admin, Author at Frederica Baptist Church

Time

Posted on May 11, 2021 in BLOG, Letters from Pastor Mike |

Time

Dear Friends,

It’s been said that time is our most precious commodity. There is never enough and once spent, it can never be replaced. From an earthly perspective this is true. The saying, “Time flies,” is a truism of the swiftness of the passage of time, particularly the older we get. King David pointed out in Psalm 39:4-5, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” James the brother of Jesus said this about our lives in James 4:14, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Yes, our time on earth is fleeting, in fact, it is infinitely small compared to eternity. To live as God would have us live, it is essential we make the best possible use of the time we are given here on Earth.

To that end, Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” A good way to gain wisdom is to learn to live each day with an eternal perspective. Knowing that on Judgement Day we will have to give an account to the One who gives us time should motivate us to use it well. C. S. Lewis understood this and wrote, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were those who thought most of the next.”

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul cautioned his readers, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). Living wisely involves using our time carefully. Knowing that the harvest is great and the workers are few and that time is running out should help us make better use of our time to witness, both through our words and our example.

The responsibilities and pressures of this world call for our attention and try to distract us. Thousands of voices pull us in different directions and makes it easy for our time to get swallowed up in mundane, lesser matters. Unfortunately, things that have eternal value, often get pushed aside.

As followers of Jesus, we are charged to give our best to everything to which God has called us. In all of our relationships, our work, our studies, serving others, the little details of our lives, caring for the health of our bodies, even in rest and recreation, our primary focus should be on God. He is the One who gave us this time on earth, and He is the One who directs how we spend it.

The Bible counsels us to place our focus on that which is eternal as opposed to the fleeting pleasures of this passing world. Time spent with God and getting to know Him, through reading His Word and prayer, is never wasted. Time spent building up the body of Christ and loving others with God’s love is always time well spent. Time invested in sharing the gospel so that others will come to know salvation in Jesus, bears eternal fruit. We should live as if each minute counts, because it really does. Jesus said in John 9:4 “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; for night is coming, when no one can work.”

Only by Grace,

Pastor Mike

Heartbroken

Posted on May 4, 2021 in BLOG, Letters from Pastor Mike |

Heartbroken

Dear Friends,

Many of you have known heartache. We tend to use the term heartbroken today to describe the crushing grief, anguish or distress that we feel when we lose a loved one or suffer a failed relationship. In fact, a broken heart may be brought on by any number of other things such as disappointment in a child’s lifestyle, loss of a cherished possession, loss of a job, even the loss of reputation. Whatever the cause, the pain of a broken heart can be enormous.

I did a Google search on “how to heal a broken heart” and the responses were many, varied, sometimes humorous and sometimes sad. Write an angry letter and tear it up. Go on a shopping spree or get a makeover. Drink… a lot. Eat chocolate, make new friends and see a therapist were some suggestions. Some advocated the power of positive thinking. The most common suggestion is to give it time. What I notice about these suggestions is that all they are doing is numbing or distracting from the pain. (Some may even lead to future pain.) However, the Bible tells us in Psalm 147:3 that we have access to a loving Heavenly Father and “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

While not the earliest Biblical record of heartbreak, Job’s life is certainly the most extensively explored. In one day, Job lost his children, almost all worldly possessions, his health, and his means of livelihood. His response in Job 1:20-21 was, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job grieved his losses but he also worshiped God and remained faithful. Listen, Job had doubts about God’s goodness and why these terrible things happened to him. But by remaining faithful to God, he grew closer to Him as God revealed Himself to Job through his trials. Job learned that God is faithful and good and trustworthy. He is with us in our heartbreak.

David, is described in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart. Even so, he suffered many heartbreaking circumstances. Admittedly, most were the circumstances of his own sin but each time he recovered and was an even stronger man of God. David wrote Psalm 34 during a very low time in his life. He talks about overcoming heartache by calling on the Lord. He says in 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” David knew in 34:18 that “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Finally, he expressed a confidence in the love of God that every believer should have in 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

I have sat with many hurting people who in their despair ask, “If God loves me so much how could He let this happen?” Or, “God hates me, He doesn’t care about me!” The sad truth is that most of the calamity in life is of our own doing. If not ours personally than as a result of sin that entered into the world because of man’s rebellion against God. However, even with that sober realization, we have the promise of God’s Word in Romans 8:32 which states, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The writer of Hebrews was inspired by God to comfort believers with the promise that God “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). The Apostle Paul knew that God is always near to comfort the believer so he wrote in 2 Cor. 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.”

Throughout the Biblical record, God never failed to deliver when His people cried out to Him, and He will not fail the heartbroken Christian who cries out to Him today. He may not always answer exactly in the way we would like, but He always answers according to His perfect will and timing. Sometimes, like Paul, we must remember that God is glorified in our weakness and His grace alone is sufficient to sustain us (2 Cor. 12:9).

Hurt is a part of this life. Heartbreak is something that most if not all of us will encounter during our stay on this earth. God promises those who trust in Him a freedom from hurt and pain when we are glorified with Him. Rev. 21:4 promises, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” I hope you find joy in the promises of God.

Only by Grace!

Pastor Mike

Gussie

Posted on May 4, 2021 in "Reed" This |

“REED” This

Gussie

You may remember my quick trip to my mother’s old house that I told you about last week. While still there, I was able to go through a few things and actually stop to read some of them before they were packed away in a box. One of those things were some old senior adult newsletters from my former church in Florida that I had sent to my mother and she had kept. I told her I didn’t know she had kept them. She told me she didn’t know she had either. Be that as it may, there were several of them filed together and I read one that struck me. I decided to go back into my “‘REED’ This” files and find it so I could share it with you. As you’ll see, it was written over twenty years ago, but it is still very relevant. Here it is:

Before I was old enough to go to school, I remember waking up, usually after everyone else had gone, and going into the den to watch Kaptin Kangaroo. There would be my baby-sitter, Gussie, waiting with my breakfast and my purple cow. For those of you who don’t know what a purple cow is, it’s milk and grape juice mixed together. I still don’t know why I liked it. It sounds terrible to me now. Anyway, Gussie was an elderly lady who was a great baby-sitter. I remember her letting me watch whatever TV program I wanted to and when I was ready to go outside, she was ready to go outside and play with me. I remember going over to her house and playing with all of her cats. She had at least 50, and she was always kind to let me take one home with me. Sometimes we would take a walk down to her pasture and to the little bridge for the train. After I was old enough for school, she would still sit with me on occasions. And going to school each morning we would pass by her big house up on the hill. Even when I was in high school I would look over and say to myself, “I need to go visit with Gussie.” But, I never got around to it.

I was talking on the phone with my mother the other day and she informed me that Gussie had died. The news saddened me as I had lost a friend. We talked a bit and my mother said it was sad reading her obituary. She was not a member of a church and she had no family of her own. My mother told me she never knew if Gussie was a Christian. That upset us more than anything. All these years had passed and we had never talked to her about her salvation. Those times I needed to stop and sit with her when I was in high school could have been times of sharing my faith. Now, it was too late. I won’t know about Gussie until I go to heaven. I hope to see her there.

I ask you, “Do you have a Gussie in your life?” With what special person do you need to share your faith? Do it now, before your chance is gone.

Paul C. Reed

April 16, 1997

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NLT

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Ecumenism

Posted on Apr 28, 2021 in Letters from Pastor Mike |

Ecumenism

Dear Friends,

From time to time, we as a church or as individuals are invited to participate in a community faith event or service that is billed as being ecumenical. Ecumenism can be defined as “the organized attempt to bring about cooperation and unity among Christians.” It can also be defined more broadly: “a movement that promotes worldwide unity among all religions through greater cooperation.” Let’s deal with this second definition first. This would be exemplified by a Christian minister inviting a Muslim imam to speak from his pulpit, or a church gathering together with a Hindu temple to hold a joint prayer service. Defined this way, ecumenism is decidedly and Biblically wrong. We are not to be “yoked together with unbelievers”. That’s right, that passage has a marriage application but it is not about who you marry. The passage in 2 Cor. 6:14-15 goes on to say, ”… For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” (Belial is an intertestamental name used for Satan.)

So, what about working with and promoting unity with other Christians? Should we be involved with other Christians in joint ventures locally, nationally, or internationally? The answer is not black and white. Biblically, unity among true Christians is important according to the words of Jesus in John 17:22 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.” But what if some of those who profess Christianity actually deny certain fundamentals of the faith? Del Tackett of the Truth Project said, “something that is 95% true is still a lie.” Do we want to lend our credence to anyone or any group that teaches lies? For that reason, each situation must be considered individually.

We must ask, are those we are joining with truly Christians in the biblical sense of the word? Many people and organizations claim to be Christians but clearly reject what the Bible says about the nature and work of Jesus. Obvious examples of this are Mormon and Jehovah’s Witnesses. A not-so-obvious example is liberal Christians and churches. Liberal Christianity is found in almost every denomination, and, although it may seem Christian, it usually rejects several essential truths such as the inspiration and authority of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16), that salvation is found in none other but Christ alone (John 14:6) and the total dependence upon God’s grace, apart from human works, for salvation (Eph 2:8-9). This would also make any joint mission with a Roman Catholic Church impossible due to the list of irreconcilable differences between what the Bible says and what the Roman Catholic Church says on many theological and practical issues.

Often, however, we must look at the goals of an ecumenical venture. Many times, we passionately hold similar ideals with groups who hold to un-Biblical theology. Things like sanctity of human (unborn) life, care for the homeless and sick, traditional family values or justice in the world. Scripture clearly tells Bible-believing Christians what our life living goals should be in Col. 3:17, “… whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” When we interact with lost people, Jesus made it clear in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) that the gospel and making disciples is to always be our top priority.

When considering ecumenical cooperation, we need to ask whether the gospel is being clearly presented and will God be glorified by our participation. God has not called us to be His ambassadors for political, social, financial or environmental messages. The ultimate goal of our actions should be the salvation of lost sinners. Think about this, the Bible says that the angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). There is nothing in the Bible that says the angels rejoice when a law is passed, when a well is dug, or even when a church is built. Now, there is nothing wrong with accomplishing those things, but they cannot be allowed to overshadow the gospel.

So, should we get involved in community faith events or ecumenical endeavors? Sure we can, as long as there is no doctrinal compromise on core Biblical beliefs and as long as the gospel is not being watered-down or sidelined. If we can proudly wear the event t-shirt and maintain a clear testimony before the world, and if God is glorified, then we may freely and joyfully join with other believers in serving God’s kingdom.

Only by Grace!

Pastor Mike

Count Your Blessings

Posted on Apr 27, 2021 in "Reed" This |

“REED” This

Count Your Blessings

Last week I made a whirlwind trip to collect some things from my mother’s house in northern Arkansas. I then delivered some to my brother’s house and mother’s assisted living apartment, both in the Dallas, Texas area before bringing the things I kept for myself back home. I drove a total of 2,441 miles in 41 hours, being on the road Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with packing/loading/unloading on Tuesday and Thursday. Like I said, it was a whirlwind trip. Since my siblings all elected me as “Family Historian”, I came home with all the old pictures and documents to go through. Sunday night I came across a letter my father had written that my siblings and I had never seen. I would like to share it with you. As you read it, you’ll understand why I am so blessed to have had the earthly father I was given. From the wording, he wrote this in late 1985 or early 1986.

“Late last summer, I began a journey, a journey that brought me very near the valley of death. After months of mysterious abdominal symptoms that progressively grew worse, I was hospitalized in Texarkana for comprehensive tests. A CAT scan of my abdomen revealed massive tumors, the source of my ever-increasing pain. Surgery was scheduled and my wife and I hoped for the best, not knowing the extent of the tumors or the type involved. There was hope that they might not be malignant and much of the mass could be removed, even though the scan indicated a possible metastasis to the liver.

You can imagine my disappointment and anger when I awoke in the surgical intensive care unit to find that it definitely was a malignance and none of it could be removed. It had completely blocked my left kidney and was expanding to place great pressure on my right kidney, bladder, abdominal aorta and vena cava (large blood vessels of the abdomen). The metastasis to the liver was about an inch in diameter. Other metastases were to be found, in the ensuing days, in the lymph nodes between my lungs, in my neck and under my scalp. Other than a small section for a biopsy, no tumor tissue was removed due to the probability of massive bleeding. At that moment, dying on the surgeon’s table from excessive hemorrhage was a very attractive alternative to the slow deterioration and subsequent death of the usual cancer patient. I knew there would be no cessation of the pain, which required heavy narcotics to relieve.

Sensing my bitter reaction to my situation, my wife left me to call my pastor for his help in calming my spirit. Left to myself, I began examining my life. I was 46 years old, the father of five beautiful children and two grandchildren. I had suffered very little illness and my wife and children had all been very healthy. I had known Jesus as my Savior since I was nine years old, and had been active in Baptist churches all my life. All my children were Christians. I was a well-respected Chiropractor in my community. I had really enjoyed life and had many more reasons to be thankful. If this was to be the end of my life, I certainly had no reason to complain! I began to praise God for each of the blessings He brought to mind. My spirit calmed and all bitterness, anger and disappointment subsided. The pastor and a friend arrived to find that God had changed my attitude and gently led me to praise Him!”

[Dr. Jack Allen Reed]

The hymn “Count Your Blessings” quickly came to my mind as I read the last part of this letter. This change of attitude and calming of his spirit gave my father the strength and fortitude to endure the chemotherapy he would take for the final months of his life. Because of his faith in Jesus, he knew his pain would not last forever. Early on the morning of February 28, 1987 he was pain free and saw Jesus face to face and began experiencing the greatest blessing ever – eternal life in heaven with his Savior.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 NLT

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.” Psalm 107:31 NLT

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” Psalm 103:2

May we each heed the hymnist’s: “Count your blessings, name them one by one.”

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Death

Posted on Apr 19, 2021 in Letters from Pastor Mike |

Death

Dear Friends,

The Bible presents death as separation: physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God.

Death is the result of sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom 3:23). The whole world is subject to death, because all have sinned. “By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). After Creation, the Lord warned Adam that the penalty for disobedience would be death, “you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17). When Adam disobeyed, he experienced immediate spiritual death, which caused him to hide “from Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Gen 3:8). Later, Adam experienced physical death (Gen. 5:5).

On the cross, Jesus also experienced physical death (Mat. 27:50). The difference is that Adam died because he was a sinner, and Jesus, who had never sinned, chose to die as a substitute for sinners (Heb. 2:9). Jesus then showed His power over death and sin by rising from the dead on the third day (Mat. 28; Rev. 1:18). Because of Christ, death is a defeated foe. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (I Cor. 15:55).

For the unsaved, death brings to an end the opportunity to accept God’s gracious free offer of salvation. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). For the saved, death ushers us into the presence of Christ: “To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). So real is the promise of the believer’s resurrection that the physical death of a Christian is called “sleep” (1 Cor. 15:51).

Sleep is temporary not permanent. As believers we should consider everything from the perspective of eternity. An eternity of life! That’s why Paul says in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 that we should not be “uninformed” about what happens to those who fall asleep, who die here on earth. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, their death, our death, is not permanent but temporary like sleep. When Jesus comes again, He will bring our loved ones who died trusting in Christ alone with Him! We will be caught up into the air with them. What a glorious reunion that will be! He finishes by saying we should “encourage each other with these words.”

Physical death is a sad thing for those loved ones left behind. I can surely attest to that! However, we can be encouraged with the hope that we will not be separated from those we love for all eternity if they trusted in Christ alone as their Savior. We look forward to that time when “there shall be no more death” (Rev. 21:4).

Only by Grace!

Pastor Mike

April 20

Posted on Apr 16, 2021 in "Reed" This |

“REED” This

This.

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

(Be back next week.)

You Know?

Posted on Apr 13, 2021 in "Reed" This |

“REED” This

You Know?

I need to admit something to all of you. I know this may come as a shock to some, but it is probably known by many of you, and even understood by all of you. Are you ready? Here it is. I don’t know everything. There, I’ve said it and whole heartedly admit – I don’t know everything. I have been asked many questions where people expect that I should know the answer, but I don’t know the answer. They think I should know, but I don’t know. To them, I should know, but to me it’s perfectly fine that I don’t know. I know most of you know that I don’t know everything. That’s not new to many of you, I know, but to some who didn’t know that I know that you know that I don’t know everything it is something that wasn’t known. There are many people who like to act like they know everything, but I am not one of those people. I do know quite a lot, but I may not know what you think I should know even though you think I should know it. And I don’t want to act like I know something that I don’t really know just to try and impress someone else into thinking I know something when I don’t know it at all. I know some people like to act like they know what you are talking about when they don’t really know so that you may think that they know it, but I want you to know that I’m not someone that thinks they know everything. I know a good bit about the Bible, but I certainly don’t know everything. I know some things about ministry, but I don’t know everything. I know a lot about music, but I don’t know everything. I know how to play several instruments, but I don’t know how to play them all. We all know what we know comes from our experiences in life and what we come to know from them as well as reading and studying to know different things, whether in school or just wanting to know things on our own. Some things we know because we’ve seen them and we know what our eyes saw therefore we know what we’ve seen. But even when we know we’ve seen things doesn’t always mean we know what we’ve seen, you know?

There are a lot of things I want to know but don’t always know how to know them. The knowledge of how to know is not known to me so that I can know what I am wanting to know. And I know that you are wanting to know why I’m writing in this annoying way, and I want you to know why I am doing this so that you will know what I’m trying to get across. I know this may seem strange, but I had this thought a few days ago, you know, to dwell on the word ‘know’. I know we all know this word and how good it is to know it, but do you really know why it is important to know ‘know’? The most important thing about ‘know’ is not what you know but who you know. We’ve heard that about a lot of things in life: “It’s not what you know, but who you know to get … the right job, the big promotion, the break you need, to get ahead, etc., etc.” It seems to work that way for a lot of things. But the most important thing I want you to know, the greatest thing I want you to know, is that you can know that you know that you know that you know that you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord. I know most of you know that and know Him, but I want you to be sure you know Him and know that that is the most important person you can know. And if you know Jesus, that’s all you really need to know, you know? Jesus said in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Not only is it great to know Jesus, but it is so much more comforting to know that He knows me, and all those who have called upon Him for salvation. I know that brings comfort and reassurance to you. To know Jesus is to know life and joy and peace. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

If you were able to read all the way through, you have successfully read the word ‘know’, or a form of ‘know’, 111 times in 38 sentences, oh, and in the title. And please know I am grateful you bore with me through it all, you know?

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

A Great Day!

Posted on Apr 6, 2021 in Letters from Pastor Mike |

A Great Day!

Dear Friends,

What an exciting time we had this past Easter Sunday! The Sunrise service at the new building was amazing! We had 112 people, many of whom were not from FrBC but had responded to advertisements and invitations to join us. Our deacons did a great job cleaning up and getting the property safe and ready. They also were excellent parking guides and greeters. Several other men of the church helped as well for a combined effort that was special and meaningful.

Our 9:30am service was full as well with 121 people. Again, many were guests! The music was phenomenal and really lifted me up in worship. Cameron led his first youth life group with 12 youth in attendance. At 4pm several of us watched as he baptized a young man from his previous church at East Beach while Paul led us in singing amidst the crowds enjoying the sunshine. All around, a great day!

I continue to be amazed at the speed with which the walls are going up on the new building. There is still some inner framing that needs to be done in the youth and children’s area but now you can really see everything taking shape. My understanding is that the roof trusses will begin arriving over the next few weeks. Several of our charter members were obviously overwhelmed as we conducted our first worship service inside the walls of a building they have dreamed and prayed about for so many years. If you have not been out to the Marsh’s Edge property lately, I encourage you to go take a look. It will lift your heart!

Our home groups continue to meet and our attendance numbers are really standing strong. It is my conviction that we must use this platform to reach out to and impact our neighborhoods. This is first and foremost a kingdom effort. Our desire must be to “seek and to save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10). If we are faithful to God’s goal, He will be faithful to our goal of growing and strengthening our church both numerically and spiritually. To do that we must divide and expand our current groups. It is so very easy to get comfortable with the way things are. However, the history of Frederica Baptist Church would demonstrate that when we step out of our comfort zones the Lord blesses in surprising ways! If any of you are willing to facilitate your own home group, please let me know so I can help you get started. You won’t be alone!

Kudos to our ladies who coordinate our Tree House program. The faithfulness and creativity with which they continue to build this ministry is inspiring! This is not only a vehicle for the gospel but it is a wonderful community building endeavor. Whenever Amy and I deliver bags, goodies or materials to some of the kids, their parents are always overwhelming with their gratitude for what they and their children are receiving. On Sunday, April 25 our Tree House kids will perform in our worship service. We are hoping that their parents will join them as well. Make sure you are there to support them and to greet our guests.

This Sunday, we will take another step in our return to normalizing our church services. We will move to making masks optional for those who choose not to wear them. Please don’t allow that to dissuade you from attending. If you want the added protection of a mask, please wear one. The number of Covid-19 cases in Glynn County continues to go down and more and more people are being vaccinated. Hopefully we will not see a dramatic spike in cases after spring break. After consulting with Church Council, it was decided that we could safely take this step.

Only by Grace!

Pastor Mike

Beeps in the Night

Posted on Apr 6, 2021 in "Reed" This |

“REED” This

Beeps in the Night

We’ve all had those nights when a noise wakes us up. It usually takes a little bit for us to figure out what has caused the sound, either because we didn’t hear it clearly or we just weren’t sure from which direction it came. The other night I was awoken by something beeping. There was about a minute between each beep, so it took several of them before my mind registered that there was actually something beeping and it wasn’t just in my dream. Once awake enough, I knew it was a smoke detector. I had recently replaced every detector in our house but one, and that one was in my bedroom. I finally got out of bed and stood underneath said detector and waited. Sure enough, just a few seconds later and I was assured this was the culprit. I found a step ladder to use and reached up to release the battery. Fortunately, it was a newer model where the battery compartment is simply depressed on one spot and it opens to reveal the battery. I took the old battery out and proceeded to put the step ladder away and dispose of the battery. “Beep.” “You’ve got to be kidding,” I thought. I set up the step ladder again, went and found a new battery and inserted it into the compartment and closed it up. I got down from the ladder and “Beep.” Back up on the ladder I went and decided to press what I thought was a reset button. Well, that sent the alarm into full Armageddon mode. It may have done some permanent damage to my ears with my head being so close to it, but I quickly hit that button again and thankfully it stopped. I stepped down and once again proceeded to remove the ladder when “Beep.” By this point, I was done with this thing. I got back up and removed the new battery. Then, I removed the entire unit from the ceiling and found that it was connected to some electrical wire. I depressed the wire connector and finally, I was simply holding the unit in my hand with no battery and it not connected to any wires – “BEEP!” I looked at Debbie and said, “How in the world is this thing beeping!?!” I looked at the detector again to make sure there wasn’t another battery somewhere on it but found nothing. After several minutes, we realized it was finally dead and the event was over and we could go back to bed. But by now, I was good and awake, and I wondered if there was something I needed to do. Did God wake me up for some divine revelation? Did I need to get a pen and paper to write it down? Did He want me to read something from His Word or pray about some specific thing? After asking Him and waiting and thinking about it, nothing came to my mind, so I just went back to sleep.

We’ve all had “fun” with smoke detectors. And the stories almost always occur in the middle of the night. For some reason, the batteries don’t go bad during the day. Things like this always seem to come at a time that disturbs our sleep, our rest. A friend of mine once said, “Sleep is overrated.” He claimed he only needed four hours of sleep each night. Any more than that and he was just wasting time. Yes, I thought he was crazy, too. We all need sleep. God has designed our bodies to need sleep and to need rest. And God gives us that needed rest so our muscles and minds can recoup from the day’s activities. (Ps. 23:2; Mt. 11:28; Ps. 4:8; Pr. 3:24) But God never sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4 says, “… the One who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.” God is always watching over us, keeping His protective eye on us. It is so comforting to know that He is watching over me. We may never know what harm we have been shielded from by God’s loving hands, but we can know we are always being held in them.

Smoke detectors are good to have. They sort of watch over us while we sleep and can detect a fire before we unknowingly succumb to the smoke. However, the batteries do lose their power and the detectors themselves wear out and have to be replaced. They’re not failproof. But God is. And we can rest in Him with no beeps.