Pastor Charles’ Reflections

As we continue in this wonderful year of snow, ice, rain and all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind to say the least. Many may be wondering, “Is there a Word from God?” The resounding answer is YES, YES, YES, for I read His Word this morning, yesterday and the days before. The Open Window points us to His Word and provides excellent devotional thoughts, and “Yes,” there is a Word from God. In addition, many of us have second or third devotional guides that we use quite often. My favorite source is Oswald Chambers’, “My Utmost For His Highest. “

He reminded me in this morning’s devotional, entitled, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper” using Romans 14:7, yes, another Word from God that, “None of us liveth to himself.” He wrote, “Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible for other souls spiritually before God? For instance, if I allow any private deflection from God in my life, everyone about me suffers. We ‘sit together in heavenly places.’ ‘Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it.’ When once you allow physical selfishness, mental slovenliness (untidy in personal appearance; lazily slipshod) moral obtuseness (lacking sharpness) spiritual density, everyone belonging to your crowd will suffer. ‘But,’ you say, ‘who is sufficient to those things if you erect a standard like that?’ Our sufficiency is of God and Him alone.

“You are my witnesses.” How many of us are willing to spend every ounce of nervous energy, of mental, moral and spiritual energy we have for Jesus Christ? That is the meaning of witness in God’s sense of the word. It takes time, be patient with yourself. God has left us on the earth - what for? To be saved, and sanctified? No, to be at it for Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured out wine for Him? To be spoiled for this age, for this life, to be spoiled from every standpoint but one - saving as I can disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life as a worker is the way I say, ‘thank you’ to God for His unspeakable salvation. Remember it is quite possible for any one of us to be flung out as reprobate silver (rejected as worthless or not standing the test, or an unusable broken pot.) -... lest that by any means when I have preached on others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Yes, there are many Words from God. In addition, here are the top 10 predictions for 2010. 1) The Bible will still have all the answers. 2) Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on earth. 3) The Holy Spirit will still move. 4) God will still honor the praises of His people. 5) There will still be God-anointed preaching. 6) There will still be singing of praise to God. 7) God will still pour out blessings upon His people. 8) There will still be room at the Cross. 9) Jesus will still love you. 10) Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn’t it great to remember Who is really in control and that, “the Word of the Lord endures forever.” I Peter 1:25.

As John Wayne use to say, “Well pilgrim, I will see you when we see each other again.” and as your Pastor, I hope that is this coming Sunday, if He chooses to delay His coming. In His Grip, Pastor Charles

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Opportunities for Service in the name of our Lord Jesus:
Friday, February 19th—R.A.s Lock In
Sunday, February 21st—Final Deacon list nominees
Monday, February 22nd—Senior Adults at 6:30 PM.
Saturday, March 6th—Church Wide Clean Up Day at 9:00 A.M. Sunday, March 7th— Election of Deacons. One for one year and two for three year term.
Friday, March 26th—B.B.Q Pork Day for our Youth’s Mission Trip.
Saturday, April 17th—Fund Raiser Tournament for our Youth Mission Trip-Tee time 1:00 at Pinetuck.

YWOM Bible Study for February
Our February YWOM meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, February 21st @ 5:15 pm at El Cancun Mexican Restaurant on Cherry Rd. Please be prepared to discuss the third chapter of Living Free by Beth Moore. We welcome any new ladies who would like to join our study. Books are available at Shepherd’s Fold or at Lifeway in Pineville.

A Special thanks to the Patsy McSwain Family for the heating/air conditioner units installed in the Secretary’s office and Pastor Charles’ study. Come by and take a look and see how nice they look. Thank you Patsy and Family.

A gift has been given to NewKirk Baptist Church in memory of Pastor Glen Self by Mr. & Mrs. Bucky King.

Our Prayer Vigil was well attended this past Sunday. Of course, we missed many of you, but we always have choices to make. The suggested prayer vigil for NewKirk’s seventeenth anniversary was 1) Pray for our nation including our President, Vice President, Congress and the Supreme Court, 2) South Carolina, 3) The church family of NewKirk for rededication, renewal of our ministry to the glory of God; for spiritual awakening within our church membership; a new commitment and passion for the things of God; for members who are not attending any church; the lost and unchurched; our students and teachers; our church staff, church harmony, fellowship, finances, and attendance; Our GROW team and a new passion for the lost; Our deacon council and the election of three new deacons; our visitors and prospects; our missionaries; for peace and our military. We added prayers for jobs for those not working; our building plans, Haiti; a new Sunday School Director in September; and some unspoken requests for friends and community.

Our final Deacon Nominees are Michelle Goodman, Bill Gordon, Travis Jackson, Bucky King and Denny Saverance. We will elect three deacons on March 7th, one for one year and two for a three year term. Be much in prayer as you vote on your candidates. I believe it is an honor to be nominated as a possible member of our Deacon Council.

Games For This Week:
Saturday, February 20. 2010
8:00 Boys at Shield of Faith
9:00 Girls at Oakdale

Inclement Weather Policy: Pastor Charles will lead our worship service on Sunday during inclement weather beginning at 11:00. For some reason, his sermons are shorter on those days. We will not have Sunday School. If you feel you can come to church without falling or having an accident, please do so and if not, please stay at home. We do not wish for anyone to get hurt by falling or having an accident. If you stay home, spend some time praying for the service and those who attend.

Our NewKirk Seniors will meet at 6:30 on February 22nd. It will be a covered dish dinner, wear something red, if possible, and watch Wheel of Fortune this week to get an idea of what the games may be. Check out the word puzzles they play during Wheel of Fortune and bring your thinking caps.

2010 Season of North American Missions, March 7-14—Theme: “Live with Urgency: Share God’s Transforming Power” God’s Word says in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also the Greek.” As we approach this week of prayer we are encouraging you to pray for North American Missions and our 5,600 missionaries who are serving in the United States, Canada and their territories. We fondly refer to this mission emphasis and offering as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. The national goal is $70,000 million and our goal is $1,200.00. Luke 12:48 says: “...From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” Philippians 4:19 reads: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Lord, all that I have comes from You. Thank you for the blessings You pour out on me. As I learn to manage what You give me, I pray that I do it responsibly and in a way that honors and glorifies You. I also pray that I grow into the one You can trust to give when You call me to do so. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Give as God has blessed you and that is all we can ask of you.

Our church staff evaluation has been re-scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2010.
4:00 Anne Roof; 4:30 Bryan Bogue; 5:00 Don Stafford; 5:30 Eleanor Self; 6:00 Pastor Charles.

We have on hand the 2010 Easter Cross Witness. Beginning Wednesday, February 17th (Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent), these crosses are to be placed in ones yard with the plain side out - no message - and on Easter Morning turn it around and it reads “He Is Risen! And It Is Finished” We have 25 on hand and they are $4.80 each. See Pastor Charles.

A Lenten Prayer: How to Fast
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift us with Your Presence, so we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, February 21, 2010
Children's Church: Michelle & Ray Goodman
Infants’ Nursery— Bucky & Renee King
Usher/Greeter Teams– Russ Trotter, Travis Jackson, Jeff Vinson, Hayley Potter
TELLER: February 22—Bill Gordon

CHURCH CALENDAR
Feb. 19—7:00—RA’s Lock-In
Feb. 21—9:45—S.S., 10:45—Worship, 5:00—Youth, 5:15—YWOM (Also final Deacon’s List)
Feb. 22— 6:30—Senior Adults
Feb. 23—7:00—GROW “W”
Feb. 24—6:45-RA’s, GA’s, Acteens, Mission Friends, Adult Bible Study, 7:30-Choir Practice