Have NO Fear:  God has this!

Isaiah 26:3  (NLT)

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Later this month I’m scheduled to have some major surgery.  

On November 8th we have what I believe is the most important election in USA history.

Human nature would say I should be fearful and worried about both  of these.

However, the Scriptures are true:  God has NOT given us a spirit of fear.

HE is keeping me in PERFECT PEACE,  because I am trusting in Him.

God has my future and the future of the USA under control, part of His Divine plan.

Join me in trusting Him today.

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

The lyrics to Thomas A. Dorsey's old gospel song say, "Precious Lord take my hand. Lead me on help me stand". Written at a crisis point in his own life, Mr. Dorsey's thinking has helped shape the feelings of many who are troubled by events out of their control.

Each time I hear that dear old song I'm reminded of the security I felt as a child crossing the busy downtown street of our home town with my hand in daddy's calloused hand. To use his colorful turn of phrase, the boulevard was often "running bank-full". In those days US 17 highway was routed right through the middle of our small town and carried much of the North/South traffic as the cold sensitive populace ebbed and flowed across the Mason-Dixon Line with the change of seasons.

There were only two kinds of pedestrians; the quick and the dead. But the dangers of crossing the street were of little concern to me. The capabilities of my stubby little legs were superseded by the length of Daddy's adult strides. My hand in his guaranteed he would lift me above my own inadequacies. And should I fall, he would pick me up and carry me to safety. 

So it is for us as believers. There is so much of life that eludes our control; so many challenges able to crush the life out of our dreams. But we have placed our hand in God's great hand. His compassionate heart senses our every concern. His capabilities tower over all our fears. His power fills in the blanks for our inadequacies. His strength shores us up at our weak points.

Tommy Dorsey's great lyrics become our daily prayer: "Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, help me stand. I am tired. I am weak. I am worn. Through the storm, through the night. Lead me on to the Light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."

Let God pick you up, then try again!

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

God's Self Defense Plan

John 14:27  (NLT)

²“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

As we approach November 8th elections, many in our country are stressed and face uncertainty.   Today’s scripture tells us that God has left us a GIFT— His PEACE.

Our responsibility is to PRAY and VOTE.  The results are up to the Lord.    The WORD says that He raises up and lets down those in   power.   All power and authority comes from God. 

Men may strive, but God ultimately is in    control of our country and our futures.

Let’s all be sure to vote, but not worry and fret, for our Father is in control.  Do your part:  PRAY and VOTE. Then relax in the knowledge that God does all things well.

Love ya,   Pastor Phil      

If My People

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

“Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Friends: We have just 38 days until possibly the most important election in our Nation’s history.

According to this Scripture, if we call on His name and turn from our wicked ways He will restore our land.

However, as Christians, we have a God-given right and a command from Him to vote and be active in the decisions that affect our land.

If we don’t vote we are making the wrong choice.     Due to my not being able to vote on election day, we cast our absentee ballot last Tuesday for whom we pray is our next President.  I  encourage each of you to PRAY and VOTE!

Love ya,   Pastor Phil      

I had agreed to drive my aging aunt and uncle home to Florida which not only helped them but gave me a ride as well. We loaded their nearly new Plymouth and started the long trek from the Ozarks to the flatlands of the South.

In a small town in the middle of Alabama we encountered a roadblock. We never found out why the police were checking driver's licenses and insurance coverage. But that was no problem because we knew we were completely legal. Or so we thought. I confidently produced my license and my uncle produced the other documents that were needed.  When we finally edged our way to the checkpoint we were pleasantly surprised to be waved through without so much as a glance at the papers we had produced.

It was only later as we thought back on the encounter that we realized the kind policeman had noticed our front license plate which said something about Florida.  He correctly assumed that was our destination and that we were not local. The conversation then turned to license renewal times. I hadn't yet put mine away so I glanced at it thinking I had another year to go before renewal. My heart came up in my throat as I realized I was driving such a long trip on a license that had expired weeks earlier. And of course it was a holiday weekend so there would be no opportunity to renew the license while I was in Florida.

In order to get back for college classes and job responsibilities I would have to leave very early Monday morning driving once again on that expired license. And once again, I was stopped by an Alabama State Trooper and had to produce that out of date license. And yep...I was scared out of my mind. Imagine my surprise and relief when the trooper never even looked at my license but handed me a coke and thanked me for my safe driving habits as he had been following me for several miles.

Folks, there is a God in Heaven who watches out for those who mean well and are doing their best but aren't quite up to par.  In both of these encounters I certainly deserved law but received grace instead. How about you? Aren't you glad we do not get what we deserve but are recipients of God's great grace...instead?

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Here is my article with minor revisions in paragraph three:

Now and then it is my misfortune to cross paths with someone so independent their actions seem to indicate they really don't need God. Young and strong, they consider it beneath them to ask for His help with day to day life. Full of optimism for the future, they're fine with leaving tomorrow to itself.

But then my rounds sometimes bring me to the bedside of another for whom life has become a daily challenge. Young or old, their constant prayer is for strength for today and wisdom for tomorrow. Some unpronounceable disease or simply the passing of years has stolen their swagger. Without embarrassment they wipe tears as the 23rd Psalm is read or quoted. Trembling lips move silently in perfect sync with the cadence of the reader. Their desperate need for the Shepherd and their utter dependence on Him are evident as a holy moment in the Presence of God is shared with the Pastor.

Gently I point out that our Heavenly Father delights to participate in our years of smooth sailing as well as when we go through the deep waters of terminal distress. We do well when we make time for Him in the bloom of youth and health. The relationship with the Lord that will be our strength and wisdom when we have none is better cultivated in good times than in bad. Utilize these good days while they are here. Challenging times will come soon enough in which we will draw on the Word we have salted away in memory in the whirlwind days of youth.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." Excellent advice from the writer of Ecclesiastes!

Growing in God's grace,

Pastor Rich Orrell

John 14:27  (NLT)

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Scripture tells us that in this world we will have troubles, things that concern us.  But, we should not let them bother our spirits.

Today’s Scripture tells us of the gift from the Lord, peace of mind and heart. 

With this promise we should not be afraid or concerned about the future, God has each one of our futures in His hands.   He also has the future of our country in focus, He has a plan for America.

So let the Scripture encourage you today, God has everything under control and He cares for you, my friend.  He is concerned about the things that concern you.

We serve a wonderful Lord!  He is good, and has a great future planned for us.

Love ya, Pastor Phil

It seems worth mentioning that life is often about meeting challenges.  The nature of the challenge changes as maturity sets in. And the level of difficulty rises as our capabilities grow. But one of the realities of life is that from the cradle to the grave we must face and surmount whatever obstacle circumstances set before us. The infant struggles to learn communication and crawling.  The toddler works on potty training and walking. 

At some point the transition is made from the crib to the big-kid bed. Soon baby food gives way to small portions of table foods. And with the passage of time a teenager who used to be that small child walks in needing the keys to the car as the parents wonder; "Who are you and what did you do with my baby"?

God is such a wonderful Father. He wisely does not shield His children from the challenges of life just as the wise parent does not carry the developing child from room to room protecting them from all potential dangers. It's painful to watch as the little one attempting to crawl falls on his face. But when the tears are dried the loving parent once again allows the child to face and perhaps this time to conquer the challenge.

One can never know exactly what life may dish up this time. But if things go as they have in the past we are certain our tomorrows will be interesting and definitely challenging. And should we fall, Father will be there to pick us up, right what is wrong and let us try again.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 KJV

Growing in the Grace of God,

Pastor Richard Orrell

1 Thessalonians 1:2  (NLT)

“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.”

This Sunday you’re honoring Pastor Orrell and Linda and Pastor Phil and Twila on Pastor Appreciation Day at Battlefield Assembly.

Well, your Pastoral Staff goes on record today to say WE thank God for YOU, and you are in our prayers daily. We love you all.

We are blessed to serve as your Pastors.

As we gather this Sunday let it be a day not only to say ‘thanks’ to the Pastoral leadership, but let’s make sure we say thanks to God for His eternal blessings on us all.

“God is good, all the time, He’s good all the time.”

Thanks for honoring us this Sunday.  We are proud to serve as your Pastors!

Love ya,

Pastor Orrell & Pastor Phil

I'm not much of an archer these days. Old shoulder injuries make it a bit tough to pull even the new compound bows. But it's a sport I admire from a distance.

Perhaps events from childhood also factor into my being a spectator rather than a participant. You see; around the age of eight or nine I was given a starter kit designed to whet my appetite for the sport. Included was a small bow, several targets and six arrows in a fancy faux leather quiver. It took less than half a day for me to exhaust my store of arrows. One shattered as it made a direct hit on a very unforgiving ancient grapefruit tree. Two of my shiny new arrows went through the paper target and buried out of sight in the tall grass at the edge of the yard never to be seen again.

With childish lack of forethought I entered into a contest with a visiting cousin about my age to see who could shoot an arrow the longest distance. You're miles ahead of me, I'm sure, wondering what made me think we would ever find any of the arrows shot so far into the neighboring pine forest.

I confess, I was completely amazed at how far my little 25 lb. bow could send one of those expensive arrows! Oh, it was beautiful watching them soar over the trees and out of sight. And the lesson learned about thinking ahead was truly priceless. But sad reality dictated one cannot be much of an archer without arrows.

Hopefully we can all benefit from my expensive lesson. It's really important to consider the consequences of our actions BEFORE we release the arrow.

Be blessed today with maturity and wisdom!

Pastor Richard Orrell