19:4, "Haven't you read," He replied, "that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female," (HCSB). If we can’t believe in a literal Adam then how can we believe in a literal Jesus Christ?  
                If we start allegorizing the plain speech of the Bible how do we know where the allegory ends? Creating doubt in God’s word is the tactic Satan used in the garden of Eden to temp us to sin in the first place when he said, Did God really say…, (Genesis 3:1, HCSB). He is still using that tactic today.
                The Bible warns us not to manipulate the word of God. Israel was ordered, You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you. (Deuteronomy 4:2, HCSB)
                In Proverbs 30:5-6 We are instructed: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Don't add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
                The apostle Paul, who we quoted earlier, gave a fiery admonition: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!, (Galatians 1:8, HCSB).
                It is a dangerous thing to twist the plain meaning of the word of God because it does not fit what we believe. In Hebrews 3:18-19 we are cautioned, And who did He swear to that they would not enter His rest, if not those who disobeyed? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. (HCSB).
                Let us base our faith on the clear meaning of scripture.
 
Pastor Pat

                When God began His creation work in Genesis chapter 1 He said, “Let there be light” and then “God saw that the light was good” in Genesis 1:3-4. Seven times in Genesis chapter 1 God saw what He created was “good”. In chapter 2 the scriptures we are given more details about His creation work.  God had said everything was good until He created man then said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.” (Genesis 2:18, HCSB) 
              "Everything thus far in Genesis that has been scrutinized by God has been given a positive assessment. Every situation has come through as either good or very good. For the first time we encounter something that is not good: man’s lack of a corresponding companion."  (Victor P. Hamilton)
                God is so good to provide what we need. Matthew Henry points out, “It is God only who perfectly knows our wants, and is perfectly able to supply them all, Philippians 4:19. In him alone our help is, and from him are all our helpers.” God knew what we needed we marriage and families.
                The very first institution God created for society was the marriage of a man and a woman, establishing the family. All of society and human life depends upon it. Nations cannot survive without marriages and families. Marriage was created before the church and the church can’t survive without strong marriages.
                Marriage is so important, so holy, and so blessed that God calls the church the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9). The apostle Paul says husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved his bride and gave himself for her.
               "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:25-33, HCSB)
                No wonder Satan’s first attack came upon us was on the first family. He wanted to destroy their relationship with God and with one another. He is still at it today. Satan loves pornography, hookups, adultery, perversions and divorce because these things destroy families, hurt children, tear at the very fabric of society, and ruins our witness. Satan loves our pain, heartache, and loneliness. God loves our harmony, joy, and intimacy so he gave us marriage and families.
                Let’s encourage love, marriage and families. Let’s be careful that what we say lifts up married life, having children, the many blessings of marriage. After all, when God finished creating man and woman and all they needed He said “it was very good” (Genesis, 1:31, HCSB).
 
Pastor Pat

                 In my last article I wrote about how good it is to celebrate and enjoy the fact that God made men and women different. Not only did He make us to be different He created us to have different purposes and roles in life. As the Lord says in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.". Women have ever since pointed that men need help: and we do! I greatly appreciate how Janice decorates our house, plants flowers in the yard, gives me instructions on the best shirts and ties that match, and helps me in countless other ways. I definitely need her help.
                The Bible tells us men that our role is to be the leaders in the family and He gives us an incredible mission:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (HCSB, Ephesians 5:25 -27)
                Christ loved the church so much that He served us day and night and sacrificed His life on the cross for us. I need all the help I can get to try to fulfil that assignment! That is “Godly Masculinity”. We want to help you to fulfill this mission in your life.
                Pastor A.J. is helping young men under 40 to grow in their faith every other Monday night in what they call “Macho Man Mondays”, (love the name!) where they discuss questions about the Bible and spiritual matters. You are invited to contact Pastor A.J. if you want to participate.
                There is an Ironman Conference focusing on Biblical Manhood on Saturday August 16th at Peace Haven Baptist Church at 2200 Booger Swamp Rd., Yadkinville, NC 27055. (What a great name for a road!) We are told:
              "You will be challenged, encouraged and equipped to become the man God created you to be. Through powerful teaching, dynamic worship and real conversations with other men who are striving to follow Christ, you will gain the tools and courage to lead in your home, workplace and community."
                Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This is your opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded brothers in Christ, sharpen your faith and step into a life of purpose and impact.
                The cost of $25 includes a steak dinner. I would love to get a group to go together so contact me in person by phone or text and let me know if you are interested. We must register by August 4th to get the steak dinner.
                Men need fellowship with other men whom they respect where they can feel comfortable to encourage one another, sharpen one another, and grow stronger in faith and courage. We want you to have that opportunity.
 
Pastor Pat

​                There is a common myth that people need to discover if they are compatible before they marry. The truth is that absolutely no two people are compatible when they get married! Both have a great many adjustments to make and so much to learn in order to become compatible.
                When we first got married we had to make a lot of changes and compromises. We even debated over how the roll of bath tissue was supposed to be placed. Should it roll out on top or from the bottom of the roll. You can easily have a real fight over something trivial. Then there are the big issues. How money should be handled was a big one. One of you thinks, “Why can’t they just be on time?” and the other thinks “Why are they always rushing me?”.
                It is easy to get irritated. You grew up doing things one way and all of a sudden you are told your whole family has done it wrong all your life and you have to do it differently. You find it hard not to get resentful. You ask yourself, “Why do they have to have this attitude? Why do they always do the same thing that gets on my nerves over and over again?” Resentment builds up and that leads to arguments. Your relationship suffers.
                I am glad we had our differences when we got married. I had some rough edges and attitudes that needed to change and she helped me see that and make those changes. I had to learn she had needs that were important even though they felt trivial or silly to me.
                She had strengths that counteracted my weaknesses. I had strengths that she needed me to provide. We complimented each other amazingly well. It is truly wonderful how the Lord put us together to help one another.
                Have you tried thanking the Lord for your differences? Instead of resenting your spouse for their differences how much better it is to appreciate your spouse for them.
                Janice and I went to a marriage retreat in March that was put on by our Baptist Association, the Triad Church Network. There we were told “The happiest and healthiest couples learn how to celebrate differences.” I encourage you to celebrate your spouse’s unique talents. It is wise to complement your spouse every day.
                “Three things are too wondrous for me; four I can’t understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman.” Proverbs 30:18-19, CSB. 
 
Pastor Pat

​                The war between the sexes rages on, especially on social media. In Genesis 1:27 we read, “So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.”  God sure made us different as but the Baptist Faith and Message points out, “The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image.” We are of equal worth but different and that is a good thing.
                In fact, in verse 31 we read, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” I am glad the word “very” is there. So it is “very good” that we are not created the same. We complement each other. Complementarianism is the theological term for the belief that men and women are of equal worth because they are created in God’s image but are created to have different roles in life. God only gave women the amazing ability to carry and bear children. Only men can be fathers. We complement each other in this and in many other ways.
                I am the only male in my Sunday School class. I told my girls that they should rejoice and thank God in being made a woman. God said their creation wasn’t just good it was “very good”. I am glad they are feminine and I encouraged them to be feminine, to dress femininely, and to do their hair in a feminine style. I told them men really do like pretty feminine clothes but that we like to see them wearing the feminine clothes.
                A sure way to be depressed and unhappy is to try to make your spouse to be what they were never designed for or meant to be. We should rather rejoice and thank God He made us as He did. Instead of being frustrated because your spouse is different than you have you tried thanking God for the differences?
                I rejoice that God made my wife a beautiful woman whom I love. What a joy it is to be a man married to her! She delights me is so many different ways with abilities and attitudes that I do not have. I love the way she decorates the house. I love the way she focuses on taking care of things I don’t have the talent or desire to do. Thank God He made us different with different ways of thinking, different talents in life.
                Are you frustrated sometime because your spouse is different? How much better it is to rejoice that God made them different and appreciate their differences! God deserves our praise for making us different instead of our complaints. Let us rejoice and glorify Him!
 
Pastor Pat

                I was glad to see a teenage young man had come to our church for the first time with one of his friends. Then I was pastor at a church near Fort Bragg. He did not grow up in church and wore a cap in the sanctuary, not knowing it was inappropriate. I was just delighted to see him at our church.
                But one of the men of our church rebuked him very sharply and ordered him to take off his hat. The young man just did not know wearing a cap in church was disrespectful. Sadly, the teenager did not continue coming to our church.
                We do have protocol and expectations to which we are accustomed and it is easy to get irritated when they are not followed. But some situations are opportunities to patiently inform rather than rebuke.
                Not too long ago someone asked me if it was acceptable to wear blue jeans to church. I assured them that people often wore them to our church and they would be welcome.
                We welcome all adults, youth, and children. Yes, little ones are prone to running in church or talking during the service. They will sometimes turn around during the sermon to make faces at the people in the pew behind them. We love them so and are delighted to see them in church! I am reminded of what Christ said about children:
Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me. Don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:13-14, HCSB)
                Once a young lady once told me that her church refused to let her partake of the Lord’s Supper because she was not wearing a white dress. How sad! Christ warned about those who load manmade rules on others as though they were God’s commands:
“They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people's shoulders, but they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4, HCSB)
                How much better to be more like Jesus! He saw that everyone carries burdens. I want to have more of the heart of Christ and invite others to come to Him.
"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28, HCSB)
 
Pastor Pat​

    The Bible strongly urges us to be faithful and strong in the Lord.  “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”  (Eph 6:10-12, HCSB)
    Would you jump out of a plane without a parachute?  Would you grab a pit bull by the ears?  Would you walk blindfolded across highway 52 at rush hour?  No?  Well then, would you jump out into the world each day without praying to your Heavenly Father?  Would you neglect the Word of God and not go to Sunday School?  Will you neglect the Wednesday night Prayer and Bible Study when you have such need of prayer and encouragement?  Would you forget to pray to the Lord each day for strength, wisdom, and blessing?  How foolishcan we get?  If we do these things we are just painting a big bullseye on our chest and saying, “Come and get me devil!”
    Satan, like the roaring lion, attacks the weak and the lame of the flock.  The lion tries to separate his victim from the rest of the flock.  Satan loves to prey on those who do not go to Sunday School or Worship, or Wednesday Services and those weak in prayer.  Does he have you in his sights?
 
Oh How Wonderful!
    On the other hand, how wonderful to grow in Christ!  How glorious to love His Word and be fed from its riches each day!  Oh, what joys are ours!  What peace and love we have when we spend time talking to the Lord in prayer each day, worshipping Him and thanking Him for his goodness and kindness to us!
    What joy and comfort it is to be close to the Lord when we experience hard times and failure.  How comforting it is to know that He is there to pick us up when we stumble or when misfortune strikes.
    How marvelous it is to see our witness grow more confident, our marriage grow stronger, our family grow closer, our children grow more loving and obedient as they learn to follow Christ.  What a blessing to find a place where we can serve and have Christ work through us to bless other people.
    The Bible tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, HCSB).  Is this what you need in life?  Then walk with God every day.  Pray to Him.  Read your Bible.  Be faithful to come to every service at church.  Jesus promises us, “The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.” (Revelation 21:7, HCSB).  Isn’t it great to be a faithful Christian?
 
May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Pastor Pat

We thank God for his blessings of the past year and his promises in the New Year.  How good the Lord has been to us!  He has provided for our needs.  He has protected us from danger.  He has blessed us in a multitude of ways.  He has given us his precious presence and been with us every step of the way.  His fellowship has been sweet.  How good He has been to us in the past year!
      We thank the Lord for his promises for the coming year.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us in good times and in bad.  He has promised to protect us and to provide for us.  He will guide us and bless us and draw us closer to Himself.  How good it is to be His in the coming year!
      We can face the New Year with confidence in Christ:
 
“Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 
As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 
No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 
For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, 
height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”  (Romans 8:35-39, HCSB)
 
Good News For Those Who Need It
      The word “gospel” literally means “good news”!  Jesus commanded his followers to proclaim the “gospel” the “good news” to everyone.                                                               
      When He was asked to read the scripture in his hometown of Nazareth He read from Isaiah 61 saying, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” (Luke 4:21, HCSB).   Here is the marvelous good news that He read to them on that day:
 
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me,
because the LORD has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners; 
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of our God's vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn, 
to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,
and splendid clothes instead of despair.
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the LORD to glorify Him. 
                                                   (Isaiah 61:1-3, HCSB)
 
      The coming of Jesus is good news for those who need it most!  Do you need help and good news?  Rejoice, for Christ has come to you to bless you! 
 
Jesus Came To Bless Those With Troubles.
      Are your troubles weighing you down?  Do you feel as if you have no hope?  Lift up your eyes unto the Lord for He especially has come for the needy who look to Him and trust in Him! 
      When Jesus was near the blind man received his sight and the deaf was made to hear!  The woman with the issue of blood was instantly healed when she touched the hem of his garment.  The thief dying on the cross was promised he would be with Christ that day in Paradise.  Christ came to give us hope!
      As long as God is God there is hope and blessings from God for us. Christ has come to save us from our sins, to bless us and to be with us forever!  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us and He has prepared an eternal home in heaven for us where He will wipe away every tear from our eyes!     
      How good it is to trust in the Lord!
 
Pastor Pat

                I want to be like Linus.  Let me explain. I am referring to Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. What a delight! In this 25 minute TV cartoon movie Charlie Brown is saddened by the emptiness he feels at Christmas time. He tells Linus, “I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.”
                As I look each year at Christmas decorations I get the impression, whether true or not, that many people don’t know what Christmas is about. Now I love Christmas decorations. I love looking at the various ingenious and creative ways people decorate their yards and houses. I marvel at how much work they must have put into their decorations. I especially love Christmas lights. What a joy they are! So beautiful and enchanting!
                Yet there are so few decorations about the birth of Christ. A person visiting here from a country where Christmas is not celebrated would think the holiday had nothing to do with the greatest gift the world has ever known. They could drive through many neighborhoods and not see a single nativity scene.
                I guess part of the reason for this is it is so hard to find an outdoor nativity scene in a store. I had to go online to buy my nativity scene.
                Back to Charlie brown and Linus. Charlie Brown is so frustrated at Christmas time because he doesn’t know what Christmas is truly about. A lot of people feel this way. Studies show that when Christmas is over many people are left feeling depressed. Could much of this sadness be because so many people like Charlie Brown do not understand the true meaning of Christmas?
                Charlie Brown shouts, “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus responds, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He quotes directly from Luke 2:8-14 in the Bible and tells him the story of Christ’s birth beginning with "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night…”
                This is what Christmas is truly about. Christ gives us such peace and joy we want everyone to know the Savior that was laid in the manger. That is why I only have one Christmas decoration in my yard. I want the focus to be on Christ alone.
                I have a simple all white manger scene with Joseph, Mary, and the infant Christ. I put a brilliant white spotlight on it. I live high up on a hill and it shines so brightly in the darkness! I want everyone to see the true light that shines in the darkness. That is what Christmas is really all about. I wish more Christians had manger scenes in their yard.
                Watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with your children or grandchildren is highly encouraged! Gloria! Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Pat