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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
May 27, 2019 - “Hear this all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.” (Psalm 49:1-2)
The Psalmist makes it abundantly clear that he is speaking to all people and that all should listen and hear his words of wisdom.
“I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.” (Psalm 49:4)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
“Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?” (Psalm 49:5-6)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
By putting our trust in the Lord and leaning on him each day through constant prayer; we are led through the pitfalls of this world by our redeemer, forever safe in the arms of our Lord.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:6-8)
No amount of wealth can protect one from death of the flesh. All people who are born on earth shall surely die in the flesh unless the Lord returns for his own before their time is up.
The goal of all should be to forever live in the Spirit by the salvation freely given by God through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, who gave up his own life on the cross as payment for the sin of all mankind, once for all…
“For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.” (Psalm 49:10)
“Their graves are their homes forever, they're dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.” (Psalm 49:11-12)
“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.” (Proverbs 15:6)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
“Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together!” (Psalm 49:1)
Listen to the words of the Psalmist and do Gods will in life and not the will of man or of your own desires of the flesh. Listen and be blessed by the Lord God of heaven…
May 27, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Monday is Memorial Day: Our thoughts and celebrations should be about those who sacrificed so much. As the Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” I have been watching a mini-series on the terrible nuclear accident at Chernobyl. The accident was much worse than believed; but for the heroic efforts of first responders, miners, engineers, and scientists, the devastation would have been catastrophic. We also know that they were aware they would die in the fight to save others. On this Memorial Day, we remember all those who have fought and died from the early days of our country to the present. The debt owed can never be repaid.
It is hard to believe that May is almost finished. All during May we have been collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services. Next month we will be collecting toilet paper and paper towels each Sunday. The folks at Haslam Baptist and the other community volunteers do such a wonderful and needed service in our area of East Texas. Thanks so much!
We finished this quarter in Sunday school with another scripture from Romans. Paul reminds us that we are to be a living sacrifice through service. To most of Paul’s listeners at the time, a sacrifice was an offering to God—through an animal slaughtered at the temple. So the idea of being a daily, a living sacrifice would have sounded very strange.
The scripture for Sunday started with Revelation 21:10. It is John’s vision of Heaven coming down to earth. Most everyone has an idea of what the afterlife will be like. But Heaven is not only something for the other side of the grave. It is living fully in the presence of God. Life is so precious and such an amazing gift; we must embrace God by embracing each other and in doing so, experience Heaven here on Earth.
The way the calendar fell in May, we had two nursing home programs in one week. On Tuesday, we went to Holiday, where I emceed and Minnie played piano. In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day, Theresa brought flags for all attendees; we also sang a number of patriotic hymns along with the other Heavenly Highways ones. Fannie read two selections about veterans, adding her own thoughts. Nora spoke about Doris Day and sang her signature “Que Sera Sera,” ending with a peppy number that her church enjoys. Sue read Where Are Momma, Poppa, and Sister June? Later in the program she did a selection from Food Hates You. Sallie came to help sing but didn’t feel up to a special of her own.
Our program at Lakeside Assisted Living was on Thursday. This time Maggie emceed, in the process telling several family stories. Hilda played their baby grand; again, selections were patriotic as well as religious. Jo and Margie joined us, helping residents and adding strong voices to the singing. Sue read There’s a Cow in the Road, which prompted many to share their own animal anecdotes. Fannie, for example, told about the Watson herd getting out on Highway 84 before she read two selections about veterans. Ollie did two funny pieces: one a conversation between God and a man about how to understand women (impossible); the other a poem lamenting that “my get-up and go has got up and went.” Nora, noting Doris Day’s recent death, talked a little about the actress and woman, and sang “Que Sera Sera.” Gene led us in “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful,” which were to be our closing…but Pastor Matt arrived just then. At road construction and perhaps a wreck, he’d had to make several detours, ending on a dirt road with a flat tire! He told how much he’s enjoyed our programs at Lakeside, a little about his future post at a large church in Beaumont, and did the benediction. Hilda began spontaneously playing “God Be with You,” and we all joined in.
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.
Randy & Sue Smith Paxton Methodist Church
May 24, 2019 - As we prepare to enter into the Memorial Day weekend let us look at exactly what we are suppose to be celebrating.
Originally Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day to honor the the Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War (620,000 on both sides. This is more than WWI and WWII combined) By the 1900s it became a day to celebrate all American soldiers who have fought and died while serving in the military. It wasn’t until 1967 that it was officially designated Memorial Day.
In 2000 congress passed a law that requires all Americans to stop what they are doing at 3pm on Memorial Day to remember and honor those who have died serving the United States. (Bill Clinton signed into law).
I’m sure that almost every American can look back and find someone in their family who has served in and died in an American war. We must never forget those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in a country with so many freedoms. We also should never forget 9/11/2001 when we were attacked by the terrorist that took the lives of so many Americans in New York, The Pentagon, and Flight 93. God has blessed America and we should never forget to memorialize those individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Memorials have been used through out history all the way back to the origins of the Bible. In Joshua 4:6-7 God instructed Joshua to erect a memorial to remember the crossing of the Jordon into the promised land. “That this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Then in the New Testament there are also commands to memorialize the sacrifice of the cross, when Paul instructs the Corinthians on Jesus commandment, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” (1 Cor. 11: 23-26).
You see Memorial Day is much more important than just another day off work. It is a time to remember what others have sacrificed for us. So let this Memorial Day be different for you this year. Take some time to reflect on, remember how blessed we are to have had men and women, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents, moms and dads who were all willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. And for a Saviour who died for our sins so that we may live in peace in this life and through eternity.
I’m Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
May 23, 2019 - Lydia Missionary Baptist Church Revival is Sunday, June 2nd through Wednesday, June 5th. Service Sunday is at 11am and 6pm. Monday through Wednesday service is at 7pm nightly. Evangelist is Bro. Josh Adams with special music by the Adams Family. Everyone is welcome. Lydia MBC located on FM 139 in Huxley and for more information, contact Bro. Michael McArthur, Pastor, at 936-368-2462.
May 23, 2019 - On Sunday, June 2 at 6pm First Baptist Center will host another of it’s concert and fellowship series called "First Sunday @ First!" This is a community event and the evening will start with a concert of gospel music featuring local musicians and some out of town guests. At 7pm you’re invited to "Show & Tell" - a unique ice cream fellowship with dozens of displays of crafts, artwork, collections, and hobbies. Join us for "First Sunday @ First!"
May 23, 2019 - New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church is hosting their revival June 3 through June 7 at 7pm each evening with evangelist Bro. Cliff Durham. There will be a dinner after Friday’s service.
New Harmony MBC and Pastor Bro. Billy Windham invite everyone to come for a Holy Ghost revival. New Harmony is located on County Road 2582, Shelbyville, Texas.
May 23, 2019 - Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr. and the Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church would like to invite everyone to our Usher Program on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 3:00pm. Guest Church is Pastor Anthony Jackson of the Bright Morning Star Baptist Church in Center, Texas. Dinner will be served.
May 22, 2019 - Satchel Paige was a professional baseball player noted both for his longevity and his numerous "witticisms" that are often quoted. One of those was, "Don’t look back, something may be gaining on you." You know, that is pretty sound advice, something that the Bible also calls for.
Looking back hinders forward progress, it can cause us to be depressed and it may be bringing defeat into our lives.
We must not look back at sins that have been forgiven. God really does put our sins away, and when in obedient faith we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we become new creatures. Neither do we need to look back at defeats we have suffered in life. All of us have defeats in our past but that does not make us failures.
Yet, we do not want to look at the past and see it better than it was. Often, distance lends enchantment to the past and yet, nostalgia is never quite honest with us. It was Vance Havner who said, "the present is never as good as it used to be."
Rather than looking back, we need to look to Jesus. Here are the words of the Hebrew writer, Hebrews 12:1-2, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."
It’s something to think about… tbp
Join us for worship this coming Lord’s day at the Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street Center, Texas, or online www.centerchurchofchrist.com
May 21, 2019 - Bright Morning Star Baptist Church has set Vacation Bible School for June 3-7 at 5:30 each evening. Come join us as we “Take Flight to Where God Leads us.
Participants will be encouraged to allow God to lead them as they journey to places of freedom, fun, and opportunity, remembering God’s miracles as they go.
With V.B.S. participants will:
- Take flight with faith in Jesus Christ!
- Touch down in the Bible!
- Dream, praise, play, and learn!
- Experience God’s awesome presence and love!
Anyone need transportation please contact 936-201-2837 to leave a voicemail. or inbox
May 21, 2019 - Open Door Church is hosting a Women's Conference - Purpose in My Pain on June 1, 2019 starting at 10am. Special keynote speaker is Prophetesses Ronda Coleman. Additional speakers are Minister Margo Moore and Pastor Darlene.
Open Door Church is located at 900 Cotton Ford Road, Center, Texas 75935.
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