Shelby County Today

June 13, 2019 - This modern world is filled with those who defy God’s Word and his will.

Those who say, God is not real, that reality is what we see before us, the world we live in.

That the Bible is nothing but a collection of fairy tales and mean nothing to the modern, enlightened man or woman.

To those, our Father in heaven says, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)

God says that he is God and there is no other god in the universe. That all other so-called gods are simply man-made illusions, devil-formed deceptions to keep the world away from God and his blessing of salvation from sin.

And he issues this warning for the future, the time, when he comes in glory and sits in judgement of the unsaved of this world.

“By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” (Isaiah 45:23) 

Herein lies the problem; at this time when all will bow and swear to him, it is too late, the time for salvation will have passed and only judgement and death of the spirit will remain.

“Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.” (Isaiah 45:24)

Although the time for repentance and deliverance has passed, all who come before him in judgement will then know the mistake they have made in defying his will.

All shall then understand his eternal power and might and all will be ashamed. And all will then know that all they had to do was to accept him as Lord to be saved and accepted into his kingdom in heaven.

All shall know this as they are led into the lake of fire that is hell and the second death, the death of the spirit.

And so I ask you today, whom shall you worship, to whom shall you bow down in submission?

For all must choose, life or death, one or the other, so whom shall it be for you; God and eternal life in heaven, or, Satan and eternal life in a burning hellfire, forever removed from the Lord and his grace and mercy.

I pray for you that you will sing this song as you are led into heaven, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my troubles.” (Psalm 34:4)

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:6)

Yes, may you sing this song of joy and peace as you rest in the arms of our precious Lord, at home in his house forever.

For all who call upon him in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ will be saved.

“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22) 

What a comfort to know that by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord that one is forever saved from the penalties of sin, never to be condemned for his past life of earthly passions and sin, but washed clean of all sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Come today and be saved and rest forever in the house of our Lord.

June 12, 2019 - Joaquin First United Methodist Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School on June 24 - 28. The fun starts at 9 am, includes lunch, and will keep going until 12:30pm. Snacks will be served each day and our closing program will be Friday evening. Lots of fun to be had! Y'all come and join us! For more information please contact Marsha Ann Barnett at 936-332-8326.

June 10, 2019 - The song of the saved of the Lord! The words of David as he gives praise to the Lord for saving him from his enemies.

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-2) 

David realizes that his rescue from the evils that surrounded him has come from the Lord and he gives praise and glory to the only one who is worthy, the Lord God. 

Oh, that we might all realize this and do as David, give God the credit, the praise and the glory which he and only he deserves.

Oh, that all might realize all that anyone must do is to believe upon the Lord, to trust in him and to call upon him for help in times of trouble.

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3) 

Yes, this it the truth, that once one has accepted the Lord as his God and has placed his faith in God and God alone, then, God stands ready to defend and protect his own from his enemies around the world.

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God and our Lord and Savior said this about all who would call upon the Lord God.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) 

The instructions are clear, it is as David sings out, the Lord is the rock and the fortress and deliverer for all who will call upon him. 

Just as Jesus has said, so shall it be for all who ask, seek and knock, for these, help shall come from the Lord

James, the brother of Jesus Christ gives more insight into the difference between the lost and the saved as he says this about the natural man.

“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:2-3)

Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."" (James 4:5-6) 

Pay attention to the scriptures for they are the words of God given us by those whom he has chosen to write his words for us. The scriptures are breathed out by God and are sufficient for all things of the Christian way.

Come to the Lord with humility, asking for his grace to receive you and cleanse you from your sinful ways.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” (James 4:8-9) 

Only through our humble confessions of our sinful ways and our soulful repentance from all sin can we gain redemption from our Lord. If you do not know him, come to him this day in repentance and he will lift you from the pit of darkness and into the light that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10) 

Call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised!!!

June 7, 2019 - The Wimberly Cemetery Homecoming is Sunday, June 16th. Potluck lunch will be at 12 noon followed by a board meeting. For those unable to attend, donations for cemetery upkeep can be sent to Wimberly Cemetery Fund, c/o Mack O'Rear, 11466 FM 2694, Shelbyville, TX 75973.