Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church
May 22, 2009 
Pastor Barksdale Online
"Greeting One Another In The Love Of Christ"
In This Issue
Weekly Message
News Update
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FWMBC Members and Friends,  
This past week has been very challenging for our church family.  We have lost loved ones who we were very close to.  Almost everyday I receive calls from those who are feeling despair. I hope that all of you will continue to pray.  As Christians, we know that God hears our prayers and that He answers prayer.  No matter what you are going through at the time, don't stop praying.  God knows what you are going through and He will not leave you nor forsake you.  Do you believe that?  I hope that you do, because it is true!  We are still open to your praise reports.  Maybe your testimony can help some of our readers.  Let me hear from you.    
 
 Stay blessed.    
 
Pastor Barksdale
 
pastor 
  
Weekly Message 

DON'T GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART!
 
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.  (Hebrews 12:2,3) 

 
I hope that you find great encouragement in God's Word.  Sometimes I pick up my Bible and randomly turn to a passage.  If I stay with it long enough, I will feel better when I finish.  All of my adult life I have engaged in vocations that deal with people's problems.  I have been a lawyer 35 years and a Pastor 15 years.  I wish I could say that I had a satisfactory answer for each problem that was presented to me.  The truth is, there have been situations that were overwhelming to my clients/members as well as to me.  But even when matters don't turn out the way we would like, we should never grow weary and lose heart.  The reason for that is stated in the passage above.  Jesus endured hostility so that we would not have to grow weary and lose heart!  That is very comforting to me in times like these.
In Hebrews 12:2, we are told to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  If you have ever played golf, you can relate to fixation on a particular object.  Every golfer realizes that you have to keep looking at the ball through out your swing or you will miss-hit it badly.  It is the razor-like focus on Jesus that will help you through the difficult times.  Don't take your eyes off of Him.  Remember, Peter began to sink while walking on water when he took his eyes off of Jesus.  You see, Jesus has already paid a price of suffering in order for us to stay strong in the midst of trouble. 
Do you know how to keep your eyes on Jesus?  Well here are a few tips to keep in mind:  1.Think about Jesus as your example when faced with a dilemma?  Do what He would do. 2. Remember that He overcame every obstacle that Satan put in His way. You can too!  3. Believe God's Word when it says that He endured hostility so that you would not grow weary and lose heart.  4.  Understand that many people depend on you to stay strong for them. Jesus gives you that strength  5.  When you come through your storm, you will be stronger than you were when you entered it. Fixation on Jesus pays off. 6. Finally, don't get distracted while keeping your eyes on Him.  From morning until evening, keep your eyes and mind stayed on Jesus. Satan will try to flood you with issues that don't really matter.  But don't take you eyes off of Jesus. Where do you start looking for Him?  Just look up, He is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. And if you get tired sometimes from the struggle, so be it.   My father- in-law used to say: "it's okay to give out, but don't give up!"  Because of Jesus, we don't have to grow weary and lose heart when trouble comes our way!  To that I say, Hallelujah!  
 
News Update: 
Picture taking for the Church Directory began yesterday. We still have room for you to sign up.  Just go to our website and click on picture sign-up to make your reservation.........Also, remember that next week we will be in revival Wednesday night through Friday night.  If we ever needed revival we need it now.  Youth should get to the Multi-Purpose Center early for food and activities before the Service begins each night.  Tell friends, co-workers, and neighbors.  We believe that God will move in a great way during this time of renewal.  See you there!