Woodlawn Baptist Church

Kevin was faithful in his attendance Sunday's & Wednesday evening Bible study when his health allowed him to do so.
Kevin is now in the presence of his Lord whom he loved.
Here is our dedication song selection to our friend.
https://youtu.be/iYaEUvhQJ4M?si=qfHE45aeHI9FK4ws

A heartfelt thx to Sharon Hannah, Yvette Wells & Sherrie Lewis for teaching our children and youth.

Do we prevent others from growing stronger in God? Are we so concerned that someone we know and love doesn't go through difficult times to the point we try and rescue them from going through what God has planned for them? Are you one who sympathizes with others, which you think is Christian love? Or are you one who strengthens others during their adversities? What's the difference? Chambers says in his devotion for today that, "The saint who satisfies the heart of Jesus will make other saints strong and mature for God. But the people used to strengthen us are never those who SYMPATHIZE with us, in fact we are hindered by those who give us their sympathy, because sympathy only serves to weaken us." Really? Well, let's define sympathy. It means "to show pity and sorrow for someone's misfortune." Sympathy doesn't encourage, exort, challenge, or assist one to "keep on keeping on!" So the next time someone you know is going through difficult times, just remember you can show them pity, or you can strengthen them. What do you think God wants you to do? Something to think about. Love y'all, P.E.

Ok, let me be bold and say something that I'm sure will get some negative feedback. But here goes. Don't call yourself a Christian if you're not living the Christian life! Don't call yourself a Christian if you're not living a life that displays true, genuine love for Jesus. Jesus said if you love Me, keep My commandments. Well, what are His commandments? Read the NT and you'll see. In fact, I'll make it even easier. Read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5,6, & 7. Just 3 chapters. See if your life reflects what He said in those three chapters. Do you know what the word Christian means? It means a "Christ follower", one who imitates their master or teacher. In the early church Christians were known as "The Way" because they followed the "ways" of Jesus. Love not only means we do what He says, it also involves service, ministry. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. After each time, Jesus followed His question with a charge for Peter to feed and tend His sheep. We call ourselves Christians and think we can live however we want. No desire to assemble with God's people, no desire to read something we think is too hard to understand, no desire to tell others about God. We just want to live life on our terms. That's NOT what a Christian is. And if that's you, you are deceiving yourself. Now, before you get too critical and say I'm judging, let me be the first to say I'm including myself in this as well. If I say I'm a Christian, do I love Him like I'm supposed to? Do I have the relationship with Him He desires? Or am I too busy being the Christian I think I'm supposed to be? Am I allowing "Christian activity" to replace love? Am I so busy going to church, reading devotions, tithing, telling you how to be a witness, and consumed with growing the church that I don't take the time to slow down and truly love Him? We always say love is a verb, it's an action. That's true, but first it's a heartfelt, desire and longing to be with Him. Then, that results in action. Don't get them confused and turned around. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He was placing the priority of a love for Him first, and then a love that would result in feeding His sheep. I heard a pastor make this comment this past week. He said as Christians we should not only "turn this world upside down" - but because of our love and devotion and commitment to Jesus, we should turn this world "right side up!" Only true, genuine and sincere love for Him can do that! Just something to think about, love y'all, P.E.

When I was a kid growing up there was a Coca-Cola commercial that said, "It's the real thing." In other words, all other sodas were only imitators. They weren't the real soft drink. You're probably thinking, "Ok Pastor, I know your not going to pull something spiritual out of a Coke commercial!" You're wrong! Chambers this morning was talking about sanctification. He said sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life...it's not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy - it is drawing from Jesus the very holiness that was exhibited in Him, and that He now exhibits in me...its an IMPARTATION, not an IMITATION." Imitation, like all the other soft drinks according to Coke, is not the real thing. Imitation may look like the real thing but it's not. It simply tries to imitate the original. So where am I going with this? How many times do we think being spiritual means we have to imitate Christ? We want to look like Him, act like Him, talk like Him and live like Him. But Jesus can't be imitated! Sanctification is not us trying to imitate Jesus, it's letting Jesus exhibit Himself in and through us. Jesus IS the real thing, not us, and the Real Thing can only come out of us if He's truly in us! So we should quit trying to imitate Him, quit trying to live like Him, and quit trying to do something only He can do. Let Him live in us. Let Him do what He wants to do in us and that will affect how we live more than anything else. Believe me, my spiritual walk is so much easier when Jesus is in control and I'm not. I guess you could say it this way, "When people see us, they really do in fact see the real thing, Jesus!" Just something to think about, love y'all - P.E.

Please keep our Pastor Eddie Sears & ALL pastors in prayers as they continue to do what God has called them to do!

If you do not know the Jesus who gave his life for you call Pastor Eddie Sears at the number on the Facebook or website or visit us Sunday mornings at 10:30 or Wednesday nights at 7:00 and we would love to introduce you to the Jesus we believe in.

Ok, I usually just quote a comment or two from Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest" - but today's reading is just way to good to not share the whole thing. So without further ado, read and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten you!

Does God listen to your voice? I was reading in 1 Kings 17 about Elijah and the widow's son. If you remember the story, God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath where a widow would provide food for him during a drought. The widow's son died and she blamed Elijah. Elijah takes the son, lays him on his own bed and stretches himself out over the boy and calls to the Lord and says, "Lord, my God, please, let this boy's life return to him." Vs. 23 says, "And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah, and the life of the boy returned to him and he revived." Let that sink in for a moment. The Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. What about you? What about me? Does God listen to our voices? Before you answer that let me share a key factor in why I believe God listened to his voice. In vs. 5 when God told Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, it says, "He went and did everything according to the word of the Lord." I believe God hears our voices when we do everything according to His word! Please don't deceive yourself by thinking He listens when you live how ever you want, in disobedience, being unfaithful, having no desire for spiritual things and living life on your terms. For me, reading God's Word is not just so I can check off a date on my devotions calendar. His Word enlightens, inspires, prepares and more importantly, convicts me of when I'm not "doing everything according to the word of the Lord!" Therefore, I have to ask myself, does God listen to my voice? If not, I need to then ask, "why not?" Just something to think about, love y'all - P. E.

Wishing ALL a BLESSED 4th of July!

This goes along with the series I'm preaching, "Chosen to Witness." It's from a devotional I read called, "Walk Through The Word" and today was about Philip witnessing to the Ethiopian eu**ch. Thought you might be encouraged by it. P.E.

Is sin dead in your life? When's the last time you were asked that question? Of course we say, "No, sin is not dead because we live in a fallen world and even though I'm a Christian, I'm not perfect! I still make mistakes, make bad decisions and choices. And yes, occasionally sin. It's my flesh and everyone does it." Well, let me bust your bubble. Chambers says, "Sin is blatant mutiny against God, and either sin or God must die in my life...if sin rules in me, God's life in me will be killed, if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed...sin will kill the life of God in us." Sin is a "power killer!" It will keep me from doing what I'm supposed to do. If it seems as if I don't have any power in my life - I need to check my "sin-meter!" Roman's 6:1 says, "How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" So let's get real with ourselves. Let's quit making excuses and call it what it really is. It's not shortcomings, it's not mistakes, nor is it times of "losing our Jesus!" It's sin, it's mutiny against God and it kills the life of God in us if we continue to let it rule in us! And how do we know if it rules in us? That's easy. Does your life display the life of God, or is it unpredictable, uncontrollable, and irrational? Are your thoughts, desires only seeking to satisfy self, does your actions reflect Christ? Can you control your anger and mouth? Do you have to retaliate, get even and justify why you "slipped up?" We need to face the facts! We need to believe the Bible! Christ death on the cross made it possible to actually die to sin, made it possible to be in dwelt by the Holy Spirit that we can die to sin, and be alive in Him! So let's quit making excuses of why we can't, and believe that because of Him, we can! Just something to think about. Love y'all, P.E.

Due to continued hospitalization Frankie will not be able to be in attendance but we are looking forward to having a wonderful evening praising the Lord and raising finances to help offset the medical costs that Frankie and his family are experiencing.
This concert will be streamed live on the date of this benefit at the following link https://www.facebook.com/armouraires.quartet.1?mibextid=kFxxJD

Where's your solitude place? Webster defines solitude as "being alone " But it's much more than that. Solitude is the place you go either by yourself or with others that allows you to rest, relax and sink in the moment. It's your happy place. The place you tune out your everyday obligations of life. No stress, no time requirements, no demands from others, no traffic, no TV, no cell phones, no news casters, no have to's or got to's! It just the place you enjoy a little bit of "you time" away from the hustle and bustle of life's living in the fast lane. So what's yours? Early morning coffee before everyone gets up? That late night snack when everyone is asleep? Curled up in your easy chair watching the fireplace channel? Watching your grandkids play in the sprinkler? Driving your antique car around and listening to the oldies station? Shopping, at the park, eating at your favorite restaurant, taking a walk, a run (ugh), sleeping in? Well not actually sleeping but just laying there because you don't have to get up! Again, where's your favorite place of just chillin? Before I go on let me just say it's very important for us to have that getaway place. The Bible mentions many times that Jesus often left the crowds, got away from the disciples and went into the desert, the mountains or the gardens just to be alone. Or should I say, to be alone by Himself and with His Father. Judging from the picture, you know where my place is. My two favorite places of solitude is the time I spend in the Word, alone with no distractions and camping at the lake. I drive around the camp sites and there's no traffic, no stoplights, no QTs, no stopping for trains, no backed up traffic because of accidents. It's only a time to slow down and chill. And what does our solitude do for us? It recharges us for when we get back to what Jesus called us to do, being a witness and encouraging others. Yes, our time of aloneness is only for a while. But then the world needs to know who we know. And if you've had you solitude time, you are refreshed and ready to "turn the world upside down! Thanks for reading my thoughts, love y'all - P.E.

And people ask why I like to go camping...now you know!

The blame game. It started in the garden when Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve. And from there blame became one of sins greatest weapons. It's in our nature to blame. Why? Because blaming someone or something else takes the focus off of "ME!" We say, "I said those things because you made me mad!" Blame! "I did what I did because others are doing it!" Blame! "I can't tithe or give offerings because the bill collectors wouldn't stop calling me!" Blame! "I'm not going to church because my spouse doesn't go...don't like the Pastor...people are hypocrites!" Blame! "I don't read the Bible because there are so many translations...it's boring...man wrote it and there are too many contradictions!" Blame! Well, let's get personal. If I am not obedient to God, if I'm not faithful, or live Christ-like, if I don't display the fruits of the Spirit in my life, whose to blame? I may come up with a variety of excuses, but ultimately the only person I can blame is me! Today Oswald Chambers said in his devotional, "Work out what God works in you." First let's look at what God works IN us. He has given us salvation. The opportunity to live with Him for eternity. He has given us His Spirit, indwelling us in order that we live and carry out His nature. He gives us gifts, enabling and empowering us to accomplish His will and build up other believers. He gives us the fruits of the Spirit that affects how we love, forgive, show kindness, endure and persevere. There are soooo many things God does in us, but these alone are enough. Now it's up to us, you, me to "work out" what He's worked in us. Yes, we have to be obedient, we have to be faithful. We have to be like Moses, the servant and friend of God. Like Joshua and choose who we will serve. Like Elisha desiring a "double portion." Like David, a man after God's own heart. Like Peter, a rock for God. Like Paul, a chosen vessel. Yes friend, you and I are to work out what God has worked in us. He won't force us or make us, but He has given us the means, namely Himself, so that we have all the tools required to live and do what He has called us to do. Which is loving Him, being obedient, serving Him, being a witness for Him and making disciples. If we are not doing any of those things, there's only one person to blame! You'll see that person when you look in the mirror. Just a thot! Love y'all, P.E.

Students Who Gathered Outside Cancer-Stricken Teacher's Home Appear on 'GMA' The students and headmaster of Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, appeared on 'GMA' this morning after they stood outside the home of teach...

How do you handle difficult times? When you experience things you feel a Christian shouldn't have to go through, what's your response? Do you blame God for losing a loved one, broken relationships, an unexpected negative health report, losing your job, broken down car, overwhelming bill's? My favorite author, O. Chambers, said in his devotion for today that God doesn't ask us our thoughts and opinions for what He brings about in our lives. I can't explain it, but for some reason it's the unwanted, unplanned, uncomfortable and unpleasant things in our lives that tests our faith and how close we really are to Him. When Jesus shared some difficult instructions for those who wanted to follow Him, His disciples said that many thought He was being too hard on them. From that time, the Bible tells us, they quit and didn't follow Him anymore? Jesus then asked His disciples if they were going to quit too? Where they going to leave Him as well? Don't miss this! What was He saying? He was testing them to see if difficult circumstances would allow them to leave as well. He was letting them know that being His disciples would bring about unwanted, unplanned, uncomfortable and unpleasant things in their lives! He was testing not only their faith in Him, but more importantly their love for Him! A love that would not cause them to abandon Him. My friends, today He's asking the same question to you! You may not hear His voice, but you can't ignore the circumstances or situations that have come into your life that could cause you to go away! No, God doesn't ask us if it's ok if He allows us to go through difficult times. Because He knows it's during those times that truly reflect what's in our hearts. Just something to think about! Love y'all- P.E.