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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
August 25, 2015 - If your looking for an exciting family event then don't miss The Borliks who are coming to Center on Thursday, August 27th, 2015 at 7:00pm.
The Fun will be held at Center Christian Academy on Timpson Hwy 2.2 miles north of Taco Bell. Everyone is invited! If you need more information please call Dathan Triplett at 936-332-1697.
August 24, 2015 - “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” Psalms 107:2
“Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” Malachi 3:16
In 2008 Pam and I took a three week vacation to the Pacific Northwest. I once lived in Oregon and had for many years wanted to visit there again. On our way up, we visited Yellowstone, spent several days along the Snake River, and a few days in Oregon and Washington. On our way home we drove down the Highway 5 along the beautiful Oregon /California Pacific Coast line. It didn’t take long to us to see the difference between the Northwest and our home in the Bible-Belt. (Only 25% Washington and Oregon’s population belong to a church…of any kind.) And instead of the Christian decal of the fish on automobiles, we saw a large number of symbols promoting atheism. When we saw the fish sticker on a car one day, we followed it into a parking lot only to find that the fish had feet and the anti- God symbol “Darwin” inscribed on it.
But when we stopped at a Colorado Motel on the way home, a man wearing a large wooden cross checked us in. “He’s obviously a Christian”, I whispered to Pam. As the clerk filled out his paper work, I asked him, “Are you a Christian?”…and still looking down, he almost inaudibly mumbled under his breath one word…. “Yeah”. Since he never said anything else, it was obvious he didn’t want to talk about Jesus. When we got to our room, I told Pam that if the man had said “No” instead of “Yeah”, it would have meant about the same thing. This I know for sure: The world will never be won to Jesus if we are just cross wearers instead of cross bearers…
And if all we can say about Jesus is….. “Yeah”.
August 25, 2015 - This week we look at the great goodness of God Almighty as viewed by King David, we will look in the 31st Chapter of Psalms for the scriptures that describe God’s Goodness and the benefits we receive from Him as His children.
VS 19 - “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!”
The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. Because the Lord was his shepherd, the Psalmist surely knew that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life.
The storehouse of the Lord’s blessings cannot be exhausted; they are laid up for those who worship the Lord in reverence. While many of His blessings are available in this life, what we receive today is only a foretaste of the glory to be revealed to us later. David felt a calm safety in the house of the Lord. There he could escape the strife and turmoil of the world.
VS 21 - “Blessed be the Lord, He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city.”
While we might have to be separated from our families and loved ones, we do not have to fear; for the Lord will never leave nor forsake His own. We do not need to be afraid, for no matter the strength of our enemies; far greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.
VS 23 – “Oh, love the Lord, all you his saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.”
Vengeance belongs to the Lord; He will punish the enemies of His people.
Our rewards will come once we are free of this world and at home, in heaven, with our God.
VS 24 – “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
We need not fear what other people might do to us; our hope and our trust are in the Lord. Those allow us to know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Together they serve as an anchor for our souls, knowing that God will do all things well on our behalf.
As born-again children of the Lord we can have the confidence to know that God’s enemies here on earth can only take our earthly lives. Yes, they can certainly kill our physical bodies and we may all live to see persecutions of that magnitude right here in America. But, that is their limit; while the God we serve holds the power of life or death over our souls. Nothing that man can do can compare to what our Father can do, He, alone, holds the keys to eternity, not Satan and his minions.
Why must we study our Bibles daily? “Is not My Word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)
A stronger weapon than any weapon known to mankind.
You are always welcome to join us for Bible Study on Tuesday evenings in Timpson at the Community Center in SoSo Park and on Wednesday evenings at Spring Hill Baptist Church. For more information please call (936-615-1427).
August 20, 2015 - “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44) She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45) And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!" 46) But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me."47) And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48) And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (Lk. 8:43-48).
How many people today have had a twelve year old problem that hasn't been fixed? Just like people today this woman tried everything that was available to her but nothing worked. The only remedy to her twelve year old problem and failed attempts of fixing it was Jesus.
People today will go years dealing with a problem or problems that are unfix-able. The only remedy is Jesus. Not until this woman went to Jesus did her twelve year old problem get fixed.
The same is true for all of us today. Don't let a problem take years of your life away from you. Jesus is the Great Physician and it is only He that is ready, willing and able to fix what no one and nothing else can.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
Church email: northsidecoccenter@gmail.com
August 17, 2015 - Grace and peace from our brother, Jesus. Sunday was the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Old Testament Lesson was 1 Kings 2: 1-12, 3: 3-14. In this part of the history of the Jewish people King David dies and his son, Solomon becomes king. Solomon faces extreme danger from palace intrigue. Not everyone is happy that Solomon has become king. To begin his reign Solomon leaves the capital for Gibeon which is a holy site and where once the Ark of the Covenant was. Like many ancients, Solomon goes to a holy sight and camps out. He prays and meditates and waits for God to speak. Solomon has his moment with God and God is ready to grant Solomon any wish. Solomon might have wished that the problems back in Jerusalem would disappear. He could have wished for riches or a long reign but he wishes for “an understanding mind, and the ability to discern good from evil.” God was impressed and made known to Solomon the wisdom that he already placed in Solomon’s heart.
The Sunday school lesson was titled, A Call for Repentance.” The main scripture for the lesson was from Ezekiel 18 and the prophet said that God would judge each based one one’s “ways.” Ezekiel calls upon the people to repent and make “yourself a new heart and a new spirit.” Our teacher, Fannie is very good at taking the words that are so ancient and show how they speak to us. Many ancients including the people of Israel and Judea thought that the sins of the parents were visited on their children but Ezekiel dismisses that idea.
It was great to have Liz and Evie worship with us this morning. Joe wasn’t feeling well and we hope that after his doctor’s visit this week he will feel better. Joy says she is feeling better. Gene selected the songs and led us in our singing. Liz makes us sound pretty good! Ms. Hilda played the piano and we so appreciate her coming to Paxton every Sunday. All but the Trustees Report are ready to be voted on and signed. Our Charge Conference will be on September 8th. The way this month is flying by September 8th will be here shortly. This Tuesday at 2:00 will be our ministry at Holiday Nursing Center . It will be good to see our friends at Holiday and also those who join us each month like Bro. Allen.
“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 9:15 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!
August 17, 2015 - “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
During the seventeen years that Pam and I have fed the birds at our house, we’ve seen some unusual species drop in. The Incas doves (Mexican doves) began nesting here fifteen years ago and are now here in large numbers. A few years ago, a ring-necked turtle dove (a.k.a. “collared dove) eased in one day and nine more were at the feeder the next day.
Three beautiful Zebra Finches stayed with us for over a month last year and a few months ago we awoke to the whistling of a Bob White Quail. Even though we used to hunt them, I never knew that they were ventriloquists. As the male perched ten feet from us, we watched his beak as he “threw his voice” to sound like he was a hundred yards away! It was a real treat to wake up every morning to the whistling of this little bird. He and his mate were here only two weeks before disappearing.
As I glanced out our kitchen window last month, I called out to Pam, “Come quick!” “There’s a parrot at the feeder!” We grabbed our Kaufman Bird Book and found that our visitor was a Peach-faced Lovebird. After nibbling millet for a few minutes, he chirped loudly and flew away. We thought we’d never see him again, but a few days later he was back in with two other lovebirds. We named the first bird “Peachie” and refer to the other pair as “The Twins” since they always perch together as they feed.
Originally from Africa, sizable numbers of these birds have been seen recently around the Phoenix, Arizona area. Were our birds once caged birds? We don’t know. Some have suggested that we put a cage out to see…but we won’t do that. It’s more enjoyable to watch them play freely in the trees above us. We want them to stay free. …We wish all of our birds to be free.
When I was released from the cage of my sin at fourteen years of age, I’ve never desired to be caged again. It’s so wonderful to be free!
I wish everyone was.
Doug's email address: finchersphoto@sbcglobal.net
August 18, 2015 - This week we will look at (Hebrews 13:20-21), the Benediction, or blessing from the author to all those who read it.
The 1st verse of our text today verse 21, says; “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
Our God, the God of peace is alone in His ability to bestow peace, which passes all understanding. It was Christ Jesus who first made peace by the blood of His cross. Each Christian being justified by faith, has peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus truly is The Great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting covenant. He alone knows His sheep and they alone know Him, He calls and they follow Him. His sheep shall not want for He cares for them, He leads them in green pastures and by still waters.
Verse 21 says; “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever Amen.”
Our job is to work out our own salvation by fearing God, doing things that are His will and for His pleasure and not our own.
We are to do these things without griping or complaining for God has ordained that each of His children work, even though salvation cannot be obtained through or by works. Works are done because of salvation not for salvation
The burden of the scriptures for today is that Christians might be made complete or mature in their ability to do God’s will. There is no higher aim or calling in life than to do the Masters will each day. Jesus’ primary objective was that He would do the Father’s will each day of His time on earth. To this day, He is the only person to ever accomplish a perfect record of service to God, the Father.
God is love: to do His will is to show love each day to all people. God is light: by doing His will each day we manifest the light of the gospel of Christ to a fallen world. God is peace: to do His is to strive to live at peace with all mankind when possible. God wants us to be good soldiers, not spiritual dwarfs.
He enables us to fight the good fight of faith by providing us with His armor, by giving us the Holy Spirit to lead us in our battles with evil each day. And by strengthening us through the knowledge of the Word of God, for that knowledge is far greater than anything, which is in this world.
When a believer is taught by the Word of God and led by the Spirit of God, and is at all times praising God, then all that he does is pleasing to God.
In Micah 4:6 the prophet tells us just what the Lord does require of us each day it is simply to; “But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.”
You are always welcome to join us for Bible Study on Tuesday evenings in Timpson at the Community Center in SoSo Park and on Wednesday evenings at Spring Hill Baptist Church. For more information please call (936-615-1427).
August 21, 2015 - Pastor Karl Moore and the members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville would like to invite you to Our Annual Homecoming and 3 night revival.
- Sunday, September 13 at 3pm: Guest Speaker will be: Rev. Everette Hall of the Caanan Baptist Church in Stonewall, LA.
- Monday Night at 7pm: Guest Speaker will be Rev. Karen Christopher of the Pine Flat CME Church in Nacogdoches, TX.
- Tuesday Night at 7pm: Guest, Elder LaKendrick Bluford of The Triumph the Church and Kingdom of GOD in Christ in San Augustine, TX.
- Wednesday Night at 7pm: Guest, Rev. Frankie Cooper of the Gates Chapel Baptist Church in Shelbyville, TX.
All are Welcome to come out and join us on these glorious occasions.
August 21, 2015 - Pastor Byron Coutee Jr. and Blount Chapel Baptist Church will be hosting family and friends day on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 3pm. Guest speaker will be Pastor Terrance Hicks of the Power of the Word Ministries, Nacogdoches, Texas. Everyone is invited in welcome thank you in advance.
August 19, 2015 - Sardis Pentecostal Church presents Rev. Stan Cook this Saturday, August 22 starting at 7pm and Sunday, August 23rd at 10am and 6pm. Come join us for a time of anointed singing and preaching. You will be blessed.
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