PASTOR NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2025
A Matter of Control
Decisions are a part of our lives each day. Some of those decisions are simple, but even the simple ones can be impactful when it comes to the physical and spiritual health we all long for. Here is a real world example many of us can relate to. When I was a child, any trip to Grandma Andrews’ home meant walking through the kitchen as we entered the house. In a house where 13 grandchildren would occasionally visit during holidays, Grandma would always have a box of soft peppermint sticks for her grandbabies to have.
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Since we lived closer to my grandparents than other family members did, we spent a little more time in Dawson, Alabama, than my cousins who lived in Anniston and Miami. More trips to Grandma’s house meant more opportunities for peppermint sticks. I didn’t think anything about grabbing one when I went into the house. Now as I am older and I realize that food choices can impact my health, I am trying to think about those things more. Grandma and Grandpa Andrews are in heaven now, and I haven’t had a peppermint stick in a long time, but any trip to my mom’s house means I have access to the Little Debbie cakes she keeps for my grandchildren when they come to visit. Choices, choices, choices.
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For all of us that will honestly say we have a “sweet tooth,” we have to be mindful of how that sugar will impact our long term health. This is where self-control comes into focus. Some people deal with temptations that can impact them much more quickly than eating a nice dessert. No matter the choice, we must learn to practice the self-control that the Bible describes as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Living in accordance with the Word of God as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ means we are always looking to make choices that are pleasing to the Heavenly Father.
The great news for us is that as we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, we will find that our old sinful nature slowly loses its grip on us. Our “taste” for sinful desires and behaviors gradually fades. Living God’s way takes on a sweeter and sweeter flavor as we live our lives in step with the Spirit. While there are many foods that are sweet and enjoyable to taste, none are as sweet and fulfilling as the fruit of the Spirit. May our choices reflect our devotion to the One who saved us from our sins and gifted us with eternal life and the Holy Spirit.
Upcoming Events!
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April 6: Ladies from the Summit will be visiting LBC; Observance of the Lord’s Supper
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April 12: Resurrection Celebration children’s outing at LBC
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April 13: Annie Armstrong Easter offering ingathering
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April 13: Youth Sunday; Bro. Ryan Barrontine will be preaching.
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April 20: Easter Sunrise service and Easter Sunday worship
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April 26: Car Show outreach ministry
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April 27: VBS training at FBC Rainsville beginning at 2:30 p.m.
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
A very unique event is described in Deuteronomy 27. As the Lord was preparing Israel to enter into the Promised Land, He gave Moses specific instructions that were to be carried out on two mountains. One was Mount Gerizim, and the other was Mount Ebal. The instructions from the Lord would deal with a pronouncement of blessings and curses that would be a part of Israel’s journey in the Promised Land, dependent on their obedience to the Lord and His laws.
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The ceremony would symbolize the renewal of Israel’s covenant commitment to the Lord. Once they had crossed the Jordan, the Israelites were to build a monument of stones containing the words of the law, as well as an altar for offering sacrifices to the Lord (verses 1–8). Worshiping the Lord and obeying God’s Word were to be essentials for Israel’s existence in the Promised Land.
After the law of Moses was written on the stones, the people were to divide into two groups. Half of Israel’s tribes were to gather on Mount Gerizim and the other half on Mount Ebal, while the priests with the Ark of the Covenant were to stand in the valley between. As the Levites read the blessings for obeying the law, the six tribes on Mount Gerizim were to pronounce a resounding “Amen!” When the Levites recited the curses for disobeying the law, the other six tribes on Mount Ebal were to give a great cry of “Amen!”
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God has given us, through the pages of Scripture, this and other reminders of the blessings of obedience versus the foolishness of pride and sinfulness. One such reminder can be found in Galatians 5, which has been a part of my quiet time the last few days. We see the works of the flesh described in vs. 19 - 21. One may read vs. 21 and say, “Preacher, I have committed some of those sins. Is my eternal future in jeopardy?” The key word in the verse is “practice,” which means a habitual and continual action. Believers will commit sins, but the pattern of their lives will be that of faithful obedience to the Lord.
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That faithful obedience will show itself by the fruits of the Spirit described in vs. 22 and 23. True Christians have the desire to put to death the longings of the flesh and live in obedience to the Lord in all aspects of our lives. We will enjoy the love and peace of God, which is greater than anything the world offers. We will practice kindness and self-control, using these fruits as part of our witness to others for Christ. May we truly be a church family that is more than just folks who live in the Spirit. May we take Paul’s admonition to walk in the Spirit seriously!