By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Seymour

Focal Passage: Numbers 32:20-32

It’s hard to believe that we have entered 2020!  A new year brings a pause as we remember the year we are leaving behind. It brings anticipation as we look forward to a new year. Twenty years ago we entered a new millennium. Now, here we are 20 years later. It’s true what they say, “Time stands still for no one.”

The beginning of a new year is a good time to stop and reflect on God’s faithfulness to us over the past year. It is also a good time to reflect on our faithfulness to Him and to renew our commitment to the Lord as we move forward into a new year.  Our lesson this week in Numbers 32:20-32 reminds us that God expects His people to keep their promises and commitments. [Read more…]

By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Numbers 27:12-23 

God calls and commissions believers in every generation to carry the message of the gospel to the world. One of the most special days of my life occurred on Aug. 18, 1991, when I was ordained to the ministry. As I knelt before the members of First Calvary Baptist Church in Leesville, S.C., the ordained men of the church laid their hands on me, prayed over me, and charged me to preach the gospel of Jesus. [Read more…]

By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Numbers 22:22-35

God calls individuals and uses whatever He chooses to accomplish His purposes in the world. Today’s passage is somewhat humorous in that God can even use a donkey! God used a donkey to speak in order to get the attention of Balaam, a well-known Mesopotamian diviner. If God will speak to and use a man like Balaam, God certainly calls His followers to represent Him and His purposes in this world. As followers of Christ, we need to be ready to respond obediently when God calls.  [Read more…]

By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Numbers 20:1-13

Being a Christian leader is humbling, rewarding and challenging! Leaders should remember that we serve the Lord first and foremost. What a humbling and rewarding calling! Being a Christian leader is also challenging.

It comes with a lot of responsibility and it is not an easy road. As we serve God’s people, we must carefully obey the Lord and His Word. We cannot serve in our own strength. We must rely on the Lord each step of the way and always follow His direction in our lives and the ministry He has called us to. Complete obedience is the standard. Indeed, complete obedience is what God requires of His leaders. [Read more…]

By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Seymour

Focal Passage: Numbers 14: 5-19 

The idea of God judging our sin, our disobedience and lack of faith is not one of our favorite subjects. The truth is that God is love, but He is also a God that will punish our sin and disobedience. When we come to Numbers 14:5-19, we see the heartbreaking story of the consequences of disobeying God. God had a land flowing with milk and honey awaiting His people.

Yet, because of their lack of faith and disobedience, a whole generation of people were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. There are several lessons we need to learn from this passage… [Read more…]

By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Seymour

Focal Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

One of my favorite memories I have of my dad took place when I was around 4 years old. It was a Saturday morning, and it had snowed overnight in the midlands of South Carolina where we lived. That was the first time I remember seeing snow and I was mesmerized!

We lived in the country, and directly across the road from our house was a pasture with a couple of beautiful horses. If you followed the fence line of the pasture, it eventually went into the woods that consisted of tall pine trees and oaks. That particular morning, as the sun came over the horizon and sent its rays across the freshly fallen snow, it created a magical landscape unlike anything I had ever seen.  [Read more…]