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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
March 14, 2018 - Most people search each day for more of what they do not have; peace, happiness and joy. All of which are very difficult to find in this present day world.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
To ask; is to realize that what we seek can only be found by being aware of the sovereignty of God. That only God can grant these things and that only by through humility can we effectively seek the peace afforded those who seek the face of God.
To seek; is to connect with God through reverent prayer and responsible action as we pursue the will of God in our lives. We must commit our lives to his will and wishes.
To knock; is to persevere. We are to persist in our prayers being confident that the Father will provide whatever is best for us, according to his sovereign, gracious will. Remembering it is his will and not our own that matters, for he sees all, knows all and does what is best for his children.
Jesus tells us even more about the grace of our Lord and what he will do for his children.
“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)
How wonderful can it be to be wrapped in the arms of our Lord?
For it is written: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Oh, the glory to be received by those who trust in the Lord and accept him as their sovereign Lord and Savior.
So what are we to do as children of the Most High God?
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
What we know as the “Golden Rule”, we are told here to be the basis for all scripture as the “Law and the Prophets” is the Hebrew name for the entire Old Testament.
For if we have accepted the Lord as our God and if we then treat others with grace then we too will be so treated by our Lord.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus warns us here that to follow God is not always easy, that he is the only way to the Father, that we must enter through acceptance of him as our Lord. And that the ways of the world will appear glamorous and inviting but not to be deceived for only the way of the Lord leads to eternal life in heaven, all others lead to death.
Which have you chosen, or which will you choose, for all must choose and all must live by their choices. Please make your choice the right one today. May the blessings of our Lord be upon you…
March 13, 2018 - Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church cordially invites you to our 25th Appreciation Service Honoring Pastor and Sister Freddie D. Wilson.
Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 3pm. Evangelist: Pastor A.L. Horton Sr. Reed Chapel Baptist Church San Augustine, Texas
March 12, 2018 - "Take Off the Mask," Women's Conference is set for Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10am at Open Door Worship Center.
Guest speakers are Sis. Stephanie Hicks of Center; 1st Lady Levarie Cloudy of Garrison; Minister Darlene Hawkins of Henderson; 1st Lady Shaneeta Rhodes of Timpson; Prophetess Annie Weaver of Lanesville, TX; and Keynote speaker Prophetess Rhonda Coleman of Athens, TX.
March 12, 2018 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club will meet Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church at 11:30 AM. The program will be presented by Matthew Mettauer concerning the upcoming school bond election. The program should be very informative and of interest to all.
Visitors are always welcome to join us for a delicious covered dish luncheon, a good program and time of fellowship.
March 12, 2018 - Sunday was the Fourth Sunday in Lent. It is still winter, but we have had a taste of spring this week. The days are getting longer; once we adjust to Daylight Savings Time, we will be able to enjoy the light-filled evenings. Of course DST has plunged our morning coffee into darkness. I guess we can’t have everything.
The Gospel Lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is John 3:14-21 and includes probably the most famous verse in Christianity—John 3:16. John intended for these verses to be words of comfort, love, and hope during a very difficult time in the early Jesus Movement.
About once or twice a year I cite the boy wizard, Harry Potter. I still remember the elementary kids at Joaquin Elementary carrying around these huge books. I wondered what had captured the imaginations of so many kids, so I read that first Harry Potter novel. I was hooked—books and movies.
In my sermon, I referenced the time when Harry’s wise mentor, Dumbledore, reminded Harry what the greatest magic was—love. John the Evangelist also believed that it was love—the love that Christ had that was the way and the truth.
Our Sunday school lesson was titled “There Is No God Like You.” The scripture was 2Chronicles 6: 12-21, speaking to the covenant that Yahweh made with David. The Israelites certainly believed that there was no God quite like their God: When Yahweh made a promise, it was always kept.
This past week several volunteers went to Focused Care in Center. Hilda was already playing and the residents singing when I got there. And unless you get the wrong idea, I wasn’t late! There were so many Joaquin folks that it was almost like a school reunion. The Cammacks joined us, along with Louise and Wanda. Fannie read a biography of Jesus that was very poignant. Nora sang two songs that are special to her church—Old Home Baptist. I shared my favorite Bible verse, Micah 6:8, which talks about what God requires of us. Ms. Hilda was lively on the piano, and we had a large crowd full of good singers.
“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. Godspeed.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Psalms 33:12
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life"… John 14:6
March 12, 2018 - A group of us "older folks" got into a discussion yesterday about how our country had changed during our lifetimes. We agreed that that the changes have been dramatic. When we were teenagers no one locked their homes or took the keys from their cars. Pot was what we cooked and washed the clothes in and we'd never heard of cocaine or amphetamines. Being called a "God-fearing" person was a compliment in those days… as was attending Church and praying at school and at ball games.
We were poor back then but not "stressed out". We didn't call a marriage license "just a piece of paper"… and believed in getting married before starting a family. We taught our children that work was good for them and so was honoring their elders. Mothers didn't kill their babies and there was no "pro-choice" movement and no ACLU.
America is sick today… and one thing worse than being sick is being sick and not admitting it. Millions of Americans don't really think anything has happened to us…and couldn't care less. These naive "Drunk-on-Entertainment" folks figure we've only lost jobs and money…. but we've lost a lot more than that.
We've lost our way.
March 9, 2018 - First United Methodist Church of Center is hosting Easter Eggstravaganza on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 1pm until 3pm. Come out for an afternoon of fun and games in the parking lot and field behind the church. Activities include Fuzzy Bunny Jump, Egg Toss, Floating Ducks, Horseshoes, Photo Booth, Pool Noodle Ring Toss, Bouncy Horse Race, Bouncy House, Ball Roll, Yard Bowling, and much more fun! Enjoy cotton candy and popcorn.
March 9, 2018 - I come into contact with lots of people on my day to day walk in life and I have found that all people are basically the same. We all can be a little hard to get along with at times. There are lots of people in this world who spend a lot of their time trying to please people. Some people ,like politicians and a few others , try to make their living pleasing people. But no matter how hard they try, they can never make all of the people happy.
The way I learned this lesson was going to a school to learn how to be a baseball umpire. We learned all the rules of the game and how to always be in the best position to make the best call.But of all the things I learned at this seminar, the thing that helped me the most was a pearl of wisdom given by an old veteran who said " Remember, no matter what call you make, or how sure you are that you made the right call, half the people watching the game are going to be mad." There is no way that you are going to make everybody happy. So stop trying. Instead focus on loving everybody. As Christians we are called by God to love everyone because that is within our control. Whether or not someone is happy or not, is under their control. Jesus Said " Love you enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
When you understand that of the 100% of the people you will know in your life that: 25% will never like you know matter what you do for them or give them, 25% will like you as long as you can do something for them, 25% will like you until you say or do something that upsets them, but there are 25% of the people that are going to like you no matter what. Try to spend as much of your time with those people as possible. Don't worry or beat yourself up when "friends" disappoint you or leave you.
Jesus says, "I am a friend that sticks closer than a brother." He also says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Remember that no matter what you have done in your life or what you might be going through, Jesus is there for you. He always has been and He always will be. Trust Him and find the joy that only He can give.
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard
March 8, 2018 - I see so many people who are running from the Lord.
If you attempt to speak to them about Jesus, they can’t seem to find a way out of your presence quick enough.
When I see someone who acts this way I want to just stop and read the 139th Psalm to them so they might better understand the futility of their actions. For the Bible tells us; “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4)
So what is the Psalmist telling us, he is saying; it doesn’t matter what you do, God knows it before you even do it. God knows where you will go today, tomorrow and next year. He knows when you are moving and when you are sleeping, he is right there through everything you might do.
If I could, I would read the following verses to those who think they can run from the Lord.
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, (the world of the dead) you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even then your hand shall lead me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light be about me at night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:7-12)
Where shall I go from the Lord? Nowhere, for he is everywhere, he is omnipresent which means he is everywhere at all times. God is omnipotent, which means he is all-powerful. God is the most powerful force in the universe, his power overcomes all other powers.
God is also omniscient, meaning he knows and sees all. No matter where you may be or what you may be doing, God is fully aware of your actions, your words and even your thoughts.
He knows all, sees all and controls all. He is the Lord God, the Almighty Creator of all things. You cannot get away from him nor deceive him in any way. So, why run away, why not instead stay and accept him as God and live for him and not against him for the rest of your days?
Pray this prayer from the 139th Psalm;
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Oh Lord God, may we all search our hearts and make our pleas to you for your amazing grace and limitless mercy to pull us out of the pit of destruction and lift us, O Lord, into the light of the Lord Jesus Christ to be held by you forever and ever, Amen...
March 7, 2018 - Friendship Baptist Church Joaquin, Tx Annual Missions Revival: God is our Sufficiency!
March 11 at 6pm; March 12-14 at 7pm.
Guest Speaker Evangelist Monty Martin
Pastor Stewart Lowe - 936-269-4056.
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