Today is the last Sunday in February and to date our church family has exceeded its 2019 budget expectations by giving $24,171.27 in tithes and offerings which is $3,851.18 over budget. In addition, our church has given $2,659.76 toward the “One Mile for God’s Glory” Capital Campaign this year even after the $150,000 goal has been met. I praise God today for the generosity of our church family.
 
The apostle Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to excel in its giving, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
 
The point of these encouraging words is that God supplies abundantly so that we may give from the abundance of His generosity. That’s how joy in giving is received. Joy comes when you know that you have given according to the abundance of God’s amazing grace toward you.
 
A mother wanted to teach her little girl a lesson on generosity. She gave the child a one-dollar bill and a shiny new quarter. She told the girl, “Now, you give to the church when the offering plate passes which ever one you want and keep the other one for yourself.” After church on the way home, the mother asked the girl, “Which one did you give?” The daughter answered, “I was about to give the dollar bill, but as I was about to put it in the plate, the preacher said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew that I would be more cheerful with the dollar than with the quarter, so I gave the quarter.”
 
That’s the way a lot of people measure joy. Joy to them is calculated by what they keep rather than what they give. Aren’t you glad that God does not withhold from us that way? God is not stingy. He is lavish and generous toward us. Under these circumstances, God is the most joyful giver there is, because his blessings never diminish. No one can say that God “sows sparingly.” When we “sow bountifully” like God does, we share in His joy.
 
Offering Envelopes are now available for you to use in giving your weekly contributions to the ministry of the church. I have been putting my offerings in envelopes like those prepared for our church since I was a child. My mother started putting an offering in an envelope for me every Sunday from the time I was big enough to put it into the offering plate by myself. I cannot remember not taking an offering envelope with me to church. Giving has been a part of my life forever. Even in the off weeks when I do not give money, I still use my offering envelope to record my contacts each week. If I did not give my tithe or did not put my envelope in the offering plate, I would be miserable. Something important would be missing in my life. I thank God for the joy of giving every Sunday because the Lord has been so generous to me. God loves a cheerful giver!

I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to many of our leaders for the amazing work you have done recently. This past Sunday night, leaders assumed the responsibilities and performed the necessary ministries which resulted in one of the best Valentine Banquets I have enjoyed in my 50 years of ministry.
 
Thank you, Chuck Whitehead and our Men’s Ministry folks for selling tickets which surpassed our goal of 50 in attendance. After everyone was counted, the total of 60 was reported counting all our students who did such an incredible job serving the tables.
 
Thank you, Student Ministry Team for rallying the troops to do the ministry of serving tables. I could tell they were enjoying what they were doing for the adults. It looked to me like that they were having fun, like they always do, making salads, filling iced tea glasses, delivering plates of food and generally presenting a courteous joyful presence in the process. The students lifted the spirit of the entire event through their joy and eagerness to serve. Genuinely, from my heart, THANK YOU to every student and student leader who contributed to the event.
 
Thank you, Dwayne Shope for cooking such a delicious meal. I made a joke about his cooking a “Chicken Something” dish, because I had referred to it by several titles: Chicken Alfredo and Chicken Parmesan, just to name a couple. Dwayne’s “Chicken Something” dish was wonderful. It gave everyone who enjoyed it a special Valentine gift from his heart to our palates. When Dwayne delivered the food to the church, there was sweat on his brow telling me that he worked hard to prepare it for us. The Bible calls that kind of thing “Second-Mile” ministry. Thank you Dwayne for being a “Second-Mile” minister in the service of Jesus Christ here at Grace.
 
Thank you, Gloria Stone and our Women’s Ministry ladies for the beautiful decorations you provided for every table. Our ladies do such an incredible job with the table flowers, favors, coverings and lighting we too often enjoy without noticing the hard work and creativity it takes to put it all together. At least, clueless men like me fail to notice such things without full appreciation. Ladies, you did an incredible job. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
 
Again, I must add that the Holy Spirit was at work throughout the planning and preparation of our Banquet. To have the Chuck Nation’s Band available: Brother Chuck, wife Susan and daughter Libby, was truly a miracle from God. The quality of music, the fact that they were eager to come, the gracious return of a former pastor, the joy of glad reunions in homecoming was evidence that the Holy Spirit put everything together as only He can.
 
I give thanks to God for all that we enjoyed together as a church family last Sunday evening. Love is the key. The Grace Church Valentine Banquet was indeed a ministry of God’s love to us and our love for one another, “…By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” (John 13:35)

Today I will be preaching about “What the Bible Says” concerning Pain. This sermon has occupied not only my attention, but also my emotions all week long. When you talk about pain, you must not be trite or small minded. Many of our people deal with pain constantly. My only goal in bringing up this subject is to better understand from God’s word what the Bible has to say about it. I dare not make the pain you have less than what it is, nor do I intend to tell you that pain is God’s way of getting even for something terrible you have done. The fact is that we live in a world that is filled with pain. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
 
Jesus himself suffered from the pain of rejection. He endured the pain of a broken heart and crushed emotions. Don’t forget the pain of the Cross. Paul tells us about the pain Jesus endured when he said, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him give us all things.” (Romans 8:32)
 
I know that we would all prefer a pain-free, worry-less, world that is neatly ordered and less complicated. The truth is, LIFE IS NOT EASY.
 
Philip Yancey said, “Any discussion of how suffering and pain fit into God’s scheme ultimately leads back to the cross.”
 
The cross is God’s emblem of suffering and by its indelible mark upon our lives, we know that pain is real and that it is something we too must endure if we call ourselves followers of Jesus.
 
Notice the invitations Jesus offers. Thomas the twin said to the disciples, “Let us also go that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16)
 
Jesus said that no one could be His disciple if he was not willing to “…deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Him.” (Matthew 16:24)
 
Instead of a garland of roses, Jesus wrapped himself with a towel and washed the disciple’s feet saying, “…if I your Lord and master have washed your feet…you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:14)
 
Following Jesus is not a pathway to comfort and pain-free living. It is a hard road that takes you to the foot of the cross where suffering is awarded to everyone who follows Jesus there.
 
The following responses are from people who visited the Bridgewater Wilderness area:

• Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.
• Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
  
• Too many bugs. Please spray the wilderness to get rid of so many pests.
• The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake.
• Escalators would help on the steep slopes.
  
• Please put a MacDonald’s at the trailhead for the convenience of the hikers.
• Too many rocks in the mountain

 
 
Jesus did not call us to convenience. He did not make the pathway to Calvary pain-free or a down-hill slide. Following Jesus means that we will have pain and we will endure suffering. But listen to what He says, “…BE OF GOOD CHEER! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33)

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
The 2019 Grace Baptist Church
Valentine Banquet
February 20 at 6:00 pm

Special Guest Entertainment

Reverend Chuck Nation and Family
Singing and Sharing

Menu: Salad, Chicken Fettuccine, Vegetable Medley, Rolls and Valentine Cake
Service:  Student Ministry Serving Tables
Cost: $10.00 per ticket

Invite Family and Friends for a Great Evening at Grace
 
********************
NEW SERMON SERIES
Begins Today

“What the Bible Says”

Ten sermons on problems people face every day:

• What the Bible Says about Worry
• What the Bible Says about Pain
• What the Bible Says about Fear
• What the Bible Says about Strife
• What the Bible Says about Debt
• What the Bible Says about Envy
• What the Bible Says about Doubt
• What the Bible Says about Grief
• What the Bible Says about Stress
• What the Bible Says about Hate

 
Learn what God has to say about the daily problems that confront our lives.