Shalom Baptist Church

05/28/2026

05/21/2026

Are you experiencing some rough days in your life journey? Please take time to read these encouraging words. You are not alone.

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all need a healthy dose of godly confidence sometimes!

Life can bring unexpected hardships that leave us feeling overwhelmed and weary. At times, the obstacles before us seem impossible to overcome, making us feel trapped and unable to move forward. As a pastor’s wife, I’ve heard these stories often, and they stir something deep within me. A holy fight rises up, and I reach for the Sword of the Spirit—God’s Word! His Word reminds us that He is fighting our battles.

Again and again, when David found himself trapped, discouraged, sick, or hiding in caves, God rescued him.

Friends, we are God’s children, and His Word is truth! We can have confidence that He will come to our rescue. No matter the trial, and even when it feels like you’ve been forgotten, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.”

“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God is faithful!

05/03/2026

“Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!”
— I Chronicles 16:29 (NKJV)

Worship the Lord—and bring an offering.

Bringing an offering is a profound act of worship, gratitude, and obedience that honors God. It is not merely a routine, but a reflection of our hearts—an acknowledgment that everything we have comes from Him.

In my Sunday school years, we were taught to always bring an offering. We even received extra points for bringing our Bible and an offering. I can still recall my father giving us a dime, which increased to a quarter as we grew older, and finally a dollar in my teens! Back in the 1960s, this was considered an appropriate offering for children. I didn’t realize it then, but what I learned in Sunday school has become a lifelong habit for me - never attend church without bringing an offering to the Lord.

The world may try to diminish this sacred act by labeling the church as “money hungry” or by questioning its integrity. But our giving is not directed toward man—it is given as unto the Lord.

When we carry the conviction that our gift is truly for Him, our giving becomes meaningful and blessed. The widow gave more than all because she understood that everything she had belonged to God. She trusted Him completely and gave with reverence and faith. This is a concept that we should never fail to teach our children. We honor God not only with our worship but also with our finances. This precept will always turn back around and bless us in more ways than we deserve.

Worship the Lord with all your heart—and bring an offering. God is worthy! God is faithful!

04/23/2026

“May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Thankful for helping hands.

Pastoring is no small task—there is always something to be done in the house of the Lord, and at times, willing hands are scarce! It often seems true that a small portion carries the weight of much of the work.

But God sees.

He is fully aware of every need, and when we cry out for help, He responds—often in the most unexpected ways. Years ago, my husband needed to move a heavy filing cabinet downstairs, and no one was around to assist. He simply prayed, “God, please send someone to help me.” Moments later, a local special needs gentleman walked by the alley and offered his help. Together, they managed the cabinet down the stairs. By the time they reached the bottom, things had gotten a bit chaotic, and the man left upset—but the prayer had been answered nonetheless.

God sends help—sometimes in ways that stretch us, surprise us, and even make us laugh later.

Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern again and again. To Moses, God sent Aaron. To David, He gave Jonathan. To Mary, He provided Elisabeth. To Naomi, He sent Ruth.

God knows exactly who we need and when we need them. He is faithful to strengthen us and to send the right help at the right time.

And when He does, it’s always worth remembering—it may not come packaged the way we expect, but it always comes right on time. God is faithful!