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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
Forgiveness
February 28, 2017 - Such a simple term, such a difficult task at times. Forgiveness is the true test of the Christian's inner self, a true test of the level of faith in each of us.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) This verse follows the Lord's Model Prayer which is (Matthew 6:9-13).
Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the cross, even as they drove the nails through his hands. He is our example, our measuring board for our actions in life.
Job sat in sack cloth and ashes, covered by sores from head to toe, suffering extreme pain. Three of his friends came to console him, but instead they judged him guilty of some heinous crime due to his condition. Job however did not let them persuade him, for he knew he had done nothing wrong, instead he trusted in the Lord and the Lord repaid him double what he had before when his test was completed.
Like the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18, we are forgiven by our Master, so to must we forgive others or be judged as hypocrites.
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying; "I repent, you must forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4) Note, the scripture didn't say; "you might forgive him, no, it says, you must forgive him." It also tells us it may not always be easy to be a Christian. Not easy to forgive when we are wrongly or unjustly accused or blamed, not easy, but necessary, for the Lord says we must.
"And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he sat aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)
As the Lord nailed our trespasses to the cross and forgave us our sins, we too must forgive others of their trespasses and sins.
No matter the situation, whether it is in business, in our family life, with our friends, or in church, the command is the same. Forgive others as the Lord forgave you.
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are all members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:25-27)
Speak the truth, always, because we are all of the same family, the human family. You may be angered by the actions of others toward you, but you must forgive and not sin as they have sinned.
For if you do not forgive; you enable the devil to come into your life and hinder your faith, hurting only yourself. Stopping you from becoming the Christian you can be.
Lord, please, help us to bring the spirit of forgiveness and repentance back into our country, into our daily lives and into our churches.
Help us, O Lord to be the best we can be for your namesake, amen...
May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you this day...
February 27, 2017 - Bell Chapel Baptist Church, San Augustine, would like to welcome everyone to our Pastor's 7th Anniversary Service for Timothy Teel and Earnestine Teel at 2:30pm Sunday, March 5, 2017. The morning service is held at 11 am and will be lead by Service Minister Michael Jenkins, Associate Minister at Mt. Dena Baptist Church. Evening service is held at 2:30pm and will be lead by Reverend George Cartwright, Pastor at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church.
February 16, 2017 - (Flyer) - The Incredible Years Basic Parent Training Program. Come join us for dinner and childcare every Monday night!
The Incredible Years Consist of how to:
- Build strong relationships with children.
- Be a social/emotional and academic coach for your child.
- Provide praise & incentives to build social & academic competency.
- Set limits & establish household rules.
- Handle misbehavior.
You will learn how to use emotion management, problem solving, and social skills.
Time: Mondays at 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Open Door Worship Center, 900 Cotton Ford Road, Center, Texas 75935
Who to contact: 936-598-6315 + ext. Shelia Reed & Lucero Espinosa ext. 84; Deganda Brown ext. 33; Lisa Smith ext. 32: Chelcie Butler ext. 93
Next meeting: Monday, February 27, 2017. (This Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 is President's Day - No Meeting)
Every Monday, there after through May 15, 2017 at Open Door Worship Center 4:30pm -6:30pm.
Free childcare! And we can even get you there if you need transportation. Sponsored by: Tri-County Community Action.
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Psalms 111:9
February 27, 2017 - J. W. and I were students at ETBC in Marshall, Texas back in the fifties. We had several things in common: We were both ministerial students, drove '55 Fords, were both English majors and were both student pastors.
One Sunday he invited me to visit with him at his church in Weaver, Texas, (a small town in northeast Texas.) The building resembled many of the country churches of that time… a small sanctuary with two Sunday School rooms. As he walked me through the building, I called out, '"J", what is the seating capacity of the building?" He immediately grabbed me by the arm, pulled me to the side and whispered, "Doug, don't call me "J." "Call me "Rev. Baker"… "I want the people to respect me here." And since members were now arriving, I choked down my rebuttal for the time being.
As we drove home, I asked if he knew that Billy Graham never liked being called "Reverend". "'When Reverend" appears in the Bible," I said…" it is referring to God…not man". "People respect us by what we are", I insisted.
I haven't seen J.W. since we graduated from ETBC in the summer of '58. I heard he married a girl named Patricia that he called "the world's sweetest girl".
J. W. Baker was a good man and I have no doubt that he was respected wherever he went…..
….. Even by those who called him "J".
February 27, 2017 - The Shelbyville First United Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service including the imposition of ashes on Wednesday, March 1 beginning at 6:00 pm.
February 23, 2017 - Short United Methodist Church is hosting an evening of Singing and Fellowship at 4:00pm Sunday, February 26, 2017.
There will be congregational singing as well as special music for all to enjoy. Bring a song or two and a covered dish. We look forward to seeing you.
For more information contact: Kenny or Lisa Harris 936-332-5619.
February 22, 2017 - There was an experiment where a group of children were put in a classroom. A teacher was chosen to go into that classroom and teach these children. However, before the teacher went into the room they were briefed on the children's behavior. The first was told that these children were good students and that they had exemplary behavior. When the teacher went into the room she walked in smiling with a pleasant demeanor. She was eager to answer the children's questions. When asked at the end of the day how it went she gushed at how smart and easy these children were to teach.
The second teacher was briefed on the same class but was told that the children were difficult to control and slow to learn. Her approach to the children was vastly different. She was very stern in her speech and gave only short answers to the children's questions. At the end of the day the second teacher appeared much more stressed and told the researcher how difficult her day had been with these children. The researchers came to the conclusion that the teachers attitudes toward their work and the children were directly related to the positive or negative information they received. Positive counsel produces positive attitudes and results. Negative counsel produces negative attitudes and results.
We can easily apply these same principles to our lives. Have you ever worked with someone who always says "that will never work" before they even try? What about those who are constantly complaining? They seem to always want to share their misery with everyone. If we are to be happy and productive, we need to avoid those who would speak negativity into our lives. Instead you need to seek out those who can speak positive things into your life. We can use the principles taught in the Bible to help us overcome negativity in our lives.
First, we can make sure that we do not ask people who have predetermined, negative ideas about things for counsel. King David tells us in the first Psalm, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields it's fruit in season, it's leaf does not wither . And he will prosper in all he does." In other words when you seek counsel from someone who is not a Godly person, you cannot get wise, Godly answers. But if you align yourself with those who are seeking God, you will most often receive wise counsel that is led by the Spirit. The Bible promises us if we follow this principle we will always be successful.
Second, we must speak positive encouraging words into other's lives. When we speak encouraging words to others it not only gives them hope, but helps us to maintain a positive attitude and wholesome spirit. "We are what we speak." Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for edifying (building up), that it may minister grace to the hearers." We must learn to speak good things if we are to expect positive results. Our words are powerful, and must be spoken wisely.
God loves you and He wants you to live a happy, successful, joy filled life. When you meditate on the love that God gives us in His word and share through positive words to others, both of you will "bloom where you are planted." Believe Him, trust Him, and surround yourself with others who do the same, and He promises to never let you fail.
I'm just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
February 22, 2017 - St. Johns Episcopal Church will have an Ash Wednesday service at 2pm on Wednesday, March 1st. Communion will be served by Father Bob DeWolfe.
Everyone is invited to attend. Located at 1063 Southview Circle - 96 South.
February 22, 2017 - Mt. Mariah Baptist Church cordially invites you to come and share in this great event to be held March 5 at 3pm.
11941 East County Road 3285 Garrison, Tx. 75946. Rev. Arthur Cloudy, Pastor.
Come one, come all!
February 21, 2017 - St. Johns Episcopal Church is having its annual pancake supper on Feb. 28th Fat Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm.
Located at 1063 Southview Circle-96 South. Everyone is invited to attend.
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