Great Time at Fort Bluff

This past week I took our teens to Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton, Tennessee. Other churches were invited and about 200 were in attendance for a great week of camp. It was obvious that Brother Wayne Meeks did a superb job in organizing and preparing for the week. Tony Hutson, Keith Smith, Wayne Meeks, and I did the preaching; and the Lord was so gracious to bless His Word. The kids were responsive and many decisions were made. I think that there were 7 or 8 young people that surrendered for full-time Christian service for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I believe the altar was filled every service.

The week could have never have been the success it was without the faithful workers of PBC. I think we counted 19 workers who spent the week helping us in many capacities. They refereed games, acted out skits, sang, and prayed with kids who had spiritual needs. All of these workers were proof of what the ministry is all about.

Next year we will host "Camp David" June 30-July 4. Plans are already being made for another great week of youth camp in 2008. There is something about camp that is so good. It is a time when you have teens all to themselves without the worldly influences vying for their hearts and attention. You get them away from television, worldly music, and things that normally occupy their time. Camp is a time when God can more readily speak to their hearts. We had some teens that didn't make the trip; but when the other teens came home bragging about the great week they had, others wished they had gone. Sunday night in church we had several teens give a testimony about what God did in their hearts that week. We also watched a 13 minute video of the camp week. Everyone enjoyed both immensely. Make your plans -- next year will be great!

There is liberty!

The Bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 3:17: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." It is my goal to welcome the Holy Spirit of God in everything I do. The Word of God tells us that you can achieve that liberty when God's Spirit is present. We want liberty at Peoples Baptist Church to worship, to fellowship, to sing, to give, and to make decisions for God. I don't want to do anything that would hurt that Spirit.


This past Sunday it was evident that God's Spirit was not only present, but working in the services. The music was Christ honoring, and the moving of God could be sensed by God's people. I preached a message entitled, "Consider the Loaves," and the Lord blessed. There is nothing I can do to take credit for any good thing that was done, but God blessed in a wonderful way. There is a spirit in our church right now that is wonderful. I love coming to God's house and feeling His presence. God moved and folks were saved, and many made decisions at the altar. I love it when you see God work and know He is moving among God's people.


When we make room for the Holy Spirit of God to have free reign, things will happen. I am excited to see what God has for us in the future. We need to take it upon ourselves to be as clean and right with the Lord as we can be. I don't want to do anything to hinder the working of God. Let's continue on serving, giving, and loving God, and He will bless every time!

We had special guests in the for the weekend at PBC, Tony and Rachel Sengmany from Temple Baptist Church in Powell, TN. Tony challenged our men at the prayer breakfast on Saturday and then preached for us on Sunday night. Rachel played the piano and blessed our hearts with her talent and sweet spirit. Both were used of God and our people really did well in making them feel welcome. I believe that God is on this young couple and great things are in store for them in the future. They were a great example of the Spirit of God moving in their lives as the liberty of God was evident in their hearts.

JUST STAND!

The Bible is clear that we should stand. Lester Roloff has on his epitaph, "He stood." I want to be able to stand. Standing is a wonderful thing if we don't abuse it. We can stand without being hateful, mean spirited, or proud. The world is wreaking havoc on our churches. Churches that used to stand are now giving in to the influences of the world. Dr. Lee Roberson said that worldliness comes into churches in two ways: through dress and through music. In a day when churches are doing anything for a crowd, we should be like Abraham where the Bible says: "and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

How shall we stand? The Word of God teaches us in 2 Corinthians that we should stand by faith. Faith that will be blessed by a holy God. Many have drifted from where they used to be because they think that old time religion doesn't work anymore. Fundamentalism is not dead; it is alive and well. I am not out to change anybody or become any one's enemy, but I do want to be faithful to Christ and stand. When you feel that you can't make it anymore, just stand. Stand by faith and God will bless.

Someone who stands clothed in false humility is a pitiful excuse for a Christian. Anyone who takes a stand for Christ will be challenged. There will be many times that you will have to stand and stand alone, but for Jesus' sake stand. Whether it is with family, on the job, or even in the church, just stand. Always stand by faith but with a Christ-like spirit. When I get to heaven, I want to hear: "Well done thou good and faithful servant."