Stronger, Smarter, and Sweeter!

Have you ever been overwhelmed? Ever had so much on your plate that you think you can't take anymore? Have you ever thought that you were at the breaking point in life to only have something else go wrong? Have you ever been so burdened that you thought that you would never see the break of day again? Maybe this is where you find the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. This great man of God has a thorn in the flesh that he begged God to remove, but God said no. He told Paul that His grace is sufficient and that he not only would make it, but that he would be stronger than before.

Life is filled with trouble. How we handle this trouble tells us so much about ourselves. Could it be that the Lord is just showing us what we need to work on? I heard my dad say one time, "God doesn't do things to find out what we are made of; He already knows that. He does things so that we can find out what we are made of." This is not the statement that we want to hear but I believe that it is a truthful statement.

Paul mentions five types of troubles . . . infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses. Yet all of these he is willing to endure for the cause of Christ. Not only does he endure this for God, he finds pleasure in this. I don't know many people that take pleasure in troubles, but Paul did. These five types of trouble wear on you and make you weaker. Then in the midst of this weakness, he says that God will make me stronger.

Through the years I have seen God do some miraculous things. Many times I thought it was the beginning of the end, but instead it was the beginning of God doing some great things for me. God wants us all to be stronger, smarter, and sweeter. Sometimes these problems we go through are designed with that purpose in mind. I believe the problems I face right now are just the Lord getting ready to show me His great power. When all is said and done . . . I will be stronger, smarter, and sweeter!

Fundamentalism is Alive and Well

We just recently completed the 3rd annual meeting of the Nationwide Independent Baptist Fellowship, held at the Franklin Road Baptist Church, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Dr. Max Barton did a superb job as moderator of this fellowship. Dr. Mike Norris and the members of Franklin Road should be commended as well for doing an outstanding job in hosting the meeting. Everything they did was done in 1st class style. One of Brother Norris' staff men, Curt Copeland, did a great job in organizing the meeting. Also, the food was par-excellent. The ladies of Franklin Road could easily start their own business. All in all, the amenities provided were wonderful. I know something about all of the work done because of hosting the meeting the two previous years. Franklin Road Baptist Church brought much glory and honor to God and for the cause of Christ.

As for the meeting, it was awesome. I don't see how the line-up of preachers could have been any better. Clyde Box opened the meeting on Monday night, and R. B. Ouellette closed out the meeting on Wednesday night, with a great host of preachers in between. You should have been there to hear Bro. Kenny Baldwin preach the house a fire. The music was fantastic for every service. The FRBC choir sang each night and my associate pastor, Ray Turner, led the congregational singing. My pianist, Jenny McGrath, was there to play and all were such a blessing. The attendance was great for all thirteen services with the building packed several times.

It was so encouraging to see all of the fundamental preachers present that have grown weary of the liberal direction others have gone. I heard several preachers say this reminded them of the old Southwide meetings when the atmosphere was electric. It was fun, festive, and encouraging. I look forward next year when the meeting will come back to Peoples Baptist Church.