Kenya, Africa Preaching Trip 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by wisepb

On July 9, 2019 Elder David Wise and four other Primitive Baptist ministers, left on a preaching and teaching trip to Kenya, Africa and Tanzania, Africa. The following is a link that describes the trip and experience through the eyes of Brother David Wise. He gives a summary of each day and many pictures of worship services, baptisms and other interesting things they all encountered. God is working in all countries as pertaining to His chosen people, May He be honored in all that we do and pray the Lord will bless these people to all be faithful to their God and us here in the USA as well.

Click on the link and to will take you to the Macedonia Primitive Baptist website and the description of the trip by Elder David Wise:

Kenya 2019 Preaching Trip
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Spelling Jesus–My Saviour

Posted on July 18, 2019 by wisepb

Spelling Jesus, My Saviour ….
“How do you spell Jesus?” I asked my eight year old daughter, this was years ago in the 1970’s, as we happily enjoyed working together on teaching her the correct spelling of new words that she had not learned how to spell at school. After thinking for awhile, Sharon spelled out J-E-S-E-S. In my effort to help her to remember how to spell Jesus correctly, I answered, “You have the first three letters correct, but the last two is U-S, not E-S. Always remember that “US” is in Jesus”.

As I spoke these words, suddenly a “sweetness” of feeling ran through me as I again remembered the words of Jesus unto God the Father when he said, “As thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”

In my heart I pondered the sweetness of “us being in Jesus”, being one with Christ and the Father. I know that everyone has had moments in their lives where something happened that “thrilled their soul”. Well, this thought was so sweet to me that it just thrilled my soul! It lifted my spirit! It gave great joy to my heart.

After absorbing the sweetness of “us” being in Jesus, I continued on with our spelling bee and I asked her to spell several different words and then I asked her to spell Saviour. She quickly spelled “S-A-V-I-U-R”. I replied, “You left out the “O”. The last three letters in Saviour is “O-U-R” (our). So remember, he is “our” Saviour and the last three letters is “our”.

Again I was made to ponder the sweetness of my discoveries in the spelling bee. Talking about being “happy in the Lord”; for a few moments of time I was carried high with joy as the thought of “our” Saviour (yours and mine) made me to feel again how very blessed we are. Oh, how wonderful it is that He died for us. He is our Saviour! He saved us from that lake that burns with fire and made us … one… with Him.

I don’t deserve His Blessings or His Love yet He draws me unto himself and puts arms of mercy around me. He lets me eat at His Table. I, who am the least in His Kingdom and yet I am so honored that He has called me and set me a place that I might eat at the “Kings Table” and rejoice in His Goodness and to bliss in the joy of His Divine Presence.

Truly, the mere mention of His Name is so sweet to my soul. And then, when I think of what he has done for me and that He has manifested His Great Love for little ole me, my cup is filled with rejoicing and Praise to His Lovely Name.

When I finished the spelling bee with Sharon, I left with a feeling of great happiness as my mind was upon the Lord and happily I spelled the word joy, J-O-Y, joy. For, oh my, what great joy there is, just to think upon the Lord.

~Our God is Great and Great to be Praised.~Neetcie Buell–July 18, 2019

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May 2019 Communion Meeting

Posted on May 20, 2019 by wisepb

Bethany was indeed blessed with a wonderful Spirit filled May Communion meeting. We had a large congregation on Friday night with great visitation from sister churches and message by Elder Michael Gowens. We had another large congregation on Saturday night and the preceding fish upper was attended by the largest we have had in a few years. Once again the singing was excellent and the preaching very up lifting as we awaited Sunday’s final service. We had several missing on Sunday but had a good singing before the message by Bro. Gowens. His message was followed by the Lord’s Supper with the taking of the unleavened bread and wine and the washing of the saint’s feet. We had lunch and fellowship to follow.

The Friday night message from Elder Michael Gowens was from Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” on “Paul the Christian.” Paul’s life was now dedicated to serving the Lord and that is his goal; to be the Christian that would always honor the Lord. He wrote Philippinas while in a Roman prison but the Lord can visit his children wherever they are. Whatever situation we are in, we can have the Lord come and visit us and give us strength to press on and forget those things which are behind.

Elder Gowens message on Saturday night was entitled “One legitimate fear” using as the subject the wild Gararenen Mark 5 that met Jesus who had his dwelling among the tombs. His was possessed with unclean spirits and no man could tame him. Jesus could cast them out by just speaking to them as He did for the disciples who were so fearful in the storm and awoke Jesus asking if He cared that they perish. He rebuked the wind and there was once again a calm. They had forgotten Jesus had told them “Let us pass to the other side of the lake.” Whatever demon that may have us possessed, Jesus is able to solve the problem and cast the problem aside or give us the strength to overcome. We need not fear if Jesus is near and in the ship with us.

The Sunday message from Elder Gowens was from Psalm 95 on a “Call to Worship.” WE need to come and worship the king. We need to come and sing praises unto Him. We need to come and be thankful. We need to come and worship the great God of our salvation. We need to gather in the assembly of the saints . We need to come boldly and enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus who is our high priest. We need not a high priest as the Israelites of old. There isn’t a god as Great as our God because He is the God of gods.

Here are a few scenes from the services on Friday night through Sunday morning and more on the May Communion Page.

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Sister Dorothy Clayton–Update

Posted on February 19, 2019 by wisepb

UPDATE 2-20-2019: Sister Clayton didn’t lay in bathroom as long as reported, She was there in bathroom from early Sunday night until about 4:00 pm Monday which is plenty long enough. She was dehydrated which caused thoughts of heart but tests so far doesn’t indicate this. She has had an ECHO and also has a UTI infection. Plans are to get her in a Rehab facility for some physical therapy.

Sister Dorothy Clayton evidently fell in her bathroom and spent two days and nights before anyone found her yesterday, February 18, 2019. A window had to be removed to get into the house. She was first taken to New Albany and then transferred to Tupelo. Obviously she was in bad condition just because of lying there two days without drink or nourishment but it is thought it may be her heart again that is causing trouble.

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Red Skies At Night

Posted on February 11, 2019 by wisepb

RED SKIES AT NIGHT

When Lot was given a choice of pastures, he felt that fortune had come to him. And it may have seemed so great to the Israelites when they got their long-asked-for quails. And likewise to Jonah when he found a ship going to Tarshish–but they were all mistaken. The watered plains looked pleasant but they were right next to Sodom. The quails gave the Jews a horrible belly-ache. The ship threw Jonah into the deep where he gave a whale a horrible belly-ache. It’s not whether things are going our way, but rather, are they going God’s way. Coincidence is not always providence. The dice may roll favorably but the result may be a disaster. A storm may be lurking beyond blue skies but think on this: the storm just may be heaven-sent. That fierce wind may be blowing you the right direction. How can we know? Ask the Provider…ask the Disposer…and keep asking until you get an answer. If you do not have patience to keep asking then ask for patience. Better to know what’s right than to experience what went wrong.–Elder David Montgomery-Feb. 7, 2019

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Excellency of Patience

Posted on January 18, 2019 by wisepb

THE EXCELLENCY OF PATIENCE

The Lord will always execute the right judgment at the right time and in the right fashion. There is contentment in that, and if we are patient, even satisfaction. The problem is the waiting for it and who likes to do that? The late, great philosopher Thomas Petty wrote, “The waiting is the hardest part. Every day you see one more card. You take on faith, you take it to the heart but the waaaaiiiating is the hardest part.” When we are wronged, we want to lash out and get even but we really never do get even. The memories of the thing done against us linger and continue to cause us pain. Some wounds never heal and some scars get reopened time and again. That is the time to move forward and commend it to God. Vengeance belongs to Him and not to us. Let it go but let it go to Him…that is the only way you can let it go. Soon, you will see the evidence of God’s involvement, but if you’re wrapped up in retribution, you won’t see it. No contentment in that. A bitter you is the worst version of yourself.–By Elder David Montgomery–January 18, 2019

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For Whom Did Christ Die

Posted on January 6, 2019 by wisepb
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Joy Mixed With Pain

Posted on December 28, 2018 by wisepb

JOY MIXED WITH PAIN

It is sometimes the will of God that we should let ourselves be the object of kindness instead of the author of it. There are times when we need to let others bear our burdens and minister to us in our times of weakness. Let it happen so you can get to where you can minister and bear the burdens of others. When we see our aged parents who have toiled for us for so long, count it all joy to toil for them now for there will come a time when you will give anything to hear your mother’s voice one more time or to feel your father’s loving embrace again. But did you feel the love of cherished friends and family yesterday? Then be thankful. You may have spent yesterday at a hospital or a nursing home, but was there love amidst the pain? Then be thankful. Was there missing places at the dinner table? Then call to mind that those who have gone on had a better Christmas than any of us. Empty seats here below are occupied seats in Heaven. Soon we shall join them in the greatest gathering ever known. Unmingled joy is something we’ve never experienced but we will know it some wonderful day.–Elder David Montgomery–December 26, 2018

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2018 by wisepb

Merry Christmas to all who may be reading this little post. There would be nothing to celebrate without Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this time of year. Of course we should celebrate and remember it (rather Him) every day of the year. The Lord always remembers us as His people, but we often fail to reciprocate. Many will be with family and friends this Christmas season and give and receive many gifts. The greatest gift of all of course is the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ whom God gave for the sins of His people. Then we have the wonderful gift of eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) We ourselves are the gift of God in that God gave the church (all His elect) to His only begotten Son as a bride and placed their welfare in His hands. What a great thought that we are a gift to the only begotten Son of God.

Many children of God are sufferings in many ways this season and it will be more difficult for them to have a Merry Christmas. Many have lost loved ones recently and there is that void that cannot be filled but the presence of the Lord helps make it bearable as His grace is sufficient. As a precious sister told me just the other day, “Time does help relieve some of the hurt” but the trauma and sadness still becomes overwhelming from time to time and it is then we need to be led to a higher source. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ” (Psalm 61:2) We have a high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and able to make intercession for us as His people. Millions of God’s people have died and didn’t know about the birth and death of Christ but that didn’t effect their destiny to be with the Lord in heaven. How much greater are we blessed to have the knowledge of the birth and death of Christ and what it accomplished; this knowledge comes through the gospel.

The gospel comforts the people of God who have lost loved ones and those who are trying to cope with the problems of life. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. ” (Isa. 40:1-2) Comfort makes the heart a little merrier because it transfers our focus from the temporal to the eternal. If we focus of that which we can see with our natural eyes, we will not be merry but will always be troubled. It is when we focus on the unseen, eternal things and then only that we enjoy an eternal weight of glory as Paul clearly tells us. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

We can be merry, (joyful) even in the midst of tribulation and able to give thanks to the Lord because without Him we would not make it through. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians brethren, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thess. 5:18) We are not to give thanks FOR our tribulations and troubles; we are to give thanks IN our troubles as we remember the Lord. We just consider Jesus when our hearts are about to faint. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb. 12:3) Some people think it is because of some particular sin they have done that is causing their sickness or affliction. Most likely this is not the case because people questioned Jesus as to what sin the blind man had done that had caused him to be blind. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)

May the Lord bless each of us to be as merry as possible this Christmas amidst all the hoopla and commercialism of the season and try to focus past the material things to the things that really matter. Material gifts can be replaced but people cannot so minister to others as ye have opportunity and it will brighten your day. Love and God bless!–Elder Larry Wise–December 24, 2018

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Prayer-Submission to God’s Will

Posted on November 27, 2018 by wisepb
Prayer: Conformity and Submission to God’s Will PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Wise
Monday, 26 November 2018 11:38
I have spent my last few Sunday morning messages considering different prayers and aspects of prayer. One theme that has really stood out to me throughout those studies and messages is this: one of the chief purposes (if not the main purpose) of prayer is to more fully conform ourselves to submission to the will of God in our lives.

 

People often say “what is the purpose of prayer?” Can my prayers really change anything? The short and long answer is a resounding “Yes!” We are petitioning the God with all power in heaven and earth, with no limitations on his ability, to intercede on our behalf. Oftentimes, God might see fit to powerfully display his ability and answer our petition in a mighty way. However, sometimes (in my experience maybe even the majority of the time), God might seem to be silent and not actively intercede in the way we want as we pray unto him.

 

This leads to an important question: what is our purpose in prayer? Do we view God like an all-powerful clean-up man? I mess things up, and then I pray and want my sovereign God to come and clean up my mess. Then for some reason we are disappointed when God does not seem to answer that prayer and he forces me to actually lie in the bed I have made for myself and reap the just consequences of my actions. That is a negative example, but let’s think about a more positive example. When I pray for a loved one to be healed of a dreaded disease, do I view God the same way? Maybe I’m just petitioning God to fix the situation because I know he’s the only one that truly can heal them (which many times is true). Do I just view God as my last alternative, who I pray to only once I have exhausted all other options and then I just want to use my all-powerful dynamite stick to get my intended outcome that I couldn’t accomplish on my own?

 

If that is the case, that I simply use God to get done the things I have finally resolved in myself that I cannot do, then how do you respond when God’s answer to your petition is “No”? I believe God answers every prayer we pray in one of three ways: yes, no, or not now. If we just view God as our last call effort to fix every situation, what do we do when the answers are “No” or “Not Now”? That’s why so many people reach a state of distrust in the power of God or question God’s care for them when they don’t get their intended outcome. They view the Lord as their own personal lottery ticket to give them whatever they want at the drop of a hat, and if he doesn’t give them that, then either he’s not really God or he doesn’t really love me.

 

This goes back to our prior question: what is our real purpose in prayer? Let’s be honest with ourselves here. Do I just view God as an all-powerful deity who is at my beck and call to give me whatever I desire (even if that is a good and honorable thing that I am praying for)? Or do I pray to beseech the unmerited favor of a sovereign God with a humble submission to God’s will, even if the outcome of my prayers is not what I originally wanted.

 

I saw a quote recently that really cuts to the heart of the matter: “Prayer is not an exercise to get man’s will done in heaven; prayer is the way for God’s will to be done on the earth.” The purpose of prayer is not to conform God to our standards and to obligate him to do our will and what we want; prayer is to conform us to God’s will and God’s standards, to understand and accept that God’s will is best for us, even if it’s contradictory to what we have asked for.

Jesus emphasizes this purpose in prayer in his Model Prayer to his disciples in Matt. 6:9-13. The 3rd line in the Model Prayer (after glorifying God’s name and praying for the advancement of his kingdom) is “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) God’s will is always done perfectly in heaven, but that’s not always the case on the earth. The angels in heaven don’t question or object to the will of God; they just obediently carry out God’s will immediately after they have received their marching orders. Our prayer should be for God’s will to be just as perfectly obeyed and submitted to here on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Jesus concludes that Model Prayer by denoting the proper closing to all of our prayers unto the Lord: “Amen.” (Matt. 6:13) When we say “Amen” to close a prayer, we are not just following a church or family tradition to say that, we are following the command of Jesus Christ. Let’s not miss the significance of what we are saying when we close our prayers by “Amen” though. Amen means “so let it be”. We should have already prayed for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Then, as we close our petition unto God, our final thought is us letting go of the rope and telling the Lord, “so let it be” according to your will.

 

I was recently looking at the angel Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Mary is told that she, even as a virgin, will give birth to a son, which is naturally a very confounding statement to her seeing she was still a virgin. In spite of her initial doubt and hesitancy, Mary concludes that interaction with Gabriel by saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) No doubt, Mary still did not fully understand the full significance of what she was being told or how it was going to happen, but she did display total submission to the will of God. She gave us a great practical definition of what “Amen” should mean to us as we close our prayers: “be it unto me according to thy word.” Just like Mary, we might not understand the “what” of everything that is going on around us, and we certainly might not understand the “why” of many events, but in spite of that we should display that same submission to God’s will in our lives – “be it unto me according to thy word”.

 

Why then do we pray if it’s not guaranteed for the Lord to give us what we want? One of the important aspects of prayer is allowing the process of making our petitions made known unto God to slowly more conform us to God’s will. Just as the potter with each revolution of the clay more conforms the pot to his intended image; in like manner, with each prayer we are being more conformed as a vessel more fit for the Master’s use, working towards total submission to God’s will. Our purpose in prayer is to allow God as that potter to slowly mold us more accurately into his image – into servants that are fully submissive to the will of God, regardless of what route or outcome that might ultimately lead us to in our lives.

 

If you have a mind to listen to any of the sermon messages on prayer, you can find them by clicking the link here.

From Marchtozion.com

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