Shelby County Today

February 15, 2018 - Mt. Zion invites everyone to share with us this Sunday, February 18th at our 11a.m. Worship Service as we continue our celebration of Black History Month.

Our special guest speaker is Briona Wilson. 

Briona Jeane’ Wilson, is the daughter of Rev. Elgena Weaver, Pastor of the Mount Zion CME Church of Center, Texas. She has two younger sisters Kiona Wilson and Diona Weaver. Briona graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 2012 and went to East Texas Baptist University to pursue and completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology in May 2016. Following graduation, she desired to pursue higher education. She attended Lamar University to obtain a Master’s degree in Biology. She has been on the dean’s list with honors consecutively, was named Who’s Who among colleges and universities at ETBU, and received Graduate assistantship/scholarships throughout her college career. Briona was the Vice-President Sigma Pi Sigma of a pre-professional group. Yet, none of these top her opportunity to go on a mission trip to South America in Ecuador to serve and provide personal/medical supplies as well as health and wellness check-ups in this underserved area. Her ultimate goal is to receive a doctorate of dentistry and go on to do a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. Currently, she is a medical scribe for the Nacogdoches/Lufkin area. Her favorite scripture that encourages her is “I press on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Briona exemplifies a spirit of excellence and resilience despite the challenges that life may bring and, through Christ, she believes that nothing is impossible.

February 14, 2018 - We hear much uncertainty about what many call “the end times” though there is no “end time” but only a “new time” to come.

And yes, there is much uncertainty about just what is going to be when that time does come, when the Lord God passes final judgement.

While there are many uncertainties please let me show you an absolute which is going to happen, as the Lord speaks through the 75th Psalm; “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.” (Psalm 75:2) God is saying that at the time he has appointed that he will judge all people fairly without consideration to race, creed or color. But, only by the lives that they have lived will all be judged. 

“When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars.” (Psalm 75:3) In Revelation 16 we find this time when there will be a great shaking of the earth and giant hailstones falling from heaven and every island shall flee, the sea will be no more, and no mountains will be found. A time like none other in history.

“I say to the boastful, “Do not boast,” and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.” (Psalm 75:4-5) 

God cautions the boastful and the wicked about being proud or haughty when they are called to him for repentance. God is warning them not to be snobbish nor arrogant but to be humble and follow his will and not their own.

“For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgement, putting down one and lifting up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7) There you have the absolute of judgement, it is God and God alone who will execute judgement on all. 

There are disagreements between various groups about how this is to happen. Will there by only one judgement or will there be two. 

The Bible speaks in Revelation chapter 20 of such when it speaks of a first resurrection when it says; “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power.” (Revelation 20:6) And it speaks of a judgment which it calls, “The Great White Throne Judgement” when Satan is finally defeated and he and all his followers are thrown into the “lake of fire”. 

“Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:13-15) 

Though many may debate these judgements as to whether they are separate or only one, the fact remains that God and God alone is going to be in charge of all that happens and God alone will judge each one with equity. Being just, God will allow the lives we have lived to be our evidence of service to him. Our profession of faith in the Lord Jesus as our proof of salvation.

Folks, this will certainly happen, the question now is; will you be ready, are you ready, if he calls us today will your name be found in the book of life? May his blessings be yours today...

February 14, 2018 - First Baptist Church of Center will not have any Wednesday night services on February 14, 2018. All activities are canceled.

February 11, 2018 -  Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday. This is the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday is early this year, falling on Valentine’s Day. Lent is the forty days before Easter when we study the last weeks of Jesus’ life, preparing our hearts and souls for Easter. Easter this year is April 1st –April Fool’s Day. Strange year! 

I used the Old Testament lesson for Transfiguration Sunday from 2 Kings 2: 1-12. In this scripture story, the greatest of the Hebrew prophets, Elijah, is nearing the end of his life. He is on a quest to the Jordan; his student and successor, Elisha, refuses to stay behind. Elisha received from his mentor Elijah his teacher’s coat and also asked for a double of Elijah’s spirit. Christians see Jesus as their mentor as well as their savior. We are to model our living on how Jesus lived and interacted with others. Our efforts to follow in Jesus’ footsteps must be genuine: We must be willing to keep trying until we get it right a lot more often than not.

Fannie had a great Sunday School lesson from James 3: 1-12. This part of James deals with our inability to bridle our tongues. So often we speak without thinking, which of course causes problems. James was speaking to a small Jesus community that couldn’t afford to ignore or discount the feelings of other members. The early Jesus communities had many enemies—from the religious leaders to the Roman Empire. Churches then and today must be prophetic voices calling for unity and respect for all people. 

There will be a memorial service for Nancy Thompson this Saturday at 2:00 PM at Paxton Methodist. Nancy is the daughter of Lillie Townsend and sister of Liz McCoy. Lillie, Liz, and Liz’s husband Mike always come to Paxton Methodist when they are at the East Texas farm. There will be a meal for the family afterwards at the home of Fannie Watson.

“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.