The Bible is filled with warning after warning, reminding the church that false prophets and deceivers will try to enter into the flock and destroy it.  In the past few years, a false prophet of the worse sort has deceived more and more people and hindered more unbelievers from knowing the truth.  That deceiver is Benny Hinn – the featured “mini$try” tonight at Bi-Lo Center in Greenville.  While serving in South Africa, I spent hundreds of hours trying to repair the damage of this $cam arti$t.  It is mind boggling how foolish, naive and ungrounded people are today to fall for this con-man.

Here is the link that will show just a small portion of the lies, heresies, false prophecies and distortions of Scripture that make Benny Hinn Ministries one of the most dangerous “wolves” out there today.  http://www.christianresearchservice.com/Benny_Hinn.htm   I do not endorse this site necessarily, or the sites and articles it links to.  But it is documented and factual.

In closing, I thank God for the Holy Spirit and His ministries.  Though many don’t understand Him, and many distort Him, they cannot do away with His power and effectiveness.  Don’t let the $cam arti$t$ of today rob you of a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and the power of God that is available to those that are saved and submitted to Him.  The lies of the Charismatic movement are rampant and prevalent in our country, but the power of the truth and the real transformation and changes it brings is still alive and well.

Pastor

Nine years ago, our country was invaded and attacked.  My family and I were in  South Africa at the time.  It was around 3 in the afternoon when my wife’s family called to tell us that America was under attack.  We quickly drove to a friends house (since we didn’t have a TV) and got there in time to see the first tower fall.  I remember sitting there in shock and unbelief.  I took that old TV home with me and for 2 days sat watching the story unfold.  The images of the confusion, the pain, the helplessness, the American flags flying everywhere, the leadership of our President, the resolve to “hunt down those people that did this” were images that I will never forget.  I remember part of me was glad I was halfway around the world – safe from the terror that was gripping our nation.  The other part of me was angry because I was safe and couldn’t feel the pain and fear of my countrymen.  What a terrible time that was for all of us.

Little did we know how far things would erode in just 9 years.  Who would have ever believed that we would have a government and media that has done everything humanly possible to promote and further the agenda of those very people that did this to us?  Who would have ever believed that you can drive for miles and never see an American flag waving in someone’s yard or business?  Who would have ever believed that the Secretary of Defense would make personal phone calls to American churches, telling them what they can and can’t do?  Who would have ever believed that our freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom of the press would have been infringed to the extent that it is today?  I’m convinced that the attacks of 9 years ago are not nearly as threatening and destructive as the control, intimidation and manipulation that the Muslims have thrown over our land.  When the President, the military, the media and the leaders of our nation will stoop to any level in order to keep from offending the very people responsible for 9/11, something is terribly wrong!

Let’s not forget what happened 9 years ago. I know I won’t.

Pastor Shiflett

The Bible Institute begins classes this coming Monday night, September 6th at 7:00 PM.  We’ve got about 16 students enrolled this semester, and we’re excited about the classes and the additional teaching staff this year.  I’ll be teaching on the Local Church and Christian Leadership on Monday nights, and Brother Jack Holden’s class on the Effectual Prayer Life and Brother Doug Raynes class on The Doctrine of Christ will be a blessing on Tuesday night,  I promise you!

Take advantage of this great opportunity and get in on the classes. They are guaranteed to change your life.

We had a good number of men and boys out last night for soulwinning.  Praise the Lord for those that promised to come.  Don’t forget – Operation Saturation tomorrow at 2 PM.  We’ve got plenty of places to go, so bring the family and let’s get the seed out of the barn!!

Oh, by the way… The missionary family that was here Wednesday night, the Truels to Dominican Republic, welcome as many as wants to go with me on the missions trip later this year.  We’re still working on the dates, but it looks like it might be in November.  You’ll need a passport, so go ahead and get that while we’re waiting on the details.  You will need about $600 to cover airfare and meals, etc, so go ahead and gets started on that too.  I’m talking with the Truel’s pastor, Brother Stephen Williamson about when he’s going, because he’s the one that asked me to go.  Many of the church folk came to me after the service expressing a desire to go, so I’ll let you know when we’re going as soon as I get the info from him.  The passport can take a while, so don’t procrastinate. 

Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html to find out how to get started. 

Pastor

Just got in from Pastor Stephen Williamson’s church in Lexington, SC.  Man!  We had a ball.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the service.  I was thrilled to see a huge crowd of our folks there for the Jubilee.  I didn’t count them, but it had to be close to 40 that made the 2 hour drive.  There was a good spirit and tremendous liberty to preach.  I enjoyed hearing Brother Chad Watson again.  Good night what a message!  He had me fired up!!!  He preached on the band of men whose heart God had touched and knocked it out of the park.  Brother Eddie Davis’ message on “A Boy Named Jabez” was unreal.  I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than GOOD PREACHING!  Thank you Pastor Williamson for a great day of preaching, singing, testimonies and fellowship.

Getting ready for tomorrow, and expecting God to do great things. This month of prayer and fasting has opened the eyes of many of our folk to the undeniable fact that this power cometh only by prayer and fasting.  God’s done amazing things, and I’m convinced that many people that have never fasted before on a regular basis will be doing so after this month.   It works.  No doubt about it.

Keep Brother Dave Hughes and Zachary in your prayers.  They are visiting family and friends and witnessing to many on the West Coast over the next 10 days.  They’ve already had the opportunity to witness to several and God really opened doors, so keep praying for them.  I have lost track of how many hours of soulwinning were spent this week at Pleasant View.  The Backers witnessed to a Hispanic woman for 2 hours one night, and several of our men talked to a Catholic man for probably an hour on Thursday morning.  It’s amazing how many people around here are lost!

Let’s pray for many salvations during the next few weeks.  Let’s keep the MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!!

Pastor

PS. When you read something in all caps, thats not me hollering – that’s me PREACHING!!!

It’s hard to believe that the first week of school has already come and gone.  Time is flying!  We are thrilled with the good number of students enrolled this year and the sweet spirit and attitude that we have witnessed these first few days.  I believe it will be a great school year.

We’re gearing up for the start of our third year in the Institute.  So far, we’ve got about 15 students enrolled in the Fall Semester.  I’m excited about the upcoming classes and the potential that this ministry has to impact the kingdom of God.  I’m also looking forward to diving into the subject of the Local Church this fall.  I will be producing my own curriculum on this topic.  The angle that we will be studying is Paul’s words to Timothy; ” But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Tim. 3:15  The behavior of the Layman, the Pastor, the Leaders, the Missionaries, the Evangelist, etc.  The bottom line will be biblical ethics and having a Christlike relationship with the church.  I believe this class could produce enough notes and teaching to one day compile into book form.  I’d love to write a book one day entitled, “Biblical Behavior in the Church”.  Make this a matter of prayer will you?

We had a good time last night on visitation.  The Lord opened the door for the men to talk to several people about the Lord.  I am amazed at how many people do not go to church and live less than 3 miles from here!  It’s unreal.  But God is allowing us to meet these folk and present the gospel and get some seed in the ground, and I’m confident He will honor it.

Here’s a verse to chew on today. I Thess. 5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” AMEN!!

Pastor

I am preaching Saturday in Lexington SC for Pastor Stephen Williamson at their Jubilee.  It starts at 2:00 PM and will run up until around 5:30 or 6, then there will be supper.  Pastor Chad Watson from Hartsville, SC and Brother Eddie Davis will be the other two preachers.  If you want to follow us, let me know.  My van will be full, so I can’t take any more with us.  Here’s the address if you want to plug this into your GPS or do a Mapquest. 

334 Andrew Corley Rd
Lexington, SC 29072

If you have any questions, let me know. 

I’m rejoicing in the great services today.  Great liberty to preach, and it was a joy to welcome Brother and Sister John Porter and their 4 boys, and also Brother Stephen Raub to our church family!  Let’s keep praying and fasting and trusting God to do what He does best!  Oh, by the way, the new bluegrass group is awesome.  I love it!  Ya’ll learn a lot more songs – you are going to need them!

Pastor

As I promised, here are the notes for the Soulwinning Class we had this afternoon.  I really appreciate the large number of folk that came.  I didn’t count, but we made 50 copies of the notes, and didn’t have nearly enough, so thank you for coming out!  The questions were tremendous, and I hope the answers were a help.  Soulwinning is not complicated; its about being consecrated.  It’s not hard, but it requires heart.  It’s one of those things that you learn as you go and follow God’s leadership.  I didn’t get a chance to elaborate on this outline, but if you’ll look up the verses, you may get the idea of where we were headed before we got into the questions.  Actually, I prefer questions, so make a list for next week!

I. A Willing Heart – I Thess. 2:8

            A. Willing to Obey – Philemon 1:21

            B. Willing to Yield – Rom. 6:19

            C. Willing to Grow – Eph. 4:15

II. A Wise Heart – Ex. 35:10; 36:2

            A. Wise in the Scripture – Acts. 17:2; Acts 18:24; II Tim. 3:15

            B. Wise in the Situation – Matt. 10:16 – 18

            C. Wise in the Spirit – Matt. 10:19, 20

III. A Warning Heart – Acts 20:31

            A. Warn with Tenderness – love; not judgment

            B. Warn with Tears – Psalm 126:5, 6

            C. Warn with Truth – Eph. 1:13

We had the privilege last night to go up to Newport Tennessee.  Brother Larry Wells and his kind folk hold an annual Preacher’s Appreciation Banquet.  Grace and I rode up with Pastor Raynes, Sister Raynes, Brother Doug and Sister Chris. We had a great time of fellowship, laughter and some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.  It’s always a blessing to get with other men of God and their wives and see that others are still in the fight.  Thank you Pastor Wells and your people for a great time.

I’ve been chewing on Hebrews 4:14-16.  The more I look at it, the more wonderful it becomes.  I don’t know which part I like best – the part about Let us therefore come boldly, or the part about finding grace to help in time of need.  Wow.  That’s a great verse.  Verse 14 is the Believer’s Admonition (let us hold fast our profession).  Verse 15 is the Believer’s Advocate.  Verse 16 is the Believer’s Access.  Hallelujah!!  AMEN!  I might just preach on that tomorrow.  You never know.

School starts Monday at PVCA, so we’re gearing up for another great year of school.  Looking forward to God moving in the hearts of our students.  I’m excited about it.  I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for FALL.  I’m tired of this heat and humidity.  I’m about ready to split some firewood and get the sweaters out of the attic!

Looking forward to a great day in God’s house tomorrow.  We have a ton of folks promising to visit, so we’ll see. 

Pastor

It’s a little after 1 in the morning, and we just got home from church.  We had 2 wonderful services today.  Brother Stephen Williamson from Gethsemene Baptist Church in Lexington, SC preached for us today to celebrate our 4th anniversary at PVBC.  Both messages were tremendous, and I believe our church got a lot of help and instruction and encouragement as a result. 

The outpouring of love from God’s people was both humbling and overwhelming.  Grace, the kids and I were so overcome at the generosity of the church people, the precious testimonies and sweet cards and notes.  We are truly blessed and thankful to be at Pleasant View.  It has been a day we won’t forget for a long time.

I was thinking this morning as Brother Stephen was preaching how blessed I am to be able to do what I love to do, and get paid for it!  Dave Ramsey says the secret to success is learning how to get paid to do what you love.  If that’s the case, I’m successful!  I absolutely love pastoring, preaching, teaching, mentoring, visiting, soul-winning, studying, reading, praying and loving people.  To be taken care of by God’s people on top of it is the icing on the cake!

Thank you Pleasant View for 4 years of patience, love, support, prayers, kindness shown toward me, my wife and my children.  Thank you for all the benefits and perks that you provide for us.  Thank you for a place to come serve and worship.  Thank you for liberty to preach what God lays on my heart and liberty to lead as He leads.  I love you all with all my heart.  Looking forward to serving with you for many years more.

Pastor Shiflett

Four years ago today, we arrived in Taylors South Carolina.  After being in South Africa for 5 1/2 years, God moved us back to the States to do what we love most – preach, teach, witness, disciple, train and serve.  I awoke this morning with a great awareness of God’s divine intervention in my life.  I don’t deserve it, but He has been so good to me and my family.  I don’t feel worthy to proclaim His name, much less pastor the greatest church in the world.  But God has seen fit to use us and allow us to labor for Him here at Pleasant View Baptist Church for 4 years, and I want to publicly thank Him and praise Him for it.  It’s had its battles and disappointments, but the blessing and the sweetness has greatly outweighed the hard times.  I only regret that some chose to distance themselves from the vision God has given me.  I rejoice in the host of God’s people that have caught the vision and have joined with me to fulfil God’s plan and purpose for this church.  I am overwhelmed at the great move of God that I have witnessed this past year.  Seeing the church excited, united and working together for a common goal – to glorify God and further the kingdom of God, has been a great joy.  Watching people get saved, baptized, join the church, grow and learn is something I never get tired of seeing. 

God was good to allow Bro. Dean and I to lead a 39 year old man to Christ on Thursday night visitation.  His dad was saved 2 weeks ago during our weekly soul-winning.  Amazingly enough, it still works.  By His Spirit, people still get under conviction, bow their heads and hearts and accept Him.  The only glitch in the salvation process is on the part of the messenger.  The gospel still works.  The Spirit still works.  The Bible still works.  The method still works.  Are God’s people working??  That’s the question!

Tomorrow, we will enjoy a day of preaching, singing and fellowship as my dear brother, Pastor Stephen Williamson from Lexington SC preaches for us all day at Pleasant View.  I’m looking forward to what God wants to do.  I’m unworthy of all His blessing, but I am thankful and humbled by the love shown to me by the precious members of my church.  I am excited to see what God permits us to experience and accomplish for His sake in the future.

Thank you Pleasant View for 4 years.  Four great years.  I’m in the perfect will of God and I’m loving it.  I’m looking forward to what God wants to do for us in the next 4 years. 

Pastor Shiflett