PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeremy Harris, First Southern Baptist Church, Liberal

Do you ever wonder how the Bible could say things like “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” ~ Philippians 4:4?  We have all experienced times in life when rejoicing was far from our vocabulary. We have experiences and situations that make it extremely difficult to rejoice. However, I don’t think the Apostle Paul was just blowing smoke when he encouraged the church at Philippi to rejoice. I think he had discovered the secret to lasting joy.

I am going to spend the next four weeks sharing some thoughts about how you and I can experience joy that is stronger than our circumstances. If you’re still with me, let’s dive in!

PASTOR’S CORNER, Chuck Scroggs, Central Christian Church, Liberal

While traveling back from a trip to Wichita, we encountered a bad thunderstorm. I have gone through countless storms like this and even taught weather and cloud formations to my Boy Scout troops. As I looked ahead, I noticed a very ominous wall cloud with small blips of funnel looking clouds. Everywhere else around us looked wonderfully sunny and bright with small breezes. But just a few miles ahead the weather looked angry. My passenger thought it would be safe to go on but I started looking for a place to pull off. In one of those small towns – I think it was Minneola – I turned in my car and parked between a large grain elevator and a brick building. It only took a few short minutes and as we looked out ahead of our protection, 2X4's and building parts were flying by horizontally! 

PASTOR’S CORNER, Chuck Scroggs, Central Christian Church, Liberal

I am one of the oldest full-time ministers in Liberal. I shared that distinction with my friend Rex Petty until his retirement recently. I have been sharing Jesus for more than 50 years! Rex had pastored the same church for more than 40 years!

The passing of time does several things to our spiritual hearts and physical bodies. I think every minister who is worth their salt (old saying) hopes and prays they have made an eternal difference in the lives they have touched. After five-plus decades, there have been many folks who found Jesus and gave their heart to Him. More people than I can remember found healing in their bodies, followed the Lord in baptism and received answers to prayer. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing many miracles in the lives of people around me.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Chuck Scroggs, Central Christian Church, Liberal

Ephesians 6:10-18 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”