Berean Baptist Church Macon GA

The Pastor's Heart 10/30/20 I was determined to avoid it for this "Pastor's Heart." Ignore it. Not say anything about it. Anything but that. But here I am turning right back to it and writing about it: Tuesday's election. As I read the Scriptures this morning, the Lord reminded me of something I've tended to forget from time to time in all this election hoopla and its byproduct. All eyes seem to be on the candidates, the polls, the rallies, the commentaries, and the im...pending doom if one side wins or glorious hope if the other side prevails. Yes, we have the tendency to have our eyes glued on all these things. What a mistake. Now I'm not saying we shouldn't be informed and involved. We should. But consumed? Overcome? Overwhelmed? No. If our eyes are glued on anything, it should be this. King Jehoshaphat said it well in 2 Chronicles 20:12 as he prayed, "Neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee." King David added his thoughts in Psalm 141:8. "But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute." Charles Spurgeon said it this way, "He looked upward and kept his eyes fixed there. He regarded duty more than circumstances; he considered the promise rather than the external providence; and he expected from God rather than from men. He did not shut his eyes in indifference or despair, neither did he turn them to the creature in vain confidence, but he gave his eyes to his God, and saw nothing to fear. Jehovah his Lord is also his hope." In other words, watch the news, but keep your eyes on God. Check out the rallies, but keep your eyes on God. Be sure to vote, but keep your eyes on God. Follow the election results next week, but keep your eyes on God. And no matter what those results are, keep your eyes on God. With Him, and only with Him, is where true hope lies. See more

Sunday 10/25/2020 What Really Makes a Nation Great

Good Sunday morning! Hope to see you in Sunday school at 10:00 and our morning service at 11:00. This morning we’ll consider part 1 of the subject What Really Makes a Nation Great. That’ll also be the subject on FB Live at 12:30. Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

Sunday 10/18/2020 And This I Pray

It’s Sunday morning! Sunday school at 10:00 and morning worship at 11:00. Today we’ll consider Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi. It’s something they needed then and we surely need today. If you’re unable to make it, I’ll see you on FB Live at 12:30. Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

The Pastor's Heart 10/16/2020 This popped up in my FB Memories this week. When I read it, I believe it's even more appropriate for this election season! So, I thought I'd post it again. Here you go: The Pastor's Heart 10/14/2016 It’s gotten pretty crazy, and it doesn’t appear to be changing direction any time soon. This election season has been something to see. Rudeness, disrespect, division, excuse-making and even some raw language, among other things. And by the wa...y, I’m not talking about the candidates; that’s bad enough. I’m referring to those who name the name of Christ. There’s no doubt that this is an important election that will set the direction of our country for decades to come. Yes, we should be involved in the process. Yes, we should go to the polls and vote (Remember, there are other things on the ballot besides the presidential choice: like Senate seats and the whole House of Representatives, along with state and local matters). Yes, emotions are running high as we see the downward spiritual spiral of our country. But at times it appears that Scriptural principles of Christian conduct are being set aside to make a social media point. I fear that as some endeavor to influence others for their particular point of view, they are losing influence among a lost world that sees professing believers going at each other, excusing ungodly conduct and using or at least sharing statements with words we would never use otherwise. I do recognize that not all believers are falling into this trap; but many have, and the latter tends to overshadow the former. So let’s be engaged in this process, but let’s remember a few important things. #1: The best hope for our country: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked (Proverbs 11:11). #2: The best guide for our conduct: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35). #3: The best counsel for our vote: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5). And #4: The best recourse for all this: Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders. Pray for the candidates. Pray for each other. And don’t forget to pray before you post. See more

Good Sunday morning! Join us this morning for a ministry report and message from Brother Paul Smith with Citizen Impact. No FB Live message today. See you at church!

The Pastor's Heart 10/9/2020 At our men's Bible study early yesterday morning, we discussed the Apostle Paul's salvation experience - from what he was to what God did for him and ultimately through him. What a stark difference between Saul the persecutor and Paul the preacher! But as we learned, his salvation experience is no more miraculous, no more amazing, no more glorious than that of a small child reared in a Christian home coming to Christ. You see, we are all in th...e same boat when it comes to being lost. We're all under the same condemnation, facing the same fearful destiny, and needing the same Savior. This was reinforced this morning as I was reading Psalm 130. In verse 3, the Scripture simply says, "If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" And the answer is just as simple: no one. No matter our age, background, culture, people group, or religion, no one stands a chance as a sinner. Bad news, indeed. I'm so glad there's a verse 4 that follows. "But there is forgiveness..." No matter what, no matter where, no matter who, there's hope. Where? "With Thee." The gracious God of the Universe will grant forgiveness through His Son, Christ. Why? "That Thou mayest be feared." He forgives and saves to change us from self-serving sinners to Savior-serving saints. So why not take a moment today and meditate on these verses and praise the Lord for His forgiveness? Then, look for an opportunity to share the simple gospel message with someone you know. There is forgiveness with God! See more

Good Sunday morning! I hope you will be able to join us on-site today as we consider our eternal hope in Christ in the morning service. For the evening service at 6:00, the David Warren Family will present some great gospel music. There will be no FB Live message today. See you at Berean!

The Pastor's Heart 10/2/2020 I took it as long as I could. 35 or 40 minutes in, I couldn't stand it any longer, and I walked away. I was done. I'm talking about my experience with last Tuesday night's presidential debate. From the start, the interruptions and the talking over each other made it painful for me to watch. And it went on and on. I kept thinking, "Maybe it'll settle down and turn into a true debate." Well, it never happened, so I had enough. Yes, I know a... lot of people watched the whole thing. My wife did. That's fine; I'm just sharing my experience, and I personally had no desire to keep punishing myself. But I will say, the debate taught me a lesson. Sometimes I've been guilty of the very thing that bothered me so much on Tuesday night. Maybe you have as well. God speaks to our heart about something. He's trying to teach, guide, or perhaps correct. But we don't let Him get a word in edgewise. We make excuses - why we can't, why we didn't, why it wasn't really our fault. And on and on. We interrupt the Lord's voice to make sure ours is heard. We may not admit it, but we think we know more than God. Or at least act that way. When the Lord speaks, we would do well to listen to Habakkuk: "But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him" (2:20). The Lord is sovereign. He knows. He has a plan. He is in control. He acts for our good and His glory. We just need to hush, listen to God, and let Him work. By the way, I'm glad the Lord is more patient with me than I was with the candidates and moderator the other night! See more

Sunday nights are back beginning this week! Join us Sunday evening at 6 p.m. for some good gospel music with David Warren and his family. Hope to see you here!