SPIRITUAL

Throughout the history of Christianity, believers who did as Jesus tells us and took up their crosses, found sanctity through His example. Jesus was poor, homeless, humble, despised, tortured and brutally killed. All but one (St. John) of His Apostles were tortured and killed for their faith in Christ. Over the centuries thousands of Christians have been put to death for believing in Jesus Christ. It is happening this very day.

The lives of these martyrs make no sense if you look through the lens of earthly prosperity preachers. Try to imagine applying “name it and claim it” as you face torture and death. You can’t do it because it isn’t part of God’s plan. If we pick up that cross and follow Him, we must expect to walk the path He walked. We must expect to suffer and to embrace suffering as a key to our sanctification . St. Paul tells us that suffering goes hand in hand with following Christ. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him, but also suffer for His sake”(phil 1:29). Are we to believe that St. Paul got it all wrong? And not only Paul, but the other Gospel writers and Apostles as well.

This is why you’ll rarely hear the prosperity preachers talk about the Cross, the Crucifixion, suffering, sin, pain, repentance, or sacrifice. None of this fits with their vision of God, whom they have reduced to a kindly uncle with an unlimited bank account. This is a small god and not the God of Calvary, Who requires nothing less of us than everything. But in that Cross IS everything— eternal life in Christ. The Gospel isn’t about making you feel good about yourself. The Gospel is a call to lay our lives at the foot of the Cross and to enter into the life of Christ. The Gospel is meant to transform our lives in this world so that we may share God’s eternal life in the next world. That transformation, if we believe the Gospel, is going to be painful. Sanctification, becoming like Christ, is worth walking that broken road with Him. It’s what the Apostles and the Saints have done. And their reward? So much more than a big house and earthly wealth. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Don’t allow them to try and make God over in their own image, into some kind of personal shopper. Turn off the TV and read the Gospels. Discover the love of the great I AM and His plan for your life. Do not be afraid!

“They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the Cross.” — Flannery O’connor

Glenda Smiley, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

Pleasant Valley Baptist invites you to in-person Sunday morning and evening worship services. Services request social distancing and mask wearing. Please join us worshipping the Lord. Wednesday in-person services continue to be temporarily suspended.

Pastor Flood continued study with message from Matthew 13, the Sower and the Seed. This portion of scripture covers time from Christ ascension until His physical return to earth to establish His kingdom. Be sure to catch this message on Facebook or Youtube.

Much to pray about. Pray for these last days in which we are living and souls to be saved. Remember our country with pandemic, economy, and social upheaval, our leaders, our citizens. Special requests are: Richard Comer (missionary), Debbie and Brian O’neill, Betty Pitts, Denise Pitts, Larry Armstrong and his family, Dot Mcallister, and for our pastor and his family. Pray for our shut-ins Carolyn Denton and Lula Petty and others with highrisk situations. Pray for our churches, missionaries, and evangelists.

Pleasant Valley Baptist continues to live-stream Facebook and Youtube Sunday morning/evening services, 11 AM and 6 PM, and streaming mid-week Bible study. Visit or view our services for encouragement from God’s Word.