Suffering

Brandon Delk grew up at Gospel Baptist Church. God called him to preach, he graduated from Liberty University and has been serving in local churches in the Greensboro area ever since.
In 2018 Brandon preached one night of our Bible conference. He spoke on the subject of suffering and it was obvious he knew the subject from personal experience. 
As many of you know Brandon has been back in the hospital at UNC for two weeks now. Brandon‘s wife, Bethany wrote something really beautiful on her blog on day seven of this particular hospital stay. It was such a blessing to me that I wanted to share it with you. Bethany wrote: “A week ago we had just gotten home from church, enjoyed lunch together, and spent the afternoon resting and doing some decluttering. If you had asked us then what we thought the week ahead would look like, we surely wouldn’t have said we’d be spending the week at the hospital! Monday – ER visit to local hospital in the wee hours of the morning, CT scan shows intestinal blockage, transferred to UNC Hospitals Monday afternoon. Today is the 7th day Brandon has been at UNC Hospitals.

For those of you fairly new to our story, Brandon was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease 5 years ago. Those first 3 years were fraught with hospital stays, 4 surgeries, lots of scans, and trial and error with his medications. Since his diagnosis we’ve had 2 babies, both of us have changed jobs, and we’ve moved and had a multitude of other changes. To say the years have been busy would be an understatement. Last year was relatively a good year for Brandon’s health. We settled into a nice rhythm with his infusions, and only had a handful of hospital stays. We were getting the hang of this parenting 3 kids deal – not that we’re any good at it, or that we don’t lose our minds most days – and were enjoying a bit of a calmer year.

But see, what most of you don’t know is that even when we don’t have lots of hospital stays, Brandon still battles Crohn’s Disease every single day. The way I put it to a doctor earlier this week is that you and I, see, we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and don’t think a second thought about it. Well, maybe we do, if we ate that greasy pizza too late, or regretted those spicy tacos, but for the most part we eat, and then we go on about our day, day in and day out. Brandon, however, has a very different relationship with food. Every decision he ever makes before eating is a calculated decision, taking into account what the food is, how much of it he can eat, where he is when he eats and where he’ll be afterward, and the timing of it all… are we going to be going out of town? Will he be in the car for a long period of time? Will there be places to stop along the way? Will he be sitting in a crowd of people? Can he find an end seat near the back? Do his kids have any special events coming up that he doesn’t want to miss, such as a soccer or basketball game? Have we arranged a babysitter for the elusive date night?

A lot of you are reading this and thinking wow, that’s sad, but honestly, that’s our normal. It’s our baseline and we’ve become accustomed to it. We’ve figured out how to make it all work, and how to wrangle this beast of a chronic illness. Our kids know the meaning of words like “semi-private room” and “CT scan” and “infusion” and that’s OK. They know to expect the unexpected, and are used to FaceTiming Daddy when he “goes to the hospital because his tummy hurts.”

You know why we’re been able to “get used” to all this? Because of Daniel 3. Do you know the story of Daniel 3? Of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Their story is one of faith. They were followers of Christ who refused to worship false gods and an idol of gold even though the King at the time demanded it. As punishment for not worshiping the gold statue of the king, they were tied up and thrown into a fiery furnace that had been heated up to 7 times hotter than usual. It was so hot that the guards used to throw them in burned up in an instant. When the King looked in the furnace, he noticed that there were 4 men walking around, unbound and not burned, and asked them to come of out the furnace. Not a hair on their heads was singed, nor did they so much as even smell like smoke. Because of their faith, and their unwillingness to serve anyone but God Himself, the King was transformed and declared worship only to the one true God.

That story has always been one of my favorites, but now verses 17-18 have special meaning to me:

¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Did you catch that? The God we serve is able to deliver us. He can do all things. He is the Ultimate Healer, The Great Physician, The Mighty Warrior, The King of Kings, The Great I Am, Abba Father, The God Who Sees, and Yahweh Yireh or the Lord Will Provide. He can do anything. Because He is ABLE. He can heal Brandon. He can take away the pain, the nausea, the discomfort, the uncertainty, the hospital stays, the tears, the anguish, the misery. But, if not… *Swallows hard* But, if not… *We can’t do this… can we?* We know You are able, God, but IF NOT, we will still serve you.

I feel that one deep in my chest. That one is a little harder to get out, to muster up. That one is difficult when the hospital days are long and the questions multiply. But, God, in His infinite wisdom, knows what we’re enduring, and cares for us so much.

But if not, God, use this week to change our lives. Use this week to tell others about You. Use this terrible disease to shine hope in the lives of the hopeless, peace in the midst of unrest, and joy in the deep dark edges of sorrows.

I know this… that God was not surprised by this week and is not overwhelmed by our circumstances. He is not shocked by test results or worried about what to do next. He has carefully ordered our steps and numbered the hairs on our heads. We are asking Him to heal Brandon… BUT IF NOT, we will still serve Him… for He is good.”

Brandon is still in the hospital, still in pain and still not knowing when this episode of suffering will calm down. Please remember Brandon, Bethany and their beautiful children in your prayers.  

- Pastor Paul  //  Senior Pastor

Why is There Something Rather than Nothing?

9:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, Sunday, January 13,
2019, Planet Earth, American Continent of the
Northern Hemisphere, the United States of America,
State of North Carolina, County of Guilford, City of
Greensboro, 5945 North Church Street, room 205. All of these are labels for a specific time and a unique place. By the way, that unique time and place is where you’ll find about twenty people involved in a Bible study group in our church building.
Why is this important? Because, in an obvious way, it reminds us that people exist in real time and that the universe contains real places. We, to use the words of Acts 17:28, “live, move, and have our being,” in this type of certainty, where time and place are the markers of our existence. Other markers, like name, age, family relationships, and community membership, further identify us in this “time-space” reality.
     Gospel Baptist Church
At some point in this time-space reality we are faced with this
question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” It is a worthy question to ponder and is indeed a question that has cast a shadow over human thinking for about as long as people have existed. Furthermore, other big questions are sure to follow, for example: Where did life originate? Why are so many things both alike and different? When did everything begin? How did various physical forces such as gravity, electromagnetism, and buoyancy originate? What caused the natural processes, such as thermodynamics, weather, and decomposition? Has the earth always been the same as it is today? And maybe most importantly, What does it mean to be human? These types of questions cannot be ignored. Indeed, the weight of the answers provide perspective to life regarding its creation, purpose, and destiny.
These types of questions have answers that can be extracted directly or indirectly from the Bible. The Bible provides sound and rational insights that do not contradict science or logic. After all, the Creator of the Universe is the Author of Scripture, so whether we examine the complexity of the DNA molecule, gaze into the starry night sky, or study the Scriptures, we see the obvious fingerprints of God.
These are issues and questions that Christians should be able to discuss and answer. That’s why beginning on January 9th the Wednesday evening services will focus on the issues related to origins in a series entitled, Something Rather than Nothing. The goal of the series is to plainly see how the Bible addresses the issue of origins and answers the big questions that are related to it. In an age where atheistic ideas such as the big bang, natural selection, and survival of the fittest dominate much of the cultural and educational conversations, it’s important that Christians understand the issues and the implications related to Origins.
This series will address origins from a variety of perspectives. The goal is to help everyone understand more of
what the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, teaches about origins and why it’s important. Additionally, resources for further study will be shared so everyone can access answers for future questions and conversations. Don’t miss this timely study that’s appropriate for all ages and backgrounds as we understand more about why there’s something rather than nothing.

I Believe

I would like to share lyrics from my favorite Christmas Song: 

“In a land far away time stood still long ago. 

There were shepherds in fields 

or at least this is how the story goes. 

Woman with child and an inn with no room, 

born in a manger foretelling a tomb. 

This is how the story goes. 

It’s more than a fable, more than a fairy tale 

and more than my mind can conceive. 

I believe the wise men saw 

the baby boy the angels called the Son of God. 

Heaven’s child, the Great I AM, 

born to take away my sin through nail pierced hands. 

Emmanuel has come, I believe. 

Two thousand years still the story lives on. 

God’s gift to us, sent to earth, wrapped in flesh His only Son. 

The heartbeat of heaven confounded our wisdom 

and it’s still the simple truth that sets me free. 

Precious child, how can it be 

that God’s great plan for history would send you to 

a lonely tree, 

and that you would come for one like me? 

I believe, in a cross.

 I believe He came for one He came for all. 

Heaven’s child became a man 

and gave His life for me in spite of all I am. 

I believe, Christmas lives in me, I believe.” 

– Natalie Grant 

Truly, Christ our Emmanuel came to save and the impact of his physical life will never fade. I hope this season we remember the foundational principles that make this time of year so remarkable, the virgin birth, God Himself in the flesh, fully God and fully man. Let us not forget that He moved forward and has given us, who have accepted Him, the power to become Sons of God. May we ever abide in His presence and give Him rule and reign! Merry Christmas!

 - Pastor Jason  // Youth and Worship Pastor

Calling All Concerned Christians

Here we are again, on the brink of another election. Although we groan at the seemingly endless parade of political commercials, advertisements, yard signs, and mailings that the election brings, it is none-the-less true that we are blessed to live in a time and place where “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” is still the law of the land.  While millions around the world are ruled by repressive monarchs, kings, and shahs, the political power of the United States still rests on the shoulders of her citizens.

Down through America’s history many generations demonstrated an obvious view that God, in His providence, was involved in our national affairs.  This is an important factor in many American distinctives, including:

·       The four references to God in the Declaration of Independence (1776)

·       Multiple statements in the Jefferson Memorial, including: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

·       The proclamation by President Lincoln of a November Thursday as “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” (1864)

·       References in Lincoln’s Memorial, including: “we here highly resolve that . . . this nation under God . . . shall not perish from the earth”

·       The inclusion of “one nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance (1954)

·       The designation of the national motto, In God We Trust (1956)

Regardless of historical facts, biblical truth is attacked in many political settings. This generates a question that rings across the landscape of faith… “What can a Christian do?”  Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, answered that question in a booklet titled, Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen.  Those five duties plainly answer the question: pray, register to vote, become informed, help elect godly candidates, and vote.  

Elections are not a time for Christians to be uniformed and uninvolved.  Rather, Christians must be knowledgeable of the issues and engaged with the political process.  It’s imperative that we examine political parties for their policies, and then support candidates who firmly exhibit a conviction to follow biblical principles, including protection of the unborn, defense of biblical marriage, suppression of illegal drugs, and the preservation of religious liberty.  These are not political issues.  They are biblical and ethical issues with a political overtone, and they cannot be left to the ungodly to decide.  Billy Graham stated his convictions in 1952: “I think it’s the duty of individual Christians at election time to study the issues, to study the candidates, and then go to the polls and vote.”

Psalm 33:12 reminds us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…”and Proverbs 14:33 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation.”  Certainly, no politician is perfect, and we must not be deceived into voting for or against a candidate based solely upon personality. If righteousness is to be exalted, then Christians must strive to live righteously and vote with righteousness in mind.

   -Dr. Harlie Miller, Associate Pastor

The God of the Storm

We post-modern over-enlightened humans often view the horrors of nature as being part of our dangerous world. Add a little bit of Christianity to this formula, and we view these same events as being part of the curse of sin, a world out of balance, if you will. Hurricane Florence and its aftermath being fresh on out minds seems to be proof of this. What else shows sin's curse more fully than a destructive “uninvited brute”, to quote Governor Roy Cooper, and the loss of property, life and the money spent attaining those things.

     Or, maybe we don't view this as a part of sin's curse at all. Maybe it's all just weather, climate change or the myriad of other explanations we give for our very dangerous planet. 

     When we think of God and storms like these, we like to comfort ourselves with Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee, calming the storm and sea. Sometimes we choose to bitterly ask God why He couldn't have done the same thing this time. 

     But Psalm 29 teaches us something very different. 

     In Psalm 29 we find David praising God through what must have been a very violent storm. He says that the glory of God is seen in the storm. David even calls on the angels of heaven to praise God for His glory and strength. Then he calls on all humans to honor and worship God for the glory of His Name that can be heard in thunder, and seen in the raging of the sea. David says that if we take the time to look we can see God's power and majesty when lightning strikes the cedar trees and shatters it. Even in earthquakes, tornadoes and floods God's power, glory, strength and peace are revealed to us, and for that we should praise His Name.

     It's hard for us to see God's power and glory in events such as these. We think of this as the chaos of sin's curse in action. God, speaking through David, tells us to be quiet and listen, be still and watch. My grandma used to tell me that you should be still and quiet during thunderstorms because God was at work. I used to think that was a weird statement to make, and probably some old folk tale, but really, isn't that what David is teaching us?

     God's glory is also revealed in how His people react to these awesome displays of His power. His glory is revealed when believers do what they can to help others in these times of disaster. Despite the storms and floods, the Lord gives His people strength and He blesses them with His peace.

Psalm 29 (NLT)

Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength.

Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon's mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks

and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. 

The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.

- Ray Perdue, Men's Ministry Director

Step Forward

This month I would like to share a story from the daily devotional, Extreme Devotion, published by The Voice of the Martyrs organization. The devotion comes from the real-life story of Mary Skotsobaugh who was being held in a Nazi concentration camp. One night, two women escaped from the camp and therefore, the officials ordered all prisoners to get in a line and the guards were to count the prisoners. The guards were ordered to execute each tenth person in line.

[“…seven, eight, nine – you! Step out!” The Nazi guard yelled at the woman. “Please have mercy on me! I have a child,” the tenth woman pleaded. Mary Skotsobaugh stood next in line. In her heart Mary heard, “Step forward and say you wish to die in her place.” She replied to the inner voice, “Why? She is not a Christian. She is a Jewish Communist. When the Nazis are overthrown and the Communists come to power, they will be as bad as the Nazis.”

    Then Mary remembered that it was Good Friday. The voice said, “On this day I died not for the good ones but for the bad ones, for sinners.”

    Mary then stepped forward. “I wish to die.”

    The officer laughed. “If you are stupid enough to die in her place, all right, you come forward. Her turn will come soon enough.”

    As Mary went to be executed and burned in the ovens, she told them, “When God took His people out of slavery in Egypt, it is written in our Bible that he walked before them in a column of fire. I pray when my body burns it would be a column of fire that will show you the way to God.”]

“One step forward can make all the difference. Christians often live their lives precariously balanced on the ledge between safety and the unknown. Those who have taken the small step forward into the unknown have always found the faithfulness of God. Noah. Moses. Abraham. Deborah. Ruth. Mary. Paul. The list of biblical examples goes on and on, not to mention a host of history’s hall of fame. One step of faith changed their lives from ordinary to extraordinary. Is God calling you to step forward in faith today? Do you hear His voice in your heart? Listen up. Prepare to move. Your small step of obedience could show others the way to God.      

                                                                   Pastor Jason, Youth and Worship Pastor

(Consider) The Tree

For Christians, the “Message of the Cross” cannot be overstated.  As a prelude to my testimony scheduled for August 1st, I wanted to share a poem regarding the transformation of the meaning of the cross (for me) from a historical tool of death and suffering to a redeeming instrument of life rather than death; love rather than hatred; and joy rather than sorrow.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  (KJV - Philippians 2:8)

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”  (KJV - 1 John 2:2)

(Consider) The Tree

There they were crippled on the lawn The morning after the storm had passed Two trees crisscrossed, one on top of the other Striking the sign of the cross Symbolic pose of 6th century BC  to 4th century AD Instrument of death by the most tortuous  and painful of ways Earlier, before the sun turned on its light I emerged from an insentient slumber And looked out a window To the somber painting-like rendering Of the Crucifixion On what happened to be, oddly enough  Palm Sunday Compelled to consider the tree My attention turned to a wooden graphic A bit more theological…The Cross Where the unblemished Lamb God’s only Son Was nailed to the intersection Of God’s love and justice Sacrificial blood flowing red Revealing His character Of greater love hath no man than this - Mickey Grubb

But what I recognized later that morning From my regular place on the pew Was the mercy tree where He hung for my iniquities Secured by the nails driven by my sin Wearing the thorns woven by my shame He who is sinless and pure Died in my place An atoning sacrifice for my transgressions All because He loves me more than I can imagine Toward evening, a once active chainsaw Had left behind a sprinkling of sawdust Along with a scattering of a few ragged leaves Remnant reminders of a storm’s clamor And the place of two windblown trees It is my prayer That one day, you too, may rise at dawn And look out a window Copyright © 2018 by Mickey Grubb