+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
July 1, 2024 - Come out, worship, fellowship, and help us 'Pack the Pews' during our annual Family and Friends Day, on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 2:30pm. Pastor Alvin Davis of Open Door Worship Center, Center, Texas will be our guest minister. ALM's regularly scheduled 10am service is canceled for the day.
You are welcome and invited to join us in celebration, as well as any of our other regularly scheduled weekly services.
Abundant Love Ministries is located at 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas 75935.
“He was lost and is found…” Luke 15:32
July 1, 2024 - In the summer of 1980, Mother called her ten children to tell us our dad was missing. His habit for years was to rise at 4:00, drive to his Water Superintendent’s Office in East Center, Texas and return home at 8:00 for breakfast. But this day he didn’t return.
We asked J.M. Warr to fly his plane over the Jericho area and look for his truck. (Daddy made frequent early morning drives down these peaceful roads). Meanwhile, family members frantically searched the myriad of Sand Hill roads, but found no trace of Daddy. But on the second day of searching, we received a radio message from J.M.’s plane: “I’ve spotted Henry’s truck… it’s on a hillside in the Snow Hill community.”
When we finally located the right road, we found him lying about twenty yards from his truck. His mattered eyes were almost swollen shut and fire ants covered the bleeding cuts on his face and arms. As I leaned over him weeping, he weakly raised his hand and whispered, “Son, don’t worry… I’m alright.” He then desperately clutched the cup of water we’d gotten from the nearby spring.
We later learned that Daddy had stuck in deep sand as he returned from a drink from the spring. But as he jacked up the back of the truck, the jack gave way and the truck backed over him as it rolled downhill. He intermittently gained consciousness during his two days in the scorching sun and had almost given up any hope of rescue. To our great joy, a few days in the hospital made him almost like new.
Our dad passed away in 1983. He was a deep believer in Christ… so I know that he is safe in the arms of Jesus!
July 1, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, July 1.
On the morning of July 1, 70 A.D. the Roman army began to attack the walls of Jerusalem. The Romans had a variety of powerful siege engines, including catapults and rams, and by August the Holy City's walls were demolished. The city where Jesus walked was on fire, and the temple where He taught was in ruins.
On a morning forty years earlier, Jesus was walking with his disciples by this temple, the one that King Herod had built. The original sacred building, Solomon's Temple, had been destroyed by the Babylonians five centuries before Bethlehem. As Jesus looked up at the imposing structure he made a prediction. We find it in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He said "a day will come when there is not one stone upon another."
The siege of Jerusalem was a devastating moment for the nation of Israel. But, looking back, it was a moment that spurred unprecedented growth for the young Christian church, as believers fled Jerusalem and settled in other places, taking their new faith with them, and planting new churches. We recall the promise in Romans 8:28 -
"God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."
On this morning, two thousand years later, Herod's Temple remains in ruins, as pilgrims come to worship at its only remaining wall. And we remember the truth found in Acts 17:24 -
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands."
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 27, 2024 - Mt. Gillion Baptist Church, Center, Texas invites you to come and celebrate our Pastor and Wife's 1st Anniversary for Pastor Rayford and Sis. Judie Caraway on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 2:30pm.
The guest speaker will be Rev. Mario Osby, Pastor of the Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas.
Everyone is cordially invited to attend.
Sis. Sharon Hamilton, Church Clerk
June 27, 2024 - Have you ever noticed how complicated some folks want to make religion? We live in a world of problems. Preachers even spend a lot of time pointing out the problems of our time. Yet, the world is not asking for an elaboration on the problems, rather the world is seeking solutions to those problems.
It sometimes reminds me of the accident study conducted about accidents in the home. When it was revealed that 90% of all accidents occurred either at the top or bottom of the stairs, the computer solution was to remove the top and bottom step.
Often, we are searching for complex solutions to our present day problems and anxieties. Yet, the God of heaven, who is high and holy, is not insensitive to the hurts and problems you and I face. He offers a simple solution to modern day problems in every area. Remember the words of Jesus in John 14:1? He said, “let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
We need to stop focusing on ourselves and focus on others. We need to follow the example of Jesus who “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). We need to realize that real security is built upon trust in God and that God is ever the source of real security.
When we spend more time with the solutions provided in the word of God and live a life obedient to the will of God, we will find that we have a simple solution to the stress of life. It’s something to think about.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
June 24, 2024 - 100 Men in Black Featuring: Minister Demontre W. Palmer of Houston TX. Theme: Men of God Standing Firm in Faith 1 Corinthians 16:13 located at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Hwy 96 N. at CR 4356, Tenaha, TX 75974 - Johnny R Jones, Pastor. June 29, 2024 at 3pm. Asking each man to represent with $40 (or whatever you can give). Dinner will be served.
June 24, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 24.
Yesterday morning, at First Baptist Church of Center, Texas, we witnessed the most powerful testimony that anyone can give. We witnessed a baptism. In my faith, a baptism is not, in and of itself, a life-changing moment, but is a symbol of a previous life-changing moment - the moment of salvation. And in the moment of baptism, a new believer proclaims to their family, their church, and their world that they are a "new creation", that the saving grace of Jesus Christ has changed them and given them a new life, and life eternal. What a testimony!
We sang a testimony song in that service called "What He's Done" and it was, I think, an appropriate pairing with the baptism. Surprisingly, there are very few "baptism" hymns. Try to think of one! Well, here's one. It's called "Down in the River to Pray". It was written sometime during the mid-part of the 1800's, the author is unknown. It was popular in both white and black churches throughout the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. And then, in the year 2000, a Hollywood movie came out called "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Maybe you saw it. It's an interesting film, and it contains lots of great early American music, including this baptism hymn. The lyrics remind us of a time in our history when most churches didn't have indoor baptistries, as they do today. When it came time to baptize, they would "go down in the river"!
Here are some lyrics for you this morning . . .
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good ole way
And who shall wear the starry crown, good Lord, show me the way
O sinners, let's go down, let's go down, won't you come on down
O sinners, let's go down, down in the river to pray!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 20, 2024 - Have you ever noticed how complicated some folks want to make religion? We live in a world of problems. Preachers even spend a lot of time pointing out the problems of our time. Yet, the world is not asking for an elaboration on the problems, rather the world is seeking solutions to those problems.
It sometimes reminds me of the accident study conducted about accidents in the home. When it was revealed that 90% of all accidents occurred either at the top or bottom of the stairs, the computer solution was to remove the top and bottom step.
Often, we are searching for complex solutions to our present day problems and anxieties. Yet, the God of heaven, who is high and holy, is not insensitive to the hurts and problems you and I face. He offers a simple solution to modern day problems in every area. Remember the words of Jesus in John 14:1? He said, “let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
We need to stop focusing on ourselves and focus on others. We need to follow the example of Jesus who “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). We need to realize that real security is built upon trust in God and that God is ever the source of real security.
When we spend more time with the solutions provided in the word of God and live a life obedient to the will of God, we will find that we have a simple solution to the stress of life. It’s something to think about.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
June 19, 2024 - The Ministerial Alliance of Shelby County is hosting a lunch meeting for any minister on Thursday, June 20, noon at First Baptist Center, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas. The lunch of Subway sandwiches and Blue Bell ice-cream will be accompanied by some great fellowship. Call David Mathis at 979-533-1575 for more information.
June 18, 2024 - Revival with Bro. Josh Adams and family at Lydia MBC in Huxley is June 23rd through 27th. Service begins at 6pm on Sunday and begins at 7pm nightly Monday through Thursday. Everyone is welcome.
Pages
