Shiloh Baptist Church

“Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord I call daily upon thee – I stretch out my hand unto thee.”  

Psalm 88:9 KJV

So, in less than one week, I had already offended God two times for sure, and more if He was doing the counting. And I really struggled with what to do, considering the recent sermons that Pastor has been preaching, and Bible Studies that He has been teaching focusing on sins. We had not heard about sins for some time because, presumably, we have all been delivered, if we have given our life to Christ. We are new creatures and old things are passed away. So, for many years, it was ok to think that you were okay because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins.

We have been taught that He died in our place; that sin is missing the mark, and the ultimate disobedience, inherited by us because of Adam’s Fall (Genesis 3). And we were comfortable with that; knowing that God confronted Adam and Eve in the Garden and provided a covering for them so that they would not stand before Him in shame. He dealt with Adam. He dealt with Eve and He dealt with the Serpent, and we learned that there are consequences to sin. But this is an age-old story, and somehow down through the years, we managed to convince ourselves that we are alright, because of what Christ has done. We understood that once saved – always saved; that you can never lose your salvation, and for years we sang the victory songs. We went about our business, assured of our eternal security; Casting our cares because He cares for you; Entering into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; and we thought we were ok.

We come to church. We pay our tithes. Sometimes we came out to Prayer Meeting & Bible Study, and we are careful to meet and greet those that we like. By all appearances, we look ok. Then Pastor started preaching about Christianity for Grown Folks. He started preaching and teaching about our selective fellowship, and how there can be no real relationship with the Father if we have no fellowship with one another. It was the reality, for sure, that God is watching our lives. He is Jehovah El Roi (God Who Sees)! Even though His Son paid the penalty for our sin, by His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection, He really is not through with us yet. There are a lot of things that I may do, say, and think that you would never know about – But He does! There are a lot of places that I may go, and you would never know – But He does! I can put on my best and look great, and you would never know how I feel – But He does! There have actually been times when I wanted to break fellowship with Him because I felt like the offense was too great; that He would not understand. Like Adam & Eve, I felt too ashamed to be in His presence. Wanting to hide, I looked for a way out, but He found me. And since He covered me this time, like He has done so many times before, I had no choice but to bow my knees and confess my sin. I had to agree with Him about me, and to receive His forgiveness yet again. Following Jesus Christ is the process of His choosing me but growing up spiritually is me choosing Him. In those times when I know that I have offended Him, I can confess it, or I can pretend it never happened – But He knows!

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon

God has a purpose for the life of our children, just like He does for us. They are not just ours, they belong to Him, and we ought to pray God’s purposes for our children every chance we get. June is the time set aside on our Church Calendar to pray for and focus on our children. Pastor Washington is always mindful to recognize the accomplishments of our children and to build them up, almost as often as we meet for worship. It is a known fact here that as much as we praise and honor our God, we are grateful to Him for our children: our blessing. Mine are yours and yours are mine. It does indeed take a village. So it is in the month of June, as we attend graduations, and look forward to the bright futures of our children, that we also commend them for their service as unto the Lord, and their Christian Walk before us.

Jesus, our example, Himself a Son, reflected the heart of God, His Father, when he prayed for the disciples, in John 17:9, where He said, “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those, you have given me, for they are ours.” Therefore, as fathers, and mothers, and sisters and brothers, corporately and individually, we can pray that our children will focus on the purposes of God. Every chance we get, we ought to pray that our children will Live for Christ Joyfully …we should “(Say) these things while still in the world so that they will have the same joy…” (John 17:13b). Every chance we get, we ought to pray that our children will Grow Strong Spiritually…we should “Not ask to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one” (John 17:15). Every chance we get, we ought to pray that our children will Serve Christ Effectively… (Saying)…Lord “Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth” (John 17:17). Every chance we get, we ought to pray that our children will Experience Fellowship Personally, praying as Jesus did, “that they will be of one heart and mind just as you and I are…and the world will believe that you sent me” (John 17:21). Every chance we get, we ought to pray that our children will Come to Christ, and Bring Others to Christ regularly, just as Jesus prayed, “I pray not only for them but also those who believe because of their message” (John 17:20).

In the month of June, and the days ahead, we hold fast to the declaration of the Psalmist, who has said, “Behold, our children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV). It is our profession that we will honor the purposes of God in the lives of our children, and we will begin and end with prayer.

Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon

There are many roles of a Woman; wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. We are precious jewels. Fearfully and wonderfully made, are we, by the hands of the Master. It has been said that giving leaves an imprint that endures forever. Let us give love and friendship to build sisterhood in Christ.

Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as your daughters we are to always guard and keep the harmony and peace produced by your Spirit. We want to thank you for loving friendships that create oneness because it produces a haven of peace. We want to thank you for friendships that allow open communication because it eliminates strife. We thank you for friendships whereby tenderness is expressed because it promotes love, kindness, and compassion. We want to thank you for friendships that are locked into unity because it leaves no room for greed and selfishness. Lord Jesus, we want to thank you for setting the standard that defines true friendship. Thank you for my friend!

Question: Who do you call Friend?

Submitted by Sis. Danielle Darty