Wiles encouraged to “plant Psalm one trees” in opening worship session

Kicking off the first worship session of the Texas Baptists Annual Meeting on Nov. 16 in Abilene, Dennis Wiles, lead pastor at FBC Arlington, shared a message on loving God. 

Referencing Psalm one, Wiles asked attendees, “How would you describe a person who loves God?”

“A Psalm one person is the person who loves God with all their heart, their souls and their minds,” said Wiles.

Wiles said you can recognize a person who loves God by the way they behave. 

“You and I, we're going to love God. We're not going to be detoured. We're not going to be distracted by ungodly pressure,” said Wiles. “Sometimes we're going to have to understand how to live among those with whom we disagree, some who are finding their way in the way of the wicked… and we've got to still somehow live among them as the people of God.”

Wiles told attendees that you can recognize a person who loves God by what they believe.  

“If you love God, you're going to receive the counsel of God. Instead of relying on the counsel and the advice of the ungodly, you and I will go straight to the source,” said Wiles. “One of the ways that we demonstrate that we love God is we allow our lives to be saturated by God's truth.” 

Wiles said you can recognize a person who loves God by who that person becomes.

“When we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, something happens to us and we start to be transformed,” said Wiles. “When we become secure in our relationship with him, guided by his truth, committed to what's important to him, engaged in his redemptive mission, productively connected to his purpose… that person is like a tree intentionally planted adjacent to streams of living water, flourishing in every season, providing shade for people and bearing fruit to the glory of God.” 

Wiles concluded his message by encouraging attendees that “we need to plant some trees in Texas.” 

“The seeds we’re sowing are eternal,” said Wiles. “What we need to do is plant some Psalm one trees in this state and point people to a better life, a better future, and a better hope and a better Savior.” 

Noe Treviño, director of the Center for Missional Engagement at Texas Baptists, shared about Texas Baptists Worldwide, a missions giving opportunity for churches and individuals to support missions and ministry from the heart of Texas to the ends of the earth. An offering was collected for Texas Baptists Worldwide.

Kenneth Jackson, pastor of New Light Baptist Church in Lubbock, concluded the session in prayer. 

Worship was led by Eric McElhaney and the Abilene Community Choir.