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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
Sunday Morning Worship Services resume this Sunday at 10:15am!
Worship with in the Sanctuary or online.
May 14, 2020 - What a thrill it is to officially announce that we are re-opening our doors for worship this Sunday at 10:15am. We will not have Sunday school. Children will attend worship with parents with social distancing requirements. No childcare will be provided. We are encouraging all to wear face masks to protect those around us and practice social distancing by keeping a minimum of 6 feet distance between each other.
If you or someone you love is in a high-risk category, we encourage you to stay home and continue to worship online with us.
- We will maintain social distancing between family groups.
- There will be no form of children activities or nursery provided. Parents will be asked to keep their children with them.
- We will use offering boxes located at the back and front of the auditorium.
- Please feel free to wear a mask and/or gloves you bring from home.
- We are asking those over 65 to consider watching from home. We will respect your decision, whatever it is.
- Please respect others and do not attend if you are not feeling well, have a fever or underlying health issues. We want this to be a safe place for all.
One final word. The service will continue to be broadcast on our Facebook live page and website. So please do whatever is safe and comfortable for you and yours. We will respect your choice. We look forward to seeing those of you who choose to come and worship with us this Sunday!
We invite you to join us at the following links and stations.
- http://fbccenter.org/live-video-stream
- https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistcenter/
- RADIO: KQBB 100.5FM
- Suddenlink Cable Channel
All other activities are postponed.
Further updates will be by Facebook, Email, Text, and at www.fbccenter.org. First Baptist Church is committed to helping people of Shelby County develop a relationship with Jesus Christ!
May 14, 2020 - I read a story not long ago that came out of that era when trains were the dominant form of travel in our nation. It seems there was a little crippled boy who was carrying a basket of candy and fruit to sell, hurrying to the passenger gate of the depot as fast as his crutches would permit. As the passengers rushed through the gate, a fast-moving young business executive accidentally hit the boy’s basket, knocking its contents in every direction. He paused only long enough to severely scold the crippled lad for being in his way.
Another young business man, rushing through the depot, saw the young boy’s distress and immediately began picking up the scattered items. After returning all the contents to the basket, he put a dollar bill in the boy’s hand. He smiled at his young friend, patted him on the shoulder and said, “better luck next time!” Then he was on his way.
He was, however stopped by the question the boy asked him. He said, “Hey mister, are you Jesus?” Turning, the man smiled and said, “No, I’m only one of His followers.”
How different this old world would be if we all would speak and act so that others could see Jesus living in us.
It’s something to think about… tbp
Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas, online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
May 12, 2020 - All people have an eternal decision to make before our deaths here on earth.
Since the days of Adam and Eve and their original sin in the garden of Eden man has been born with an internal sin nature that does not allow any one of us to live a perfect and sinless life as did Jesus Christ.
No, we are not able due to the sin of Adam to live without sin no matter how holy our intentions.
Even the apostle Paul admits that he could follow a sinless life as he wished but would fall back into sin even though his only wish was to serve the Lord.
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out." (Romans 7:15-18)
That is a description of the sin nature that dwells within all people without exception and keeps all people from being able to follow God's will on their own. On our own it is just not possible, but with God's will and his power in us all things are possible.
One day a young rich man came to Jesus asking what he lacked in being able to be saved, Jesus told him to go and sell all of his belongings and give them to the poor and to then follow him and he would then have treasures built up in heaven. The young rich man could not bring himself to give away his worldly possessions so he went away without salvation.
Jesus then remarked to his disciples; "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
But Jesus looked them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:23-26)
Due to the sin nature within us, no man or woman can be saved on their own, we must have God's help in the form of his Son Jesus Christ if we are to be able to enter into the kingdom of God.
I want to ask you a very, vey important question this morning. A question you must be able to answer without hesitation or doubt, no ifs, ands, or buts if you are now ready and qualified by the blood of Jesus, to enter into the kingdom of God.
This question is: Tell me please, do you know where you will be two hundred years from now!
My friends, if you cannot answer that question without hesitation "YES", then you are not ready and do not truly know Jesus Christ as your Lord, which all must do if they are to enter into the kingdom of God.
You may scoff and say, "No one knows where they will be two hundred years from now!
Oh, but yes. For I can tell you without doubt or hesitation that I certainly do know where I will be for I know that I will not live two hundred years and I will have died the physical death of this earthly body.
I also know without doubt I am saved from the penalties of my own sins and that my soul, my spirit will never die but that I will spend eternity in heaven with my Lord.
Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, but salvation is available and paid in full for all who will accept him as Lord and Master.
It is as the Scripture directs, "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:9-11)
"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2)
Come forward today my friends and accept Jesus Christ as your own Sovereign Lord and Savior.
For it is only through his blood shed out on the cross of Calvary that man can be saved from the penalties of his own sinful life which is the death of his spirit and an eternity of being away from the Lord.
In a place of which the Bible says is a place where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth from the unbearable pain and suffering that never stops nor ends...
Accept him today and know his peace and his joy as you will then know for certain what your future holds and you too can then say, YES, if asked, "Do you know where you will be two hundred years from now!"
May his blessings be upon you this day and forever...
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith….” 2 Timothy 4:7
May 11, 2020 - In the fall of 1949, Daddy moved our family of eight children to Shelbyville, Texas. I was a senior in High School and joined the Shelbyville Dragons Football team. It was my first year to play, I weighed 140 pounds and was among a group of tough country boys with four years playing football There were no city-slickers on our team. They came from East Hamilton, Patroon, Possum Trot, Goober Hill Huxley and the Sardis Community.
Coach Clinton Crisp lived next door to us and was a great coach and neighbor. We won most of our games that year but it wasn’t because of me. Bob Tyler and Jerry Dickerson were good runners and “Rooter” Lout was our quarterback. Tommy Lee Hughes, brothers Glen and Fred McCloud, “Bremmer” Schillings, Alec Jones, Martin Shofner and “Bull” Runnels helped make up our excellent team.
When our team was losing, our little cheerleaders stood on the sideline and hollered: “That’s O.K.—That’s alright—Come on boys and Fight, Fight, Fight!” in 1947 I became a member of the Family of God. I have preached for 68 years. I’ve seen many days that the Family of God seemed to be losing. But all Christians who know The Bible know that while we sometimes lose battles, we don’t loose courage. Losing a battle means little when we know who’s going to win. Our Coach keeps telling us: “Come on, Children and Fight, Fight, Fight...”
… because He knows He will win the war.
May 11, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother, Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the Fifth Sunday of Easter. It was also Mothers’ Day. We hope that all the mothers, grandmothers, and those special women who helped raise us had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Paxton United Methodist is still not having in-church worship. We are going to look at how the pandemic is progressing (or not) and make a weekly decision. We will of course listen to our bishop and our district superintendent.
What a beautiful week we had! It was sunny and warm. Some afternoons the puppies, Sue, and I were panting pretty hard by the time we got back from our daily walks. I have so enjoyed working in the yard and garden. Pretty soon the heat will get me into the garden early and late. We still have our daughter’s dog Stella, along with our two boys—Gunter and Sam. Stella is a sweet dog but was going to stay with us for just a few weeks: Then the pandemic changed everything.
I know life is inconvenient, and for many the financial hardships are staggering. Unemployment is higher now than any time since the Great Depression. I don’t think there is going to be an easy way to emerge from under the threat of Covid-19. Most importantly, we must listen to the experts and then be smart in following the guidelines as we venture out. The number of cases in rural areas like Shelby County are still increasing—and among all age groups.
I woke up Saturday morning to put the finishing touches on my Sunday sermon. I am not delivering sermons, but I am writing one each Sunday to send out. It was a cool start to the morning but not cold enough to turn the heater back on. Our older dog Gunter had been sick this week and spent the day at the vet’s getting IVs, shots, and other medications. Unfortunately, Gunter can’t tell us what hurts. Sue picked him up Friday afternoon, finding him much improved. The humans and dogs went for a nice walk, and all three seemed to enjoy Saturday’s cool morning.
One of the scriptures for Sunday was Peter’s first letter—the second chapter, verses 2-10. In the first chapter the writer tells his readers to rid themselves of impure foods—malice, guile, envy, and slander—and feed upon pure spiritual milk; in this way, we can encounter God in the depths of our souls. A headline in the paper borrowed a line from the T. S. Elliot poem which said that “April is the cruelest month.” The writer said our past April was death—it was cruel—but it must also be hopeful. It is sometimes hard to be hopeful when we are living in isolation from others and also living in fear of the virus and the unknown future. But hope we must.
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, and Open Minds.” Normally Sunday School starts at 9:30 and Worship begins at 10:00. But during the Pandemic our usually “open doors” are closed. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist, you can send your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
May 7, 2020 - Ramah Cemetary committee has decided to cancel our annual meeting for Saturday, June 6, 2020 due to health concerns related to the COVID 19 virus. We feel this would be in the best interest of all families that like to gather on that day.
For donations to the cemetery upkeep, please send to Ramah Cemetary Fund, P.O. Box 204, Tenaha, TX 75974 or contact Margaret King Freeman (Treasurer) at 936-248-3811.
Thank you for your support and see you next year. Ron Barker, President 936-572-8661.
May 7, 2020 - Last year community leaders, pastors, and lots of just plain folks gathered to form a human prayer chain around our historic courthouse on the National Day of Prayer. We won't be able to gather this year but you are encouraged to pause, wherever you are, at noon on Thursday, May 7 to pray.
Lots of things are different this year, but some things remain the same - prayer is powerful and prayer is needed. So take a moment on Thursday to pray for our city, our county, our country, our world. Thanks and God bless you and yours.
David Mathis
Shelby County Ministerial Alliance
May 7, 2020 - Do you remember when the Children of Israel were at the gates of the Promised Land? Moses chose 12 men to send to spy out the Promised Land. They looked the land over and came back with a majority report and a minority report. Both sides saw an "exceedingly great land." It was a land that flowed with mild and honey.
The majority report was given and those 10 men said we cannot possess the land. We saw giants there and by comparison we were nothing more than grasshoppers. The minority report from Joshua and Caleb said they should go up at once and possess the land. Joshua and Caleb said “we can do it” while the majority said it was impossible.
Joshua and Caleb saw the giants and obstacles in the land through the lens of faith while the majority who saw themselves as grasshoppers saw things through the lens of doubt. As we face up to life and as we face the future, we must see the possibilities and not take stock of the problems. We must view the future with an eye of faith, knowing that the Lord will bless our efforts.
The controlling thought of Jesus was the possibilities of the individual. That is why he called us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We must see ourselves in the light of faith and as a power for God. Never see yourself as an insect.
It’s something to think about…..tbp
"Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
May 5, 2020 - God promises man many things, none of which can be greater to those who have accepted him as Lord than the promise in (Isaiah 41:10)
In this one verse of Scripture he promises; That His own have no need of fear. That he is forever with his own. That he is our God, the God of his children. That he will strengthen us when we are weak. That he will help us through whatever it is that we are facing. And that he will lift us above the dangers of this world and will uphold us by the power of his righteous right hand.
WOW!!! What more could any child of the Most High God ask for, what more could one need?
Joshua said this about the promises that God made to the house of Israel after he had led them from the bonds of Egypt;
"Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." (Joshua 21:45)
The same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide his children today and his promises are just as sure for us today, just as certain as they were for Joshua and the nation of Israel so long ago.
The apostle Paul tells us that God's promises are always a yes and never a no as the promises of God today come only through his Son Jesus Christ.
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
It is by the indwelling of our hearts with his Holy Spirit that we receive our guarantee of his promises to us.
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
Not only does he make his promises to us, he also gives us a Helper, a Counselor to guide us through the pitfalls of life that we will be victorious in him throughout eternity.
"In him (Christ Jesus) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)
All praise and glory to the Lord our God and to his Son, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ!
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promises is faithful." (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Fear not, oh, children of the Most High, fear not for his promises are true and always come to pass by his word!
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
Fear not, but be strong in the Lord as you walk in his light through this dark and dreary world around you.
Fear not; give all praise and glory to the blessed Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ!
May 5, 2020 - The Joaquin Community Cemetery Homecoming, regularly scheduled for Saturday, June 13, has been cancelled, due to the threat of health problems related to the coronavirus. We were hoping to have a Restoration Celebration and show the newly cleaned and leveled tombstones in the cemetery, but that will have to wait. If anyone has loved ones in the cemetery, you might drive by and see how clean and fresh everything is.
Thanks for your continued support for upkeep to the cemetery. Any donations can be sent to Joaquin Community Cemetery at Post Office Box 236, Joaquin, Tx 75954.
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