Why Vote?

Every voter ought not merely to vote, but to vote under the inspiration of a high purpose to serve the nation. It has been calculated that in most elections only about half of those entitled to vote actually exercise their franchise. What is worse, a considerable part of those who neglect to vote do it because of a curious assumption of superiority to this elementary duty of the citizen. They presume to be rather too good, too exclusive, to soil their hands with the work of politics.

Popular government is facing one of the difficult phases of the perpetual trial to which it always has been and always will be subjected. It needs the support of every element of patriotism, intelligence and capacity that can be summoned.
—Calvin Coolidge

10 Reasons Why You Need to Have a Deaf Ministry

1. God's Love is for Everyone. "For God so loved the world" (John 3:16). Deaf people need to know the Gospel - they need to know about God's love. He still has compassion for everyone, including the deaf.


2. The Great Commission Includes All People. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The command to the church is to go to all nations. The Great Commission includes the deaf in your community and country.


3. Because Deaf People Can Bring Glory to God. "And God hath chosen the weak things...to confound the...mighty" (I Cor. 1:27). When deaf people sing, pray and serve the Lord, it touches the hearts of others to see what God can do. Deaf people do not have their country as other people groups, but they do have their own language and culture.


4. Because Deaf People Must Know That Someone Cares for Them. "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" (Ps. 142:4). They need to know that God loves them and that God's people also love them.


5. Because When You Reach One, You Reach Others. You will be reaching some people to whom no one else has ever taken the Gospel. 


6. Because Deaf People Need to be Discipled. "Go...and teach all nations" (Matt. 28:19). Deaf people should be taught to reach other deaf people. Who can best reach the deaf? Another deaf person.


7. Because Deaf People Have Souls. They have lost their hearing, but they do not need to lose their souls. You may be the only witness to the deaf in your area!


8. The Lord Had Time for a Deaf Person. "And they bring unto him one that was deaf" (Mark 7:32). The Lord took time from His busy life to help one deaf man. If Jesus helped one deaf person, so should His church.


9. God Calls Some to go to the Deaf. Not everyone is called to minister to the deaf, but God does call some. God calls some to use their hands to be His voice for deaf people. Someone must learn Sign Language and "go" into the deaf world as a missionary.


10. It Is Delightful. The deaf ministry at times may be very difficult, discouraging, demanding, and disappointing; but it is also very delightful. It is exciting to interpret, teach and preach the Bible in Sign Language and see the deaf understand with their eyes and be saved. 

Wednesdays in the Word 1 John 4:11-21

1 John 4:11-21

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from hi, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

What to Look Forward to on Wednesday at the 2016 National Sword of the Lord Conference

Join us for the 2016 National Sword of the Lord Conference!

All Sessions Are Free

No Registration Fees

Practical Workshops

Nursery Provided

Wednesday Workshops Include:

• Bus Ministry - Jeff Fugate
• Reformers Unanimous - Paul Kingsbury
• Legal Issues - Terry Hamilton
• Home and Family - Jim Townsley
• School of the Prophets - Dr. Shelton Smith
• Ladies Seminar - Betty Smith and Janet Walsh
• Music Seminar - Sterling Walsh

Less Than 2 Weeks Away!

This year the Sword of the Lord is celebrating 82 years of ministry, and we are looking forward to a blessed NATIONAL SWORD OF THE LORD CONFERENCE! In addition, we are also honoring a very special anniversary for Bro. Bobby Roberson (Conference Host)...60 years as pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, NC. In less than 2 weeks, we will get to hear biblical preaching with 14 main preaching sessions! We will also have seminars that will help you in your ministry. Additional workshops will be held for men and women on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons! We have something for your kids too-classes during the day sessions and a nursery are provided. The NATIONAL SWORD OF THE LORD CONFERENCE is an exciting 4 days for your whole family! Vendors representing all types of ministries will be located in the gymnasium-something for everyone! (Colleges, printers, educational materials, literature, technology, missionaries, evangelists, teaching helps, clothing, and others!) START PACKING YOUR BAGS AND PROGRAM THE GPS! We'll see you there! God bless you, Dr. and Mrs. Shelton L. Smith

Wednesdays in the Word 1 John 4:1-10

1 John 4:1-10

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Plan Now to Join Us for the 2016 National Sword of the Lord Conference July 25-28, 2016

feel free to download and print off a copy for your own use!

Wednesdays in the Word - 1 John 3:11-24

1 John 3:11-24

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

2016 National Sword Conference Speakers

2016 National Sword of the Lord Conference

Gospel Light Baptist Church

890 Walkertown-Guthrie Road

Walkertown, NC 27101

Don't miss the opportunity to hear from:

• Mike Allison
• Joe Arthur
• Max Barton
• Norris Belcher
• Larry Brown
• Mark Campbell
• Sam Davison
• Jeff Fugate
• John Hamblin
• Jon Jenkins
• Tim Rabon
• Bobby Roberson
• Lou Rossi
• Shelton Smith

Special Music:

• The Barnes Family
• Don and Kim Case
• Daniel Cox
• Terry Lawson
• Lonnie Moore
• The Smith Family
• The Sounds of Faith
• Sterling Walsh

All sessions are free. 

No Registration fees.

Workshops.      

Nursery is Provided.

Reflections for the Fourth

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

—II Chronicles 7:14

"I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.

I believe in love, even when I feel it not.

I believe in God, even when He is silent."

—written on the wall of a concentration camp in Germany in WWII

Passing Patriotism

Patrick Henry shouted, 

"Give me liberty, or give me death!"

The next generation shouted,

"Give me liberty!"

The present generation shouts,

"Give me."

In times of danger nothing is more common and nothing more dangerous to the Republic than for men to avoid condemning the criminals who are really public enemies by making their assault on the shortcoming of the good citizens who have been the victims or opponents of the criminals.

—Theodore Roosevelt

The Bill of Rights

What is The Bill of Rights?

It's the term for the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution. They are as follows:

I. Congress must not interfere with the freedom of religion, speech or press, assembly, and petition.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

II. The people may bear arms.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

III. Soldiers may not be arbitrarily quartered on the people.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

IV. Unreasonable searches are forbidden.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

V. The individual is guaranteed certain rights when on trial and the right to life, liberty, and property.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

VI. An accused person has important rights.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

VII. The rules of common law are recognized.

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

VIII. Excessive fines and unusual punishments are forbidden.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

IX. The people retain rights not here enumerated.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

X. Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Except the Lord Build the House

We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that "except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

—Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787

National Sword of the Lord Conference is just 3 weeks away!

Join us for the 2016 National Sword of the Lord Conference!

All Sessions Are Free

No Registration Fees

Practical Workshops

Nursery Provided

Tuesday Workshops Include:

• Bus Ministry - Jeff Fugate
• Reaching Adults - Norris Belcher
• Soul Winning - Ray Shutt
• Home and Family - Jim Townsley
• School of the Prophets - Dr. Shelton Smith
• Ladies Seminar - Betty Smith and Janet Walsh
• Music Seminar - Sterling Walsh

Wednesdays in the Word - 1 John 3:1-10

1 John 3:1-10

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Wednesdays in the Word - 1 John 2:18-29

1 John 2:18-29

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

In Daddy's Steps

I watched him playing around my door. 

My neighbor's little boy of four.

I wondered why a child would choose

To wear his dad's old worn-out shoes.

I saw him try with all his might

To make the laces snug and tight.

I smiled to see him walk, and then

He'd only step right out again.

I heard him say, his voice so glad,

"I want to be just like my dad."

I hope his dad his steps would choose

Safe for his son to wear his shoes.

And then a shout and cry of joy,

A "Hello Dad" and a "Hi-yu, boy!"

They walked along in measured stride

Each face aglow with love and pride.

"What have you done today, my lad?"
"I tried to wear your old shoes, Dad.

They're big, but when I am a man

I'll wear your shoes, I know I can."

They stopped and stood there hand in hand.

He saw his son's tracks in the sand.

His words—a prayer—came back to me,

"Lord, let my steps lead him to Thee."

—selected from the Sword Scrapbook II by Viola Walden

A Father's ABC's

Always trust your children to God's care
Bring them to church
Challenge them to high goals
Delight in their achievements
Exalt the Lord in their presence
Frown on evil
Give them love
Hear their problems
Ignore not their childish fears
Joyfully accept their apologies
Keep their confidence
Live a good example before them
Make them your friends
Never ignore their endless questions
Open your heart to their love
Pray for them by name
Quicken your interest in their spirituality
Remember their needs
Show them the way of salvation
Teach them to work
Understand they are still young
Verify your statements
Wean them from bad company
Xpect them to obey
Yearn for God's best for them
Zealously guide them in Bible truth

Wednesdays in the Word - 1 John 2:1-17

1 John 2:1-17

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not is him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walked in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Wednesdays in the Word - 1 John 1

1 John 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Wordless Sermon

A member of a church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him on a very chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace, and waited.

The pastor said absolutely nothing. In grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."

Not a word had been spoken.

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire, and immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."