God is Always on Time!

But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters.  Psalm 69:13-14

I believe our love of the psalms is found in how we all at some point in our lives, and on some level, can relate to the psalmist’ heart. Our hearts, like the rest of our flesh, usually like a quick fix. Our prayers are often, “Lord it’s me. I’m in a jam. People hate me, and I feel like I am drowning. Deliver me ASAP.”

But the prayer of the psalmist here shows maturity and understanding. He is in a sticky situation. He needs to be delivered and he feels vulnerable. However, his request yields to the sovereignty of God’s timing: “in the acceptable time” and “in the multitude of Your mercy.” The psalmist’s heart is already prepared that God will have enough mercy for him, that God will hear his request, and in God’s time deliverance will come.

As a child growing up in church, I remember often hearing the pastor and some senior saints say: God’s trains all run on time. They are seldom early, never late, but always on time. That was their simple way of saying to pray, trust, and wait on God because He will never fail you.

I believe there is one clear-cut wat to stay disappointed in prayer: always put your own time requirements on all your prayer requests - as opposed to trusting in God’s timing. How else can your heart truly learn to worship if your heart doesn’t learn to trust God in His timing?
As we pray, we should confess our need and desperation for deliverance. Then,  we need to trust that God will answer at an acceptable time.
 
Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC

Belize Mission Trip Report February 2023

Spring is just around the corner! Many gardeners have already started growing seed indoors that will later be transplanted into their gardens. A lot of care goes into sowing seeds that will produce healthy plants. Good soil must be selected to plant the seeds in. There must be plenty of light, water, and warm enough temperatures for the seeds to sprout. All of this takes time and cultivation.

In Matthew Chapter 13, we find the Parable of the Sower and the explanation of the parable.  This is a very fitting scripture for our thoughts today.  I hope that you will take the time to read it on your own.

The mission team from South Fork Baptist Association/ Shady Grove Baptist Church, along with three other churches, just returned from a mission trip where we were able to sow some spiritual seeds. We were in the small village of Jalacte, Belize. This village is located in the southwest region of Belize, deep in the jungle, right on the Guatemala border.

Our team worked within the school and community of Jalacte, sharing Jesus and meeting some of the
physical needs that were present. Things we take for granted like running water and electricity, or even having a church to attend, are only dreams for most of this village. During our visit, the construction team was able to help the small school of about 172 students.  They were able to  install a small solar system to provide enough electricity to power a few computers so that the children could learn basic keyboarding skills.  The team also installed a pump system to carry water from the river to the kitchen for the small school.

We showed love to the community and one day we were even able to provide an eyeglass clinic with the help of Mrs. Carol Laney.

We met with several village leaders over the course of that week to develop partnerships and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We let them know we will gladly help with the needs of the village, when possible, all while being clear that our main goal is to share the hope of Christ.

Our last day there was Sunday. We had planned a church service for the village and the leaders granted us access to the community building to use for the service. When we pulled up that morning, we found about a half a dozen people waiting for us in anticipation of the church service. We had no idea what to expect, but knew that even with the few that showed up, God could do mighty and wonderful things. What happened next amazed us all. In a village with about 1,000 residents, approximately 240 came to be part of the service. The crowd was larger than the building could hold so about 60 people stood outside and watched through the open windows and doors. The service lasted 2 1/2 hours and not a single person grumbled or complained about any inconveniences. At the end of the service, eight people indicated that they prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.

We are praying that a church will be planted in this village, sprouting from the seeds that were planted! Our feeble attempts of meeting physical needs and sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will only sprout if God gives the increase. Please join us as we pray for the people of Jalacte and continue to cultivate relationships there. Also, pray that the seed of the Gospel will fall on good soil and sprout up to give hope to an unreached people group.

1 Corinthians 3:6  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Dale Hendricks, Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church

International Missions Coordinator
South Fork Baptist Association

We Have A Purpose In This World

John 9:4-6 – “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.

Our lives are busy and often our chaotic schedules, especially during this time of year, cause us to overlook those around us. As followers of Jesus, we are placed where we can recognize brokenness and to do something about it. We must slow down because people cannot and should not be ignored.

One day Jesus saw a man who was born blind. At that time, people believed that if someone had a physical ailment, the person’s parents must have committed some sin to bring forth such a punishment for their child. Yet Jesus stated that neither the man nor his parents had done anything to deserve blindness. Jesus then healed the man of this malady that had afflicted him since birth.

In this instance, Jesus revealed His heart for people. In the midst of His busy day, Jesus stopped to care for the blind man. Jesus showed His disciples what it looks like to be the light. He saw a need and He stepped up to help. What does it look like for Christians today to do the same?

As Christians we may not be able to heal blinded eyes but we can share the good news of the One who can. We can also share the light of Jesus by simply meeting a small need or lending an ear to someone that is hurting or taking the time to pray with someone who is down.  

May we ask God to give us the heart of Jesus, to care for people even in the midst of our busy schedules, so that people can be drawn to the light of Jesus wherever we go.

Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12

All of us have attempted to find our way in a dark place before locating a light switch.  I do this most mornings as I get out of bed and walk downstairs to get my first cup of coffee.  A few years ago, I went on a vision mission trip to Indonesia. After two days of traveling, we arrived and were taken, late at night, to our hotel. Our interpreter helped us to check in and once we had received our key cards we were sent on our way. All four of us on the trip ended up in different parts of this massive hotel. I finally made it to my room after a long walk with my luggage in tow. After using my key card to open the door I went and placed my luggage on the bed and glanced at my watch, realizing that it was 3:00 AM and we had to be in the lobby ready to leave for our next flight at 7:00 AM. I turned around to unpack a few things I would need for that night and the lights went off. I slowly made my way to the light switch that was already on when I entered the room. I flipped the light switch on and off, but nothing happened. Thinking there was a power outage I made my way over to look out of the window and notice that the outside lights were all still on. Puzzled, I made my way back to flip the light switch again but still nothing. I opened the door to my room and the lights came on. Still puzzled, I went back to my luggage and after about a minute the lights in my room went off again. I went through the same routine again with no luck until I opened the door to the room and the lights came back on. By this time, I was so confused and sleepy that I made my way to the front desk to ask for assistance.  The two men working the front desk could not speak English and I could not speak their language. But, after a lot of pointing at the lights and a door, finally one of them took my key card and motioned me to follow him.  We returned to my room, and he used the key card to open my door. Once the door was opened and we were inside he took the key card and placed it in a slot on the wall. He pointed to the lights and gave me a thumbs up. Then he pointed to the key card and shook his finger letting me know not to remove it from the slot if I wanted the lights to work. This was my first experience with this type of key card that had to be placed in the slot to power the room including the air conditioning. I soon learned that this is quite common in that part of the world to conserve electricity. The night was almost over before I was able to settle into bed.

The purpose of light is to illuminate. Jesus said in this verse that He is the Light of this world and if we receive Him, our paths will be made clear, and darkness will not rule us.  Many today walk in darkness because they refuse to accept the free gift God offers to all who will reach out and take it.

Earlier in John chapter 8, Jesus forgave an adulterous woman who was walking in darkness.  When she had an encounter with Him, she began to walk in the light. We can all experience that same light that will lead us to an eternity with Jesus, I pray you have done so. If not know that Jesus is still offering us light through salvation today so that we all can be freed from the darkness of sin.

Dale Hendricks

Transformed by Grace

When I was young, I can remember pondering the thought, “What hope do I have?” I came out of a broken home; my parents had separated before I was even one year old. Several years later, my mother met and married my stepfather. In many ways, I thought this was an awful curse. Truly he was and is a great guy, but I was a preteen and unable to see that at the time. However, it was because of my stepfather that I learned about Jesus Christ and what it meant to have a relationship with Him. At the age of twelve, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior and my life was forever changed. That day I understood that my hope was in Jesus.  I also learned how Jesus had changed the lives of so many others.
 
Augustine was one of the greatest theologians of all time. He was a wild, intemperate, immoral youth. In spite of his mother’s pleadings and prayers, he grew worse instead of better. But, one day he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that transformed his life. His restlessness and the practice of sin disappeared. He became one of the greatest saints of all time.
 
John Newton was a slave trader on the west coast of Africa. One day, in a storm at sea, he met Jesus Christ. He went back to England and became an Anglican clergyman. He wrote scores of hymns, one of which has become the modern popular song, “Amazing Grace”. This is what Christ can do for anyone who puts their trust in Him. Just remember, what Jesus has done for others He can do for you!
 
Pastor Dale Hendricks
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Pastor

Why

As we move into the new year and reflect on the last year many questions may come to our minds. Why do we as Christians do the things we do? Why do we attend church faithfully as often as possible in person? Why do we give of our income to the church in the form of a tithe or love offerings? Why do we support missionaries and help those that are in need? Why do we share the Gospel of Christ with those around us that are hurting and unsure which way to turn in their lives? Why do we read the Bible and follow after the teaching found in it? While churches are closing at the fastest rate in history and far more churches are closing each year than new churches are starting why do we continue?

I believe the answer is L-O-V-E. We as Christians do what we do because of the love that has been shared with us. I know that in the past two years it has become convenient just watch a church service from home or not at all. However, when we look at the church service with this view, we miss out on the love that is share with other Christians that have gathered to worship together. And it was Jesus who taught us not to forsake the assembly of ourselves together with other Christians. Inflation is on the rise each time we head to the grocery store or the gas station we fill the financial pain what if we just didn’t give to the church anymore or maybe not as much? Again, it was Jesus who said it is better to give than to receive. We also find the principal in the Bible that we just can not out give God. And it seems like in the day we live that there is just not many people that want to hear the gospel. This may seem true but what if that was the attitude that the person that shared the truth of the Gospel with you had? Where would you be without the promise of eternal life that is found in having a relationship with Jesus Christ? And it is true that churches are closing at record numbers that is why it is even more important for us to attend faithfully, support finically, and share the gospel as often as we can so that this old world can find the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ!

Jesus stepped out of the splendor of Heaven to be born of a virgin in a lowly manger, to live a sinless life, and to give His life on the cross of Calvary to pay the sin debt of you and me. Jesus did this so that we might be forgiven of our sins and claim Heaven as our eternal home.

This would have never been possible if God had not loved us so much that He gave us His Son who gave His life that we might live. The Bible states in John 15:13   Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”. Jesus loved us so much that he gave His life for us. I choose to live for Jesus, to follow the teaching of the Bible, and to share the Gospel with others because of the Love Jesus has shown to me. That is Why!

Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC

God Still Answers Prayer

February 2021

In my last article, I shared the heart-breaking story of losing our first son and daughter and how in the midst of our pain, we were able to turn to Jesus for healing. Today, I share the joyous story of the birth of our son, Jeremiah, who just turned sixteen and our daughter, Anna, who will be fifteen in just a couple of weeks.

After the loss of our first two children, our world was turned upside down. Somehow, we still carried on, going through the motions of life. Our days seemed to return to some since of normalcy with our regular activities and youth activities, as I was still serving as a Youth Pastor at the time.

During all of this, we had many people to tell us, including doctors, that we should consider adoption. Knowing that there were so many children in the world that needed to be adopted into loving homes, this seemed to be a good idea and one that we prayed about. One Saturday night, I had to go to the church to work on preparing a radio broadcast for our Senior Pastor. It took me a bit longer than usual due to some difficulties with the equipment. When I arrived home, the house was dark. I assumed my wife, Felicia, had already gone to bed. I quietly made my way towards the bedroom, in the dark, only to find that she was not there. I returned to the living room and found her sitting in the dark, crying. I embraced her in my arms and Felicia began to tell me that she knew there were so many children that needed to be adopted, but growing up, she had a Sunday school teacher that taught her when you pray, to pray specifically. For Felicia, she had prayed for her future husband, “me”, to be tall, with dark hair, not to have brown eyes, and be a man of God. She also prayed for two children, a boy, and a girl, that she could raise and would serve the Lord. She shared that this is exactly how she had prayed. With our hearts breaking and our eyes full of tears and knowing that God’s plans are sometimes different than our own, we prayed together and asked God to give us these two children. However, we also prayed not our will but His will be done. A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was our Pastor telling me that he was sick and would not be able to preach the next day. He asked me if I could fill the pulpit in his place.

The next morning when it was time for me to preach, I entered the pulpit, read the Bible verses, and even prayed. Suddenly, I could not go on. My heart was breaking. I shared the events that had unfolded the night before with the congregation. I asked them if they would join Felicia and me as we prayed what some might call a selfish prayer. I asked them to pray that if it was God’s will for Felicia and me to have a child we could raise and teach about God and who would one day accept Christ as their Savior, that God would allow Felicia to deliver a healthy child. However, if it was not His will, that He would not allow her to become pregnant. Almost everyone in the church joined us in the altar. Many were even standing down the aisles. We prayed and we cried.

Philippians 4: 6-7 states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

About two weeks later, my wife informed me that she was expecting a child! Our son Jeremiah was born and then just thirteen short months later, our daughter Anna was born. A boy and a girl just like my wife had always prayed. God still answers prayer! God does not always answer our prayers the way we ask, and when he does not, He usually has something better in store. We should still praise Him while waiting and after He answers. We do not know how God will answer unless we pray and ask.

I have had the privilege to lead both Jeremiah and Anna to Christ and baptize them. Jeremiah now operates the sound board for our worship services and Anna sings with our new praise team. To God be the Glory! Great things He hath done!

Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC

We Can Always Turn to Jesus

Originally Written: December 10, 2020

In this life, so many things can change so quickly. When we celebrated the new year of 2020, we never expected that by March, the coronavirus would be sweeping through not only our nation, but around the world. Who would have imagined that life as normal would very shortly be anything but normal? So, what do we do?

You see, not only can our lives be turned upside down by a virus, but it can be turned upside down by many different things. Some of those things may affect us for a short season while others will affect us for a lifetime. I would like to share with you one such event that has changed my family forever. In December of 2002, my life seemed to truly be blessed. I was the Youth Minister at a large Baptist Church; blessed with one of the largest youth programs in our area. My beautiful wife was carrying our first child. It seemed like life could not be better, until we received the news that there was a problem with our son, and he was very unlikely to survive. I still very vividly remember the day we went in for a checkup and was told there was no heartbeat. Our world started to crash around us. We were instructed to go to the hospital where labor was to be induced, and my precious wife would go through complete labor and delivery knowing that our son would be deceased when delivered. With broken hearts, we held him in our arms. In the days to come, we would have a full memorial service. People tried to encourage us; however, many did not know what to say or said things that really did not help. It was during this time that we realized we were so thankful for our family and friends around us who loved and supported us. Most importantly, we realized that our relationship with Jesus Christ was where our true strength came from and that is what carried us through. Without our faith, I know we would not have made it.

On December 7, 2020, our son Andrew would have turned 18. As much as we would like to say that all the pain is gone and our hearts are completely healed, that is not true. The truth is, even now Jesus still loves on us and carries us through. We continue to rely on His promises, and when the dark hours come in our lives, we still lean on our Savior. (Deuteronomy 31:6 “He will not leave you nor forsake you.”)

My wife posted the following on her Facebook page on our son’s birthday.
“Today, we should be celebrating an 18th birthday. We should be wrapped up in a crazy senior year. We should be embracing every moment knowing our first born should be graduating in only a few short months and beginning life's journey as an adult. We should be doing a lot of things, but we are not.
Instead, I sit and wonder about what he would look like. I wonder what his interests would be. I wonder how in the world we would be surviving in a home of 4 high school teenagers. I wonder if he would enjoy Christmas as much as I do. I wonder... I wonder... I wonder...
But, I also wonder what it was like for him to open his eyes in glory. I wonder how the last 18 years have been seeing the face of Jesus. I wonder, if we will be known as we are known, did he recognize his sister right away. I wonder if their 11-month age difference was as just a day in Heaven?
There are so many things I’ve wondered about over the last 18 years. So many questions I'll never have answers to. But, I'm thankful for the peace of knowing just where he is and that I'll see him again one day.”

You see, not only did our faith in Jesus bring us through the loss of our son, but just 11 months later the loss of our daughter Elizabeth. Our Faith in Jesus has brought us through so many other dark hours and uncertainties. Please remember, when we don’t know which way to turn and all hope seems to be gone, we can always turn to Jesus.


Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church

Waves of Uncertainty

Originally Published:  November 6, 2020

This year has been filled with many adversities, hardships, uncertainties, and disappointments. Would it not be great just to get away for a few days and clear our minds of all the chaos that is going on around us? One of my favorite places to get away with my family and clear my thoughts is Southport, NC. Southport is a quaint little town that is located on the coast in Southeastern North Carolina, where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

One of my favorite past times on my visits to Southport is to just sit in one of the swings along the intercoastal waterway and watch the cargo ships coming and going. On one of our trips, as I sat watching the huge vessels, I began to ponder about the heavy load that many of the ships are carrying. Some have cargo containers stacked so high that it makes you wonder how they are able to keep the load afloat. Then I noticed the waves pounding into the ships as they carry their load through the bay. The water around the ship, in all its vastness and waves of uncertainty, appear that it could easily swallow up the ships at any moment as they carry their heavy load.

It was then that I was reminded of the scripture found in Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” (NKJV) It’s just like the old saying that ships do not sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets in them. When I think about all of the trials that we have endured during this year and all of the uncertainty that we are still facing, I am so thankful that because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, I can face all of the uncertainty of life. Jesus Christ my Lord will be with me every step of the way. I can look back on the heavy load I have been carrying and all of the problems in the sea of life that I have faced and know that I have made it this far because Jesus has never let me down.

Today, I am reminded that just like the ships out on the ocean in the darkest of night, if they will follow the light of the lighthouse, they will be safely led to shore. For me, Jesus is my lighthouse in which I trusted many years ago when I knelt and surrendered my life to Him. The sin burden that I carried was all washed away when I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as the light of my life. No longer do I have to be burdened down with the heavy load of this life or fear of the troubled waters of uncertainty that surrounds me. Jesus gave me a promise to be with me all the way! If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, you also have that same promise today.

Going through the rough waters of this world will either cause you to drown or grow stronger. If you try to go in your own strength, you are more than likely going to drown. If you invite Jesus to go with you, He will protect you all the way.

When this old life is getting me down and I feel like I am about to drown from all of the burdens, I am reminded that Jesus is still the captain of my life’s ship, and He will safely sail me through! One day, if we trust and follow Jesus as our Lord, He will lead us to that wonderful city called Heaven, where there will be no more adversities, hardships, uncertainties, disappointments, or sin. How true are the words of the old hymn “Won’t it be wonderful there”!


Dale Hendricks
Senior Pastor
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC