We emphasize world missions and local outreach on fifth Sundays at Shiloh. Praise God for those who set aside a gift to share toward our mission and outreach efforts. A big “shout out” (see, I can be hip, too) to Henry Meyers for sharing with us today about the work of Mission Harvest America. Our Sunday morning Bible Study Fellowship groups are studying through The Fundamentals of the Faith workbook (produced by Grace Community Church in Southern California and published by Moody). I am encouraged by the reports I am receiving of how our members are learning and growing. 3...

Psalm 67 is not as well known as some of the other psalms more famous psalms. But prominence and significance do not often walk together hand-in-hand. Such is the case with Psalm 67. Even though it is somewhat obscure, Psalm 67 has an important message that can change your life and change the world. The message is that the Lord God desires to use your life to reach the world for his glory. Psalm 67 is considered THE MISSIONARY PSALM, because of the emphasis it places on God being known, praised, enjoyed, and feared by all the nations. In fact,...

THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matthew 5:13 Sodium Chloride – SALT - gets a lot of bad press. It is blamed for everything from hypertension to obesity to heart disease. The need for salt is questioned. Its use is discouraged. And its presence on many tables is often more decorative than anything else. But this was not the case when Jesus announced to his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” In the cultural world of the ancient Near East, salt was an essential and valuable commodity. For example, the Roman government often paid their soldiers’ wages in salt....

Praise God for another Lord’s Day in worship at the Shiloh Baptist Church. I taught my New Members Class for the first time in two weeks. It was good to be back in the saddle again. Thank Deacon Brinkley for filling in. The choir sung one of my favorite Thompson Community Singers songs this morning – “I Tried Him And I Know Him.” (Does anyone remember all the great "Tommies" songs that Kim McFarland led?). It was very encouraging. I continued my study of Philippians today with a message on 3:15-19 that I called, “The Importance of Christian Fellowship.” I...

Sovereign God, Thy cause, not my own, engages my heart, and I appeal to thee with greatest freedom To set up thy kingdom in every place where Satan reigns; Glorify thyself and I shall rejoice, for to bring honor to thy name is my sole desire. I adore thee that thou art God, and long that others should know it, feel it, and rejoice in it. O that all men might love and praise thee, that thou mightest have all the glory from the intelligent world!Let sinners be brought to thee for thy dear name! To the eye of reason...

I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) on Wednesday nights. Last night, I complete the introductory section - The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12).The next section of the passage in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus describes the influence his disciples should have on the world for the kingdom of heaven. Using to gripping and dynamic word pictures, Jesus declares, "You are the salt of the earth" (5:13) and "You are the light of the world" (5:14-16).Following this paragraph, I will be venturing into new ground in my exposition. Over the past two months, I have taken a...

This past week, we celebrated our first year together as pastor and people at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville.It is hard to believe that a whole year has past since I was installed as the pastor of SMBC. It really does seem like it was just yesterday. It has been a year in which God has proven himself faithful, as always.I am grateful, humbled, and overwhelmed by the goodness of God in sending me to such a loving people, who appreciate the word of God, and who are willing to follow leadership, and our eager to reach lost...

Last night, my friend and brother, George Hurtt (Sr. Pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles) spoke for our midweek service at Shiloh. George served alongside of me during my ministry at Mt. Sinai. And after my departure, George was selected as my successor. Under his ministry, the church continues to grow and have a strong witness for Christ in Los Angeles. George is my dear friend, brother in Christ, and fellow Gospel soldier. And it was a great honor to have him minister to the saints at Shiloh. And my goodness did the Lord use him...

Let me begin by putting my cards on the table (pun intended): I BELIEVE THAT GAMBLING IS A BIBLICALLY INDEFENSIBLE ACTIVITY.• I agree with GEORGE WASHINGTON: “Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” • I agree with MARTIN LUTHER: “Money won by gambling is not won without self-seeking and love of self, and not without sin.”• I agree with AUGUSTINE: “The devil invented gambling.”• I agree with MARK TWAIN: “The best throw at dice is to throw them away.” • And I agree with STANLEY HAUERWAS: “Tell the people who are involved...

I am in Baltimore, Maryland. I am participating in their Simultaneous Revival. I am speaking for Pastor Stephen Russell at the Calvary Baptist Church. This afternoon, I spoke during the noon mass service. The Lord blessed the meeting. And I was able to see several of my friends from around country. This evening, I had the opportunity to minister to the Calvary Church. It was also a good meeting. Please remember this citywide gospel effort in your prayers.

Today was a warm, beautiful day in Jacksonville. And the Lord blessed us with a wonderful day of worship at Shiloh.I am grateful for all the guests who were in worship with us today.In new members class, I taught on "What Shiloh Expects From You." I plan to list the seven points of the lesson in a post later this week.Our choir sang up a storm today. It was rich. And the pre-message solo really set the tone for the preaching of the word.Our elementary choir also led us in music today. As always, I praise God for the participation...

Yesterday was my son's - H.B. Charles III - tenth birthday. Or, as he put it, he is now in "double digits." I remember the day of his birth as if it was yesterday. I was on an overnight trip to Atlanta when he was born - almost two months premature.He had a slow start. But God has been faithful. And I am grateful that he is healthy and strong today. I am praise the Lord for how I have watched his personality develop over the past year, since we have been in Florida.When I was considering the possibility of...