By Waylon Bailey In almost every area of life, it’s the small things that count. Think about your marriage. What is it that really counts? Almost always, it’s the small things. A big ring or valuable piece of jewelry a husband gives to his wife probably doesn’t count for very much if he leaves out kindness, tenderness, and gentleness. I remember hearing a story years ago about a brother and sister. The brother had done something to hurt his sister and was made to apologize by his mother. He came humbly to say he was sorry, give her a hug, and say, “I love you.” I don’t think I will ever forget her response. She said, “I don’t care whether you love me or not, just treat me right.” It’s the small things that count. We can never really achieve the big things that we want if we leave out the small things. What are the small things? In our relationship with God, it is the small things that truly matter. Let me encourage some small things. First, spend time each day in prayer. Seek to pray several times during the day. You may only have a few minutes to do so. Establish your dependence on God in prayer. This may be a small thing, but it will pay great dividends. Second, go out of your way to do something … [Read more...]

By Stewart Holloway Where is your focus? We are prone to look at what is right around us, especially the struggles - the schedule, the bills, the diagnosis, the aggravating coworker, the disappointments. If it’s a hardship, we focus on it. But 2 Corinthians 4 challenges us to stop all that. Instead of looking around, we need to look UP! Our focus doesn’t need to be on the temporal things because temporal things are temporary. Instead, our focus needs to be on God and His eternal things. Lift up your eyes and look to God today. He is the source of joy, blessing, love, hope, peace, and whatever good you need. Stewart Holloway is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pineville. This editorial first appeared on his Facebook page. … [Read more...]

By Waylon Bailey God’s call of Jeremiah to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:4-10) to the nations is a treasure chest for understanding service to God. Though Jeremiah had no special abilities or background, God called him to go to the nations with the message of God. His call teaches us about serving God. What are those special lessons about serving the Lord? First, whatever God commands, He provides. Like almost every other messenger of God, Jeremiah was an ordinary person who was called not for his ability but his availability. Jeremiah knew that he didn’t have all he needed, but he soon learned that God provides what His servants need. God does not call us to do something in our own power; He calls us to do what He can do through us. That truth makes all the difference. Second, wherever God sends you, He will be there as well. God told Jeremiah that he should not be intimidated or afraid because He would be right there with him: ” ‘For I am with you to deliver you,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 1: 8). Third, It’s not about me. It’s easy to get caught up in ourselves. We want “our” ministry or “my” work. None of it is ours, and it’s not about me. It is all about God. Jeremiah teaches me to be more concerned with … [Read more...]