Shelby County Today

February 22, 2018 - Toledo Bend Cowboy Church is hosting Terry Terrell in a concert Sunday morning at 10:30 and again at 6:30 PM on Sunday, March 4th, as well as Monday, March 5th, at 7:00 PM. There will be a covered dish dinner Sunday night at 5:30. 

Terry Joe Terrell grew up in the small Mississippi town of Foxworth. He was brought up in Pleasant Hill Pentecostal Church, where his father, Bro. Marvin Terrell, was the pastor, and after 48 years, still is. His mom, Annie Faye Terrell, was a prayer warrior who made everyone that came there feel like family.

At the young age of eleven, Terry experienced a tragedy. His mom passed away. Over the next seven years Terry grew bitter that his world had fallen apart. During this troubled time, Terry fell in love and married a girl from his church. God later blessed their home with a son and daughter. This brought some comfort to his life. However, he knew something was missing...

Then one night, while visiting his dad’s church, Terry was filled with the Holy Ghost. He finally found the Friend he had heard his mom speak of so many times.

In 1992 Terry took a leap of faith. He went to Big Stone Gap, VA, to cut a project with the Singing Cooks. With just a small sound system and his sound tracks placed in the trunk of his car, he and his family set out to be a witness through songs.

Twenty-two years later God is still opening new doors across the United States. Terry hopes for many more years to continue to have the opportunity to tell about his Friend, Jesus Christ.

Toledo Bend Cowboy Church is located at 2543 Fm 3172, Shelbyville, Texas 75973.

February 20, 2018 - First Baptist Church Timpson presents, Broken Vessels in concert, Sunday, March 4th at 6pm. You are invited to a great night of singing and fellowship as Broken Vessels will bless you through fun stories about their adventures in life as well as with their musical and vocal talents.

Broken Vessels is a Christian Music group from Branson, MO. They travel full time, performing in concert venues and ministering in churches across the Country. In a concert/service with Broken Vessels, you will hear new material in the Southern Gospel and Contemporary Christian style, as well as favorite classics that have stood the test of time. Broken Vessels strives to have something for their entire audience, no matter the musical taste.

Lisa’s extraordinary vocal abilities will have your spirit soaring, and Scott, along with singing, is a nationally recognized keyboardist. This award-winning husband/wife team founded Broken Vessels in 2009 and are on the road 300 days of the year. A part of their ministry is the testimony of Scott's healing from a Brittle Bone disease that, by medical standards, should have him in a nursing home, unable to do anything for himself. However, after giving his heart to the Lord, he's traveling the Country, telling everyone he can, that no matter what you’ve been through in your life God Uses Broken Vessels. We hope you and your church will set March 4th at 6pm aside to come and worship together at FBC Timpson. No Tickets Required but a “Love Offering” will be received.

You can find out more about Broken Vessels at www.BrokenVessels.org or by calling (251) 225-9328.

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...