Happy 4th of July!

America has enjoyed the signature blessings of God throughout our history. We have indeed been a providentially blessed people. However, when the virtues of our nation are mentioned there are those who seek to deny its Christian influence. Some even derogatorily claim the early years of our nation was governed by Old Testament rules, as if this is a bad thing; they are ignorant of the fact the Old Testament is brimming with the basic tenets upon which a moral and prosperous society can be developed.

Today we are constantly bombarded by those who want to argue that the fundamental ideals upon which this country was founded were not conceived by those of the Christian faith. However, an honest, forthright investigation of the motivations of our forefathers makes it impossible to separate America’s founding from the Christian faith that provided the framework which guided their efforts.

John Witherspoon , one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, oversaw the project of printing the Bible authorized by Congress. Charles Thompson, secretary of Congress, was responsible for America’s 1st translation of the Bible from Greek to English. In fact, a number of the signers of the Declaration were involved with starting 121 Bible societies within an eight year period. During the signing of the Declaration, Benjamin Rush asked John Adams regarding the impending war , “Do you think we can win this conflict?” Adams replied, “Yes, if we repent of our sins and rely on God.”

This is just a small sampling from the historical record of the overt Christianity expressed by the founding fathers, and it is a far cry from what is being taught today. Historical Revisionists, with an agenda to misrepresent the truth, have poisoned much of our youth. And, although it is consistent with the intent of the forefathers that other religions would be free to worship in this land, it is imperative to remember it is because of the Christian faith and its established principles that this freedom was instituted.

I trust you will have a blessed 4th of July. Bow your head and thank God for the privilege of living in the greatest nation on earth – America!

Don’t forget the Fellowship on Sunday. I want all, and I mean all of us to take part!

God bless you, and God bless America!

Pastor

Amazing Grace!

The town of Olney, England is famous for two things; it is known as “The home of the world famous pancake race” and it is also the location where John Newton penned what may arguably be the most beloved hymn of all time, “Amazing Grace”. I personally know nothing of the pancake race, but I am very familiar with “Amazing Grace”.

John Newton served as Pastor for the Olney Parish Church,. They say to this day you can walk down the street past the church and see the window of the room where Newton wrote this awe inspiring hymn. I have often wondered if Newton had even the remotest sense of the emotional impact that his song would have, or that it would be sung by Christians the world over. Truth be told, I believe the reason “Amazing Grace” is so compelling to Christians is because it is the story of every one of us.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Twas blind but now can see.
The older I get, the more I marvel at the wonder and magnitude surrounding God’s amazing grace. Apart from this grace, I am hopelessly lost. However, by God’s grace, I, an undeserving sinner, have been changed, I am a new creature! I am reconciled with my Heavenly Father, I am an adopted son, a co-heir with Christ!
Today, why not bow your head and thank God for all He has done for you, and most of all for His marvelous, wonderful grace that has provided us a place in heaven through Jesus Christ.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord.
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured.
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe.
Grace, grace ,God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

See you Sunday!
Pastor

The Wedding Blues

Last week was a blur of emotions. Three funerals and a wedding. I wear a host of hats in my role as a Pastor but the one I put on Saturday to marry my son was a tight fit.

Of course you're thrilled for your children as they grow into adulthood and find their way while exhibiting the good Christian principles they have been taught. At the same time an event such as this does cause a sense of melancholy when you realize, as in my case, three down and one to go.

The joy of raising Bill was one that I am truly thankful for. All of my kids exhibit different traits. David is fearless; he will look you square in the eye and tell you what he thinks. Beth could run a corporation with her "lets get it done" attitude. Emily has a great positive attitude about life. Bill, his greatest gift is humility. In high school he scored over 1,000 points in basketball and that really wasn't his first love. But it made no difference to him. During his four years in soccer our little school won 3 state titles, yet he was never proud or cocky. Last Saturday was his wedding day and what a day it was. I love his new bride. She was made to be Bill's wife and he her husband. It is, as the saying goes,"A match made in heaven". I'm thrilled with the mates our kids have married.

It's an emotional rollercoaster I'm on, however, it's been a great ride. God bless you, I love you. God is good, Jesus is wonderful.

See ya Sunday!
Pastor

Stay Faithful!

In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon wisely said, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happeneth to all.” In other words, the strongest, the fastest, the most qualified people do not always win in the game of life. While it is imperative that we each strive to be the best we can possibly be, it is equally important that we understand life is a marathon, not a sprint. Because we may succeed at one stage of life doesn’t necessarily mean we will succeed all together.

Why is that? Because God does not want us to run our race looking back at past successes, but rather He desires we should keep looking forward for new opportunities to serve. Retirement may be the life goal of the worldly, but it is not in God’s plan for His children. In describing our duty as believers in regard to the second coming, the Bible commands us “to occupy til He comes.” We are to be working fervently and faithfully until we breathe our last.

I am so thankful for the faithful people here at Chestertown Baptist Church. May God bless you as you labor for the Lord. Stay after it, and don’t let up as we know our labor is not in vain, for as Jesus Himself proclaimed in Luke 6:23: “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven”.
Be faithful this summer, and do your best to be at all our services; Sunday night as we continue our study of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus, and Wednesday evenings as we study the book of Deuteronomy. Don’t put your spiritual life on hold till the fall. I guarantee Satan doesn’t take a “summer vacation”!

See ya Sunday for our “Fellowship Sunday”!
Pastor

A New Beginning

Last Sunday evening we celebrated our Senior Blessing Service. It is a time of celebration and fulfillment as we see our young people, whom we have labored to bring up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, cross the threshold into adulthood. Over the years it has been a joy for me to see so many of our youth go out and live rich, full lives serving the Lord!

For some reason, it seems difficult for most people to consider graduation as a new beginning. It just seems more natural to associate it with the end of what is certainly a significant chapter in life. Perhaps this is because for most, this next phase of their life will require them to assume more responsibility; it means it’s time to grow up and begin to stand on your own. The Apostle Paul phrased it this way:” When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things”. This is a daunting proposition, which no doubt can be somewhat intimidating to accept.
But, the odd thing is, graduation is often referred to as a “Commencement Ceremony”, and the very definition of commencement is “to begin”, to “start anew”! Rather than viewing this as the ending of one chapter, it should be seen as the beginning of a new and exciting time of life! It is a time to grow, mature and develop the necessary character which will provide the foundation to prosper and successfully fulfill God’s will for your life. What could be more exciting than that!

As our seniors graduate, it may be a time for all of us to reflect and take stock of our own lives. Each of us can recognize past events which signified a commencement or a new beginning in our own experiences. Possibly the Lord is prodding us to “commence” in a new direction in our own spiritual paths? Perhaps we should not only watch our seniors graduate, but perhaps it is time for us to graduate as well!! It may be time to turn the page and move on to a new and greater chapter of life.
I love and appreciate you folks!
Don’t forget Sunday morning’s lesson from Genesis, and Sunday evening we’ll continue our study in Revelation titled “What in the world is going on in our world?”
See you Sunday!
Pastor

I Can Do All Things Through Christ ...

Harry Emerson Fosdick once commented "Life is a landscaping job. We are handed a site, ample or small, rugged or flat, picturesque or commonplace, whose general outlines and contours are largely determined for us." Essentially, Fosdick was using this as a word picture suggesting the basic circumstances we encounter in life are often beyond our control.

In one of his many movies, Clint Eastwood delivered this memorable line: "A man has got to know his limitations." Indeed, as humans, we all have shortcomings, faults, and flaws that certainly may be considered liabilities which prevent us from successfully confronting the many challenges of life. We all have a tendency to sit around and groan about our weaknesses, while looking at others who we believe are stronger and have more potential than us.

So how does the average, everyday Christian respond to these rather depressing philosophies?

First, an appropriate inventory of our individual worth is warranted. George Gallup, the famous pollster, did a study of self esteem. His findings were that people with high self-esteem are more successful, more satisfied, more willing to help others, hold themselves to a higher moral standard, have more satisfying relationships, are more productive, less affected by stress, healthier physically, and are more likely to see God as loving and forgiving. So it seems having a properly balanced level of self esteem is beneficial.

Now, the Bible informs us we are made in the “image of God’; that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator; and this same God valued us so much, he came to this earth and bore our shame and guilt all the way to the cross. If these truths straight from the Bible don’t boost your self esteem, I don’t know what will!

Second, although we indeed have to humbly acknowledge our shortcomings, we also know we do not confront life’s challenges alone. As God’s adopted children and joint heirs with Christ, we know we will not be forsaken, and we have the assurance that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Thus, as our trust is firmly placed in this loving, righteous, and sovereign God, we should not allow a spirit of pessimism to develop within our hearts because of the prevailing conditions presented to us by life, but should rather recognize them as an opportunity to be good and faithful stewards in our divinely appointed workplace.

Whatever you are facing, you can win through. It is not you, but Christ in you, the hope of glory. Happiness is found in a well-lived life. Live your life well, knowing that God can make up for any lack you may have.

God bless you! See you Sunday!

Pastor

Judgement Day?

Recently a well-known radio and Bible preacher and teacher has predicted the imminent return of our Lord will occur on a particular day in May. You may have seen the billboards proclaiming it as "Judgement Day 2011 - Repent".

Although I am reluctant to be critical of another preacher, in this case I must humbly disagree. Jesus may indeed come back on May 21st, but He may also come back today, or tomorrow, or on January 12,2030. The scripture is emphatically clear that only God the Father knows the day and the hour! This fact alone makes me question the rationale for making such a bold prediction.

That being said, it is absolutely scriptural to live our lives in the light of His coming. We could indeed be living in the last hours. To properly understand this and its Biblical application is certainly relevant to the Christian life. Though believers may not agree on all the specific details of His return, most can agree on the Biblical command to be about our work of kingdom building if He should tarry.

So when you see the billboards displaying Judgement Day is May 21st, recognize that though it may be folly to so brazenly predict what only God knows, as Christians we should also prepare ourselves, for He may come today!

If not, I'll see you Sunday! Remember our Sunday evening series, "What in the world is going on?"

God bless,keep looking up!

Pastor