Last evening as Pastor Barbee was preaching on the permanency of marriage and it's relationship with Christ and the church my mind wondered a bit and I thought of Christians and the local church. We know that membership in the universal church is made actual and real by membership in the local church. So, in my wandering mind, the wondered, why don't we have or ask for lifetime commitment in the local (not a) church?
It seems when we become a little dis-satisfied, offended, or unhappy and can't have our way, the first thing we do is divorce ourselves from the local fellowship that loved, helped, and grew us and find a new one. So I asked myself, if God wants marriage to be for a lifetime, and wants us to work things out rather than divorce, could he want the same of the believer and the local church?
What do you think?

Yesterday our speaker said that the first part of "the good Life" was to remember the good things that God has done for us (Joshua 23:1-5).I have to admit that there are sometimes that I see the things the devil is doing to hurt and destroy God's work here and my heart hurts and my day is blue. Yet if I just take the time to remember what God has done and to see what he is doing it does change everything and makes life good! So how about it people of God at SNMBC has God done any good things and is He doing any good now? Your comment please and your testimony of praise! May God bless your socks off today.

In the last point of yesterday's message we pointed out that when God meets our temporal needs He often will meet others needs too through His goodness to us. In our obedience to do things His way, according to His Word, we have so much others share in the blessings of God on us. Yet the final point of the final point was how God was doing even greater things in our lives. For Joseph, it wasn't just the temporary food for him and the provision of food need for Egypt and other nations but all of it was about God reuniting him and his brothers. Do we recognize the eternal in the temporary? Do we see that the "all things" of Romans 8:28 carries the eternal with the temporary? Can you share today how God provided a temporary need, how others were blessed by it, and how something greater that the temporary was achieved through it all?

This sequel isn't about a sermon preached in the pulpit by one of the pastors but of several preached in the pews by the people. Last night we had a time of testimonies, praise and thanks expressed vocally to our God in the presence of God's people. One spoke of God's answers to prayer, another learning about unanswered prayer, and still another spoke of taking time to pray before making a decision. There were others too that spoke of the goodness of God. They were encouraging and helpful to God's people and will long be remembered. May today you can comment with a simple word thanks or praise to our wonderful Lord Jesus. I'll guarantee it will lift a brother or sister up!

The Sequel - Yesterday, while preaching about the flood, I mentioned how the flood is one of the skeptic's delights. They take issue with a worldwide flood (not enough water to cover the mountains), the size of the ark, (not enough room), and the geological evidence. Many of the questions raised are easily answered by common sense and the Scriptures but some remain unanswered. My challenge to most of you is to get into the Scriptures and answer the skeptics and to explain to them the warning of 2 Peter 3. For your comment answer this question - Does it bother you or your faith if some questions remain unanswered at this time and need to be accepted by faith in the truthfulness of God's word?

The mind of Christ in us was the subject of the sermon and Scriptures yesterday. The challenge was that this mind of submission, giving up, of others before me, would be our mind. It's not natural for "Me first" , "I" centered humans but should be for the blood-washed, changed believer. The challenge of the sequel is to name someone who has been seen by you showing the mind of Christ. Maybe someone like Timothy or Epaphroditus (Philippians 2) or Jim Eilott or __________. You fill in the blank, hopefully using your name.

"Adoration to the King of Kings" was the name of last night's cantata. The music was wonderful, the message of the music even better. I left feel that I needed to lift up my King, love Him, seek Him, surrender to Him, and above all serve Him. He is worthy; He's my creator, sustainer, and salvation, He supplies my needs, He strengthens my weakness, and allows me to walk with Him. "All Hail, King Jesus"! Amen.