11/08/20 THE ONE ANOTHER’S IN THE NT #20 — Galatians 6:2 (CSB) Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

"’Burdens’ are extra heavy loads, which here represent difficulties or problems people have trouble dealing with. ‘Bear’ connotes carrying something with endurance. ‘The law of Christ’ is the Law of Love which fulfills the entire law (see 5:14; Jn 13:34; Ro 13:8, 10).” (The MacArthur Study Bible) Just 3 verses later, in Gal.6:5 Paul says, “Each person will have to carry his own load.”

Are these two verses contradicting each other? Hardly. There are many “burdens” and “loads” we face in life that God expects each of us to “carry” all by ourselves. But there are others—difficult situations, worrisome circumstances, frightening scenarios—which are “too heavy” for any individual to manage. At times we all need help.

And God expects us believers to be intimately involved in each other’s lives—encouraging, challenging and helping each other. Whatever the situation, we believers face it together as a united, divinely-enabled TEAM!

11/07/20 GORGEOUS DAY AT THE GOLF COURSE — Yesterday afternoon I was waiting to tee off on hole #3. As I looked toward the green, I was awestruck at the beautiful scene before me. The sun was shining bright, the breeze was refreshingly cool, and the sky was cloudless and deep blue. The trees along both sides of the fairway were a veritable rainbow of color. Everything in front of me reminded me of the Power and Perfections of our Great God!

I had almost forgotten what I was there for. As I glimpsed the tiny flag on the green about a quarter of a mile away, I was reminded of a Scripture verse: Hebrews 12:1b-2a (CSBBible) says “… Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith… ”

Even as I was thrilled to see the glories of our Lord’s creation, I needed to remember why I was there—I wanted to get my ball into that hole in as few strokes as possible. In the same way, as you and I enjoy God’s blessings, let’s remember our purpose. We’re here to obey God’s commands, to bring glory to Him as we serve Him and to spread the Best News that His Son, Jesus Christ, is the ONLY REAL HOPE for each and every man, woman, boy and girl on our planet.

11/04/20 FAVORITE BAPTISM MEMORIES #8 — Some years ago the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting was in Greenville, NC. Several weeks before, to encourage pastors and churches toward evangelism, Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV) employees had made a video of a Sunday service where I baptized 9 people. They left almost immediately after the service. And I never saw the video, totally lost track of it and forgot about it.

During one of the brief breaks between messages at the SBC, I left my wife and went to the Men’s Room. As I returned to my seat, “Excuse me… Pardon me,” stepping over at least a dozen other guys, most of them slapped me on the back and said, “Congratulations! Great job! Praise the Lord!” Completely mystified, I replied, “Huh… For what? I just did #1 in the restroom!?” They laughed and whacked me again.

Then Linda told me they had just shown the video to the entire Convention audience. Afterwards I checked with SBC and SBCV personnel. No one seemed to know anything about who had a copy or where or how I could get a copy. To this day, I have NEVER seen it! Of course, I experienced it, FIRST HAND!

11/01/20 FAVORITE BAPTISM MEMORIES #7 — Years ago I was taking a seminary course in Christology—all about Jesus Christ. On the first test the last question was: “Describe the 13 biblical reasons for believers to be baptized.” I thought I clearly remembered discussing only 3: (1) IDENTIFICATION with Christ’s baptism; (2) OBEDIENCE to Christ’s command and (3) INITIATION into Christ’s church. So I wrote those down and wracked my brain until I came up with 10 more!

When the professor handed back the tests, he kept mine and read my answers to the class. There were hearty laughs all around at my expense! Apparently I had not been paying attention at the beginning of the test. He had told the class there was a misprint on the test—that item should have said 3 reasons, not 13. But then he congratulated me for my “amazingly active sanctified imagination!” He even gave me EXTRA CREDIT. Imagine that!