3229 Shawnee Trail

From Our Pastor…

         

“ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24 (Reprinted from VOV)

 

          The Lord has blessed me continually throughout my life with a particular blessing that in many instances has made my life better.  I don’t understand why he has blessed me in this particular area but the Lord has and I am grateful for this blessing.  I doubt that my life is different from yours for I know the Lord has blessed you in this same area as He has me.  This life changing and enriching blessing is the friends that He has placed in my life.  I do believe that God places individuals in our lives at certain times to help us bear our burdens and to have comfort during certain rough periods of our lives.  In my  opinion, a person who can look at their lives and see the positive impact of friends, is a richly blessed individual.

 

          One such friend to me is Elder Sonny Huckaby.  Brother Sonny and I went through the rigors of preparing for the ministry during the same period of our lives. Because of the time spent in scriptural conversation and trying to encourage one another, a lasting and enduring friendship developed.  On many occasions we have called each other for counsel and conversation and have been a source of help to each other.  And now, even though a year may pass between our conversations, when we are in each other’s company for a few minutes, it will be as if we had not been separated. God is faithful to place friend in our lives when we need them.

          I must admit the best friend in my life is my wife. I am thankful that God not only allowed her to be my “help meet” but allowed us to have an enjoyment and love for each other’s company that makes us glad and happy to be around each other.  I suppose that became very apparent to me last week, when in the middle of the night, my wife collapsed in the bathroom from a severe allergic reaction to a prescribed medication.  When I heard her fall and ran into the bathroom to find her collapsed on the floor, my heart began to race with fear and all I could think about was trying to help her and get aid for her as fast as I could.  Thank God for that close of a relationship with our wives and husbands.

          David had such a friend in Jonathan.  As a matter of fact, theirs  was a very special and close friendship blessed by God.  David had defeated the giant Goliath in battle and now stood before Saul, King of Israel and related the story of David’s battle with the Giant.  Standing near King Saul and hearing the heroic efforts of David was Saul’s son Jonathan.  “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of  speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”  1 Samuel 18:1   God drew Jonathan and David so close in friendship that their souls were knit, or joined together and they became as if they were one.  The name Jonathan means “Jehovah-given”.  God gave David a friend so close that he was like David’s own flesh.  Closer than a brother in relationship and given as a friend directly to David to help the future King in times of need.  “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”  1 Samuel 18:3.  In making a covenant in the times of David, an animal was slaughtered and divided in half and the contracting parties would pass between the two pieces of flesh and covenant or agree before God. This covenant or agreement between these two friends was that nothing would come between them and they would always be help one to another.  In reading of the friendship of Jonathan and David in 1st Samuel, Jonathan, on several occasions, saved the life of David the King. What good friends they were one to another. God does place people and friends in our lives exactly when we need them.  He brings them into our lives that they might bring proper words and godly counsel right when we need it.

 

          Solomon knew of the friendship of his father and Jonathan and possibly had this in mind when he wrote, “ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…”  Proverbs 18:24   If a person in this life is to have friends, that person must assuredly be a friendly person.  If I were to show a disposition of hardness and deceit, both characteristics that would not draw people unto me, then I should not be surprised if I would remain friendless.  But if I engage love and kindness in all of my endeavors, then my life should abound with friends.  And when there is darkness and despondency in my life, my good friends will be right there to help.  When sickness challenges my daily walk then my good friends will be with me to pray for me and to help me through my hard times.  And when my friends are in those same situations then I pray that I will be of some aid and assistance to them.  That is exactly what good friends are for.

 

          I have said on several occasions that I used to worry about my Mom and Dad and their lack of what I felt to be needed social activities. I felt they did not spend enough time involved in outside activities. But as I get older I am surprised to find the same desire on my part as my parents had. Their best friends were in the church and that is where they enjoyed spending their time. Friends they could pray together with and enjoy good church fellowship with. That was their hearts delight.  These same good friends were there with my parents when they both became ill and could not help themselves. These were friends sent by God.

 

          But the glorious truth of the last part of the scripture under consideration is one that brings warmth to the heart of the sinner saved by grace.  “…and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  Proverbs  18:24   The saved of God have a friend that is greater and closer than the best friend you have ever had in life.  Think of that closest, best friend of your life and the truth is that person cannot even compare to the glorious friend, Jesus Christ. I have not known, being an only child, of the close relationship between two brothers, but I have seen that closeness demonstrated between my three sons.  But that close relationship is not closer than the relationship of Christ and those the Father gave Him before the world was founded.  This friend is one that came to save us who were not worthy to be saved.  This friend came not to save the sinless but the sinful.  This friend left the portals of glory itself to come to this sinful world to save those that He knew would deny Him and turn their backs upon Him. This good, close friend came to save those that would nail Him to the cross and crucify Him. Knowing the pain and suffering that He would endure, this good friend came and paid the price for the redemption of His people. This good friend is not limited by carnality as our best friends are.  This good friend never sleeps nor slumbers and sends His angels to keep watch over His. He is our best friend and very definitely sticks closer to us than any earthly relative we may have. And even when in this life our earthly friends forsake us, this best friend is always near. The scripture states that this friend “sticks closer than a brother.”  The Greek definition of this phrase tells us this friend will adhere or cleave himself unto us.  This friend will never separate himself from those the Father gave Him.  What consolation this gives the sinner saved by grace, to know that our good friend Jesus Christ will always be with us, even unto death.  And when that moment of final separation comes, this good, close friend will take the hand of His child and lead their soul and spirit to heaven and immortal glory.  And this good, close, loving friend will one day come and raise the bodies of the saints of God, change those that remain here on this earth, and will raise the Elect family of God to meet Him in the air….and so shall we ever be with this good friend.                            Elder Larry Webb

 

 

From the past…..

The Missing Day

 

          This story concerns a missing day in time discovered and related by Harold Hill, president of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland as a consultant in the space program.  Mr. Hill stated that he thought one of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland.  They were trying to determine the position of the sun, moon and planets 100 years and 1000 years from now.  In order to do this, they had to plot the orbits through past centuries.

 

          They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries and suddenly it came to a halt.  The computer signaled that there was something wrong either with the information fed into it or with the results compared to the standards.  They called in the service department to check it out and found nothing technically wrong.  The computer still came up with the same discrepancy…a day was missing in space in elapsed time.  The scientists were dumbfounded.  There was no answer.

 

          One of the team remembered a reference in the Bible to the sun standing still.  Upon checking, they found in the Book of Joshua a pretty “ridiculous” statement for anybody who has “common sense.” According to the scripture, Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy and if darkness fell, they would overpower him, so Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still.  “So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” (Joshua 10:13)  There was the missing day!

 

          They checked the computers going back to the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough.  The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua’s day was 23 hours and 20 minutes…not a whole day.  They again read the passage and there it said, “about (approximately) a whole day.”  This still did not account for the other missing 40 minutes.  The 40 minutes had to be found because in projecting special orbit, it would be multiplied many times over.

 

          Again the man remembered somewhere in the bible where it said the sun went backwards.  In 2^nd Kings, Chapter 20, Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah, who told him that he was not going to die.  Hezekiah did not believe him and asked for a sign as proof.  Isaiah said, “….shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?”  Hezekiah replied, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.” (2^nd Kings 20:9-10)  Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!

 

          Twenty three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus forty minutes in 2^nd Kings make the missing twenty-four hours the space travelers had to log in the logbook as being the missing day in the universe. (Reprint – The Baptist Trumpet)                            

 

 

Jots and tittles…There are many things and several people that we should be reminded to pray for during this month….Brother Daniel and Sister Kristin Sewell are very excited waiting for the birth of little Gabriel Sewell.  Sister Kristin is continuing bed rest and conserving her daily activity as the doctors have requested.  Please pray for them that the Lord might continue to keep them safe and healthy……..Sister Sandy Sewell’s mother is still having some back problems.  She also has placed her home for sale in Gainesville with the hope of relocating to an area close to Brother Bob and Sister Sandy’s new home. Please pray for Sister Irma that the Lord will continue to bless her and take care of her needs…..Brother Jim Owen is doing well after his recent surgery for a cancerous place on his head.  He will have to under go chemotherapy starting soon.  The dear brother may need some help with transportation to and from the doctor during the treatments.  If you might be able to help transport Brother Jim please visit with one of the deacons…..Please continue to pray for Sister Alice Owen concerning her health problems.  Also, Sister Omega Morgan is in need our prayers as well as Elder Frank Baker regarding their health conditions.  Also, continue to pray for Sister Bernice Webb and her continuing health problems….The latest word regarding Brother Gordon Hamby is very good.  He has now finished his chemo treatments and the doctors are well pleased with the results.  Also, please continue to pray for Sister Betty Hamby and her ongoing health problems…..We certainly are very happy to see the visitors our church has been blessed with during the last month.  One of those visitors has been Sister Dene Rosser, a member at the church in Wilson, Ok.  Sister Rosser’s husband passed away last May so please remember her in your prayers….This last week Sister Sylvia Brown fell at the school where she teaches and broke her hip.  Surgeons placed pins in her hip and the painful and long process of rehab has begun for her.  Please remember her and Elder Travis Brown and pray that Sister Sylvia’s recovery is quick….I also received word that Sister Sarah Hastings’ health problems continue to grow.  Sister Hastings has now undergone chemo and radiation for breast cancer and recently has suffered severe vision problems in one of her eyes.  Sister Sarah has now been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Please pray for her, her husband and all of their family during this very difficult time for them……Also, Sister Cindy Foster will undergo major surgery Tuesday of this next week.  Please pray for her…. Please pray for Brother Benny Walker and all of his family.  May the Lord give them direction and tremendous grace for endurance…..Also, pray for Brother Paul and Sister Shirley Walters…..What a wonderful afternoon of fellowship was had by all of those who visited the home of Brother Terry and Sister Susan Widner last Saturday.  The visitation was wonderful and all of the food was great.  And the largest thrill of the entire time was being around and getting to hold Infant Roman Gabriel Markin.  What a beautiful baby.  And his brother Isaac is very obviously thrilled by his new little brother.  It was so sweet to see Isaac shower his brother with hugs and kisses.  I hope they are that close all of their life together…..Brother Chris Markin continues his training as a Highway Patrol Officer in Austin, Texas.  The training has been very hard on Brother Chris and the hardest part has been being gone from Sister Kerri and the boys during the week.  Press on dear brother, the weeks of training are becoming less and less and very obviously the Lord is giving you tremendous grace of endurance.  And we all promise we will continue to pray for you.  Also, pray the Lord, when Brother Chris’ training is over, will place them in an area close enough to come and be with us in church services….My job has required me to travel quite extensively during the past several weeks. Please pray for my wife and me.  I have really missed being with you in our Wednesday night prayer service but hope to be able to attend again real soon.  The fourth weekend in March I will be gone to manage a trade show for the company I work for.  I hope to be in services with the church in Louisville, Kentucky fourth Sunday morning and then I hope to visit the church in Milan, Tn. that Sunday night.  Elder Barry Brown will fill the pulpit that particular weekend. Also, remember, Carole and I will host a time of fellowship at our home on March 13^th from 4Pm until 7PM.  Please come and we might even have some singing….Thanks to all of you for your financial contributions during the month of February.  May the Lord continue to bless all of us with a spirit of giving……Also, remember each Saturday morning before 2^nd and 4^th  at 10AM all that can meet at our church to help clean up the beautiful place the Lord has given us to worship in.  Please come when you can to help with the work…. Also, it is getting close to time again to help mow and clean up our church yard.  If you can help, please try to schedule your time with Brother Benny Walker……. Remember our annual meeting 3^rd weekend in April.  Elder Sonny Huckaby and Elder James Isaacs will come and be with us.  It will start Friday night before 3^rd Sunday , with services Saturday morning and afternoon and will close Sunday morning.  Please pray the Lord will give us a wonderful and spirit filled meeting.………In my humble opinion, the Lord has richly blessed our church in the last few months.  The attendance has been large, the Holy Spirit has blessed those who have preached and the singing services have been grand. Even the sounds of children and infants have graced our sanctuary once again.  And all of the praise for what has happened goes to the Lord.  It is obvious the Lord has been in the place.  Please pray that same Spirit will continue and fill the sanctuary.  To those of you who have observed the blessings and if the Lord has given you the desire, then come and join us and help us press on.  Just as the old hymn says, “Oh who will come and go with us and help us sing the song”…….Please remember the annual meeting being hosted by Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Seagoville, Texas starting Friday night before 3^rd Sunday in March.  Elder Ronald Lawrence from Nashville, Tn. has been invited to come and be with them….Also, the Primitive Baptist Church in Lewisville, Tx. will host their Anniversary Meeting beginning Friday evening before the 4^th Sunday in March.  Elder Bryce Lowrance from West Palm Beach, Fl. has been invited to be with them.  Please pray for these meetings and attend if you can.  If we would like visitors to come and be with us then we will need to visit others also…..Remember the assigned work for our Bible Study.  We are to write down our view of the abilities of God with scriptural proof. We will start discussing these at our study 1^st Sunday afternoon in March……TLW