Encourager Jan-Feb 2017

January - February 2017

Volume 14 Issue 1

The Encourager Eastern Shore Bible Baptist Church of Galena, Maryland Sunday Service Schedule 9:30am

Sunday School

10:30am Morning Worship 6:00pm

Evening Worship

Wednesday Service 7:00pm

Prayer Meeting

and Bible Study

The Reality of Blessings by

Pastor Steve Hays, M.Min,D.Min

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

Selah” - Psalm 68:19

anywhere else we go outside of the church house setting.

The psalmist does state that the Lord daily loads us with benefits, and I believe that.

The Bible also says that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine” in Proverbs 17:22, and I believe that, also.

Salvation God’s Way Our salvation is not based upon our ideas or politically correct guidelines.

It is solely based upon our acceptance of God’s chosen way, which is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 2:16. It involves our repentance of trusting everything else, and only trusting the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for payment for our sins - I Cor. 15:1-4. You cannot add Jesus Christ to your collection of saviors, He is the only Savior, and it is by His blood that our sin debt is paid - Col. 1:14.

Jesus Christ is still the only way of Salvation John 14:6

At this time of year, we are bombarded with the cliches of “blessings await you” and “make this the best year ever”.

Likewise, we are told by the news media that 2016 was the worst year ever in the history of mankind, mainly because the liberal news media lost the election and looked like a bunch of fools with their predictions.

Hopefully, and prayerfully, this article with be neither cliche nor doomsday but rather based in reality. Our Christianity needs to have a reality to it that we can take to work, school, home, play or

Having a cheerful spirit and a heart that counts our blessings can affect our lives in a very positive manner. Any medical doctor would tell you the same thing even if they didn’t recognize God in the equation.

H o w e v e r, t h e i d e a t h a t positive thinking will solve all of your problems is not one based in reality. A patient who is chronically ill or has cancer is not going to be cured just because they think “happy thoughts” even if there was pixie dust sprinkled on them [sorry, it is a Tinkerbell reference].

continued on page 2

page 2

Nor is your financial problem going to be solved because you reposted a Facebook meme about being blessed.

The Biblical idea is that considering our daily blessings and having a merry heart can give you peace, contentment, hope, cheer, and joy in the midst of your problems, and yes, it might even help solve them because nothing is solved from us sitting on our rears and whining about what is wrong.

I often wondered why God mentions so many times to be “sober”, to “meditate”, and to “think”.

It is because we [including myself] can be so weak minded that we let others think for us. We let the advertisers tell us what we need in our lives. We let the news media tell us if we are having a good or bad year, and we let the latest of our experiences dictate to us what the entire year was like.

Recently one of the ladies at church gave a testimony of how she kept a journal through last year, recording prayer requests and the answers from God. She stated that upon looking over the journal at the end of the year she was fascinated with the answered prayer request, and even if God didn’t answer the way she would have liked, or in the timely fashion she

would have liked, He never failed in His answer nor in His mercy and grace.

That was a great testimony and made me think about my own year. It would be easy to say 2016 was a bad year. We had a few church folks quit, I was admitted in the hospital five different times, and as one of my doctors told me, “your disease is seriously evolving”. I had to cancel a few meeting to churches as a guest preacher because I can’t travel very well, and I am sick of making trips to Baltimore for medical purposes.

But during these times, don’t we need to stand up and practice what we preach? Do we really believe the Scriptures or are they just a prop for our religion?

The Bible says, “Finally my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” - Phil. 4:8.

So let me put my year in a better perspective: I was able to give a witness to several doctors of why I’m not stressed about being sick. I have a new body coming and

heaven is a real place. I have been able to brag about the people of God in our church that have shown a grace and charity beyond what I could ask by allowing me to continue working even through the many illnesses.

The doctors have all remarked about what an amazing group of people they are. I have been able to witness to some in the hospital and have had nurses ask if they could pray for me beside the hospital bed as well as give me a hug when I left.

Now having a cheerful spirit through all of this hasn’t healed anything, but it certainly made it more bearable.

In 2016 we have had some new folks attend, and keep attending, our church which is a blessing.

Some of our church children have been saved, and although some of the young people have left for college and jobs, they have remained faithful to God and are faithful in the churches where they live. As a pastor, that is a tremendous blessing.

In 2016 our church family had several new babies born which is always exciting and one of them happened to be my sixth grandchild. We had business meetings in the continued on page 7

page 3

Without Fail

by Pastor Rob “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lam 3:22,23.

The book of Lamentations is one of great suffering and yes, lamentation. Historically the book refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. and was witnessed by Jeremiah, the author of the book. The destruction and desolation were the result of God’s judgment because, according to Lam 1:8, “Jerusalem hath grievously sinned”. Obviously, God would rather have had their fellowship, but Israel was obstinate. God’s warnings through the preaching of the prophets went unheeded.

This book also prophetically speaks of the destructive events Israel will experience during the Tribulation.

However, right in the middle of the book, Jeremiah reminds the reader of three qualities about God that counter-balance the judgment leveled against Israel: His mercies, His compassions, and His faithfulness. God is a righteous God and because of that He expected His

people to live righteously. He would not tolerate idolatry, blatant sin, and complete disregard for God’s word.

Even though that is exactly what they did, Israel was not consumed. Remarkably, they still exist today because of the promises in these verses.

Also, they will be a part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and be exalted as God’s chosen people during the Millennium.

The LORD is merciful and His compassions will not fail.

Every morning they are like new and God’s faithfulness can be counted on. Although God will judge when necessary, He is always quick to forgive and eager to restore.

Like Israel, we also have been given promises by God. As born again Christians we have (among many other gifts) His abiding presence, rewards for service, and an eternal home being prepared

by Jesus Christ. These blessings can be counted on implicitly and eternally because God’s compassions fail not.

It is comforting to have the confidence in God to know that His compassions will not fail...

I. When We Fail.

Even when we are not exactly what we are supposed to be, God will not deny His relationship to us. We are part of His Family and in one body [Eph 2:16-22]. We have also been bought with a price [1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 1:18,19] and He will always claim us.

God’s compassion does not hinge on our perfection. We can disrupt perfect fellowship through sin and disobedience [1 John 1:6-8] but God is always willing to forgive. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

His compassions will not fail...

II. When We Are Fine.

Every morning His compassion is the same. It does not lessen over night or throughout the day. We do not deplete them as we go along. God’s supply of compassion is unlimited.

Often we are doing fine; our hearts are right with God and we enjoy our walk with Him. It is during those times that we may recognize His compassion the most, but in fact they are always new.

Perhaps the most reassuring question asked concerning a New Testament Christian is found in Rom 8:35. “Who shall separate us from the

page 4 love of Christ?” Happily the answer is that none can.

His compassions will not fail...

III. When We Finish.

We can count on them to the very end. “For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.” 1 Samuel 12:22. God’s intention is to bring us to the end of our days in fellowship with Him and with each other and to accomplish in us His perfect will. Phil 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath

begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We can be very thankful that throughout our wilderness journey on earth, God will remain faithful. We understand that regardless of our personal state, God will remain steadfast. He is our constant.

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps 17:15.

This is a picture that reminds me of God’s compassions and the fact that they are new

Morning Revival

every morning. I witnessed a remarkable sunrise one still morning. Before the sun came up there was a light mist that covered the ground.

Slowly the sun began to break the horizon and then almost as an explosion, the sky, the field, and landscape were washed with light and color. I painted that scene and named it “Morning Revival”. It reminds me that in the Lord everything is always new and alive. We are assured of God’s mercy, compassion, and faithfulness. Praise the Lord!

page 5

ESBBC Happenings

By Cindy Hays

We love our church family around here.

Over the holidays we had several opportunities to fellowship with each other.

The ladies had a nice time at our annual Christmas fellowship. This year we had a special guest who taught us about painting on canvas! (thanks Pastor Rob).

The Saturday Saints always have a great time exchanging white elephant gifts. We have a white elephant that is always

part of our exchange, too.

This year Betty T. will enjoy it and return it next year!

We also had a time of Christmas caroling at several places and followed by a time of fellowship at the Hays’ house.

We enjoyed the Christmas play presented by the Sunday School classes. They did a great job presenting the Old Te s t a m e n t p r o p h e c i e s concerning Jesus Christ.

page 6

Missions Ta k i n g G o d ’s W o r d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .

By Cindy Hays

Special Christmas Offering Each year we collect a special offering to send to a mission project. This year we sent the offering to Harbor Evangelism Mongolia.

In his September letter, Bro. Mitch Tillman said “We are taking new babies almost daily. We have room for them but need to hire more help.

We need more beds, clothes,

I hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Encourager. The articles are always an encouragement to me as I

shoes and anything for children from birth to 5 years of age. Mongolia’s economy is on the verge of collapse and people are abandoning their children more than ever.”

We thank each of you for your generosity in this Christmas Gift for Jesus. The grand total we sent was $5,472.10 You can read more about the Harbor Evangelism Ministry at www.harborevangelism.com

read over them before publication. In this section is usually a column entitled “Encouragement from the

A few additional Christmas photos. You can view additional photos on our web site.

Hymns”. I invite anyone who wishes to write an article about your favorite hymn. You can submit it to me for consideration for publication at office@esbbc.org.

The church ladies also showed interest in having additional fellowship meetings through the year. We plan to have a few meetings addressing topics of interest to the ladies.

Example: an essential oils class. If you have an interest or craft you would like us to do, please let me know.

Did you know?

Head over to www.esbbc.org to take a look!

Also, you can follow us on Facebook!

page 7

continued from page 2

church throughout the year without contentions or someone’s personal agenda being shoved at us, and we have taken on new missionaries for monthly support. [And certainly don’t tell the other pastors or I will get kicked out of the union, but they even had business meetings without me being there due to being sick, and they took care of the business and all is well!]

need to think; heaven is coming and we do win.

when the days can look rather bleak.

God forbid that my hope and happiness would rest in an election or even in a new medicine or treatment. I am glad and relieved when things seem to go our way, but I also figure that it is just a taste of what heaven will be like when everything goes our way and our hearts and minds are changed so that our ways will be like God’s ways.

Many of our church folks don’t realize the blessing they are to me and to others simply by their smiles and enthusiasm of coming into the church house. Our church family is not very demonstrative nor inclined to give testimony about every one they witnessed to, but from time to time I hear things and it is a tremendous blessing to know they are quietly living their lives and speaking up for God when the opportunities arise.

2016 wasn’t so bad after all.

It really doesn’t take much to realize that God does daily load us with benefits and that a merry heart can change your outlook on many situations.

The reality is that I am not always upbeat and cheerful, neither do I always win the physical battles or even the spiritual ones. But I have a Shepherd that has never lost a battle yet, and in the end, He will win this one for me also.

And the reality of our faith is what keeps us going. You can tackle any problem or face any situation if you have a real hope, not just positive thinking deception.

This life isn’t heaven, and to try to talk yourself into it being so is just self delusion.

Life is full of unfairness, disappointment, and even “losing” at times.

But we

I have no idea what 2017 will be like. But I know what I will be looking for: new folks saved and coming to church, our church children growing up and serving God wherever He takes them, more grandchildren [?], opportunities to serve God and to see God work, prayers made and answered, and the fellowship of family and friends.

Let me encourage each of us to refuse to let the news media dictate our attitude and acknowledgement of blessings this coming year.

In the past year, I have seen some of our folks go through some devastating situations, but I have also seen them come through them still believing what God said and still being faithful. Those are the blessings that I count as a pastor and that keep me going

Whether it be my personal family or the church family, I count it a real blessing to be surrounded by folks who love God and even love me. For that, there is no amount of wealth or promise of health that I even consider as a trade.

I realize we are not a perfect people, and yet, somehow, God manages to use us to be a blessing to each other and to those around us.

Of course in counting our blessings, I can’t pass up the opportunity to repeat what I have preached, wrote about, and thought for several years now: No matter how bad it gets in this life, it still beats going to hell!

Have a blessed New Year.

page 8

Fellowship of the Saints It’s the New Year. Everyone is focused on the NEW. Nothing wrong with that, and I also look forward to some new things. But I never want to leave the OLD that is still perfectly good: The Old gospel that saved our souls from hell, The Old songs that bear our spirits to the throne of God, The Old friends that have stuck by us through thick and thin, The Old Bible that has always had the answers in our life, The Old fellowship that knits hearts together regardless of situations, The Old preaching that doesn’t need a better program, The Old zeal that still cares about the souls of men.

The Encourager 13984 Gregg Neck Road Galena, MD 21635 410.648.6744

Pastor Steve Hays, M.Min,D.Min. Assistant Pastor Rob Manaraze

Reaching the World, Beginning with the Home w w w. e s b b c . o r g

A ministry of

Eastern Shore B I B L E B A PT I ST C H U R C H Standing for the Incorruptible Word of God AV 1611

Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.

John 17:17