The Banner of Love He Brought Me to the Banqueting House, and His Banner Over Me Was Love Songs of Solomon 2:4

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1 Page 16 March 2013 Total depravity of man From Page one... earth but great in the earth. Secondly and most damming God saw that every imagination of man s heart was only evil continually. Imagination is defined as the power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and forms ideas of things communicated to it by the organs of sense In this case the heart. Jesus in Matthew 15:19 manifests what the heart is capable of thinking by saying for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: and these are the things which defile a man. Then in Luke 6:45 Jesus says A good man out of the treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and a evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil : for the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jesus clearly teaches that what man speaks is dictated by the heart. So if the heart is evil then that is all man s mouth can speak. Scriptures quoted thus far quoted definitely are enough to substantiate the doctrine of total depravity; however there are other scriptures which can be added as proof texts one of which would be Job 14:1-4 that states Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgement with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. Any argument supporting the thought that all humanity comes into this world with the ability to do any good works is clearly negated by the fact that after the fall man comes into this world through the birth of a woman. That woman is a sinner or unclean. A fact which the Psalmist David very strongly supports when he said in Psalms 51:5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. So Job again in Job15:14&16 asks What is man, that he should be clean? And he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? The Psalmist David said in Psalms14:1-3 The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Does not this statement by David remove man s ability to obtain eternal life completely out of the picture? The answer can be found in a conversation that took place between Jesus and one that had come to Him for a answer to a question he had in mind. This is recorded in Mark 10 verses Good master, what shall I do that I may inherent eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, why callest me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Jesus then quoted part of the ten commandments to the man who answered I have done all of these from my youth up to which Jesus answered in verse 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up thy cross and follow me. verse 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved for he had great possessions. The disciples who heard this conversation between Jesus and the man were astonished out of measure saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? In verse 27 Jesus answers With men it is impossible, but not with God: with God all things are possible. Roman s 3:10-18 natural man is described in very unflattering words. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God: They are all ;gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one, their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit ;the poison of asps is under their lips ; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And they way of peace have they not known; There is no fear of God before their eyes. There are three instances recorded in Scripture where God had looked down from heaven and saw a picture that was not favorable to mankind. The first one was in Genesis chapter 6 which was covered earlier in this writing. The second is found in Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor the third is in Isaiah 63: and I looked, and there was none to uphold. These verses dictate without question the helplessness of natural depraved man to remove himself from his depravity. Man is in a pit of depravity with no hope of ever climbing out of that pit. The scary thing is that depraved man has no clue as to what condition he is in. Having the understanding of the doctrine of total depravity allows the believer to have a better respect and feeling of the of the other doctrines we hold as true mainly the doctrine of Grace and the knowledge of the abundant love of God toward us sinners. -- Elder Hugh Montgomery Lampasas, Texas God s abiding kindness -- From page one... depart from him. David wrote, If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psa. 139:9-10. Not any force of earth or hell can move God s children out of God s reach, for they are in His hand always. John 10:29. It is quite possible for the mountains to depart but quite impossible for God s kindness to be severed from His loved ones. Hills certainly can tumble and slide into oblivion, as the natural laws governing the movement of the earth s crust can cause violent and destructive upheaval and tear mountains down. And we know, in our lives, how easy it is for something to just slip away; one step leading to another in life and eventually we wonder how did we get here. A moment of ingratitude, inattentiveness or inaction can make it easier to perpetrate another, more wicked act, and so it goes. Yet, it is not possible for God s covenant to slide into nothingness or for God s children to slip out of His mind! Never! This is the assurance God gives Isaiah. The Israelites were a people made special by God s blessings of health and promise of their own land. By reason of their national sins they were facing captivity and exile to Assyria and Babylon. But God s message through the prophet Isaiah is that no matter how bleak the outlook, or how hard the captivity may be, His children will never slip out of His grasp. God said, My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. Ps 89: Because God cannot lie and because He can swear by none greater (Heb 6:17-18), the idea that God s covenant can be altered or shaken is inconceivable. God has performed His covenant obligations and protected His people throughout all ages past and will continue to do so throughout the ages to come. The comfort for each of God s children is the knowledge that the covenant of God will never depart from His people and His people can never slip from His protective hand. THE TRUTH IS --- That God is No Respecter of Person, in One Sense, yet He is in Another Sense. Acts 10:34; Gen. 4:4-5. Do you know which sense is which? Answer is found in determining which is ETERNAL and which is TIMELY reference the two different aspects of Salvation, such as = Eph. 2:8-10; Phil. 2: Hulan Bass THE TRUTH IS --- There is a vast difference between Regeneration and Conversion. The First is the New Birth by the Holy Spirit. The Second, through The Gospel, proclaims the First. Titus 3:5; Luke 22: Hulan Bass He Brought Me to the Banqueting House, and His Banner Over Me Was Love Songs of Solomon 2:4 Thou Has Given a Banner to Them That Fear Thee, That it Might Be Displayed Because of the Truth Psalms 60:4 Volume 81 - Number 3 Lubbock, Texas Copyright 2013 $12.00 Per Year March 2013 BY ELDER HUGH MONTGOMERY With all the evil surrounding us these days, it makes me wonder what in the world is going on. As I thought upon this situation one night two words vividly came to mind namely, total depravity. Primitive Baptists consider total depravity to be a major doctrinal point in their assessment of what the truth teaches. They fully understand the necessity of believing in total depravity because without it all other forms of doctrine, especially Grace, would not be fully appreciated. Total depravity is a condition that all of humanity is infected with when born naturally into this world, having the following traits : no goodness, no righteousness, and no knowledge of God what so ever. Scripture supports Elder Hugh Montgomery is a resident of Lampasas, Texas and serves as pastor of the Primitive Baptist Church at Burnett, Texas. the doctrine of total depravity beginning with God s abiding kindness BY ELDER MARK WATTENBARGER For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:7 Total depravity The beauty of God s word is in the poetic use of parallelism in Isaiah 54:10. The mountains and hills are compared to God s covenant in such a way as to emphasize the permanence of God s promise to His children. As the language is explored in this text, it becomes apparent that God s children are covered by a covenant so sure and unshakeable not even a mighty range of the oldest mountains can compare in steadfastness. The words depart and remove have the same meaning, whether referring to the mountains or the covenant. To depart is to withdraw, take away or sever. Imagine a mountain being cut off at its root. How deep do the roots go? What power on earth could do such a thing? Man has developed explosives to cut through solid rock, ingenious machines that can carve out rock and dirt in massive quantities. But can man pick a mountain up at its root and move it away? The natural laws, implemented by nature s God, can cause mountains to depart. Wind and rain, snow and sun beat down on the highest peaks and cause them to crumble. Erosion eats away from above and from beneath, even at the roots of the mightiest pinnacle and over the course of time can cause the mountains to disappear. And, the power of God that established the laws of natural erosion is the same power that keeps His kindness from departing from Israel. God s kindness will never be made to withdraw nor can it be taken away by a more powerful force, as nothing is mightier than the Creator of the Universe. Neither is it possible for God s children to -- See Back Page Please the book of Genesis: Verses one to five details God s creation of the world; the forming of man from the dust of the earth, God creating a helpmate for Adam from one of his ribs, the commandment given to Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the disobedience of Adam when he ate that fruit causing a separation to come between God and man, driving Adam and Eve out of the garden so they could not partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Then in Chapter 6 verse 5 the first reference to total depravity is manifested And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually Note the first thing that God saw was the wickedness of man which was not only in the -- See Back Page Please Elder Mark Wattenbarger resides in Oklahoma City and is a member and minister at the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

2 Page 2 March 2013 March 2013 Page 15 Meetings... Page 6... May God s little flock always be mindful Brothers in faith, I have greatly benefited from reading the Banner of Love and look forward to each issue. Those holding to the Primitive Baptist faith may be few in number when compared to other orders, but those who would hold to the truth of God s word are less concerned with popularity and more concerned with worshiping our Lord in truth and spirit. May God s little flock always be mindful of the great blessing we possess. Thank you for your work on behalf of our Lord and His people. Your brother in Christ, Elder Sam Walker Rich Creek Primitive Baptist Church Pine Oak, West Virginia Enjoyed the Top Ten Article Dear Brother Don, I enjoy very much. The issue that had the Top Ten List was exceptional! Those ten things were well thought out and well written! I had never thought about feeding the Lambs in the way you taught it in this article! And I am a strong believer in fasting, but I don t do it as often as I should. I was impressed when the Governor of Texas called on the nation to pray and fast for our country! Thank you for your service in God s kingdom and may He continue to bless you as you serve Him! In Christian love, Elder J.H. Harold Stumbaugh Point Remove PBC 510 North Knoxville Ave. Russellville, Arkansas THANK YOU FOR THE NEWS Dear Brother Don, Thank you for the news and blessings that you give. I am sending a little extra with my renewal. God bless and may the Lord bless you and all. -- Coleen Owings Cisco, Texas ENJOY THE PAPER VERY MUCH Elder Richards, Enclosed is my subscription renewal. I enjoy the paper very much. I pray the Lord continues to bless your labor of love. Elder C. P. McClain 206 S. Washington St. West, Texas ONE-YEAR FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWLY-BAPTIZED MEMBERS will provide a one-year free subscription to any newly-baptized member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Ministers, church clerks or interested members should send to the Banner of Love the names and addresses of your newly-baptized members, and we will add their names to our mailing list for a free one-year term. GRACE PBC ANNUAL MEETING -- The Grace Primitive Baptist Church in Houston, Texas was privileged to host their Annual Meeting 2nd Sunday weekend in February. Pictured: Back row Elder Bill Moseley, Bro. Owen Howard, Elder Bill Walden, Elder Gary Rhodes, Elder Ron Smith, Elder James Reed and Elder Mike Rhodes. Front row Elder Sonny Huckaby, Elder Jeff Moseley, Elder Michael Moseley (Pastor), Elder Pat Young, Elder Mark Richards and Bro. Brian Ramsey. BETHANY PBC ANNUAL MEETING The Bethany Primitive Baptist Church of San Antonio held its annual meeting the 2nd Sunday weekend in February. Elder Mark Richards was the invited speaker, but with several area ministers in attendance and participating in the services. Pictured: Elder Steve Wilkinson, Bro. Brian Ramsey, Elder Mark Richards, Elder Gail Faries, Elder Mike Rodgers (Pastor), Elder Ed Kirkpatrick, Elder Hugh Montgomery, Elder Larry Hausenfluke, Elder David Montgomery and Elder Trey Collier. LITTLEFIELD TEXAS PBC TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING 4TH WEEKEND IN JUNE The Littlefield Primitive Baptist Church in Littlefield, Texas will host their annual homecoming meeting the fourth weekend in June. The church has invited Elder Mike Montgomery, the pastor of the Old School Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas to be with them at that time. The meeting will start on Friday evening with supper followed by worship services. There will be services on Saturday, with the meting concluding on Sunday morning. The Littlefield Primitive Baptist Church is located at 9th and Park Street s in Littlefield, Texas. For more information, please contact Bro. Elton Bass at elmelbass@suddenlink.net FIFTH SUNDAY MEETING IN JUNE AT ELK CREEK, OKLAHOMA PBC The Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church, southeast of Elk City, Oklahoma will host our Annual Meeting the fifth weekend in June, beginning on Friday night June 28, 2013, through Sunday morning June 30, We invite all who have a desire to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth, to come praying that the Lord will bless men to preach Christ in power and truth, and that He would bless us to rejoice together in the love and fellowship of our Lord, The Church will serve meals on Friday night at 5:30, lunch and supper on Saturday, and lunch Sunday after the conclusion of our meeting. We are trusting that the Lord will send Elders to come and bless them with the Spirit of grace to preach Jesus and him crucified, that we might glory in His name. The Church building is located 18 miles west of Cordell, OK on Hwy. 152; or from Elk City, south on Hwy. 6 to Hwy. 152, then 5 ¼ miles east on Hwy We look forward to welcoming you in our homes. We also have a few hookups for campers on the Church grounds. There are also motels in Elk City which is about 14 miles from the Church. In Christian Love, Elder Norman Jones (580) or (580) ; Elder Henry Newman (580) ; or Elder Don Martin (806) July FIRST PBC DALLAS TEXAS HOSTS CHAMBERS CREEK ASSOCIATION 1ST WEEKEND IN JULY The First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas will host the 2013 Chambers Creek Association, beginning on Thursday night July 3rd and continuing through Sunday morning, July 6th. Please make your plans now to attend this meeting, but most importantly please pray that the Lord will be with us in our endeavors to worship Him throughout this meeting. Aside from opening our homes to visitors, we also have limited electrical hookups for campers. For those who would prefer to stay in a hotel, here are two that are relatively close to our Church: Holiday Inn Express (214) , Comfort Inn (972) For more information please contact Bro. Ronnie Mallow at RonnieM227@aol.com (817) , or Elder Clifford Gowens at cbgowens@verizon.net (972) SQUAW CREEK PBC TO HOST ANNUAL CAMP MEETING AT DOSS JULY Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Doss, Texas will be hosting the 2013 Camp Meeting beginning Thursday evening at 7:00 pm July 18th through Sunday, July 21st. There are camp sites on the church grounds and hotels in Fredericksburg, Texas. Reservations should be made as early as possible for hotel rooms. For more information contact pastor Elder Bill Moseley or bmoseley5@austin.rr.com, Brother Van Mund or vanlmund@yahoo.com, Brother Mike Baethge or vabaethge527@hctc.net. LUBBOCK, TX PBC TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING 3RD SUNDAY JULY The Primitive Baptist Church of Lubbock, Texas will host its annual meeting the 3rd Sunday weekend in July 2013 Invited guest speaker for the meeting is Elder Marty Smith, pastor of Union Primitive Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia, near Atlanta. The meeting will begin on Friday evening with a sandwich supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by singing at 7 p.m. and preaching at 7:30 p.m. The meeting continues at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by lunch and an afternoon service. There will be no Saturday night service. The meeting concludes with a Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. For more information contact Elder Kenny Venable, pastor (806) CORTEZ COLORADO PBC TO HOST JOINT ANNUAL MEETING JULY The Cortez, Colorado Primitive Baptist Church and the Bloomfield, New Mexico Primitive Baptist Church will host their Annual Meeting on the fourth Sunday weekend in July, the 26th through the 28th, Services will begin on Friday evening, July 26th and continue with three services on Saturday and conclude with Sunday morning services. Services will be held at the Cortez PBC located at 900 South Oak Street, Cortez, Colorado. If you have ever had the opportunity to attend our Annual Meeting you have seen our little church swell with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Come join us to celebrate our Lord. We have several RV sites at the church. For further information or questions, please feel free to contact: Elder Cleveland Bass, pastor (970) (jcdfbass@hughes.net) or Adrian Watson, deacon (970) (aswatson504@yahoo.com). - August AUGUST 1-4, 2013 IN HOUSTON PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSN. OF TEXAS The Grace Primitive Baptist Church of Houston will host the 132nd session on the Primitive Baptist Association of Texas, the first weekend of August starting on Thursday evening and continuing through Sunday. We will have a sandwich supper around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday night with services around 7:00. We will have services all day Friday, Saturday and ending with services on Sunday. Sunday services will begin at 10 a.m. We pray that the Lord will send His servants to preach His wonderful gospel. If you cannot come and worship with us, please pray that the Lord will shower His blessing upon the services. If you plan to bring a camper or motor home to the meeting, please contact one of the following brethren so they can have facilities readily available to you: Bro. Paul Smith Bro. Bobby Moseley Bro. Lloyd Cody RICH MTN. ASSOCIATION AUG AT OLD UNION PBC HOT SPRINGS The Old Union Primitive Baptist Church outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas, will host this year s Rich Mountain Association. The meeting will begin on Thursday night, August 13th and continue through Sunday morning. For more information, please contact Elder Adam Green at MULESHOE PBC MEETING AUG The Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church will host its annual meeting embracing the 4th weekend of August Services will start Friday evening August 23rd with supper at 5:30 pm. It will continue thru Sunday August 25th. If you need further information, please call Elder Don Martin (806) or Bro. Ken Wilhelm (806) September MT. VIEW PBC, SMITHVILLE, TENNESSEE FALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 7-8 The Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church Of Smithvlle, Tennessee will host its annual Fall Meeting the 2nd weekend in September, The meeting will begin on Saturday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m. and with a Saturday night 7:30 p.m. service. It will conclude with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday (September 8) service followed by lunch. The visiting ministers to the meeting will provide the preaching services for the Fall Meeting. Elder Paul Violet is pastor; Sister Louise Cantrell, clerk. SOUTH ARKANSAS ASSOCIATION PLANNED 3RD WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER AT CANE CREEK The South Arkansas Association will be held with the Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Thornton, Arkansas the 3rd weekend in September. VALLEY SPRINGS PBC MEETING SEPT The Lord willing the Valley Springs PBC will hold it s annual meeting the fifth Sunday in September and Saturday before. Services begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 28. followed by preaching service. Lunch will be served and afternoon services starting about 2 pm. There will be no night services and the meeting will conclude with service starting at ten thirty on Sunday morning. Lunch will follow Sunday services also. We meet on second and fourth Sundays. The church house is located off of highway 71 about six miles north west of Llano Texas on Fm 407. It is truly a country church. We say that no one comes by our church, you must be coming there on purpose. For information or any help anyone needs, please call Larry Hausenfluke at , or

3 Page 14 March 2013 March 2013 Page 3 Meetings... Page 5... SPRING ANNUAL MEETING IN ORDWAY, COLORADO 3RD SUNDAY IN MAY The Little Zion Primitive Baptist Church of Ordway, Colorado wishes to announce its upcoming 2013 Spring Annual Meeting scheduled for the 3rd Sunday weekend in May. Our Lord willing, we will begin the weekend meeting on Friday evening, May 17 with supper followed by a service of love with singing, prayer and preaching. Saturday morning following will continue with morning worship service, noon dinner, followed by communion and footwashing. The meeting will conclude on Sunday morning followed once again with noon dinner. Our beloved brother in the gospel, Elder Mark Green of Booneville, Arkansas plans to be with us as our guest minister. We are looking forward to this time of fellowship and love in our Lord as we come together to worship. Our desire is that our God will be glorified as we come together in humility. We invite all who can to come and worship with us. And if you cannot be with us with your presence, we greatly desire your most humble prayers for this meeting. If you need information, please give us a call. Elder Clem Cook (719) Bro. Charles Martin (719) Bro. Carl Milyard (719) June MT. VIEW PBC, SMITHVILLE, TENNESSEE ANNUAL MEETING 1ST WEEKEND IN JUNE The Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church of Smithville, Tenessee will host its annual meeting the first weekend in June, The meeting will begin on Friday night, May 31 at 7 p.m. and will continue on Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m. Communion service will be after lunch. Saturday night service will stat at 7 p.m. The meeting concludes with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday service followed by lunch. Elder Ellis Lynn from East Tennessee will be the guest speaker. Elder Paul Violet is pastor and Sister Louise Cantrell is clerk. 1st WEEKEND IN JUNE SNYDER, OKLAHOMA ANNUAL MEETING MAY 31 JUNE 2 The New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Snyder, Oklahoma will host our Annual Meeting the first weekend in June, beginning on Friday night May 31, 2013, through Sunday morning June 2, We invite all who have a desire to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth, to come praying that the Lord will bless men to preach Christ in power and truth, and that the Lord will bless us to rejoice together in the love and fellowship of our Lord. The Church will serve meals on Friday night at 5:30, lunch and supper on Saturday, and lunch Sunday after the conclusion of our meeting. We are trusting that the Lord will send elders to come and bless them with the Spirit of grace to preach Jesus and Him crucified, that we glory in His name. The church building is located on Hwy. 183 at the south side of Snyder. We look forward to welcoming you to our homes. We have hookups for campers on the church grounds. Three are also motels in Altus which is 22 miles west, or Lawton which is 30 miles east. In Christian love, New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Snyder Oklahoma. Elder Norman Jones (580) or ; Forest Cook (580) ; Jr. Purser (580) JUNE 7, 8, & 9 ANNUAL MEETING IN HOGANSVILLE, GEORGIA The Emmaus Primitive Baptist church in Hogansville, Georgia will have its Annual Meeting the 2nd weekend in June - 7, 8 &9, 2013 Friday through Sunday morning. There will be Friday evening services, Saturday morning and afternoon. Regular services on Sunday morning with communion and lunch following. We are already excited about this meeting and look to the Lprd to bless us. We certainly want to invite all who can visit with us anytime when you are traveling the west Georgia corridor on I-85, or just want to come see us anyway. For further information, please call: Deacon Ken Speir ; or Deacon Mark Puckett ; of Elder Frank Buttrey, Pastor, as (H) , (C) buttrey2000@yahoo.com. NEBRASKA FELLOWSHIP MEETING 2ND WEEKEND IN JUNE 2013 Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church of Cozad, Nebraska will once again host the Nebraska Fellowship Meeting of Primitive Baptists. The meeting will begin on Thursday, June 6 with supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by an evening of prayer and singing. Services on Friday and Saturday will begin at 10 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with lunch and supper being served both days. Services on Sunday, June 9, will begin at 10 a.m. with lunch being served. Our homes are open to accommodate as many visitors as possible. There are 2 motels in Cozad, Rodeway Inn ( ), and Americas Best Inn ( ). We also have several camper hookups at the church. For more information contact, Elder Thomas E. Bond ( ),thomasbond13@yahoo.com or Deacon Howard Halbgewachs ( ) God Bless, Thomas E. Bond JUNE 14-16, DAY MEETING IN EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MISSOURI There will be a three-day meeting the third weekend in June at the Old New Garden Primitive Baptist Church June 14 16, Meeting will begin Friday morning at 10:00. We invite all Old Line elders, brothers, sisters, and friends to join us at this time. For more information contact Elder Kenneth Clevenger, pastor (660) or cell (417) Or call Stevens Rogers, church clerk at (816) or Cell (816) ELDER HARCROW TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL MEETING JUNE RENSSELAER, IN AT OLD GROVE PBC NEAR CHICAGO Dear Elder Richards, Our Annual Meeting will convene June 15th and 16th. Elder Rick Harcrow of Alabama will be our guest at this time. We invite all who love sound doctrine to be with us. On Saturday there will be meetings at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. And on Sunday morning at 10:30. Lunch will be served both days. Elder Thurman Ritchie, Pastor Cell (Brother Don If ever in the Chicago Illinois area, our home is always open. The church is forty miles southeast of Chicago. May richest blessings be yours to enjoy.) AMARILLO TEXAS PBC HOST ANNUAL MEETING 3RD WEEKEND IN JUNE The Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church will host their annual meeting the third weekend in June. We will have a sandwich supper Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. followed by the evening service with singing starting around 7 p.m. The Saturday morning service will begin around 10 a.m. followed by lunch and an afternoon service. There will be no Saturday night service. The meeting will conclude Sunday morning with the song service beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. We invite all old line ministers to come and be with use and invite all to come and worship with us. If you are unable to be with us we do ask that you would remember us in prayer. For more information you can contact: Elder Jeremiah Cunningham (806) or cunningham.jeremiah@gmail.com or Bro. Joshua Cunningham (806) or joac83@gmail.com GRACE PBC IN HOUSTON TO AGAIN HOST SINGING SCHOOL JUNE Grace Primitive Baptist Church in Houston will again host a singing school June 16-22, Brother Ron and sister Carolia Johnson will head up the singing school again this year. Room is available forovernight at the church, but please bring your own pillow and blankets. There are some RV hook ups at the church. For more information contact Elder Mike Moseley (281) NEW HOPE PBC IN FREDERICKSBURG TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING JUNE 26-28, 2013 The New Hope Primitive Baptist Church of Fredericksburg, Texas will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Friday evening through Sunday noon, June 26-28, 2013 Ṫhe meeting will begin on Friday night, June 14th with a sandwich supper around 5:30 p.m. and singing and worship services starting at 7 p.m. There will be morning and afternoon services on Saturday and the meeting will conclude Sunday noon, June 16th. A cordial welcome is open to everyone who may desire to come to spend the weekend in honor and praise to our Lord as we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Preach brethren are especially encouraged to come and take part in the services. For those who plan to come and stay through part or all of the meeting we would suggest you make reservations early, as Fredericksburg is an active town that time of year. Some motel suggestions are as follows: Motel 6 (830) ; Comfort Inn (830) ; Super 8 (830) , Days Inn Suites (830) For more information contact Elder David Montgomery (210) , or Bro. Al Harper (830) DENTON PBC TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING 4TH SUNDAY WEEKEND IN JUNE The Primitive Baptist Church of Denton, Texas will host its annual meeting 4th Sunday weekend in June. The meeting begins on Friday with a 5:30 p.m. sandwich supper, with singing at 7 p.m. Saturday morning service begins at 10 a.m., with lunch and afternoon services. Sunday morning singing begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information contact Elder Vernon Johnson vernon@dentonpbc.org. Andrew Fuller s indefinite atonement The Baptist in America believed and preached that the Atonement was special or limited until the last half of the 18th Century when Andrew Fuller, Martin Carey, and others began to advocate that Christ made Atonement for the elect and the rest of mankind. He could not go to the Armenian view of the General Atonement, nor go to the true teachings of the Baptist who taught a special or limited Atonement, His thoughts on the subject were: that he believed in an indefinite Atonement. In Kettering, England on October 2, 1792 in the home of Mrs B. B. Wallace, he and Martin Carey helped form The Particular Baptist Society for the preaching of the gospel, as a means for the salvation of the heathen. He started the movement of salvation still prevalent among the New School Baptists today. The thought of winning the world for Christ, believing that he died for all mankind, but only those that would hear and believe the gospel would have eternal salvation. I am glad to say that Primitive Baptists today, the year 2012, believe that Christ died for the elect only, and all his people will be saved in Heaven. Read Matthew, chapter one, verse 21. This movement has not made the world a better place. It has failed, because it was based on the works of men. References: Hassell s Church History & Identity of the True Baptist Church by Elder Wiley Sammons. Brother Richards, I ve been doing some research on the True Baptist Church put in the paper if you so desire. Elder Charles Holmes, Mena, Arkansas RENEWS BANNER Dear Brother Don, Enclosed is my payment for the Banner of Love. I hope to see you soon in Perryton. God Bless! Andy Mozingo Puruls, MS WINTER TIMES ARE TEMPORARY Dear Ones, During winter times it s always real good to be reminded that it is only temporary. So precious that our dear Lord is always merciful to us. Lam. 3:21-23; 2 Cor. 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:14 are all very encouraging verses. May our dear Lord comfort you all each day. In dear hope and love, Sister Loretta Lilly Akron, Ohio SNYDER PBC ORDINATION The New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Snyder, Oklahoma held the ordination service for Brother Don Mann as a deacon in the church on Saturday before 1st Sunday in March, Bro. Don s and his family are pictured along with the presbytery. The presbytery included in attendance Elder Don Wynn, Elder Dennis Kreie, Elder Norman Jones (Pastor), Elder Don Martin, Elder Clifford Gowens, Elder James Baker, Elder Glen Rooker, Elder Allen Daniels, Elder Bill McCarthy, Elder Ward Rowell, Elder Mark Rowell and Elder Mike Hughes. Elder Norman Jones, pastor served as moderator and delivered the charge, Bro. Brad Winn was clerk, and Elder Bill McCarthy delivered the ordination prayer.

4 Page 4 March 2013 March 2013 Page 13 ISSN Is the Lord finished with you? Meetings... Page 4... P.O. Box Lubbock, Texas USPS is published monthly at th Street, Lubbock, Texas is mailed under a USPS Periodical Postage permit, and is entered into the mails at the U. S. Post Office in Snyder, Texas. Postmaster: Send changes of address to, P.O. Box 93123, Lubbock, Texas is a religious publication, published in the interests of the Primitive Baptists. Subscription rate: $12 per year. Back Issues: $1 each Internet Site: BannerofLove.net H. G. Richards Afton E. Richards Publisher Publisher Don R. Richards Publisher and Editor Copyright Permission is protected by state and federal copyright laws. However, permission is hereby granted to copy, reproduce, reprint or re-publish for any non-profit, religious, or non-commercial use. Attribution to the publication and date of publication is appreciated. Prior permission must be obtained for all commercial or for-profit copying, publication or re-production. As the years creep up on us it is many times easy to get discouraged because we cannot do the things we once did. As we get older, none of us are able to physically do what we once did just a few years ago. As we lose our physical ability, too many times we equate that to our usefulness in life. Have you ever felt like your usefulness in this life is about over? When we look back we see the many times we could have done; but when we look forward we see the many things we will not be able to do. It becomes even more discouraging for those of us who may have lost a spouse, or one of our precious children. What use can there be of me? Have you seen, or will you soon see, that your usefulness to the Lord is about over? Is the Lord finished with you, and you are just biding time? Are your current burdens overwhelming you? Would it not be easier if the Lord would just take you home? If you feel that way, you are not alone. You are not the first to have those thoughts. We have several examples in the Bible of men who felt their usefulness in life was passed its time, and wished they could just die. Job was beset with such severe medical problems that he just wanted to die. He saw no further use for himself in life: Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me... Job 6:8-9. Job said he longed for death, but it cometh not.... 3: What was the Lord s response? God questioned Job s depressed attitude, and told Job to gird up now thy loins like a man. Job 38:1-4. God went on to challenge Job s ignorance of the Lord, and told him, basically: Job, I m not finished with you yet. At Numbers 11:13-18 Moses says: I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me... Moses then asked the Lord: kill me, I pray thee. The Lord responded, saying basically: Moses, I m not through with you yet, but I ll get you some help. Elijah had been blessed of God to accomplished one of the Bible s great miracles in the confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40). But then Elijah lost faith and was scared and on the run from Jezebel. He was in the wilderness and exhausted when he requested of the Lord that he might just die. O Lord, take away my life... (1 Kings 19:4). the lord spoke to Elijah in a still small voice, fed him and gave him rest. Don R. Richards Then the Lord told Elijah, I m not finished with you yet, I will give you help, but I have more for you to do. After Jonah disobeyed the Lord s instruction and went to hide from the Lord, he found himself in worse shape in the belly of hell when the whale swallowed him. Jonah went on to ask the Lord to just kill him. O Lord take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 2:2, 4:3. The Lord s response: I m not through with you Jonah. Consider the 120,000 who repented after your preaching. (3:3-10; 4:11). If you have ever felt down, depressed, or discouraged like these men, and may have even wanted to die, but yet you realize you are still alive, the the Lord is not finished with you yet. Maybe you are an older brother in the church and unable to do physically what you once did, yet you need to know that the Lord still has a job for you. Solomon advises us that our duties and talents change as we age; we just need to adapt. At Proverbs 20:29 Solomon advises: The glory of young men is their strength; but the beauty of old men is the gray head. As we get older (and gray headed), our service to the Lord changes. We should back off and let the younger men do the physical labor, and we start to apply our experience to provide training, knowledge and seasoning to the young and immature. In the same vein, the younger ones should step forward for the physical chores, but should paid heed to the advice and counsel from the experienced. It is the same with the older sisters in the church. Their duties change from one of physical work, to the counseling, training and advice and as a role model to the young children and younger sisters -- not only in the kitchen, but in the sanctuary and in counsel with their husbands. Many of our blessed sisters in the church, through their experience and maturity, provide a big picture view of so many of the short-term problems and personality issues that can hurt the church. You may not be able to do what you once did, but your value to do the Lord s work remains. When your abilities change, then perhaps you should examine yourself and pray the Lord to reveal what He would have you do. There are a lot of poor and sick that need help and encouragement; there are a lot of kids that just need attention and encouragement and confidence. There are many contributions to be made that do not involve the physical attributes you once had. For example, if you are sick and the pastor or a church member comes to visit, maybe you should pray for them, instead of always having the pastor pray for you. If you are still here, regardless of your age or medical condition, the Lord has a job for you. He is not finished with you yet. UNION PBC, ROSWELL, GEORGIA TO HOST LITTLE RIVER UNION MEETING APRIL The Union Primitive Baptist Church of Roswell, Georgia (near Atlanta) will host the Littlr River union Meeting the 4th weekend in April. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Friday evening, and continue at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with lunch following. The pastor is Elder Marty Smith. NEW HOPE PBC, BROKEN ARROW, OK SETS ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 26-28, 2013 The New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma will host their Annual Meeting fourth weekend in April. The meeting will begin on Friday night, with services on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please contact Elder Mark Green (michaelspappy@hotmail.com). The New Hope Primitive Baptist Church is located at 1550 East College Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma MT. GILEAD PBC OF SMITHVILLE, MS. TO HOST WEST AMITE ASSOCIATION April 25, 26, 27 & 28 4th Weekend The Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church of Smithdale, Mississippi will be hosting the West Amite Association beginning on Thursday evening, April 25 at 7:00. Services will be all day Friday and Saturday and will conclude with service on Sunday. Lunch will be served on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Supper will be served Friday and Saturday. - May RULE, TEXAS PBC TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING MAY 3-5, 2013 Once again, the Rule, Texas Primitive Baptist Church will host its annual meeting the first Sunday weekend in May The meeting will begin with a sandwich supper at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 and conclude May 5 after Sunday morning services and the noon meal. Elders Cleveland Bass, Larry Webb and Mike Montgomery will be with us during our annual meeting. The Lord has been so good to us here at Rule. We are having good regular meetings and are praying He will bless us during this annual meeting as He has in the past with good singing, good preaching and good fellowship. The Church is located on the corner of 8th Street and Robins Ave. For more information contact Elder Dale Turner ; Brother Mike Crain ; Brother Brad Crain ; Brother Danny Anderson ; Brother Darrell Sorrells FARMERSVILLE, TEXAS PBC PLANS MEETING ORDINATION, COMMUNION MAY 3, 4, & 5, 2013 The Farmersville Primitive Baptist Church will host their Annual Meeting the first weekend in May. Included will be the ordination service for Brother Kemmye Morris to the full work of the gospel ministry. The meeting will begin on Friday night (singing at 7:00 p.m.), with two services on Saturday and it will conclude on Sunday morning with communion services following morning worship services. There will be a sandwich supper Friday at 6 p.m. The Church building is located two miles south of Farmersville on County Rd 557, just off Highway 78. You will see a sign for the Church about three miles south of town on Highway 78. Take C.R. 557 and the Church will be on the right about 1/4 mile. The address is: 1287 County Road 557, Farmersville, Texas For more information, please Elder Owen Rushing at ORDINATION SERVICE FOR KEMMY MORRIS MAY 4 AT FARMERSVILLE On Saturday afternoon of the Farmersville Annual Meeting (see above) there will be an ordination service for Brother Kemmy Morris to the full work of the gospel ministry. ANNUAL MEETING AT LITTLE VINE PBC IN AUSTIN PLANNED MAY 3-5, 2013 The Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church of Austin, Texas will host its Annual Meeting the first weekend in May. Services will be on Friday evening with singing at 7 p.m., preaching to follow, and on Saturday morning at 10 continuing with afternoon and evening services. Sunday service at 10 a.m. Meals will be served. If you need a place to stay, please let us know and we will be happy to help with arrangements. We cordially invite you to come and join with us in praising the Lord. If you are not able to be with us, please pray for our meeting. The church is located at 915 E. 52nd Street, Austin, Texas. Take the exit off IH-35 for 51st Street and go one block north to 52nd. The Church is on the south side of the street two blocks west of the interstate. For more information contact Elder Mark Richards , Brother David Estlack , Brother Jimmie Oakley , or Brother Kevin Powell PERRYTON TEXAS PBC WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL MEETING MAY 10, 11 & 12, 2013 The Perryton Primitive Baptist Church, in Perryton, Texas will host their Annual Meeting embracing the second Sunday in May (10, 11 & 12) The meeting will begin on Friday night, services will start at 7 p.m. Services will be held Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. The meeting will conclude with the Sunday morning service. Supper will be served Friday night before the service. Lunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday. Elder Scott Bass now serves as the pastor of the Perryton Primitive Baptist Church. If you desire to stay in a motel, there is The Baymont Inn phone number is (806) , as well as a Best Western phone number is (806) GRACE PBC HOUSTON TO ORDAIN BRAIN RAMSEY MAY 11, 2013 The Grace Primitive Baptist Church in Houston, Texas will host an Ordination Meeting, the second weekend in May, beginning on Saturday morning at 10 o clock Lunch will be served after morning services and the Church has set aside Brother Brian Ramsey to be ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in the afternoon. We love Brother Brian and his wife, Sister Cathy very much and pray the Lord s richest blessings upon them in his ministry to the Lord s people. The Church is located at 3616 Hurley Street in Houston, Texas. For more information please contact either Bobby Moseley at bmoseley2@comcast.net or Elder Mike Moseley mmoseley01@hotmail.com. You can also visit their website at BETHEL PBC IN OAK GROVE, LOUSIANA ANNUAL MEETING MAY The Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Oak Grove, Louisiana will host their Annual Meeting the third weekend in May beginning on Saturday May 18 at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow; then an afternoon service. The Sunday morning service will begin at 10:30. Elder David Montgomery, the pastor of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Fredricksburg, Texas is the invited minister. Elder Ricky Myers is the pastor. The church address is 504 N. Horner Street, Oak Grove Louisiana. BORGER, TX PBC TO HOST ITS ANNUAL HOMECOMING MEETING MAY 17-19, 2013 It s time again to announce Borger Primitive Baptist Church s desire to host our Annual Homecoming Meeting the thirtd Sunday weekend in May. Our meeting will start on Friday Night, May 17th, Saturday, May 18th (Morning & Afternoon) and conclude on 3rd Sunday, May 19th. Supper will be served in the church starting at 6 p.m. Friday, and Lord willing there will be lunch served Saturday & Sunday after worship services. There is some parking space available at the church for trailers. Also the Huber RV Campground is in town at 1300 Main, which is about 2 miles from the church. Our homes will be open and Borger has many motels. -- Best Western Borger Inn, S Cedar St, Borger, TX (806) Holiday Inn Express & Suites 1351 W Wilson St, Borger, TX (806) Hampton Inn & Suites 1415 W Wilson St, Borger, TX (806) We pray again the Lord of Hosts will make Himself felt with His Presence. WE INVITE ALL TO COME! Come be with us, this has always been a wonderful time for fellowship and praise to the Lord. The Borger P.B.C. is located about 45 miles North East of Amarillo, Texas, in the Texas Panhandle. From Amarillo, take highway 60 East to Panhandle, Texas, then turn North on Highway 207 for 23 miles. Merge on to SR-246 spur for half a mile (North) continue North on S. Florida for 2 miles. Turn RIGHT (East) onto E. 6th St. for 3 blocks and arrive at Missouri St. Please mark your calendar and come be a part of our Homecoming time! If you can t come please remember us, and know that every time we meet we are also praying for you. -- J.C. Darrow, Church Clerk (806) Elder James Baker, Pastor (806) Home je.baker@suddenlink.net, ANNUAL SINGING IN DALLAS PLANNED 4TH WEEKEND IN MAY MAY 25, 2013 The First Primitive Baptist Church at Dallas will host our Annual Singing on the Saturday embracing the 4th Sunday weekend in May May 25th. We extend an invitation to all those who would like to come and sing praises to our Lord. We especially hope to see songleaders of all ages come and join us. This will be a time where our sisters can lead singing if they would like to, as well as provide an opportunity to fellowship between our local Churches. For more information contact: Brother Ronnie Mallow (RonnieM227@aol.com).

5 Page 12 March 2013 March 2013 Page 5 Meetings... Page 3... NEW CANYON, TX PBC TO BE CONSTITUTED SATURDAY, APRIL 6th BY BORGER CHURCH The Borger Primitive Baptist Church is pleased to announce that in its January 27th conference, and with the Lord s help and blessing, we plan to constitute the Fellowship meeting in Canyon, Texas, as the Canyon Primitive Baptist Church on the 1st Saturday in April, the 6th of April This little group has been meeting since October of 2011, and have faithfully been meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. The Borger church recognizes the collective work of these servants and trust our Lord to continue his blessings on them. We fully support their decision and desire to constitute, and trust the Lord to help us in this endeavor. We also enlist your prayers, help and support in this meeting. The churches will meet Saturday morning April 6th starting with song services at 10:30 a.m. the constitution service will commence first, followed with lunch, and then afternoon services, with singing, fellowship and we trust the preaching of the word. This has been a great blessing to all of us in Borger, as well as the folks meeting in Canyon. We trust that the Lord will continue to shower his blessings down on the Canyon church as well as all of his children, and faithful in Christ. The Church in Canyon is located at nd Avenue, in Canyon Texas. There is a map on the church websites if further directions are needed. Please join us Saturday morning for this spiritual time, and observation of one of the true blessings in the furtherance of the gospel. If you can t come, please pray for us. -- Elder James Baker 5126 Temple Dr. Amarillo, Texas Elder Don Watson 81 Jynteewood Canyon, Texas GRACE PBC, LOUDON, TN MEETING APRIL 5-7 Grace Primitive Baptist Church Of Loudon, TN will conduct her annual meeting starting Friday, April 5 and continuing through Sunday, April 7, Elders Troy Thomas and Eugene Wilder have agreed to be with us to preach. Please make plans to come and be with us! LAVERNIA, TEXAS PBC HOSTS FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEETING APRIL 6-7 Lord willing, the LaVernia Texas Primitive Baptist Church will hold its first anniversary meeting the first weekend in April April 6-7, Services will start Saturday morning at 10:00; afternoon services at 2:00; and evening services at 6:00 and conclude with Sunday morning services., Lord willing Elder Sonny Huckaby will be with us for the meeting. We invite all ministers of the same faith and order to come be with us. We will preach all we can that are able to attend. Please come and worship with us if you can. We pray each of you have a good year in 2013, and that the Lord blesses all of us with His presence when we meet to serve Him. Our church house is located in downtown LaVernia at 210 Chihuahua Street. For more information contact Elder Larry Hausenfluke, pastor, at LOUISIANA PB ASSOCIATION SET APRIL WITH NEW PROVIDENCE PBC AT RINGGOLD The Louisiana Primitive Baptist Association Union Meeting will convene with New Providence Primitive Baptist Church, Ringgold, LA beginning Friday morning April 12, 2013, and concluding Saturday afternoon April 13, The church is located on La. HWY 154 East, Ringgold, LA. We extend an invitation to each of you to come worship with us during this meeting and pray the the Holy Spirit will be present as well. For other info contact Elder Joe Asbell (318) or Bro. Benny R. Miers (318) SIX MILE CREEK PBC IN CAULKSVILLE, ARK ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 12, 13, & 14, 2013 Lord willing, the Six Mile Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Caulksville, Arkansas will host their Annual Meeting the second weekend in April (12, 13 & 14), The meeting will begin on Friday night and continue through Sunday. The Church has invited Elder David Montgomery, the pastor of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Texas to be with them during their meeting. The church invites everyone who can, to come and worship the Lord with them during their meeting. For more information please contact Elder Mark Green at FARMERSVILLE, TEXAS PBC PLANS SPECIAL MEETING, THURSDAY APRIL 18TH The Farmersville Primitive Baptist church will host services Thursday, April 18 as Elder Ricky Harcrow from Dekalb County, Alabama has promised to be with us. The Church building is located two miles south of Farmersville on County Rd 557, just off Highway 78. You will see a sign for the church about three miles south of town on Highway 78. Take C.R. 557 and the Church will be on the right about ¼ mi. The address is : 1287 County Road 557 Farmersville, Texas For more information contact Owen Rushing INDIAN OAKS PBC IN LAKE WORTH, TEXAS ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 19, 20 & 21, 2013 The Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church in Lake Worth, Texas will host their annual meeting the third weekend in April (19, 20 & 21), Services will begin on Friday night and continue with three services on Saturday and then concluding with Sunday morning services. The Indian Oaks Church has invited Elder Ricky Harcrow to be with them during their meeting and Lord willing, they will also be able to preach other visiting ministers during their meeting. For more information visit the Indian Oaks Church website or contact Elder Larry Webb by at larrycarole.webb@charter.net Church address is: Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church 3229 Shawnee Trail, Fort, Worth, Texas BETHANY PBC, SUWANEE, GEORGIA ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 18-21, 2013 The Bethany Primitive Baptist Church of Suwanee, Georgia (near Atlanta) will host its annual meeting April 18-21, The meeting begins on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. Friday service followed by lunch and a 2 p.m. afternoon service, supper and a 7 p.m. service. The same schedule is repeated Saturday, with the Saturday evening service being communion. The meeting concludes Sunday followed by lunch. PARADISE PBC, PORT NECHES, TEXAS ANNUAL MEETING SET APRIL 19, 20, 21 The Paradise Primitive Baptist Church in Port Neches, Texas will host their Annual Meeting the third weekend in April, beginning at 6:00 on Friday night. There will be Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon services, with fellowship and supper that night at Sister Cheryle and Elder Mike Rhodes home. Lord willing, Elder Larry Webb and Elder Luke Laird have promised to be here during this meeting. More information please contact Sis. Cheryle Rhodes (cbkrhodes@sbcglobal.net) or Elder Mike Rhodes (Home) (Cell). ANNUAL MEETING PLANNED IN MESA, ARIZONA APRIL 19TH AND 20TH The Lone Pilgrim Primitive Baptist Church of Mesa, Arizona is hosting our Annual Meeting the third Sunday weekend in April beginning on Friday night, April 19, 2013 and continuing through Sunday, April 21, We are located at 606 N. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, Arizona, just east of the Red Mountain 202 Freeway at the University Drive Exit 27 and north on Ellsworth Rd. a short distance on the left side of the road. All meals except breakfast will be served. For directions or other questions, please contact one of our deacons: Roger Joyner (480) , Russ Kinner (623) , or Vernon McWhirter (520) We pray that you can be with us as we try to serve our Lord with preaching, praying, and singing during our meeting. We are without a pastor and are praying that the Lord will send us one, so it will be a blessing to have visiting brethren and elders with us. In Christian love, Vernon McWhirter, Church Clerk Roger Joyner, Moderator Lone Primitive Baptist Church 205 N. Colorado Street Casa Grande, AZ SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 20-21, 2013 SHILOH PBC IN KIMBALL, NEBRASKA Elder Kenneth Clevenger from Macon, Georgia will be the guest preacher at a Special Meeting of the Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in Kimball, Nebraska. For more information contact Dorothy Huffman, church clerk, at (308) BETHLEHEM PBC IN IZORO, TEXAS TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 27 & 28 The Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Izoro, Texas will host their annual meeting beginning on Saturday morning before the fourth Sunday in April. The Church has invited Elder Mike Montgomery to be with them during their meeting. There will be services Saturday morning and afternoon but not Saturday night. The meeting will conclude on Sunday morning and meals will be served at the Church throughout the meeting. The Bethlehem Church invites visiting brothers and sisters to come and worship with them. They also extend an invitation to the ministers who feel led to attend the meeting. The church is located on FM 1690 just off Highway 281. From Lampasas go North on Highway 281 to junction with FM 1690 about 11 miles. Take right on FM Go 8.5 miles to Izoro. Keep going North on Highway 281 to junction with FM 1690 for a couple of more miles. The Church will be on the right. For more details contact Elder Hugh Montgomery : pop6@sbcglobal.net. In their inward parts By ELDER MARK GREEN After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer ). We have here a wonderfully graphic description of what happens in the new birth. In Old Testament times, the law was written in tables of stone. It was an objective law - one outside of the individual - and could be kept outwardly by those who were Jews outwardly. This law, however, is not written outwardly, but inwardly. God writes this law in the hearts of His people. A law is a principle of righteousness. When a man is born of the Spirit, a principle of righteousness or holiness is stamped in his very inward parts. Brother Paul says that grace teaches us that we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Living in this manner is righteous conduct. This teaching that we should do these things is done when God writes His law in our inward parts. Our Lord said that His children must be bom again. The apostle James uses the same Greek expression in Chapter Three of his epistle when he speaks of that wisdom that is from above. This wisdom or instruction is not of the earth, but is from God, from above. It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. This is a good description of conduct that is sober, righteous and godly. Parents can teach children how they ought to conduct themselves, and can and should teach them good manners and upright behavior. They can instill in their children good habits that will serve them well in this world; but they cannot write anything in their hearts. They can train their outward conduct, but they cannot teach them to know God or to love Him. Outward instruction and outward discipline is a function of parental authority, but only God can change a heart. The new birth is an inward work, and only God can do it. ONE-YEAR FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWLY-BAPTIZED MEMBERS will provide a one-year free subscription to any newly-baptized member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Ministers, church clerks or interested members should send to the Banner of Love the names and addresses of your newly-baptized members, and we will add their names to our mailing list for a free one-year term. Elder Mark Green lives in Booneville, AR, is owner/ publisher of The Christian Pathway, P.O. Box 334, Booneville, AR He also is pastor of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, OK, near Tulsa. For I am the Lord... BY ELDER MARK GREEN For I am the Lord (Mal. 3.6). I am. This is the most basic of all theological or religious principles. In fact, it is the most fundamental of all facts: God is. He has being. He is a Being. If He did not exist, nothing else would. If He were not, then there would be no universe. Though it is impossible, even if there were a universe, but no God to govern it, all would be chaos, so it would be no benefit to us to exist if He did not. Have you ever sat and joyfully contemplated the fact that there is a God? that there is a Being of infinite power and wisdom? Is a matter of fact, that simple principle is the object of our faith; For he that cometh to God must believe that He is (Heb. 11.6). Our belief in the existence of God must precede our belief in what His nature is and what He has done. If we believe that He is, then that explains to us why other things are: He created them. In our text, God affirms His self-existence. Nothing else has this quality, for we are creatures. We were made, but God is. As our dear Elder George Walker might have put it, Aren t you glad that God is? Brother George was able to rejoice in truth as much as any man I ever knew. He gloried in the truths of God s word, and no doubt meditation on the existence of God filled him with happiness. We have a God! Oh, what a wonderful thought! We do not have to go looking for a god or trying to make a god Ȯur God is. He always has been. --Elder Mark Green Worthy Causes There are many worthy causes in need of financial consideration. First priority for giving should always be in support of the local church and its ministry. Once that need has been addressed, the following are listed for consideration by our readers: Georgia Fire: Sister Carolyn Hamlin (daughter of the late Elder John Thompson and Sister Sue Thompson of Columbus, Georgia), and her family lost their house by fire on February 5, They lost everything. They are in need of help to rebuild their house and for clothes and household items. If you can find it in your heart to help them out with a love offering, clothing, or household items, please mail them to: The Hamlin Family c/o of Charles Thompson, 5000 Old Post Road, Columbus, GA Tragedy in Little Rock: The church family at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas has been hit by a terrible tragedy. In the early hours of Saturday morning Oct. 27th, while Brother Todd Weatherford was at work on his job, his house was totally destroyed by fire and his wife, Tiffany, died in the fire. His home and everything in it was a total loss. A special fund has been set up at Iberia Bank, any branch, for The Todd Weatherford fund. To mail a contribution, send it to Iberia Bank Attn. Steven Long, 212 Broadway, Little Rock, AR To use a debit card, the address is Pay Pal, dweatherford94@yahoo.com. Mexico PBC services. Funds may be provided to help this new church, Shekinak PBC, in Juarez, Mexico (El Paso) as it continues to meet in a difficult environment and feed needy children. Send donations to Elder Donnie Halbgewachs, P.O. Box 856, Canutillo, Texas New York City services. Funds are needed to offset expenses of once-per-month Primitive Baptist worship services in downtown New York City for the first time in more than 40 years. Most present attendees are young and without sufficient resources to cover meeting expenses. Send donations in care of Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church, Elder Steven Bloyd, 46 Davis Road, Street, Maryland

6 Page 6 March 2013 March 2013 Page 11 Prayer of Life Meetings... Page 2... It deems me will this handsome day. To fall my knees, oh then to pray, Life exhausted is never mine, Every breath doeth brightly shine. How sweet, Dear Lord, that Thou hast made, The golden tree for winds to trade. Each leaf from green to winter s brown, Within such change, so cold a sound. How happy, Lord, I am this hour, Oh yes, I feel Thee for Thy power, Beckons me to come near Thee, In times of strife and feel life free. When life in answer is mine no more, My stead of life I then shall pour, Into a world of glory ever, Away from all corrupt and sever. -- Benny C. Watson, Dallas, Texas SPRING GROVE PBC CONSTITUTION This photo was taken on May 30, 1974 at the Church Constitution meeting of the Spring Grove Primitive Baptist Church. At the time, the name was the Primitive Baptist Church of Houston and it was constituted as an arm from the Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas. There were 23 charter members and 4 deacons ordained on this same day. Two of the deacons ordained that 1954 ASSOCIATION Pictured: This photo was taken at the Primitive Association hosted by Mt. Zion (Wealthy) and Shiloh (Flynn) Primitive Baptist Churches in Flynn, Texas back in Standing are Elder George W. Moseley, Elder R. V. Holleman, Elder J. A. Moore, Elder A. A. Watts, Elder J. C. R. Hawkins, Elder W. S. Blackshear, Elder H. E. Black and Elder J. M. Fannin. Kneeling are Elder A. R. Wilson, Elder E. S. Rip Morrisett, Elder J. G. Fowler, Elder Hedley J. White and Elder Thomas Collier. day were Elder Travis Brown and Elder Ron Smith. The Presbytery for the Church Constitution and Ordination Service included: Eld. Harold Horn, Eld. Paul McClain, Bro. Nolan Rachel, Eld. Ernest Sowder, Eld. Gerald Stanford, Eld. Owen Rushing, Eld. Frank Baker, Eld. William Preslar, Eld. James Henthorn, Eld. J.R. Smith, Bro. Claude Brock, Bro. John Ozmer, Bro. Hubert Marsee, Bro. Vance Morgan and Bro. Henry Scoggins. A New Daily Devotional Elder Dolph Painter has just recently published a Daily Devotional. It has a brief devotional article for each day in the year. The articles are both inspiring and instructive. He has done a very good job in putting them together. The book is worth far more than the $10.00 asking price. Persons should also include $2.50 shipping and handling for the first copy, and $.50 for each additional copy. The books can be ordered from Elder Painter at P. O. Box 263, Hull GA Role of the will in discipleship Now available for order is a new booklet by Elder Joe Holder of California, titled The Will and Its Role in Discipleship. The booklet is 64 pages and provides historical reflections on the absolute presdinarian controversy and related errant doctrines. It may be ordered for $5.00 postpaid from Sovereign Grace Publications, P.O. Box 23514, Lexington, KY ENCOURAGEMENT Dear Ones, In thinking of the new year: Phil 4:19; Psalms 46; Matt. 16:18-19; Rev. 12:11 is very encouraging. Wishing each of you a joyous new year along the way. In dear Hope and love, Sister Loretta Lilly Akron, Ohio STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS PBC HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 22, 23, AND 24, 2013 The Stephenville Primitive Baptist Church will host its annual meeting on the weekend of the 4th Sunday of March. Services will begin Friday night with a sandwich supper at 6:00 p.m. and singing beginning at 7:00 p.m. Services will continue Saturday with services at 10:00 a.m. and in the afternoon following lunch at the church. Services will conclude Sunday morning at regular time with singing beginning at 10:30 a.m. We invite everyone to come and worship our Lord together with us at this time. A map of Stephenville with the church located and a feature to generate a map to the church from your location can be found at the church webpage: Please be in prayer for us that the Lord will bless this meeting. For more information contact: Elder Bill Allen Pastor wallenpbc@gmail.com or Brother Royce Lee Deacon rlee@erath.net FIFTH SUNDAY MEETING AT UNION PBC IN MISSISSIPPI MARCH 30 & 31 Union Primitive Baptist Church of Ruth, Mississippi will host a Fifth Sunday Meeting beginning Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will follow. Supper will be served at 6:00, with service at 7:00. Service will continue on Sunday morning at 10:30 with lunch to follow. Elder Luke Laird of Akron, Alabama is the invited speaker. MULESHOE TEXAS PBC HOSTING FIFTH SUNDAY MEETING MARCH 29, 30 & 31, 2013 The Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church are hosting a Fifth Sunday meeting in March (29, 30, 31), Services will begin Friday night with a sandwich supper at 5:30 p.m. It will continue Saturday morning at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and then the afternoon services. We will then have supper and Saturday night services. Sunday morning will begin at 10 a.m. and then lunch following. We invite each of you to come and fellowship with us. We have several motels in the area and our homes are open to you as well. If you need any information you can call Elder Don Martin at (806) or Brother Ken Wilhelm at (806) We beg an interest in your prayers for us and this meeting, It is our desire to worship our Lord and Savior with our fellow saints and sister churches, giving Him all the glory, honor and praise. Elder Don Martin, Pastor Brother Ken Wilhelm, Clerk MT. PARAN PBC, PARIS, TX, TO HOST 5TH SUNDAY MEETING MARCH 30-31, 2013 The Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church in Paris, Texas will host a fifth Sunday meeting in March. There will be services on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The Church is located at th Street SW in Paris, Texas. For more information, please visit their website at: or contact Elder Harley Stripland at rstripland@wildblue.net SALEM ASSOCIATION UNION MEETING SET MARCH AT DANVILLE, AR The Salem Association Union Meeting will be hosted by the Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church outside of Danville, Arkansas, beginning on Friday night before the fifth weekend in March. The Mt. Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church is located on State Highway 80, about 16 miles west of Danville. Coming from the west, (from Waldron) it is 29 miles from the intersection of Highway 80 and US 71. Those wishing to stay in a motel can call the Cypress Barn Lodge in Waldron. Their phone numbers are and There are also motels available in Russellville and Booneville. For more information, contact Elder Dennis Horn ( ). The address is listed as Highway 80 - Danville, Arkansas TUCSON PBC TO HOST 5TH SUNDAY MEETING MARCH 29-31, 2013 The Lord willing, The Primitive Baptist Church of Jesus Christ in Tucson, Arizona will hold it s annual Fifth Sunday Meeting March 29th, 30th and 31st. Services will begin on Friday evening, March 29th and continue through Sunday, noon, March 31st. Full meals will be served at the Church and there are trailer hookups on property and plenty of space in member s homes. We invite all who are able to please come praying for a spiritual meeting and the fellowship of Christ. We especially want to invite all ordained brethren to meet with us. The Church is located at 5921 E. Lee Street, Tucson, AZ, For specific directions please contact Elder Tim Janes at , or Church Clerk Br. Buddy Janes at Yours in Hope, Br. Buddy Janes, Clerk Tucson Primitive Baptist Church of Jesus Christ 5TH SUNDAY MEETING IN MARCH IN ALABAMA AT MACEDONIA PBC The Original Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church of the Sand Mountain Association in Alabama will be hosting the Association s Union Meeting Saturday, March 9th and Sunday March 10th, 2013 beginning at 10:00 a.m Ẇe invite all who can to come and be with us. We are looking for a good time in the Lord Pray that the sweet Spirit is manifested in our meetings In Hope, Bro. Philip Gilmore [The church is located at 3970 Co. Road 38 Section, AL For more information contact Brother Steve Presley (256) or Elder Philip Gilmore (205) ] COOL SPRING PBC IN LOUISIANA TO HOST 5TH SUN. MEETING IN MARCH Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ, The Lord willing, Cool Spring Church of Primitive Baptist faith and order near Logansport, Louisiana will host a Fifth Sunday Meeting in March The meeting will begin on Friday night and end on Sunday morning (March 29, 30 & 31, 2013). We have asked Elder Mark Quarles, of Madison, MS and Elder Gary Rhodes of Netherland, TX to be with us. We sincerely invite you to join us if possible. If not, please pray for a spirit-filled meeting. For more information please contact Brothers Ricky Cash ( ), Dencen Hall ( ), Buddy Hall ( ) or John Stiles ( In Christian Love, Sister Kathy McClain Church Clerk MARCH 29, 30, 31, 2013 UNION MEETING SALEM ASSOCIATION DANVILLE, ARKANSAS The Salem Association Union meeting. Will be hosted by the Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church outside of Danville, Arkansas, beginning on Friday night before the fifth weekend in March. The Church is on State Highway 80, 16 miles west of Danville. Coming from the west (from Waldron), it is 29 miles from intersection of Highway 80 and US 71. Those wishing to stay in a motel can call the Cypress Barn Lodge in Waldron and There are also motels available in Russellville and Booneville. For more information please contact Elder Dennis Horn According to Google, the address is Highway 80 Danville, Arkansas UNION PBC OF RUTH, MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 30 & 31, 2013 The Union Primitive Baptist of Ruth, Mississippi will host a Fifth Sunday Meeting beginning Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will follow and supper will be served at 6.. Evening service will begin at 7. Sunday morning: 10:30 lunch to follow. Elder Luke Laird of Akron, AL is the invited speaker. ROCKY MOUNT ANNUAL MEETING MARCH Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Church, Arab, AL will be having our Spring Meeting, Lord willing, beginning Thursday evening, March 28th and continuing through Sunday, March 31st. Elder Carl Staten from Rogers, AR and Elder Charles Kitchens from Jasper, AL have agreed to be with us during this meeting. - April SMOKY MOUNTAIN SPRING MEETING IN TENNESSEE SET APRIL 1-4, 2013 The 2013 Smoky Mountain Spring Meeting in Pigeon Forge,Tennessee will begin on Monday night, April 1st, and continuing through Thursday morning April 4th. It will be held in the Grand Ball Room of the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Convention Center is on the Parkway at the South end of town. It is almost directly behind the Cracker Barrel. Rooms are available at the Ramada Inn next to the Convention Center. The motel and the Convention Center share the same parking lot; so the meeting place is easy to get to. Rooms are $45 per night. The reservations number is Be sure to tell them you are with the Primitive Baptist Meeting. For further information you may call Elder Harold Hunt at BURNET, TEXAS PBC SLATES ANNUAL MEETING APRIL The Burnet Primitive Baptist Church in Burnet, Texas will endeavor to host their Annual Meeting the first weekend in April April 6-7, The meeting will start on Saturday morning with services at 10:00. There will be lunch served, followed by an afternoon service. The meeting will conclude with regularly scheduled worship services on Sunday morning at 10:00. The meeting house is located three miles east of Burnet, Texas on Highway 29. For more information, please contact the church clerk, Sister Joy Rucker: (rucker.joy@gmail.com), or their pastor Elder Hugh Montgomery: (pop6@sbcgloral.net) or visit their websiteat