ccm Cross 0224 Wolf Creek Baptist Ch Locust Grove, GA

ccm Cross 0224
Friday April 26, 2019

Wolf Creek County Line Baptist Church
3352 Old Jackson Rd
Locust Grove, Georgia
ccm Cross 0224

GPS/DMS 33°20’26.40″ N 84°06’10.80″ W

Additional Photos After Testimony

4875 cdd Peace and Order
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 20 Number 124

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” NKJV

Hello, my name is Deacon Ernest Wise with Wolf Creek County Line Baptist Church in Locust Grove, Georgia. I was born not far from here in Jackson, Georgia the third of six children. My dad was a farmer of cotton and corn. We also raised chickens and hogs. Mom did everything and anything that was necessary. Our dad left the family when I was five and momma carried on. Momma made sure we were in church every Sunday.

I received Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was 8 years old at a Friday night Fall Revival. It was right here at this church! Jesus was our light and the whole family worked to support us. For me that meant a paper route, cutting grass and raking leaves for our neighborhood.

The entire family worked for our Sharecropping Grandfather. He was a lifelong Cotton Picker. We would each get an empty sack and begin picking cotton. When the sack was full it was weighed and dumped on the wagon. When we reached a ton (2,000 pounds) grandpa would drive with his team of horses to the Cotton Gin. There he left our crop of cotton and he was paid. He would return and pay each of us between 50 and 75 cents per pound (based on current prices) for the cotton we picked. We would pray together and thank the Lord for the work and our money.

In the 11th grade I quit school and took on a full-time job. It was me and momma picking cotton to pay the bills.

When I was 19 years old my life was cemented. I became a Henry County Sheriff Patrolman. Shortly after, I married my wife Zadie. We raised 7 children. Five girls and two boys.

I worked 10 years for the Henry County Sheriff’s Department reaching all the way to Captain. I left the Sheriff’s department starting my own construction company. Construction sustained us for the next 30 years with a maximum number of 32 employees.

In 1994 I crashed my motorcycle. The impact crushed my knee. I had a total knee replacement before it was fashionable. It was a tough time, but the Lord brought us through. Many of the doctors thought I should have died from the impact, but the Lord was looking out for me. Financially things got very tough. But the Lord provided. We received money from the most unusual paces. We received a car as a gift. And our two boys received football scholarships which included a paid college education.

I’ve been a deacon in the church for many years. I’ve worn many hats for the Lord but what I like to do best is keep peace and order for the Lord’s people. When something needs to be done, we get right on it. Just like this Cross, Pastor Bill. Thank you for delivering this Cross and now that it is here, we will take special care to insure it always looks its best. We’ll install flowers under the Cross and make it is a prominent part of who we are.

My favorite Bible verse has been with me since I was a child: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It was true 2,000 years ago and it is true now!

Looking back, growing up we were poor, but we didn’t know it. Every day we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and we had plenty of whatever we needed. My philosophy has always been that with the Lord I can make it. With Jesus by my side I did the best I could in every situation and never complained.

I put my trust in the Cross as a symbol of what Jesus did for me. That trust is available to all who ask. Come to the Cross — come to Jesus.

A hefty bank account with many assets is one way to measure wealth. There is another way to measure wealth as in we have 7 children, 28 Grandchildren and 18 Great grandchildren. I’d say I’m a very wealthy man.

Prayer: Father thank you for all the Deacons around the world that faithfully grow up in the church and are there in their sunset years making sure there is peace and order for the Lord’s people.