Bear ye one another’s burdens

Galatians 6:2 says, in part, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

            In particular ways we are to bear one another’s burdens.  This type of burden, in which may be partially borne by another, is defined in verse 1 as a "fault".  This fault may occasionally overtake you, which means it will suddenly and unexpectedly seize you.  How quick is your temper?  How quick are you to despair?  When the storms blow are you suddenly faithless?  How about envy, or sloth or lust?  You have a burden that you carry that can be partially carried by someone in the church.  Do you carry this burden alone in your heart?  If you ask me, there is too much secrecy in people’s lives these days.  We don’t share the burdens of our hearts with those that can help.  I suppose we are embarrassed of our personal burdens and don’t want others to see our spiritual warts.  Years ago when I worked for a roofer with a couple of my friends, we would have contests to see how many bundles of shingles we could carry up the ladder and onto the roof.  If you’ve ever carried shingles you know that one bundle is pretty heavy, two bundles is extremely heavy and if you could carry three or more bundles of shingles up the ladder you were pretty much a stud in our circle.  Well, imagine carrying around thee bundles of shingles everywhere you go; bearing the spiritual weight of your faults.  Did you know that the mercy of Jesus Christ is worked out in the fact that you have your brothers and sisters in the church to help you along life’s path?  Someone you know could take a bundle of those shingles and bear your burden somewhat.

            Now that I’ve encouraged you to share your burdens with those around you, let’s give that idea a bit of balance.  Our text says that your fellow burden-bearer is to be someone that is “spiritual”.  I Co. 3:1 will teach us that spiritual people are not babes in Christ.  This is a special person that has special qualities of compassion and ministry.  Some of the Lord’s people couldn’t keep the personal information of others private if their life depended on it.  The Bible calls these people talebearers and they are not to be trusted with personal burdens.  They are just as much children of God as you, only they have the fault of telling everything they know.  Therefore, in whom you confide is totally your choice and it should be a proper person.  Prayerfully consider who you know in this way, and let them bear part of your burdens.  Perhaps they even have a burden that could be eased by you.  James 5:16 says “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.

                                                 Elder Mark Hasenmyer

Note:  The following letter was written by Elder Martin Onyani to Vestavia Primitive Baptist Church and was read at the memorial service for Elder Obey.  It touched me deeply and so I wish to share it with our church family at Lewisville.  Bro. Mike

Dear brother and sister in Christ ,

            I know there is a great sadness and heaviness in each one of our hearts. I know we have sweet precious memories of our late bro. Obey. Hebrew 12:1-2 reminds me of Elder Obey’s first visit with Vestavia PB Church one Sunday morning. He was a stranger to you all but you entertained him. This was because of God’s grace and the love of Christ in you. We need to continue exercising this love towards one another. We never know whom the Lord has sent our way, it may be one of God’s little sheep that is seeking and searching for his place in life where he might be able to discover consolation in our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. This reminds me of that Sunday morning when you welcomed bro. Obey in your church when the Lord directed him to Vestavia Church. The Lord purposed his coming. The Lord had to prepare him to bring the true Gospel to Africa.  His desire and prayer to God always was that the Lord’s children in Africa might receive salvation here in time, because he knew that they were already God’s children saved by Jesus blood shed on the cross.  Elder Obey has died a hero, while enduring for the elect’s sake. He has died in the battlefield. We know that Elder Obey’s soul and spirit are in a far better place with our Lord. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that all the bodies of the elect and non elect await the great morning of the resurrection when our Lord will come with a loud  shout  As Elder Obey delivered his last charge to the four brethren, he together with Elder Vernon Johnson and Mike Ivey and me had come to ordain in Kisii- Kenya he strongly quoted and finished saying from 2^nd Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  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.” And these were his last words to the whole congregation. As he was closing his speech, tears started rolling down his cheeks. Most of members could not hold back their tears also as each passed by him at his seat him and bidding him bye. He has a accomplished what he has started in Kenya, to ordain elders and constitute churches. May the Lord bless the fruits of his labour. The Lord had taken him home to rest at the very time we feel we need him more than before both in Kenya and Tanzania.

            Whenever he was in Kenya, he could feel like he was home. His presence, preaching and singing was a great blessing to many here in Kenya. His deep love for our Lord Jesus Christ was indeed a challenge to many. We sadly miss his blessed services.

            Sincerely, the blessed hope we have in our Lord becomes more precious and makes us think of some sweet day to come in future. Surely Elder Obey has gone home to be with his and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. What a wonderful assurance that brings to us! Though we will miss his wonderful and blessed services here on earth, we hope that one day we will go to him. It will take us too long to forget him.

            I have a great burden to serve and take care of my brothers and sisters in Tanzania as well.  I have a great burden and desires to continue with his work from where he left. I pray that God may give me strength and ability to spread the good news of the Lord throughout Africa. We need God’s grace to do all these. I hope the Lord is or has already prepared someone to Pastor a church in Dar-es Salaam, but I feel burdened to team up with Elders to prepare someone to be ordained as an elder in Tanzania.

            We sincerely  loved Elder Obey, but the Lord loved him most. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

            Since I am not able to be with you at this memorial service rejoicing together in the Lord in memory of our late Brother  Elder Obey, I wish you the Lord’s blessings in this occasion.

Amen.

Your brother and servant in Christ

Elder Martin Onyoni

Pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church of Kenya – Kisii

Another Prince in Israel has fallen at His Post

             The following is from a message posted to Elder Johnson’s carepage shortly after he went home to be with the Lord.  I was unable to attend the funeral services but was blest to travel to Lubbock on Friday for visitation.  The power of God’s comfort and consolation was apparent.  Sister Jamie and the children were doing well given the circumstances.  They said they are thankful George’s suffering is over and rejoice knowing he is finally home with his Savior.  Another Prince in Israel has finished his course having fought the good fight of faith in Christ. Brother George served his Lord valiantly and with great faith to the end. 

            I met Brother George in the late 1980’s at the South Plains Association.  Linda and I were privileged to stay in he and sister Jamie’s home during the meeting.  We immediately fell in love with them both.  We visited on many occasions since then and spoke often by phone.   I was blest to help George harvest his cotton crop on two occasions.  He let me run the compactor!  Those long days and sometimes long nights or picking cotton with Brother George, Wade, Shelly and Sister Jamie are dear memories of sweet fellowship I will always cherish.  Brother Georges’ love of God and dedication to His service was legendary.   He was a model pastor as a tireless worker in the Lord’s kingdom.  Bro George spent himself wholly serving the Lord by ministering to others.  Like Elder Obey, Brother George is another of God’ servants who died at his post.  All who knew him and especially his church family at Lubbock will sorely miss him.  Please keep them all in your prayers. 

                                                                     Bro. Mike

Elder George Johnson

            Funeral services for George Holton Johnson, 64, of Lubbock will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Steven Bloyd officiating. Interment will follow at Idalou Cemetery. Viewing will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the church, and family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home.

            George passed away on April 22, 2009 in Lubbock. Our family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Thames, his medical team, Covenant Medical ICU Team, and Nyki Maddigan. Their compassion and care for our dad was unbelievable and dignified.

            George Holton Johnson was born January 27, 1945 in Lubbock to Fay Isom (F.I.) and Ollie Faye Johnson. He was raised in Idalou and graduated from Idalou High School in 1963. George married his high school sweetheart, Jamie Elizabeth Jones, on August 30, 1963 in Idalou. George’s first love was the Lord and being a Pastor. He knew the true meaning of being a Pastor and not just a preacher. He had a deep love for his family and instilled in them his love and work ethic. He farmed in Idalou for 46 years with the help of his wife and children. He became an ordained deacon in 1972 and an ordained minister in 1979. George had previously pastored Primitive Baptist Churches in Crosbyton and Muleshoe and has been Pastor of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church since 1984.

            Survivors include his wife, Jamie Johnson; daughter, Shelley Booe and husband, David, of Munday, TX; daughter, Amy Hall and husband, Paul, of Lubbock, TX; son, Wade Johnson and wife, Lucy of Midland, TX; son, Rex Johnson and wife, Becky, of Lubbock; ten grandchildren, Cheyenne, Kyle, Jordan, Kylar, Keith, Makenzi, Bayli, Jake, Emily and Holton; sister, Sandra Hays and husband, Duane of Idalou; sister, Linda Denton of Idalou, and his yorkie, Gracie. He was preceded in death by his father in 1984; his mother in 1996; and a sister, Barbara Jackson, in 1994.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church, %Building Fund, 4401 North University, Lubbock, TX 79415 or the Idalou Cemetery Association, PO Box 351, Idalou, TX 79329.

Prayer And Praise

Remember the families of Elder Obey and Elder George.

Please pray for Brother Johnnie Robertson, a deacon at Medlan Chapel church, who is still in critical condition after suffering a massive stroke.

Sister Carolyn Moore’s sister has a serious illness and has decide not to accept treatment.  She is in her 80’s.  Please pray the Lord would give her grace at this time.

Continue to pray for Bro. David Holman who is on active duty in Iraq.

Praise the Lord for Sister Elva Freeman from Brentwood Hills church; she is showing good improvement.

Pray for our members who struggle with regular church attendance.

A prayer of thanksgiving for Sis. Donna & Bro. Gregg Scott of Houston PBC, who welcomed baby Emma Julianne’s arrival April 21^st.

Pray for those who are seeking work or face uncertainty with their jobs..

Please offer a prayer of thanksgiving for our members who have recovered from recent illnesses.

Continue to pray for our government leaders.

Also, please remember Sister Loretta Rollins as she continues her cancer battle; at last report the chemo treatment was not working well.

Please pray the Lord will continue to bless this great land of ours and preserve and protect us until the time He sees fit to return.

Please remember Elders Sam Bryant and Paul Blair as they are in Africa to comfort the churches there in the wake of the loss of Elder Obey.

May Calendar

3 - Services @ 10:30 am

3 – Birthday: Mark Hasenmyer

6 - Services @ 7:00 pm

10 - Services @ 10:30 am

10 – Birthday: Andrea Hasenmyer

12 – Birthday: Carolyn Moore

13 - Services @ 7:00 pm

13 – Birthday: Jamie Wilkinson

14 – Birthday: Reagan McAnally

17 - Services @ 10:30 am

18 – Birthday: Caitlin Bruce

18 – Birthday: Dan Bruce

20 - Services @ 7:00 pm

24 - Services @ 10:30 am

26 – Birthday: Justin Bruce

27 – Services @ 7:00 pm

27 – Birthday: Hannah Hasenmyer

31 – Services @ 10:30 am

Upcoming Meetings:

Annual Meeting @ Little Vine PBC, Austin TX --- 1st weekend in May

Annual Meeting @ Farmersville PBC, Farmersville, TX --- 1^st weekend in May

Annual Meeting @ Providence PBC, Corsicana, TX --- 1^st weekend in May

Annual Meeting @ Paradise PBC, Arlington, TX --- 2^nd weekend in May

Annual Communion Meeting @ Union PBC, Lamkin, TX --- 3^rd weekend in May

Annual Communion Meeting @ Bethel PBC, McMahan, TX --- 3^rd weekend in May

Annual Meeting @ Borger PBC, Borger TX --- 3^rd weekend in May

Annual Meeting @ Desert Hope PBC, Bloomfield, NM ---5^th weekend in May

5^th Sunday Meeting @ Mt. Paran PBC, Paris TX

Important Dates to Remember

Quarterly Conference – 2^nd Sunday in Jan, April, July, and Oct

Annual Meeting – Friday before 4^th Sunday in March

Communion – 2^nd Sunday in March & 4^th Sunday in Sept

Call for Pastor, Assistant Pastor & Clerk – 2^nd Sunday in Jan

Read Articles of Faith / Church Covenant – 1^st Sunday in Feb

Email version of “Press Toward” available

If you currently receive a hard copy of the newsletter either at Church or through the U.S. mail and would prefer to have it Emailed to you, please send a request to bwktbarr@sbcglobal.net with “Please Email Press Toward” in the subject line.

Ministering Servants

Elder Mike Ivey, Pastor   Phone: 972-292-0309, 940-453-8867 (cell)  Email: mivey1@juno.com

Elder Mark Hasenmyer   Phone: 972-874-5591, 469-235-3154 (cell)  Email: mhas1@verizon.net

And Let This Feeble Body Fail

And let this feeble body fail, And let it droop and die;
My soul shall quit the mournful vale, And soar to worlds on high;
Shall join the disembodied saints, And find its long sought rest,
That only bliss for which it pants, In my Redeemer’s breast.

In hope of that immortal crown I now the cross sustain,
And gladly wander up and down, And smile at toil and pain:
I suffer out my threescore years, Till my Deliverer come,
And wipe away His servant’s tears, And take His exile home.

O what hath Jesus bought for me! Before my ravished eyes
Rivers of life divine I see, And trees of paradise:
I see a world of spirits bright, Who taste the pleasures there;
They all are robed in spotless white, And conquering palms they bear.

O what are all my sufferings here, If, Lord, Thou count me meet
With that enraptured host to appear, And worship at Thy feet!
Give joy or grief, give ease or pain, Take life or friends away,
But let me find them all again In that eternal day.

Charles Wesley