Enterprise Primitive Baptist Church

05/24/2026

05/24/2026

Enterprise Primitive Baptist Church welcomes all visitors. Looking forward to a great message from Elder Destry Hill and fellowship with everyone.

12/14/2025

Services for Enterprise Primitive Baptist Church - UPDATE

10/26/2024

Sarah Angeline Bullock Stanaland was gently taken to her Heavenly Home and is now at peace in her Lord and Saviors almighty arms. Her departure was October 24, 2024. Sarah was a beloved wife, precious mother, sister, granny, aunt, cousin and sister in Christ Jesus our Lord. She was greatly

10/21/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
October 21, 2024

Praise God For His Mercy And Truth, Psalm 117

Even though Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, it could have a tremendous impact on this world if properly heeded. But then, isn’t that the case with all of God’s word? If we’d just “observe to do” what it teaches (see Deut 28:1-2), this world would be a far better place. And since we all know of those who won’t do that, just take this admonition personally - and let it make “your world” a far better place in which to live.

Verse one tells us what everyone on the planet “should” do. “O praise the LORD, all ye nations:” In this context, consider this addressing all Jews and Gentiles. Then the verse continues, “praise him, all ye people.” Everyone within all of these nations, without any exception, has ample reason to praise the God of all the earth! To all, He has given life, breath, and comforts of life. (Acts 17:25) And as Jesus taught us to love not only those who love us, but also our enemies, He reasoned because God has shown His kindness to all, saying, “… for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45) Accordingly in Luke’s account of this, it says, “… for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35)

Now in verse two, he expounds upon why those who know Him should be praising Him. First, “For his merciful kindness is great toward us:” O praise the Lord for His mercies! Man by nature will never choose to cleanup his act and come to God. (1Cor 2:14) That’s why it is of the Lord’s mercy that we know Him. (1Cor 1:30) And if you know Him, you know that His mercies keep coming; and, they are new every morning. (Lam. 3:23) Like a fountain, God sends His love and mercy to His people – along with gracious provisions.

The second portion of verse two says, “and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.” We who know Him should praise Him regularly for His having revealed Himself to us. (Matt. 11:25-27) Then, we should praise Him for the solid foundation of truth as He has expressed it to us in His written word, and as was perfectly manifested to us by the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) For therein, we also learn that He doesn’t change (Mal. 3:6) nor does His truth change. (Ps. 119:89, Ps. 12:6-7, Isa. 46:9-10, et.al.) When we read His word, we know it is a sure foundation on which we can stand; and, upon which we can have complete confidence in its faithfulness as we build our life. (Matt. 7:24) No matter what changes in life, we can trust the counsel of God’s truth.

The psalm then ends with this powerful and never-ending exhortation, “Praise ye the LORD.” Because of His mercy and truth, ALL people should praise Him now. And while that may or may not happen here, it is certain that He will be praised perfectly into all eternity. And as I often say, ‘eternity is just long enough to praise God enough.’

Friends, give more attention to praising the Lord throughout your day, every day.

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell

10/14/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
October 14, 2024

Stick To The Word Of God

In Psalm 119:31, David was moved to say, “I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.” Are you committed to doing all you can to be faithful to the Lord? I don’t mean by your own strength; but confessing your own weakness, and asking the Lord for His strength and wisdom to do His will despite all obstacles and amidst all of the tribulation we know life will throw at us. (see John 16:33) The apostle Paul called that “putting on the whole armor” of God, to be able to stand in the power of God’s might. (Eph 6) Paul had to learn “when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2Co 12:10) Many years earlier, David had learned that as well. (see Psalm 46:1) And friends, there is no shame in being faithful to God. You won’t be popular in this world, but you will be pleasing the one who really matters – the One who loved you and gave himself for you – and some sweet day, will return to take you home to be with Him forever!

But do you know what is a real shame? Knowing God’s word, and not doing it. Or, saying you love God, but not living like it. In essence, professing to know God, but NOT sticking to the way of righteousness, and denying Him. That’s a real shame.

Now, notice how life is. The word translated as “stuck” in our text is the same as was translated back in verse 25 as “cleaveth.” And whereas in verse 25 he said his soul was cleaving to the dust, perhaps cast down in sorrow, grief, or difficulty (weakness), yet faith cried out for quickening – to be enlivened, and made strong! Oh the mixture we find in our days - confidence and feebleness! I don’t care who we are, at times we are steadfast and confident. Other times we feel in great need of the Lord’s help. But when we set our sights upon God’s love and ability, and not our own feebleness, we can say with Job, “Thought He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” God is worthy of great confidence. God’s word is worthy that we “stick” to it. And in those times when we haven’t “stuck to it” as we should have, but humble ourselves before Him in confession and repentance, pleading for forgiveness and help, how sweet it is to feel His deliverance once more! There is no shame in that, at all.

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell

10/07/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
October 7, 2024

To Rekindle Your Joy

The key exhortation from the Book of Philippians is to rejoice! We have much about which we should rejoice, but do we? There are many people who claim to be Christians, but they are cast down, struggling, frustrated, and have little to no joy in their lives. Is Christianity the problem? The worldly minded and those of other religions might look at them and blame Jesus and Christianity. Some in the Christian community might look at them and say the problem is your church and suggest that you change to theirs. Well, part of the problem could be a church, if it is not functioning as the Lord intended. But, the problem is definitely not in Christianity, nor in our precious Lord and Savior.

The usual problem is a product of their own making. Usually, it’s because of choices that have made their heart, mind, and schedule so full of this world that it chokes out the good effect of God’s word, leaving no time for what is really important. The Parable of the Sower explains it this way, saying in Matthew 13:22, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Primarily, the fruit lacking in these individuals are love, joy, and peace; not to mention, the other six ways spiritual fruit is manifested. (Galatians 5:22-23) Being unfruitful, they usually develop a critical attitude because of the lack of joy and peace within themselves. They see joy in others and they may experience it while around joyful Christians. But when they leave their company, they do not have it within themselves to carry it with them; and, their misery and conflict returns. Your flesh IS your closest foe!

So, since there is much about which we should rejoice, how then can we loosen this choke-hold? Give to the Lord one of your most precious commodities: your time. Pray, confess your sin of neglect, and ask for forgiveness. Daily, read some portion of God’s word. It doesn’t have to be an hour. In a few minutes of reading, you can discover some very precious nuggets to carry with you. Then, go forth with a song in your heart that honors the Lord, instead of continuing to fill your heart and mind with worldliness. Be thankful, be considerate of others, and do something (however small) that will help or encourage someone else. This is what Christianity is all about! And, as Jesus said in John 13:17, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The joy and peace can return as these are put into practice. And if they are continued, they will flourish: even in the face of difficult circumstances. The prerequisite for more joy in a Christian’s life is to personally "spend more time with Jesus" and receive more of Him. Simple, isn't it?

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell

09/30/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
September 30, 2024

Trusting In Quiet Confidence

When a frustrated king of Syria sent a host of soldiers to take the prophet Elisha, they went to him by night. Then, the scriptures say, “15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2nd Kings 6)

Don’t you love the quiet confidence of the man of God? It is in quite a contrast to that of his servant. When the servant saw the enemy, he was genuinely fearful. And, often times, so are we when we see things that threaten us. But note that Elisha didn’t have to ask the Lord to “send” the angels, but only that his servant’s eyes might be opened to see the help that the Lord had already provided. Then, instantly, the servant understood how Elisha could say, “fear not:” for I am confident, those angels were ready to do battle.

Now friends, I wish I could tell you that every time you face trouble, you can just ask the Lord to open your eyes, and He will show you thousands of angels who are ready to deliver you from whatever trouble you face. But I can’t. Not that I don’t think they are there, but that I don’t think we see them. Another verse in addition to this passage that causes me to believe they would be there, is 2nd Chronicles 16:9, which says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” And, the more our heart is perfect (i.e., maturely confident) toward Him, the more of His present help we will see.

If you disagree with this, I pray that the Lord will someday open your eyes to this great truth. And let’s pray for each other, that we will see God’s way of deliverance in our times of need. But friends, I have known (and perhaps you do, too) some whose trust in the Lord is so strong, that they don’t seem to be shaken by anything. Whatever happens, they know that the Lord will provide. And so, quietly and confidently, they continue to trust and they continue to serve. And like Elisha, they can see that God’s help is there. Whether they see angels, I know not. But, they clearly “understand” and “trust” that God will “show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.”

May we believe God, trust His promises, and rest with quiet confidence in the One who is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (see Ephesians 3:20)

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell

09/23/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
September 23, 2024

Did Not Our Heart Burn Within Us, Luke 24:32

In Luke 24 we have the record of two men traveling to Emmaus and who were discussing what had just been reported by women who were close to them and who had gone to the tomb where Jesus was buried. These women had intended to anoint His dead body; but, His body wasn’t there! And although angels had told them to tell His disciples this greatest message of all times, the disciples regarded their report as “idle tales.” Jesus then joined these men, withheld His identity from them, and began to question them as to why they were “sad” – after all, they had just received THE message that should have been the greatest source of joy ever to be heard – that Jesus, who was dead, is alive! Instead, they had lost hope that He was the Redeemer.

“25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Here Jesus proved that the redeemer for whom they looked, the Christ, was standing there with them alive from the dead. But they still didn’t know Him. And as they reached Emmaus, they constrained Him to abide with them; and later in breaking of bread, their eyes were opened and they knew Him - but he vanished out of their sight. But now, they also knew and believed that He was alive from the dead!

But let’s focus now upon their testimony immediately following that revelation and after Jesus vanished from their sight. Luke 24:32 says, “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” As they heard those familiar Old Testament passages now being opened to them powerfully in perfect explanation and in exact application of HOW God had determined before the foundation of the world to save His people by sending the Messiah, Christ, who verily is Jesus, the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us – Immanuel, meaning “God with us” - who was both “ordained to” and now “they had seen it accomplished,” to suffer the cruel death of the cross, but oh so much more, endured the wrath of Almighty God in judging our sins, their hearts burned with a purer joy and excitement than they had ever experienced! In essence Jesus told them, ‘You know this is what God said would happen, I have now done it in perfection, and you saw it happen!’ In a short time, they had heard so much pure and powerful truth, that the Spirit within them was rejoicing in joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Now friends, we weren’t there that day. But I can tell you – those same truths that rejoiced their hearts on that day are still true today! Our hearts should “burn” when we think of God’s grace given to us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who HAD TO SUFFER to redeem us from our sins. That burning consists of conviction that it was because of my sins, it is love that He was willing to do that for us, and it is thanksgiving that He has blessed us to know it! May our hearts burn within US and produce a renewed zeal to serve Him better than we have before.

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell

09/16/2024

Food For Thought For Your Week
September 16, 2024

Running and Finishing Well

Hebrews 12:1-3, says, “1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

As we run this race with patience, (spiritually) we are to be like the runners of ancient Greece, who would keep their eyes upon the goal, like Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” All along the way, every step of the way, and all the way to the end, we are to be looking unto Jesus for strength, for encouragement, and for instructions on how to be running. We are not on a track, we are living our life. We are encountering all manner of things that would slow us down and hinder our running. And the more we are looking to Jesus, the better off we are. We need the instructions from His word, we need the perfect example He left us to follow, and we certainly need fresh supplies of His grace to keep running as we should. If we stay on track and run in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, we will be blessed with the victor’s crown, as Paul said to Timothy, “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4)

All the while, we are to be looking unto the author and finisher of our faith. As we understand it, the races in the ancient games had a judge who admitted the runners to the event, presided over it, and awarded the prize. Are we not talking about running under our Lord’s watchful eye and direction? He indeed has authored the way and He indeed is the perfecter of it. And since we cannot be separated from His love, we couldn’t keep going nor could we ever hope to finish in His good favor, without His grace daily. I’m not saying he makes us obey; but to every one who is looking unto Jesus for His help, He is pleased to give what is needed to do His will. (Psalms 84:11)

The “our faith” is that faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), which we are striving to maintain as we run our race. Friends, what good would it be for us to run this race without others being able to see Christ in us – in our choices, our reactions, and in how we are treating others all along the way? If they don’t see a love for Christ, a love and longsuffering toward those around you, an appetite for God’s word, and a joy in His service, then you are missing the mark. Brethren, keep the faith, run it with patience, and keep your eye upon our Captain who ran before us and won the victory. Look to Him for all yours needs daily, whether big or small, and honor Him with each step of your race.

In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell