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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
Sealed by the Spirit, Saved by Grace
"And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
May 30, 2017 - Peter made this statement on the day of Pentecost to the thousands of people who had gathered and who witnessed the miracles of the coming of the Holy Spirit over the apostles that day.
Realizing from the preaching that day that they were responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, they began to ask what they could do to be saved.
This verse, (Acts 2:38) was Peter's response to their request for salvation.
Paul then gives us a much clearer picture of salvation and meaning of the gift of the Holy Spirit for all who believe and accept Christ as Lord.
"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-12)
Paul explains that the apostles were chosen by God and he goes on to explain what happens to us when we are called by the Word of God.
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) Wow!
There we see the beauty of the salvation of the Lord. Just as with the original apostles and disciples of Christ Jesus, we too are sealed with the Holy Spirit, saved from the penalty of sin as we wait for the day when we can take possession of our inheritance, that glorious day when we join with the Lord.
God saves us from sin through the blood of his Son, he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, sealing us from evil. That is what salvation truly means, to be sat aside from the world, sealed by the Holy Spirit, destined to be in the glory of the Lord in heaven. As long as we follow the Holy Spirit each day, nothing can separate us from the Lord.
Let me ask you, what of this world, what worldly pleasure or treasure can be as valuable as the salvation of the Lord?
Why then do you wait? Why then do you resist the Spirit's call? If you have not accepted Christ as Lord, then please, do so today.
Just stop what you are doing and submit to the Lord. Bow your head and bend your knee to him and say to him in prayer.
"Jesus, I am a sinner who wishes to be saved from my sins. I believe in you Lord Jesus, I believe that you came from heaven to earth to live and die, for me. I believe that the Heavenly Father raised you from the dead. I believe that you then ascended back to heaven where you live and reign today. I ask you Lord Jesus this day. Please Lord, save me!"
If you pray that prayer, in earnest, having faith and believing in your heart the words you are speaking, you will be saved.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day...
May 30, 2017 - Ramah Cemetery's annual meeting is Saturday, June 3rd at 11:00 AM with a covered dish dinner at 12:00 noon.
May 29, 2017 - VBS at Old Home Baptist Church will be Monday, June 5 thru Thursday, June 8th from 6:00 - 7:30. Come out and learn about the Super Heroes of the bible at "Hero Central". There will be Story Time, Snacks, Science Projects and Fun and Games. Classes start at Age 3. Call or text for more details 936-332-9293.
“Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in…that my house may be filled..” Luke 14:23
May 29, 2017 - A few years ago, Pam and I visited Arizona’s Saguaro National Park near Tucson and it has since become one of our favorite vacation stops. Along with the display of animals in their natural habitat, there’s a large avian enclosure that houses numerous species of gorgeous birds. Orioles, warblers, doves, and buntings all fed, watered and nested in the lush trees of this large wire enclosure. They all seemed so happy, and none of them were trying to get out.
Then we noticed an unusual thing. Scores of wild birds were hanging on the outside of this wire enclosure trying to get in! Woodpeckers, jays and wrens frantically sought to get through the wire mesh to be with the tame birds.
And I thought: this place is like some of our churches. The members are so busy eating, drinking and enjoying the safety of their home that they haven’t even noticed that wild ones are wanting in. And there’s one thing for sure: They’ll never get in….
… until we show them The Way.
May 29, 2017 - Sunday morning began with a little rain. When I started to Paxton, it was raining pretty good. By the time worship was over at 11:00, it was a sunny, warm, humid day. There are no promises in the weather department for Memorial Day. Sunday we celebrated the ascension of Jesus. This was another milestone in the church’s history, considered an important holy day. And of course, for us modern Americans, it was Memorial Day weekend. This solemn day dates back to just after the Civil War in the United States, called Decoration Day. Today’s families take a break, get together, have cookouts and remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For the church the ascension marks the moment when the baton was handed off from Jesus to his followers, charging them with spreading the good news and helping bring God’s Kingdom upon the earth. Part of my sermon was also about the 2016 Chicago Cubs winning the World Series. As most everyone knows, I am a big Cubs fan, and I just finished reading a book about the Cub’s super year.
Our Sunday school lesson finished up a quarter, so we got new lesson books. Today’s lesson also finished Jonah’s story. We all know that instead of Jonah being happy that the people of Nineveh repented and that God saved the city, Jonah was angry at God for his great mercy. I think this strikes a chord in all humans, as we certainly want God and others to forgive us our shortcomings—but we are a lot less willing to forgive. We are not really sure that we want God to care for our enemies.
At the beginning of our Sunday school class, we had a nice surprise when Carolyn came in. Carolyn has been in Pennsylvania for the longest; we were so happy to see her and to hear what she has been up to. As our Sunday school class was ending, we had another surprise. Hilda and her sister Linda came in. Hilda looks so good, and her health is defiitely improving. Our numbers this morning soared into double digits. Cynthia played the piano for us again, which really appreciate. All month we have been collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services. In June we will be collecting paper towels and toilet paper. Next Sunday is Pentecost, when we celebrate the official birth of the Jesus movement and also Holy Communion.
We had our ministry at Lakeside this week. Pastor Matt started the program with prayer. Sue then spoke to the group, telling them how Mrs. Hilda's rehabbing was coming along. With accompaniment from Joyce Hughes, we sang a number of congregational songs. Tori was unable to attend, but Nora, Gene, and Jo kept us in tune (well, they tried) and making a joyful noise (more realistic). Joyce sang and played a lovely special of "Like a River, Glorious." Nora sang her soulful "Put a Little Love in Your Heart." Gene recited and then sang a modern favorite, "Hymn of Promise." At the end of the program, he led us in a stirring rendition of "God Bless America." Fannie read that hilarious piece, a 9-year-old's interpretation of God. Ollie read a sweet story of a little boy and an elderly man, both seeking God and finding him in each other. Sue recited various jump rope chants and song parodies from her childhood, like "On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese" (to "On Top of Old Smoky"). Matt did a devotional on Jacob, choosing various verses to show how Jacob's faith evolved and matured over time.
“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.
May 26, 2017 - Lone Cedar Missionary Baptist Church will have revival May 29 - June 2 starting at 7pm each night.
Evangelist will be Bro. John Raines, with music led by Bro. Jay Pollan and pianist Bro. Travis Worsham.
Bro. Hiram Melton, Pastor.
May 26, 2017 - Have an un-bear-ably fun adventure at VBS this summer!
At Camp Our VBS, kids will discover an important truth that Jesus is the light!
First Baptist Church Tenaha June 10-11. Fun begins at: 8:30AM Saturday, June 10th and ends at 2:30PM. Sunday Celebration: June 11th at 10:30AM.
For more information, call: 936-248-320
May 26, 2017 - Lydia Missionary Baptist Church invites you to Summer Revival on Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 11am until 6pm and June 5-7 at 6pm nightly. Special music by Bro. Josh Adams and family. Special speaker is Bro. Josh Adams.
Lydia Missionary Baptist Church is located at 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, Texas 75973. For any questions or more information, call 936-368-2462.
Wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee? Psalms 85:6
Songs from Danny Paul Windham’s New Recording Project to be Included
May 25, 2017 - As part three of its 2017 Concert Series, First United Methodist Church in Center presents in concert the band Watlington, Peppard, Shelton, and Scott. The group of veteran musicians will lead praise and worship, present original material, and provide audience-interactive musical comedy this Saturday night, May 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the FUMC Fellowship Hall. In addition, the band welcome’s special guest Danny Paul Windham who will perform selected tunes from his new studio CD project. Admission is free and everyone is invited.
May 23, 2017 - We all know the world is in a mess, that there is turmoil in all things and in all places, hate and racism spewed by all colors of peoples toward others. Injustice upon people of other faiths, creeds and colors. Famines, droughts, floods, earthquakes, and storms dominate the news and our lives. If you watch the "news" all you will see are bad things.
So people worry, people are anxious about their lives. While this is natural for us humans, it is not useful nor recommended.
Let me tell you what the Bible says about being anxious or worrying your life away.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow not reap nor gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26)
Jesus is telling us that man is God's most prized possession on earth and he breaks down our needs to the most basic; food, drink and clothing. You are probably thinking; well I have many more concerns that those few basic needs. I ask you then, why?
Why are you worried about the things of this earth? Do you not know that all the physical things of this earth will eventually be burned up and only the Words of God left for eternity? That is why Jesus keeps things so simple, for those are the only things that truly matter. At the end of this age as the world changes and this heaven and earth pass away only two things will be left from all that you see today. God's Word and God's children, the saved of this world, all else will be gone, burned up. Don't worry about it!
Jesus asks us; "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Matthew 6:27) Think about it. Just what good does it do to worry or be anxious about the things of this world. The world we know is temporary, heaven and hell are permanent and our destiny is in one or the other.
Then what should I do? How should I conduct my life here on earth if I am not to be concerned about the things of this world?
Jesus explains the things that worldly people seek after which include; what we will eat, what we will drink, what we will wear, most would include what we would call "the finer things of life", but we are talking about the physical rewards of life on earth.
About those he says this; "For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all." (Matthew 6:32) God knows our needs and will provide for them, Jesus gives us the path to follow. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
By keeping our lives simple and looking for the spiritual things instead of physical things, if we seek we will find, the right thing, the kingdom of God.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34)
Try these three principles in your life. First, do your very best in everything you do. Second, pray often for guidance and inspiration from our Lord. Third, leave everything else to the Lord for by our weakness, His strength is shown to all.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day...
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