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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
The righteous shall live by faith-
September 16, 2019 - The apostle Paul said these words of faith in the book of Romans as he describes his own faith in Christ Jesus when he says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) Paul more deeply describes this, faith for faith, in chapter three when he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament) bear witness to it - the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22) Faith as shown by Jesus as his faith in the Father, faith that allowed him to place himself upon the cross to die horribly for the sins of all mankind. Faith exhibited by Job as he sat in the garbage heap, covered in sores, having lost everything he owned, having no clue as to why he was suffering but having total trust in the Lord.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (Job 19:25-27) Faith undying, without question, without doubt. Job’s faith gave him joy and peace in the knowledge that his redeemer lives and one day he would see him in the flesh and be with him forever. But for those who refuse to do God’s will, which is to believe in the One whom he has sent, the Lord Jesus Christ, a much different story.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18)
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28)
“There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace fro everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:9-11)
All people must stand in judgement, for the believers, the judgement seat of Christ, but for those who do evil, the Great White Throne judgment, when all who come before him are judged guilty and sentenced to an eternal hell of suffering. I pray that you too will have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have been justified by your faith in him.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
Accept Jesus as Lord today and know forever the joy of living in him, knowing that your eternity is secure and that he waits for your arrival, forever at home with him…
September 16, 2019 - Please join Northside Church of Christ on Saturday, October 5th from 6pm until 7:30pm for an evening of "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." The theme is Great is Thy Faithfulness. Northside Church of Christ is located on US Hwy 96 North in Center, Texas. For more information, contact Nathan Cox, evangelist at 936-332-1091.
September 16, 2019 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club will meet Monday, September 16, 2019 in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church at 11:30 AM. The program for this month will be an “Old fashioned hymn singing” with everyone participating.
Visitors are always welcome to join us for a delicious covered dish luncheon, a good program and time of fellowship.
September 11, 2019 - Do any of us have the ability to fully comprehend the value of our influence? Because of our influence, none of us will go to heaven alone, we will take someone with us. However, conversely, none of us will go to hell alone either. We will take someone there with us also.
In the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus told his followers that they were the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Light illuminates and salt acts as seasoning and as a preservative. It is us to Christians to shine the light of the Gospel of Christ and illuminate a world in darkness. It is up to us to provide the seasoning to those within our sphere of influence. How bright is your light shining? You see, the only concept some folks have of Christianity is what they see in our lives. Because of our life, what is their concept of Christianity and the Church? Does the “thunder” of what we are drown out the “whisper” of what we say that we are?
In our business dealings, what is the concept that our associates have of Christianity? In our personal relationships, does the love of Jesus Christ show through in our lives or do people wonder how “Christians”, “church people” could be so low down and mean? If the image of Christianity and the church was dependent on your life, what would others think of Christianity and the Church? When people look at our lives, what is their concept of the church?
It’s something to think about… tbp
Join us for worship this coming Lord’s day at the Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
September 10, 2019 - The annual Mt. Herman Cemetery Homecoming is Sunday, September 15th at noon.
All are invited to bring their dinner to share and donations for the upkeep of the cemetery.
You can also send donations to Mt. Herman Cemetery Fund, 670 CR 1190, Center, Texas 75935.
September 10, 2019 - Joaquin First Baptist Church is hosting 'This is My Story, This is My Song,' an evening with Fanny Crosby on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 7pm. The program is written and performed by Dr. Shellie O'Neal.
Shellie O'Neal, award-winning playwright, actor, singer and teacher, portrays one of the world's most inspirational women in this 50-minute performance of story and song. Fanny Crosby, blind hymn writer of over 8,000 hymns, penned such favorites as 'Blessed Assurance,' 'Rescue the Perishing,' 'I am Thine O Lord,' 'He Hideth My Soul,' and 'All the Way My Savior Leads Me.'
Prior to the program a love offering will be taken up that will go to Joaquin Community Christian Services.
September 10, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother, Jesus. We are still in the midst of Ordinary Time; we here in East Texas are eagerly looking forward to autumn. Football season is here, but the fall-like temperatures have yet to arrive. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer. We actually had a brief respite Monday evening in the form of a thunderstorm; unfortunately, some of us also experienced a power outage along with the cooling rain.
I got a call from Don Dial representing the Gideon Society. The Gideons will send a speaker to Paxton Methodist on November 10th. Several past members of our church were Gideons, and our church continues to support their global mission.
Our Sunday school lesson carried on with the creation story. The focus of this lesson was on the second creation story found in the second chapter of Genesis. This story is more familiar to us: Adam falling into a deep sleep while God takes a rib and forms woman. The main idea of our lesson was God’s saying it is not good for the human to be alone. We are social animals, needing human interaction and friendships. Our author also suggests that it isn’t good for God’s purposes either if the human is alone.
Our son was in this past weekend, and next weekend our daughter is coming for a visit. Jacob came with Sue to worship time at Paxton. Most everyone at church mentioned the start of professional football—I know Larry Hume was pleased with the Chiefs’ game yesterday. The Texans play tonight, and I hope they have a good game.
The scripture for my sermon came from the Old Testament Lesson for Sunday—Jeremiah 18: 1-11. The vision that Jeremiah has in this scripture is of God as a potter and his chosen people as the clay. The young prophet is not full of good news once you get past the vision of the potter retooling and reworking his creation. In fact Jeremiah sees God as so disappointed that he contemplates walking away from the creation that he had declared “very good.” As with other the prophets in the Old Testament, Jeremiah provides a path—a way for the people to turn back to God.
This Wednesday will be September 11, which those of a certain age remember with sadness. But it has become Patriots Day, a more positive designation. I will join the VFW and other guests at this week’s commemoration at the historic Shelby County Courthouse.
Our worship time is 10:00 AM; we would love to have you come to worship with us. I know how very busy everyone is: Our early meeting time enables you to move on to family get-togethers or jobs afterward. Not to mention naps, which my wife says are best on Sunday afternoon. Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here.” Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist you can send me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
August 28, 2019 - The Jackson Missonary Baptist Church is hosting a men’s “Bible and Burger” an evening of worship and fellowship. We invite all men of our community to attend Tuesday, September 10th, 2019. Burgers will be served with chips and a drink starting at 5pm. We invite those who come to join us for Men’s Bible Study starting from 6pm-7pm.
We pray to see you there! God bless,
Jackson Missonary Baptist Church is located at:
11120 State Highway 7
Joaquin, Texas 75954
Office: (936) 269-3370
Any questions please contact Keith Jones Cell: (936) 645-3805
September 9, 2019 - Clever Creek Baptist Church at 199 CR 1042 just off FM 417 W will have their annual Homecoming and Cemetery Celebration on Sunday, September 29th. The Church Sunday School will be at 10 am and the special worship and Homecoming/Cemetery Celebration will be at 10:55 am.
Bro. Doug Fincher, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Augustine and a native of Center and Shelby County, will preach for the Homecoming. Bro. Doug grew up in Shelby County. He was called to preach and served in many area churches for many years.
The Moon Family (Shannon, Jeanie and daughter Bethany) from Ragley, LA, will lead the music and give special music. Maureen Kennon will also present special music for the service. The Moon Family have been leading worship together for more than 15 years. They currently live in Ragley. They have led worshp in many area churches and are currently attending and serving The Family Place Church in Reeves, LA, where Bethany is the worship leader. It is their desire to serve the Lord using the gift of music to praise His name. “I tell you, if these stones should keep silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 9:40).
After worship there will be a “dinner on the ground” for all who would like to stay for food and fellowship. A special offering will be taken for the maintenance of the Clever Creek Cemetery and for the special guests working with this event. The church is seeking to build an endowment to assure the maintenance and care of the cemetery. We hope that you will join us for this exceptional program of worship and witness.
September 9, 2019 - After shopping in Lufkin .last week, Pam and I drove through a Barbecue Drive-thru Lame and ordered sandwiches to eat on our way home. When I opened mine, I instantly recognized the aroma of good barbecue, but my joy was short-lived. Suddenly barbecue sauce was dripping all the way through the bun as it came apart in my hand. When we reached The Neches River Bridge, I casually asked Pam if she liked the barbecue. “It wasn’t barbecue,” she laughed! “It was meat sauce!”
And I began wondering how much “Meat of The Word” is being served in our modern churches. The preaching was so powerful the night I was converted that bashful, fourteen year old Henry Fincher couldn’t wait to accept Christ. I’m 86 now and haven’t forgotten how John Rawlings preached that night in 1947—it was like he was speaking only to me.
There are many Henry Finchers seeking peace of mind in the world today. But a church that only offers only a “feel good” pep talk and a little entertainment is offering barbecue without meat. It’s the “Meat of The Word” that brings us both conviction and peace of mind. I’ve heard it preached many times in hospitals, revival meetings, jail houses…in churches large and small. And when it’s preached by a God-called preacher, nothing equals its power. It will lead us to the Lord Jesus…
… and all the way to heaven.
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