It was Samuel Chadwick who said, “Brethren, the crying sin of the church is her laziness after God.” We live in a day when the church needs to be renewed. When I was a young preacher, not yet 20 years old, a friend gave me Leonard Ravenhill’s book entitled Revival Praying. His concluding sentence gives us the formula for revival in the body of Christ. Ravenhill wrote, “Revival can be brought to this generation by prayer, by faith, by cleansing and by obedience to the will of God.” Let’s think on these things today.
 
1. Prayer-Are you spending time seeking after God? Or are you lazy after God? The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
 
2. Faith-It has been said that faith has three distinct stages: The faith that reckons, the faith that rests and the faith that risks. Faith counts a thing as so, when it is not so, in order that it may be so.
 
3. Cleansing-If we have unconfessed sin in our lives, we should confess it to God. He promises to hear us, forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
 
4. Obedience-What is it today that you know God has commanded you to do that you are not doing? That item stands in the way of revival. Faith without obedient works is a dead faith. Step out today into obedience and watch the Father go to work.
 
We need to have revival. Join me today in pursuit of God.
 
Pastor Ted Traylor

This past Sunday evening at Olive, Phil Waldrep began our 55+ Revival. His message was a powerful word from Luke 15. Phil spoke about the prodigal son. He challenged those with adult children who have moved away from the Lord to live out six principles designed to help reach the prodigal. What a word! The altar was filled with people crying out to the Father for the restoration of grown children back to the Lord. If you did not hear the message, I encourage you to call our church office at 850-476-1932 and order a copy of the sermon. It is a strong word for all of us.

On October 8 I invite you to join me in church at 6 p.m. for a time of prayer and vision-casting for the future of Olive. I have some things on my heart I want to share with the church family. Come praying for God to make Himself clearly known to all of us.

Ted Traylor

This Sunday morning I conclude the sermon series, “Answers to Questions from the Fish House.” The response has been extremely positive. The sermon set will go on sale this next week. Many have said they want these to give to friends. Others have said the information is helpful in presenting the Gospel to their unsaved friends. I encourage you to get a set (http://tedtraylor.com/publications.htm). I plan to deliver one to the manager of the Fish House and thank him for allowing us the use of the logo. While I am there, I will order up some grits and shrimp!

Our 55+ Revival kicks off this Sunday evening, and continues each day Monday-Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The music will be marvelous. Leo Day will lead and Greater Vision will join him on Tuesday and Wednesday. My friend, Phil Waldrep, is an expert on ministry to the “Greatest Generation.” His preaching will inspire you. Don’t miss him. You can come no matter your age; I am 52 and I plan to be at the services.

On October 2 I will attend a very important meeting of the trustees of the North American Mission Board. We are looking for a new president. I ask you to pray for the search team as they do this work. In the interim there are some vital issues for the Board to act upon. NAMB is an essential element in SBC life. Our Baptist denomination must do all we can to touch North America with the Gospel. Remember denominations do not do this work – our churches do! Our denomination is very significant in helping in this great commission endeavor. But we must never lay on the shoulder of some other organization the task that has been assigned to the local church congregation. I am happy to be a part of the SBC where churches come together to do more together than we can do on our own.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Pope Benedict XVI has come under a hail of criticism for the remarks he made in a speech regarding Muslims.  Some have even called for his assassination. Now there is an irony. Rome has begun trying to recover from the negative PR.

The Oklahoma Sooners played against the Oregon Ducks last Saturday. At the end of the game a call was made to award Oregon the ball on an on sides kick. Replay showed it to be wrong but it was not changed. It cost Oklahoma the game. The replay official has been criticized and threatened.

Have you ever had to deal with criticism? We all have. Unless you live under a rock you will have others that oppose you and sometimes become harsh in their comments of disagreement. Even preachers get criticized! Can you believe it! How in the world do we handle criticism when it comes? Here are some thoughts:

1. Truth is sometimes a dividing line. If you are going to stand, realize that truth has a price. Doing the right thing is worth the price. 

2. Let Jesus be your defender. HE is able to take care of you. Trust Him.

3. If you are wrong – apologize. Sometimes criticism is warranted and we need to back up.

4. Make sure you do not develop a critical spirit. We all know people that are against anything and everything. Don’t become one of those.

5. Pray for those who are critical of you.

Even Jesus faced criticism and disapproval. And we know HE was never wrong. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant…”  Being like Jesus is the critical issue.

Pastor Ted Traylor

I was intrigued by an article this summer in the New York Times entitled, “It’s My Funeral and I’ll Hire a Marching Band If I Want To.” The bottom line is the funeral business is changing. While the planning for most of the 2 million funerals a year in America still falls to the nation’s 22,000 funeral homes, some people are thinking outside of the traditional setting. The article states Baby Boomers are all about being in control. They want funeral services to be less somber. Cremation is on the rise because having a body present is a “downer.” Funerals are moving away from a church setting with traditional music. And funeral directors are being asked to be more like party planners.

As I read the article, I chuckled and filed it away. However, the recent death of Liz’s stepfather and all the planning we had to do brought the article back to my mind. As I reflected on what we have just been through, I was grateful for a faith family that prayed, brought food, washed dishes and took care of mundane tasks. I was grateful for a caring funeral director that was sensitive to my mother-in-law’s needs and feelings. I was grateful for a family that was united and did not fight over details.

Here are some suggestions to ponder…

1. You will die one day, so have a plan. Write down important items for your family.

2. Have a will in place.

3. When death comes to your friends, reach out to the family.

4. Don’t forget to check on survivors a few weeks after the funeral.

I don’t know what I want on my tombstone. One man wanted this inscription, “I told you I was sick.” I hope I can live so that someone might write FAITHFUL on my marker.

Pastor Ted Traylor

On September 9, columnist Leonard Pitts wrote an article printed in the Pensacola News Journal railing against US senatorial candidate, Katherine Harris. He is liberal to the core and he makes a living writing such columns. In his conclusion, however, he portrays the followers of Harris as “Talibaptists.” His comparison is between Christian fundamentalists (talibaptists like me) and the Taliban terrorist group. He accuses us of being similar to Iran displaying crosses rather than crescents.
 
I’m offended by Leonard Pitts’ writing. If I were like the Taliban, I would consider a suicide bomb attempt on his office. However, Baptists do not blow up buildings; rather we help clean them up after terrorists strike.

Second, we do not preach hatred. Our message is the Gospel of the One who gave His life on a cross.

Third, we do not censor writers. We believe and defend the freedom Leonard Pitts’ enjoys. Baptists fought for that liberty early in the revolutionary days of America.

Finally, just as Thomas Jefferson in his letter to the Danbury Baptists called for the separation of church and state, we believe in keeping the state out of the church’s business. God help us return to Jefferson’s call.
 
You see, I am not a terrorist but a Christian fundamentalist and Bible-believing Baptist. Any confrontational action on my part toward the ignorance demonstrated in Pitts’ writings would never embrace violent behavior, aggression or the bloodshed of innocent people. That is not the Jesus way, nor is it the Baptist way.

It has been a long week for Liz and me. Her stepfather died on Labor Day afternoon. We stood with Mrs. Baker as Clyde slipped into the arms of Jesus. Death for the Christian is a blessed event. Unsaved people and their families cannot comprehend the peace that passes all understanding. The Holy Spirit gives comfort every step of the way. Praise the Lord!

Sunday afternoon, September 3, was a special evening at Pensacola Beach for Olive Baptist Church and the Gospel. More than 500 of our church members gathered at the pavilion on a beautiful Lord’s Day afternoon. Kirk Sullivan, vocalist with 4Him, was awesome as he sang and led us in music and worship. Then we moved to the water’s edge. I had the privilege of baptizing 38 people there in the Gulf of Mexico! As the beach was bustling with Labor Day visitors, Olive was out making a very positive statement for the Good News of Christ. Thank you to those who assisted in one of our church’s largest baptism services.

We are to be on mission with a public faith. In September we will be working toward our October 1 Mission Day emphasis. Be praying about your involvement. Then all during the month of October we will be in the area around the church facility prayer walking and sharing the Gospel. These are important days.

Monday afternoon, Mr. Clyde Baker, Liz’s stepfather, went to be with the Lord. So many of you have been praying for Liz while she has been away to be with her mom during Mr. Baker’s decline. Now as our family moves into this time of loss and grief, please lift us up to the Lord as we seek His grace, comfort and peace. Your love for our family is one of never-ending support and consolation. Please pray for me as I prepare my message for the funeral.
Mr. Baker’s funeral is 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, at the church listed below:

First United Methodist Guntersville
539 Gunter Ave.
Guntersville, AL 35976
In lieu of flowers the family requests making donations to the mission program of First United Methodist Church Guntersville.

While Labor Day weekend unfolds, we are reminded to honor the working people of America. As we do that, I am extremely grateful for the job I have. Being the pastor of Olive Baptist Church is a great responsibility as well as a joyful task. As I do my work, I ask you again to pray Malachi 2:6 over me. Ask the Father that “true instruction be in my mouth, and unrighteousness not be found on my lips; that I will walk with God in peace and uprightness and turn many back from iniquity.”  Please pray for me regarding these four areas of my life:  

1. Exposition ~ I Ask the Lord to make me a committed Bible preacher.   

2. Ethics ~ My desire is to have my walk match my talk.   

3. Encounter ~ I long to have a fresh walk with Jesus day by day   

4. Evangelism ~ My yearning is to be a personal soul-winner. Pray for me to be bold. 

If you have a job this Labor Day, be thankful for it. Seek the Lord for a Bible promise regarding your employment. You are here to be salt and light in a dark world. Your career affords you a place of influence. Ask God to make you useable. Then get ready because He is about to place you in an eternal job market.