Ballards Crossroads Baptist Church

09/11/2023

01/16/2022

Sack of Potatoes

On his way to the market, a man spotted his neighbor carrying a sack of potatoes. He pulled his wagon to a stop and offered him a ride. The man accepted and climbed onto the back of the wagon. After some distance, the neighbor noticed the man was still shouldering the heavy load and said, “John, why don’t you put that sack down and take a rest.” John replied, “Oh no, I couldn’t impose on you like that. You were kind enough to offer me a ride. I don’t need to burden you with my problem.”

How many of us walk around carrying heavy burdens? The gunnysack of guilt. The bag of bereavement. Totes of tattered lives. Flagons of failure. With so much weighing us down, how could we possibly ask Jesus to carry our burdens. I mean, He gave so much for us on the cross? A battered body. Betrayed friends. Lied about. Clothes ripped from him. A father who forsook him. And to add insult to injury, they buried him in a borrowed tomb.

We don’t have to bear the weight of our problems alone. We have someone who is willing not only to give us a ride along life’s road, but offered to shoulder the load for us. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Mat. 11:28. Peter offers, “Casting all your care upon him; for he, (Jesus) careth for you.” 1Pet. 5:7. The choice is ours. Do we carry our sack, or do we allow Jesus to lighten the load?

Louis Edwards

12/13/2020

Love

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A young man attempted to rescue his parents from their burning home but was unsuccessful. The injuries he sustained from the fire left his face marred and forced him into isolation from others and the one who loved him most. His wife. In a desperate attempt, his wife sought the help of a well-known plastic surgeon, hoping to restore their relationship. The doctor after hearing her story and understanding her husband rejecting help refused her case. In desperation, the wife asks to have her face scarred like her husband. The doctor informed her it would be unethical, and the wife returned home broken-hearted.

The next day, while on her knees at prayer, there was a knock at the door. To her surprise, the doctor was standing on the other side. She invited him in and he ask to speak to her husband. She led him to a closed door and he knocked. The voice on the other side told him to leave he wanted to see no one. The doctor told him he was a plastic surgeon and could help him. There was no reply. After a moment of silence, the doctor informed him his wife had visited him and she wanted her face to be like his. A moment later the door opened and a tear-stained face appeared. With a trembling voice he said, “She will do that for me?”

Humanity’s scar of sin has separated us from God. Because of his longing for love and companionship with man, He became flesh and took the scars of sin. His battered body hung on a cross to pay for the scar of sin. His death and resurrection set us free from it.

*From Dr. David Jeramiah. Rewritten to shorten story line.

Louis Edwards

11/22/2020

How Much Are You Worth?

Text:
1 Timothy 5:18
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

A pastor went to see a doctor friend of his for a check-up. During the exam, the pastor shared with him how some of his congregation complained about his salary. The doctor knew the man of God worked a full-time job, spent many hours in the word, cared for his flock, and helped countless people in the community.

The doctor finished the exam and ask his friend. “If a man could fix your heart and give you another twenty-five years, how much would that be worth?” The preacher replied, “I don’t know.” The doctor responded, “three-hundred-thousand dollars.” The doctor continued. “If a man could remove a brain tumor and give you twenty more years with your family, how much would that be worth?” The pastor shook his head and said, “I don’t know.” His friend followed, “It would be worth two-hundred-fifty thousand dollars.” After a brief pause the doctor asks, “Pastor, what is a man worth that can keep a person out of hell?”

The answer to that last question is one that you can not put a price on. Any man, woman, pastor, or child, who can share the gospel and bring a person to Jesus Christ is worth more than the wealth of the world. Whenever Satan tries to make you believe you are worthless, just remember, you can’t put a price on those who rescue others from hell.

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Louis Edwards

11/11/2020

Thank you veterans for your service to our country. 🇺🇸