“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9

I love my dad.  He has been there for me down through the years.  I knew I could look up and see him at all my events and that he loved and cared for me. But for many years my father was alienated from the church and from a faithful walk with the Lord.

He was not antagonistic in any way, but just didn’t think it was important enough to occupy his time.  I prayed for my father for over 20 years.

I got a call one day telling me that my father had been rushed to the hospital. It turned out that he had, had an aneurysm.  It nearly took his life. He ended up in the hospital for an extended time. But, praise the Lord, he made a full recovery.

Not only that, but through it, God got his attention. Dad recommitted himself to the Lord. He made Jesus the priority of his life. Dad is now a mainstay at his church. He teaches Sunday School. He picks up the trays after Wednesday night meals. He’s faithful to the men’s ministry and started a monthly prayer breakfast.

I talk to him every day about spiritual things.  He is a true inspiration and blessing in my life.

Oh, my brothers and sisters; don’t grow weary in your service for the Lord. God can work through you to bring glory to His name. It may not always be apparent at the moment, but Oh, One day…. don’t give up!

Prayer: Oh Lord, forgive me for growing weary in my service for You. I ask for Your strength, Your patience, Your purpose to do the things that You have set aside for me to do for Your glory. I am Yours.  I look forward to seeing how you will use the remainder of my life. 

     -Dr. Richard “Ricky” Lee
Pastor: First Baptist Church Sherwood, Sherwood

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The heart cry of all of us as ministers of the gospel should be, “Lord, give me an intense hunger for Your Word and an even greater desire to be faithful to it’s instructions.” The reason is that the words of the Bible aren’t just ordinary words written by man. These words are “God-breathed.” A man may have placed the words on parchment, but the source of the inspiration for the words was God.

In these verses, Paul tells us that these God-breathed words are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. All of which are so needed for the work of ministry in today’s world. The words contained within the Bible are an essential component of every growing believer’s life. If we, as ministers of the gospel, neglect to proclaim the words of life God has given to us, how can we lead believers into a deeper relationship with Him?

Whenever flight attendants review airplane safety before the plane takes off, they always say some version of, “In case of an emergency if oxygen is needed and the masks come down, put your own mask on FIRST, before assisting others.”

Before we can assist others in developing an intense hunger for the Word of God, we must FIRST have that hunger ourselves. Our church members must see that hunger in us.

Do you want to experience all that God has designed for your ministry? Do you want to experience the ministry to its fullest? Then cry out to God to give you such a hunger for His Word that it will overflow into your preaching and teaching. You cannot be satisfied with anything less.

     -Joe Manning
Pastor: Bethel Baptist Church, Jacksonville

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
– Deuteronomy 31:6

In 42 years of marriage and ministry, Cynthia, my wife, and I have learned that faith leaves stretch marks.  Faith stretches everyone who asks Jesus each morning, “Will you show me throughout today what it looks like to follow you and respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading?”  Praying this prayer is not too difficult because many Jesus followers have been taught in church to pray some form of this prayer. Being faithful to Jesus’ answer can stretch us out of our comfort zone spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Come to think of it, the reason my faith can leave real stretch marks is that I can get God’s agenda really confused with mine.  My agenda tends to take the path of least resistant, where God’s agenda moves me out of my comfort zone to transform me to be more like Jesus and to accomplish His purpose. Cynthia and I find that you cannot live in God’s agenda without His presence and having others around on the same journey proactively seeking God’s rule and reign in our lives.  Whether it is from showing a simple act of kindness in Jesus’ name to trusting in God’s presence and provisions in the life events that can rob us of our very breath, God challenges us to be strong, courageous, and responsive to Him.

Talk about the faith with stretch marks; Joshua’s faith classifies as such.  How do you take Moses’ place as a leader?  God’s plans may not always make sense, but he will always provide his presence and power to get one on His agenda and means to accomplish is purposes.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

God’s words to Joshua encouraged Cynthia and me when God stretched our faith to be a part of a church plant at the age of 60. Joshua is an example to all of us in how to find courage and strength from God’s presence during challenges. Cynthia and I are not just encouraged by Joshua, but also by the others that walked with Joshua. God places other believers in our lives for a purpose.  Joshua could not accomplish God’s plan alone. Our growing number of lovely people at Living Hope Church are finding God is just as faithful to us as He was with Joshua if we will be strong and courageous in trusting in the Lord our God.

God brings strength and courage to Living Hope Church in using Greg Varndell and the North Pulaski Baptist Association through facilitating partners with us like Second Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FBC Sherwood, North American Mission Board, and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Fresh Start Community Church and Unity Bible Church are new churches in our association that encourage us. I have new start pastor friends who encourage me. Through your church’s giving, you have financially helped NPBA church plants and replants.

How is God seeking to stretch your faith? What is God doing to stretch your church’s stretching faith?  Will you and your church pray about how you can directly become involved in a church plant or church replant?  Where is God stretching your faith to be more about His agenda and less about mine? Remember faith has stretch marks.

     -Robbie Tingle
Pastor: Living Hope Baptist Church, North Little Rock

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” – Col. 3:12

It is pretty astounding that God chose to use the human race to accomplish His purpose.  For every believer in Christ, we are placed here in this time and place for one reason-to bring others to Christ. We cannot go out into the lost world thinking we are better than anyone else.  Remember, we are all lost sinners saved by Grace.

Instead, Colossians 3:12 tells us to clothe ourselves with:

• Compassion:  We must look further than surface issues and see the greater need in someone’s life.
• Kindness/Gentleness:  These two traits go hand in hand.  Remember Jesus dealing with the woman at the well?  He did not speak harshly to her or condemn her lifestyle.  Instead, He was kind and gentle in His speech and actions.  Jesus’ few moments with this woman resulted in a changed life and a new believer.
• Humility:  We must realize we can do nothing separated from God.  We must daily humble ourselves before the Lord so He can use us for His purpose.
• Patience:  Patience means to quietly persevere and not give up even when we do not see immediate results.  Sometimes it takes years for a church to grow, a prayer to be answered, or to see someone you have prayed for to receive Christ.

Remember we are God’s chosen people called to fulfill His purpose of winning a lost world to Christ.  Keep clothing yourself daily in these traits in order to bring others to Christ.

Lord, thank you for saving me and allowing me to be part of your great plan. Amen.

     -Vickie Lee
ABSC Minister’s Wive Equipping Team Member and NPBA Minister’s Wives Coordinator, First Baptist Church Sherwood

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” – James 1:19

Discipline is a difficult habit to maintain, especially when it comes to engaging in conversation with others. Our approach to dialogue with one another should be handled with great caution and care. Every single person on the planet needs to understand that the way we talk to one another has consequences, for good and evil. Therefore, we must understand this (especially when engaging with the community around us) that we should be disciplined in our dialogue.

Just open up your social media feed and observe how we talk to one another. If only everyone could put a 24-hour buffer on every post, the world might be a better place. What does that look like? James helps us out here. We must be both fast and slow. But these must be put into proper context. There are circumstances in which being fast is a good thing, like responding in time of emergency. However, there are also times when being fast is a bad thing, like speeding down the highway (yeah…I went there). There are times when slowness is bad (like the DMV) and other times in which it is good, such as a major surgery.

When it comes to our dialogue with one another, though, we must be quick to listen to one another. Why? Learning and growth take time. It need not be rushed. Speaking is secondary to listening, and to learning about one another. And then anger should lag….way…behind.

Regarding the community in which we live, which is most assuredly lost, we must slow our pace and listen. Listen to understand. Listen to learn. Listen to grow. Why? In order to know them. In order to meet their needs. In order to show them that you care. And once you have succeeded in this task, then you can speak truth into their lives.

We long to make a lasting impact on our community, and we can accomplish the task effectively. It has to start with this truth found in James. The understanding that we must listen first and once we understand them, we can then speak life.

-Derek Allen
Pastor: Baring Cross Baptist Church, Sherwood

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” – Psalm 133:1   

King David praises the beautiful gift and sacred duty of unity among God’s people: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

It is good and pleasant for God’s people to live together in unity because our harmonious and loving interactions please the Lord. Jesus prayed for us to be united as one, just as He and the Father are one. Living in unity reflects the integral, triune relationship among God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Likewise, unity brings fulfillment and happiness to those who experience it. Our accord brings glory to God; and causes believers to become appealing witnesses of Christ’s love to the unbelieving world.

When we pursue unity, we no longer live according to our old, self-serving desires but instead follow the apostle Paul’s recommendation:

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”

Ultimately, God’s purpose, “the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure” is to unite all people under His rule and “bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

     -Pastor Maurice Brister
Pastor: Unity Bible Baptist Church, North Little Rock

“Without revelation, people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.” Proverbs 29:18

Without divine revelation from the Bible, we are directionless and reckless people. Still, those who follow the commands of the Bible are blessed and joyful. This proverb teaches the importance of guidance scriptures for purposeful living.

Think of a ship lost at sea without a map, wandering aimlessly, wasting fuel, and becoming increasingly disoriented. However, ships can find their way safely and confidently with a map and compass. Similarly, God’s revelation is like a map guiding us through the seas of life. Without it, we lose direction, but with it, we find peace and a sense of purpose.

Proverbs 29:18 calls us to reflect on whether we seek and follow God’s revelation or drift without direction. Are we running wild in our own wisdom or submitting to God’s divine instruction? To live with clarity and purpose, we must intentionally seek His guidance through prayer, studying Scripture, and listening to the Holy Spirit.

This verse reassures us that God will provide clear direction when needed. Even when unsure of which way to go, God guides us and keeps us on the right path. This verse reminds us that true purpose and joy come from following God’s revealed will. When we seek His guidance, we find meaning and avoid the chaos of life without a divine compass. The promise is clear: following God’s ways leads to a happier, more fulfilled life.

Today, commit to seeking God’s revelation through His Word and prayer. When faced with decisions or uncertainty, remember to ask for His wisdom, knowing He will guide you faithfully. By following His instructions, you will avoid the pitfalls of aimless living and experience the joy and peace of walking in His ways.

Prayer:

Father, please, I ask for your Word to guide my steps today and every day. Help me not to stray or live without direction but to follow your divine instruction with a willing heart. Lead me in a way that brings peace and joy. Father, give me the much-needed wisdom to understand your will and the courage to live it out faithfully. Let your Word be the lamp that lights my path and helps me find true happiness in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 119:105 (CSB): “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

James 1:5 (CSB): “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.”