Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church We are a body of believers who profess Christ and strive to do His will by reaching, teaching, and s Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

We are a body of believers who profess Christ and strive to do His will by reaching, teaching, and sharing His love. County Road 301 Jonesboro, TX 76538

09/06/2026

So good to be back after a month long hiatus in cooler climes. After getting caught up on all the news, we went to worship together. Psalm 27 began our service, then we sang hymns For 1000 tongues, There is a fountain, Praise Him!, and Wonderful words. On the prayer list, Beth and Hollis have cancer, Wallace is having surgery, Justin got a new job, Chastity is having health concerns, for the kids back at school, for our nation and leaders, peace, and for revival. A special thanks to Butch Putnam, Ray Storms, and Miles Meairs for leading worship in August. An extra special thanks to Austin for helping each of them during the services. The sermon was from Luke 16, the parable of the dishonest manager. Money is an excellent servant but a poor master. Money itself isn't evil, it is a tool, like a hammer or wrench. The hand that holds it determines its use. In the parable, a money manager has been caught stealing. Before he gets fired, he cuts some deals with his masters debtors. Some got a 50% reduction. The manager knew he couldn't do manual labor or beg, so he bought favor with his masters money. Later, the manager would ask the people to stay with them and they would oblige due to the money he saved them. The master says that the manager acted shrewdly. Jesus isn't saying that dishonesty is ok, He gave an example of how the world works, and that honesty is a rare virtue. Jesus then taught to use money to buy friends, like the manager did. The friends we should buy are those who are spiritual friends, those we may see in heaven. They could be a neighbor in need, a person who read a Gideon Bible, a lady who went to the pregnancy center and was saved, or someone who attended a worship service and heard the gospel. In addition, those who are faithful with small amounts can be faithful with large amounts. When working for God, there are no small jobs. Any work done well pleases God. How we use our money speaks volumes about us. Those who invest in the kingdom are wise, those who invest in themselves are foolish. Jesus also taught that we can't have 2 masters, we either serve God or money. It is important that we give cheerfully and sacrificially. A good question to ask is this; would I buy this item if Jesus was standing next to me? Jesus paid everything to redeem you, how are you responding? One day all of us will give a report to Jesus. Will we be called a good and faithful servant or a dishonest one?
Next Sunday is our 150th anniversary! No Sunday school. We will have a meal after to celebrate. Please join us in celebrating God's faithfulness.

07/26/2026

The wonderful verses of Psalm 25 again opened our service, then we sang hymns Blest be the tie, Heavenly sunlight, Rock of ages, and Jesus loves me together. In our time of prayer we remembered Amy Dahl with cancer, Jack had a successful surgery, Buster's surgery went well, Teresa has cancer, Martha isn't doing well after her surgery, for the family of Ronny Laradon, for the 4 families of killed soldiers, for our nation, our leaders, peace, and wisdom as citizens and voters. Ther sermon finished up the Prodigal Son mini-series, today we looked at the oldest son. In this parable, we have to ask ourselves if we are more like the youngest or the oldest son. We should strive to be more like the dad. The crowd who listened to Jesus would have been angry at the younger son for how he treated his dad. The older son seems like the model son, he did what he was told, worked hard, and kept the family honor. Sometimes being the good one, the responsible one, means being overlooked and under appreciated. The older brother was out working, no one bothered to tell him his brother was home. He was mad about this, he was mad the brother was home, and he was mad the brother was getting a party. The father heard about the older son and left the party to talk to him. The son finally vented, he had been good, quiet, and loyal, and he never got a party. This rascal comes home and he gets special treatment, it doesn't seem fair. The older son didn't want to reconcile with his brother, he resented him. By not attending the party, the older son broke protocol, he should have been the host. By not attending, he dishonored his father, which the guests would have noticed. The older son didn't understand the unconditional love his father had for both sons. Many people today see "church people" like the Pharisees or older brother. They act one way on Sunday and differently the rest of the week. They look down on others and are judgmental. In many ways, the younger son represents the gentiles and the older son the Jews. The older son had a rules based relationship, not a love based one. Jesus was a threat to them because He taught a new way, the way of love. Both sons needed forgiveness, but the older son didn't see that. Too often we find ourselves int he shoes of the older brother. A very unique feature of this parable is that it is open-ended. We don't know what the older son did. The big question is what will we do when God invites us to His party? Will you accept willingly, like the younger son, or be sulking like the older brother?
No Sunday school this week. Butch Putnam of the Gideon's will lead worship next week at 11. On Sept. 13 is the church's 150th anniversary.

07/19/2026

What a blessing we had this week in the cooler weather and rains! Thank you Lord! Psalm 25 began our worship, then we sang All creatures, Great is the faithfulness, How great thou art, and I heard the bells. Short prayer list. Maggie had neck surgery, Jack had heart surgery, we are thankful for rain and all other blessings. We ask for blessings on our nation, our leaders, our military, and that peace comes quickly in Ukraine and Iran. The sermon was from Luke, and today we looked closer at the father in the parable of the prodigal son. The youngest son was incredibly rude and disrespectful towards his father by asking for his share of the estate, yet, the father granted his request. This hurt the family business and affected the entire family. Undoubtedly, this caused the father to be the punchline of jokes and much ridicule in the village. When the son finally returned, he was empty handed, he was broke. Normally, gifts were given to assuage any hard feelings, but the son had nothing. The father saw the son a great distance away and ran to him. This meant hiking up his fancy robe and exposing his legs, this was something respectable older gentlemen never did. If anyone saw this, he would have been mocked and taunted. The father wanted to reach the son before anyone in the village saw him to avoid the son being ostracized in a ceremony called a Kezasah. Even today, most parents probably wouldn't act like the father in the parable. The father forgave the son before the son uttered a word, this reminds us that if we repent and return to God, He will receive us and forgive us. The father gave instructions to bring gifts to this son, a robe, ring, and shoes. The robe was one worn by the father, it symbolized restoration. The ring was the signet ring, it gave this son control over the financial and legal matters. The shoes were only worn by the wealthy, anyone seeing the son dressed this way would know he was a part of the father's family again. In like manner, we come to God with nothing but filthy rags. God sent us Jesus to redeem us and make salvation possible. The gifts given by the father are symbols of what God gives us. We are now robed in the righteousness of Christ instead of our filthy rags. We are given the Holy Spirit as a sign that God has put a down payment on us. The shoes represent the peace we have with God. The wondrous love of God is shown to us in these gifts, leaving no doubt that He accepts us as His children and heirs, thru the blood of Christ. If you are still a prodigal, on the run from God, why not stop, turn back, and return to the God who loves you enough to sacrifice His only son? Come to God now, in humility, and you can experience His unexpected love.
No Sunday school next week. Worship at 11. On Sept. 13 we are having the church's 150th anniversary, all are invited to join us.

07/13/2026

July has not disappointed as far as heat is concerned, very thankful we have AC to make life more comfortable. Psalm 24 began our service, then we sang Majesty, Old rugged cross, In the garden, and Let us break bread together. It was nice to have Blake, kids, and Tori visiting. In our prayer time we are thankful that John and Wallace are both feeling much better, we are thankful for promotions, Jack has surgery this week, for families and marriage, safe travels, our nation, our military, our leaders, our freedoms, and most of all, for Jesus. We celebrated the Lord's Supper together in a time of unity. The sermon was the first in a 3 part Prodigal Son mini-series. This may be the most famous parable Jesus told, it is a literary masterpiece on its own. Most of us identify with this parable since we have run away from God at some time in our lives. When the younger son asked his father for his inheritance, he was being extremely rude and disrespectful, enough that in some villages he might have been stoned to death. The younger son would get 1/3 of the estate, and the oldest brother 2/3. By asking for his share now, he was telling his dad to drop dead, he didn't want to wait for the old man to die to get his share. Making this demand was treating his father with contempt. This thought had been building in the younger son, he was sick of his dad, his brother, and the farm. Not long after getting his share, the son set off for a foreign land. His selfishness would have been a setback to the family business. By going to a foreign land, the son was also leaving his customs, security, and community. We do the same thing if we run away from God and want to live under our rules instead of His. After several years of parties and mirth, the money ran out. Then, a famine struck, and the son was destitute. In desperation he took the only job he could, a pig herder. Leviticus 11 says anyone who raises swine is cursed. This was about as low as a good Jewish boy could sink. It is also what we look like spiritually before we repent and turn back to God. Alone and hungry with the pigs, the son remembered that the hired men at home were treated better, so he set off for home. He rehearsed an apology that he would give his dad. Forgiveness was his last hope, just as it is for us. The son still had problems, his biggest concern was filling his needs and not fixing relationships. The son still saw the dad as a way to get what he wanted, and he was still trying to manipulate him. While the son was still a distance away, the father saw him and forgave him. As much as this father loved his son, it is a pale comparison to the love our Father in heaven has for us. We were in a foreign land of sin, and God sent His son to find and redeem us. God stands ready to welcome all lost sinners who turn to Him in faith and repentance. God found us when we were lost, loved us even when we were not worthy, forgave us before we knew how to ask, and sent His son to pay our redemption price. When we come to God we never have to worry about being lost.
No Sunday school next week. Worship at 11. On September 13 we are having our 150th anniversary, all are welcome to join us.

07/06/2026

Hope everyone had a memorable Independence Day, we sure did. Psalm 23 began our service, then we sang hymns The star spangled banner, My Country, Glory glory hallelujah, and America the beautiful. In our prayer time we prayed for Than & Andrea, Houston got a good report, Jack is having surgery, for the Sherman and Oglesby families, for Jim's parents, Kendall Stroud was in an accident, Chelsea, Pat Adams, Carol McDowell, for safe travels, for our 250th birthday, for our freedoms, and for revival in our nation. The sermon was from Mark, when the Pharisees asked Jesus about paying taxes to Rome. 250 years as a free nation is a big deal, but compared to others like Egypt, China, and Rome, we have a long way to go. Unlike other nations, we were started as a planned revolt from our mother country. Our founding fathers were mainly theologians, all were believers, they used the Bible in their debates and quoted from it. The Declaration of Independence says that God gives us our rights, not the government. Paul lived and wrote under a dictatorship, and he urged us to live peaceably, obey just laws, and pray for those in authority. We get to vote for our leaders and laws. Many Christians don't vote. God wants us to be good stewards, and one way we can do that is by voting wisely. Issues like abortion, foreign policy, taxes, and technology are made by the party in power. Voting is one of the greatest freedoms we have, yet many don't participate. What does the Bible say about being a good citizen here on earth? First, we must remember that our citizenship in heaven supercedes our earthly citizenship. One command we are still under is to make disciples of all nations. This usually starts close to home. If we lose our freedom of religion, we may not be able to witness to others. We are to bring Biblical laws and ideas to society, as well as to make good public policy. Believers shouldn't be afraid to run for local office, if we don't then those who don't believe will be elected. It is ok to work with other groups in civil projects, it shows our love for others. We should obey just laws and leaders as much as possible, unless they go against what the Bible says. We may face civil penalties from not obeying a law, but we should be willing to do so. The church should stand against that which is prideful, immoral, or corrupt. All believers should be willing to work together in acts of mercy. In Hico, the area churches work together for the prayer walk before the start of the school year, for the back to school fair to give kids school supplies, and for the Baccalaureate service held in May in which every senior gets a Bible. We have more freedoms than any other nation in history, and we should use them wisely. Scripture says to be in the world but not of the world. God wants us to be involved politically, but not consumed by politics. We should pray for our leaders and our fellow citizens. We should do all the good we can, and we should fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus gave the best answer when He was confronted by the Pharisees, and we should remember to read our Bibles, pray for wisdom, then render unto Caesar what is his and to God what is Gods.
Sunday school at 10 and worship at 11. Sept. 13 will be the 150th anniversary for Pleasant Valley.

06/28/2026

The end of June is upon us, as is the heat. We are very thankful one days like this for working AC. Psalm 20 began our worship, then we sang A mighty fortress, Hark the herald angels, Count your blessings, and Fairest Lord Jesus. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Chris. On the prayer list we added Houston Lawrence, The Sherman family, Pat Adams, Kimberly, Valene, Benjamin, Doug is better, for wisdom, safety, and for peace on earth. The sermon was from Luke 15, the parable of the lost coin. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for hanging out with "sinners". In the ancient world, to receive people meant to invite them for a meal, to accept them, to introduce them to your friends, it was a big deal. The Pharisees thought eating with "sinners" was condoning their behavior. What the Pharisees saw as the problem was really the solution. No one can be saved unless they are first received by Jesus. The first thing about this parable people would have noticed was the main character was a woman. No other rabbi would have done that. Jesus was speaking to a crowd of thousands, including women and children. He valued women and treated them well, they even sat at His feet. This parable also shows how important we are to God. The lost coin was worth about $100 in modern money. We are as valuable as silver to God. Even if we are lost, we belong to Him. Coins were made with the image of Caesar on them, we are made in the image of God. Silver tarnishes if exposed to oxygen, we tarnish due to sin. No matter how tarnished, we still retain value, God still loves us. Some people are like the lost sheep, we wander away from God. Others are like the coin, they are lost by some sort of accident. Many kids today are being raised without any sort of religious training, they may not have a Bible at home. Some had a horrible childhood. Like the lost coin, sinners lie unseen and unused, they don't have the value for which they were made. Like the coin, we stay lost until we are found by Jesus. Jesus loves us enough to actively look for us, He does so in every corner of the world. Each person has their own unique story to tell, but no matter at what age you were saved, it caused rejoicing in heaven. For those who are saved, our job is to help search for others who are lost and bring them to Jesus, then they won't be lost anymore and there will be joy in heaven.
Sunday school at 10, worship at 11, Happy 4th of July America!

06/22/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's and male role models who help and mentor young people. Psalm 19 opened our worship, followed by hymns Precious Lord, Nearer my God, Faith is the victory, and It is well. In our congregational prayer we are thankful for the rains, Doug is ill, Marcy is having surgery, we ask for peace in the world, we are thankful for fathers and our heavenly Father, for our nation, leaders, and our military. The sermon was from Luke 15 and the parable of the lost sheep. Sheep are not the brightest of farm animals, they need protection from predators. David was the first to write about the sheep-shepherd relationship. Spiritually, we are like sheep, we need protection from the devil. The leaders 2000 years ago were failing as under shepherds. They didn't see themselves as the problem or Jesus as the solution. Those who didn't follow all the rules were not worthy of being cared for or loved. The parable starts with a missing sheep. To have 100 sheep back then meant the shepherd was wealthy, that was a large flock. This shepherd cared for his flock, he didn't want to lose any of them. Unlike other animals, sheep don't have a homing instinct, they stay lost. Just like the shepherd went after his lost sheep, so Jesus is our good shepherd who seeks for us when we go astray. Jesus has His flock in every corner of the world, and He knows and cares for each of them. Once the sheep is found, the shepherd picks it up and carries it back. For Jesus, it wasn't enough that He found us, He had to take our punishment so we could be redeemed. For each lost sinner who repents and believes, a celebration breaks out in heaven. We don't know exactly who is celebrating, but we read there is rejoicing. Scripture tells us we have all sinned and gone astray, we need a good shepherd. The religious leaders should have been looking for lost sinners, but they considered "sinners" to be of little value. We are called to seek the lost as well. This includes having love instead of judgment, compassion instead of criticism, praying for them, and telling them about Jesus. Are we willing to help save just one more person? Are we doing all we can to save one more sheep?
Sunday school at 10, worship at 11. Plus, next Sunday is a birthday.

06/14/2026

Psalm 20 again opened our worship, followed by hymns Rescue the perishing, Send the light, Jesus shall reign, and Jesus saves. In our prayer time we mourn with the Hensil, Hill, Gripp, and Kroese families. Martha's knee is still painful, Jack is having a procedure, Ruth is doing well, Chelsea had complications after having her baby, Martha M isn't well, we are thankful that a peace deal may be signed today, and we ask for revival in our nation. The sermon was from Luke 14 and the cost of following Jesus. In 1954, Coach Bear Bryant took his Texas Aggie football team to Junction for preseason practice. He didn't allow ice, water, towels, or even oranges on the field. Some players had to be carried off at the end of practice. One player lost 20 pounds in one day. In only 9 days, 76 players had quit. The NCAA later banned this type of practice, Bryant was lucky no one died. The 39 players who finished the practice counted the cost of what it would take to make the football team. Jesus today asks us the same question, have we counted the cost of being a disciple? The first cost is to hate our family. That seems harsh and contradictory, aren't we supposed to love and respect our family? The word used that we translate as hate isn't an emotional word, it is used to prioritize things. If I have 2 vehicles, the one I like better is loved, and the other is hated. To hate something is to put it in second or third place in your affections. We are to value and esteem our family, but Jesus has to come first and have our deepest love. The second cost is to carry our cross. Each of us have a different cross to bear. This is not the normal bad things all humans experience, this is being singled out, ridiculed, or persecuted for our faith in Jesus. A cross carrying disciple is the only true kind of disciple there is. If we aren't willing to die for Jesus, how can we live for Him? The third cost of discipleship is being willing to sacrifice our goods and possessions if asked. Jesus calls us to be willing to surrender everything we have for Him, just as He gave everything He had for us. If we want eternal life with Jesus then we have to start by living our lives the way He lived His life. We need to understand the terms and conditions of discipleship. Are we willing to follow Jesus on His terms? Have we taken the time to count the cost?
Sunday school at 10, worship at 11. We enjoy having guests.

06/07/2026

Psalm 19 began our worship time, then we sang hymns How great Thou art and Breathe on me breath of God. In our congregational prayer we are thankful for the rain, John is struggling, Naomi has 2 weeks left of treatment, for all the VBS and Bible camps going on, for peace, and for our nation. The sermon was from Luke 14. This was a continuation of last week. Jesus is still at the home of a Pharisee having a meal. Last week He told us where to sit, in places of humility. This week He tells us who to invite to our social events. Jesus used a parable and explained to his listeners about the great feast to come in heaven. In the parable, servants were sent to invite guests, who said they would attend. When the day of the party arrived, some made silly excuses, about buying fields, oxen, and getting married. These were excuses, and they were incredibly rude. In some societies honor killings would avenge these slights. The host decided to invite the homeless, the lame, and the disabled. There was still room, so servants were sent to round up strangers outside the city and compel them to attend. The Old Testament prophets were the first servant, they invited Israel to God's party. Jesus was the second servant, He proclaimed the time was now. Israel rejected Him, so gentiles were then invited, which is us. The good news of the gospel is for all nations and peoples, the promise to Abraham is being fulfilled. If you listen closely, you might hear Jesus talking to you. He is inviting you to His party, will you accept or reject Him?
Sunday school at 10, worship at 11 this week. Happy Flag Day everyone!

06/01/2026

School is out, summer is here, church remains a good place to be each and every week. Psalm 18 once again opened our service, then we sang hymns To God be the glory, Praise to the Lord, Come thou fount, and O worship the king. Lots of prayer requests this week. Linda and Debby are doing well, Sandra, Jim, Betty Helen, and Jean are all in the hospital, Sam saw his cardiologist, John sees his new doctor tomorrow. We also prayed for families having strife, for the lost, for the families of Kelly Selbey and Francis Dahl, for Dexter and family, for peace on earth, for our military, for our leaders, and for our nation. The sermon was from Luke 14, when Jesus visited a Pharisee for lunch. A good policy to live by is being humble. Jesus first healed a man and then told a parable about seating places at a banquet. Most people want the best seats available. The devil saw God on His throne and decided he wanted that seat. He got many angels to rebel with him and was thrown out of heaven. Wanting to have a better seat due to pride is not a new sin, it is the oldest. When Jesus accepted a lunch invitation, the Pharisee also brought in a sick man, he had edema, or swelling. Jesus healed him and sent him home to avoid the Pharisees. Jesus asked if healing on the sabbath was ok. The Pharisees were silent. Jesus then asked if they would help their son or ox if it got in trouble on the sabbath. Again the answer was silence. Jesus knew the real reasons for the sabbath, to rest, to worship, and to show mercy to others. Today, Sunday has become a day to do what we want instead of what God wants. After healing the sick man, Jesus addressed the crowd, He said we should avoid the head table, the front row seats, or anyplace that draws attention. It is better to be in a cheap seat and be invited to move up than vice versa. As believers, we should seek the lowest place until God invites us to a higher place. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, while the humble will be exalted. The Pharisees didn't realize that they would get what God thought they deserved, not what they thought. St. Augustine said there are humble religious and proud religious people. The proud should not promise themselves the kingdom of God. As far as Jesus is concerned, the lowest place is the best seat in the house. Jesus left the glory of heaven and came to earth where He was despised, rejected, and finally crucified, showing us what humility looks like. As you go on this week, live for Jesus, live like Jesus, and love like Jesus. Be humble and content with what God has given you, and don't be like the Pharisees who were always wanting the best seats.
Sunday school at 10, worship at 11 this week.

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County Road 301
Jonesboro, TX
76538

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