Macedonia Baptist Church

06/04/2026

In a message I once delivered that deals with a Church Driven with Purpose, I stated that being a Follower of JESUS is a distinctive lifestyle recognized by the transformation of the way you think about and make life choices based on the authority of GOD'S WORD and the fact that JESUS has taken your sin, covered you with HIS blood thereby setting you free from sin’s power! This lifestyle is in direct opposition to the way the world thinks and chooses. Consider this thought in today’s passages and devotional message.

Intermingling

The Bible says – Ezra 9:1 – 2; 1 John 2: 15 – 17,2 Corinthians 6: 14 – 18

"When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said, "Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have taken them as wives for their sons. So, the Holy Race has become polluted by these mixed marriages. Worse yet, the leaders and officials have led the way in this outrage” ... “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the FATHER in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the FATHER, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases GOD will live forever…Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between CHRIST and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between GOD’S Temple and idols? For we are the Temple of the LIVING GOD. As GOD said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their GOD, and they will be MY people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them”, says the LORD. “Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your FATHER, and you will be MY sons and daughters, says the LORD ALMIGHTY.”

Pastor's Thoughts
In today’s Ezra passage, Israel's neighboring nations had very different lifestyles and their pagan religions practiced the worship of idols along with the worship of self-satisfaction through drunken revelry and sexual immorality with pagan temple prostitutes. So, YAHWEH commanded Israel not to intermingle with the ways of their neighbors. But many of Israel's leaders chose to exempt themselves from HIS COMMAND. They chose to set themselves above GOD! Their willful disobedience led many of Israel's people to follow the Priest and Levites – GOD’S Chosen Leaders – into the worship of this world’s ways.

In today’s 1 John and 2 Corinthian passages, we hear the Apostles John and Paul, being led by the HOLY SPIRIT as they warn the members of the Church not to fall in love with the ways of the world and certainly not to team up with them (which means joining their practices and/or intermarrying with unbelievers). When you, HIS children who make up HIS Church, allow its leaders and/or the members of its congregation to adopt lifestyles that disregard the authority of GOD'S WORD, the future spiritual growth of the Church will be sacrificed. (Also consider Romans 1: 28 – 32) Also the decay and rot in the nation will spread accordingly.

Do you struggle with being drawn into a love for and have you been intermingling with the ways of this world? Choose today, to cry out to GOD confessing this sin! Then make the hardline choice to repent of the sin by your active choice of refusing to intermingle with the world’s ways. The responsibility of the LORD’S children, who have been caught up in this sin, is to seek the HEAVENLY FATHER’S forgiveness and favor by confessing and then turning 180 degrees in repentance away from their love for and intermingling with the ways of this world. It is then that the LORD is compelled to restore, revitalize, and rebuild you, and HIS Church, by adding to her number daily. Throughout HIS WORD, GOD calls for HIS people to separate themselves from this world. "...for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the FATHER in you..." (1 John 2:15). But this doesn't mean that you are to become an extremist who lives isolated from the rest of society. That also goes against JESUS' COMMAND to, "...Make disciples of all peoples, teaching them MY ways..." (Matthew 28:16-20). The Born-again Believer is to separate from all ethical and cultural immoralities and any distraction that result in disobedience to GOD'S WORD.

In CHRIST Service for HIS Glory,
Pastor David

06/04/2026

We were missing a few tonight but had a blast practicing our VBS songs for next week ….and a popsicle never hurt anyone 😊🤣😋

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

Join us for Wednesday Night Bible Study
(Study 3 Part One)

06/03/2026

In the New Testament Greek, the word “Sanctification” is “Hagiosmos”. In the context of the New Testament, the most basic understanding is “Set Apart”. This denotes a sense of being separated from what was – in order to be dedicated to what now is. So, for the sinner who is now a saint through JESUS’ work of redemption and atonement on the Cross, in the grave and through the resurrection, the once lost and condemned sinner can now be separated from his/her former life of sin. This act is not by the sinner’s own volition, it is the choice of GOD the FATHER’S will carried out through the SON, in the Power of the HOLY SPIRIT that wholly sets apart and solely dedicates this once condemned sinner to YAHWEH’S intended purpose. In other words, the purity of this new life in CHRIST JESUS is not made holy by the sinner’s change of heart; it is the indwelling sanctification work of GOD’S HOLY SPRIT that makes new the heart! For the Born-again Believer/Follower of JESUS CHRIST, sanctification defines an internal state of separation from the desires to covet everything worldly to an innate longing to desire and channel one’s life toward all things Heavenly. This is brought about by CHRIST JESUS’ divine work of grace. This work of grace at salvation sets the believer apart as one separated from the world; therefore, in JESUS, he/she is made righteous unto Yahweh, the LORD GOD of ALL. Sanctification is not natural in the framework of man. Sanctification cannot be achieved through human effort, because a cleansing transformation and transference is necessary in the heart of man to attain this purity. Being set apart from the influence of the world, the believer is separated from the dominion of the ruler of this world, Satan. The sinner is virtually taken out of the kingdom of Satan by being joined to the GOD’S MESSIAH, whereby he becomes part of the Kingdom of GOD. “For HE has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of HIS dear SON, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." (Colossians 1: 13)
GOD the FATHER delivered us from the power of all that is darkness, from all of the world’s evil forces and its control over us; HE has transferred us into HIS Kingdom. By delivering us from one, HE transfers us into another whose characteristics are Love, Joy, Righteousness and Peace (Romans14: 17). In CHRIST JESUS’ work of sanctification, those whom GOD in HIS HOLY SOVEREIGNTY has chosen are rendered pure, holy and set apart. The sanctification work of the HOLY SPIRIT done in your life involves separation, dedication, purity, consecration and service. Consider this thought found in today’s passage and devotional message.

GOD’S Will – Your Sanctification

The Bible Says - 1 Thessalonians 4:3a
"For this is the will of GOD, your sanctification..."

Pastor's Thoughts
The question is never, "Is GOD willing to sanctify me?" Your sanctification is HIS expressed will. So the question you are to ask yourself is, "Am I willing to surrender my life to the LORD’S Sanctification? Will I let HIM do in me all that CHRIST JESUS has made possible through HIS atoning sacrifice on the Cross?" Which of these statements resemble your attitude toward GOD’S necessary work in your life; "I am waiting to be sanctified;" or "GOD is waiting to sanctify me?"

The answer is this; you cannot wait to be sanctified. When CHRIST JESUS' Salvation and HIS SPIRIT became a part of your life, you immediately recognized your need to be made right with GOD the FATHER. In that moment, JESUS' Sanctification became that deliberate act of the HOLY SPIRIT at work in your life. It is the knowledge of HIS love that overrides the irrepressible shame you once knew. Through the knowledge of HIS mercy, you instantly realize that your life must be sanctified to resemble CHRIST JESUS’ Life. You now understand that your life has only one purpose, this is to fulfill GOD’S Will. HIS Sanctification will always lead you to separate yourself from the ways, thoughts, and habitual sins of this world. Thought the HOLY SPIRIT’S work of Sanctification, you know these will disrupt your daily fellowship with HIM. Sanctification prepares you to be on mission with GOD right where you are. HIS Sanctification may also lead you in a direction totally opposite from where you thought your life was heading.

The point is this; the HOLY SPIRIT’S Sanctification will always lead you toward a life separated from the ways and ideals of the world to a life that is focused on building GOD’S Kingdom and fulfilling JESUS' mission to make disciples of all peoples. Have you, and/or will you surrender yourself to this fact – GOD'S Will is your Sanctification?

In CHRIST’S Service for HIS Glory,
Pastor David

06/01/2026

True Followers of JESUS today face issues and questions that the Apostle Paul never faced. Questions such as: is it alright for a Born-again Believer to go to movies; is it alright for Born-again Believers to watch television, use the internet, mobile phones, computers, tablets and/or other forms of entertainment. Does it devalue my righteousness in JESUS to receive certain medical remedies (vaccinations, antibody platelets, etc.) or to use other life conveniences? Is it alright for Born-again Believers to attend sporting events, secular concerts, or send their children to public school? In other words, to what extent does the Born-again Believer's Freedom in CHRIST JESUS allow him to live among this world and use what it offers; yet remain separated from this world and its seduction? Consider this thought found in passage and today’s devotional message.

The Balance

The Bible Says – 1 Corinthians 8: 1
"Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that 'We all have Knowledge' about this issue. But while Knowledge makes us feel important, it is Love that strengthens the Church."

Pastor's Thoughts
Why would I be interested in a message from the Apostle Paul addressing the question, “Can Christians eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols?” This immediate question does not interest Born-again Believers today; yet when this passage is understood in its proper context, it widens our scope to see "The Big Picture". The Big Picture is the Born-again Believer's Freedom. Your Freedom in CHRIST JESUS is defined by how you manage your Knowledge, your Love, and your Witness. Just as in the growth of children, some mature faster than others, there will always be those Born-again Believers who mature faster than others in their comprehensive spiritual knowledge. This means, there will always be those who are weaker in the knowledge of their faith; therefore, their wise walk with the LORD may look different. Those who are weaker in their faith and walk will usually hold themselves to observe stricter rules and regulations that guide them daily. However, the Born-again Believer who has built up their faith and walk live in the freedom of CHRIST JESUS; that Freedom is a life being led by HIS SPIRIT. It is the reality of being Free in CHRIST JESUS that makes today's passage relevant.

Those who have reached a level of maturity revealed in scripture are held to a higher responsibility; they are to assist (disciple) those who are weaker in their Faith and Walk. Here is how GOD intends this to work. The by-product of Spiritual Knowledge is Power. But while this Power allows the spiritually mature to walk in CHRIST'S Freedom, this Power can also be Dangerous, if it is allowed to produce pride, self-exaltation and even more dangerously, self-justification. Instead of being a productive part of the Body whose life builds up the LORD’S Church as a whole, the mature believer, if undisciplined, will bring degradation and destruction into the local Body of CHRIST. Therefore, if the more mature Believer desires to use his/her knowledge to build up the Church through the Power it produces, he/she must allow the LOVE of GOD to more permeate their lives than the Knowledge. If they do not, the weaker Believers will not be discipled! They will become distraught by the liberty with which the more mature believers make decisions and choices. The decisions made by the more mature believers will drive the weaker into deep ravines of misunderstanding that become stumbling blocks. So, what the more mature have gained in the power of spiritual knowledge becomes sin because of their lack of LOVE and GRACE toward others.

Spiritual Knowledge is an important factor for building up CHRIST JESUS’ Church. But Knowledge, not delivered through Love, will result in berating the weaker Believers with GOD'S WORD. In the same way, LOVE that does not express the TRUTH of GOD'S WORD (in Grace and Judgment) will result in appeasing the weaker (making them feel good about themselves without properly challenging them to move toward maturity). So, let us always remember that those Born-again Believers who have matured in Spiritual Knowledge must know how to properly balance their knowledge with the LOVE of CHRIST JESUS in order to Build-up the Church which is their ultimate responsibility. When the Knowledge of the more mature Believers is balanced with GOD'S LOVE, the opportunity is made for the weaker Believers to grow strong, thereby strengthening the entire Church's Witness, Ministry and Love for one another! It is through this strong witness that the Church is made able to reach the unreached for the Glory of GOD.

In CHRIST’S Service for HIS Glory,
Pastor David

05/30/2026

Help us spread the word by sharing this post! Join us June 1-5 for our Summer Reading Stars and Stripes Picnics and Games! We are excited to join together with our community partners all week for these fun events! Visit our Registration Table when you arrive to register your child. The children will be given a wristband. Children will show their wristbands to receive a Summer Reading bag with a coloring book, crayons, take home craft, bookmark, and more! The children will also receive free hot dogs, popcorn, and ice cream. They can participate in games, face painting, and tattoos. Make sure you visit each of our community partner’s tables for special treats, games and arts and crafts!

05/29/2026

It is said that the greatest unused power in the world today is the untapped resources of GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT. I totally agree with that statement! I also believe we can take that thought a little further. With HIS Greatest Power, JEHOVAH GOD’S intent is to be at work in and through the lives of the Born-again Believers who make up HIS Church. So, we’re left with the question; why is it that CHRIST JESUS’ HOLY SPIRIT remains the greatest UNUSED power in the life of HIS Church today? The answer – GOD’S WORD teaches the Church about the HOLY SPIRIT’S Great Power; GOD’S WORD teaches the Church about GOD the FATHER’S Great Love; and GOD’S WORD teaches the Church about GOD the SON’S Great Salvation! This leads to the answer concerning today’s question about the Greatest Unused Power. Among the members of the Body of CHRIST, who are the Church, GOD’S WORD is the most neglected source of Absolute Knowledge. GOD’S WORD teaches everything mankind needs to know about all things practical, physical, emotional and spiritual, yet so many disregard its validity! This leaves the Greatest Power known to mankind untapped to its potential. Consider this thought found in today’s passage and devotional.

The Greatest Power

The Bible Says – 2 Timothy 3: 16
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Pastor’s Thoughts
GOD’S WORD, being inspired by the HEAVENLY FATHER alone, is HIS Divine Revelation to mankind. HIS WORD Reveals HIS concern for the Righteousness of HIS Creation. As HIS Divine Revelation, GOD'S WORD is profitable for you, the Born-again Believer, in every moment of your life whether spiritual or practical. The profitability of GOD’S WORD is found in four areas: "For Doctrine" – teaching YOU WHAT'S RIGHT in HIS sight, "For Reproof" – revealing IN YOU what's NOT right in HIS sight, "For Correction " – prompting how YOU CAN GET RIGHT in HIS sight, "For Instruction in Righteousness" – showing you HOW TO STAY RIGHT in HIS sight. GOD developed and directed HIS WORD to guide your everyday practical choices. Being so developed and directed, HIS WORD is HIS Divine Revelation designed to control your behavior and guide your way.

Therefore, surrendering yourself to the Inspired Instruction of the HEAVENLY FATHER’S WORD is the only means available for you, the Born-again Believer, to live your life fully within the Greatest Power known to mankind. So, let us, the Church, resolve to FIRST KNOW, and then ALLOW GOD’S WORD TO HAVE ITS WAY in our lives, in our homes, in our Church, on our jobs, and in our schools. Let GOD’S WORD have its way in every aspect of your life. It is then that you and I, the Church, even this nation and world will know the Greatest Power ever unleashed. The Power of GOD the FATHER HIMSELF, in the way of HIS presence through HIS HOLY SPIRIT, will guide our direction daily while HE guards our way going forward and protects our way from the rear just as HE did in the days of Moses and GOD’S children throughout the Exodus! Today, make the choice to embrace GOD’S WORD daily, thereby experiencing HIS Great Power in your life daily!

In CHRIST’S Service for HIS Glory,
Pastor David

05/28/2026

“I will praise YOU in this Storm” – this line is found in the lyrics to a song written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms and performed by Casting Crowns. But I have to wonder, and I have to ask; what does it mean to praise the LORD in the Storm? I have come to believe that we, as Children of GOD, don’t really know. We tend to think it is holding our heads up in the face of fear. We tend to think it’s showing our Spiritual Prowess while the storm rages around us with the attitude of Lieutenant Dan (The movie Forrest Gump) in the crow’s nest screaming at GOD to bring it on! Consider this thought found in today’s passage and devotional message.

Right Response in the Storm

The Bible Says – Mark 5: 37 - 40
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 JESUS was sleeping at the back of the boat with HIS head on a cushion. The disciples woke HIM up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t YOU care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When JESUS woke up, HE rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then HE asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Pastor’s Thoughts
You see my friends, in life there are storms; but then there are storms. Now, you’re most likely saying, “Preacher David, You’re talking in riddles; what do you mean?” What I mean is there are ragging storms that capture attention; these cause you to react with worry or maybe even to react with some action in hopes of redirecting the storm. But then there are the normal storms; those storms that have become so common placed that you no longer realize the damage they are causing. That is until they reach a magnitude of destruction in your or your family’s life that now has you wringing your hands and wondering what am I going to do?
In the LIGHT of today’s passage, when is the last time you truly ran to the stern of your proverbial boat that is caught up in the Storm, on the brink of destruction and you ran to JESUS shaking HIM with prayerful pleas, shouting, "MASTER! Do YOU not care that I am perishing in this Storm, and I am about to drown?" That's what the disciples did; so, I wonder, why don't we? You see, when they approached JESUS in their fright, what did HE do? HE awoke, rose to HIS feet and spoke to the wind of the Storm saying stop, no more and HE commanded the sea to cease its fury. 1 Peter 5: 7 teaches us to "cast our cares upon the LORD." While you or your family, or your respective church family (the Local Church Families and Fellowships) are striving, struggling and suffering with MUCH FEAR through life’s Storms, especially those storms that have become common placed at the moment, what does Peter’s words mean to you? My friends, my family, my brothers and sisters in CHRIST JESUS, it means that we’re should run to the stern of the boat! Awake JESUS with our fearful pleas, acknowledging our fear in the moment asking HIM, “LORD, don't you care?” Yes, we know the answer, JESUS certainly cares; but you and I don't always live within HIS care. If we did, we wouldn’t stick our self-righteous pride out in front of us and think, oh I can handle it this time! NO! YOU CAN’T! JESUS said so HIMSELF – “Apart from ME, you can do nothing!” Friends, it’s okay to be fearful in the moment of the Storm! But be certain of this, JESUS desires you to take your fear to the Stern of the Boat and shout them to HIM; HE is the only ONE whose in control of all the elements of every Storm, even those you are choosing to ignore for now!

So, I challenge all of you, the True Born-again Believers, the True disciples of JESUS; today stop all your activity for a time and look with your mind’s eye into the faces of those brothers and sisters who are caught up in life’s Storm. Can you see your brothers and sister hanging onto the mooring lines with all their might as you make your way to the stern of the proverbial boat to wake the LORD JESUS with your fearful pleas? Maybe it is you who is in the midst of the raging storm, and you have expended all your energy, and you have nothing left with which to fight and there you are hanging to the moorings in wonder, is this the end for me and my family?

You see my friends, it matters not whether you are facing the Storm personally. It matters not if you’re drawn into the Storm through the pain and even the choices of your family, or your brothers and sisters in CHRIST JESUS. The challenge for you and all the True Church today, this morning, is to stop your activity for a moment; start your morning by running with your apprehensions, your anxiety, your anger and yes, your fear to the stern of the proverbial boat that is being tossed to and fro completely out of your control. My friends, with all your spiritual might and prayers scream your plea, “LORD, can't YOU hear and see that my brothers and sisters, my family and I, we are all drowning. The circumstances are trying to take all of us overboard and destroy us. LORD, let us see YOU speak to the Storm as YOU did then, when YOUR disciples were filled with fear and cried out to YOU! LORD, today I too cry out with all my family and brothers and sisters in the Faith!”

What is Praising JESUS in the Storm? It is when we run to HIM with our fear and anxiety, shouting all our prayerful apprehensions that are seeking to drown and destroy us! The Right Response is when that Praise is bound up in your FAITH and TRUST to KNOW JESUS truly cares!

In CHRIST Service for HIS Glory,
Pastor David

05/28/2026

What an awesome night with our kids. They learned about being a good friend - “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬