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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
July 8, 2019 - In 1984, I moved to the Vinton Big Woods Magnolia Baptist and became their Pastor. I moved into the parsonage… on a remote dirt road in an almost untraveled part of Southwest Louisiana. I was overjoyed to live in this quiet community of people.
I loved all my surroundings. I was only a mile from beautiful Bearhead Creek—and only 25 miles from Holly Beach, Louisiana on the Gulf. But there was something else that became one of most treasured surroundings: a backyard Black Gum tree. This is one of America’s most beautiful native trees, and it is one of our best shade trees. The one I saw that October day was in striking fall color. Summer leaves are a dark green with a high-gloss appearance, but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with its many shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple and scarlet. When I saw my tree, I picked up a beautiful fallen leaf, photographed it, and saved it in my computer.
Our church grew, and we saved $20,000 toward building an Education Building. My friend Bobby Spross, agreed to bring his team of builders and construct our building--- labor free. So our Building Committee met to make plans. When Lawrence Mitchell said we’d build the wing on the south side, I immediately told him we couldn’t. His quick reply was, “And why can’t we?” “Our black gum is in the way,” I replied. “Then we’ll cut it down,” he barked. The argument took off and we finally decided to wing off to the north side. It took a while for Lawrence to accept our plan, but we soon had the building done.
Last year I went back to Magnolia Baptist to deliver the Homecoming sermon. The old parsonage had been moved, but when I walked to the back… there it was... our beautiful Black Gum tree… still standing tall…
… and more beautiful than ever.
July 8, 2019 - There is an often asked question, “Oh where will I be when Christ returns to this earth, when he comes again.”
To be with him throughout eternity we must first be ready for his return, eagerly awaiting his coming and the rewards of being faithful to him throughout our lives on earth, we must first put on the new self, the Christian heart and live for Christ as he died for us.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
On the day of Pentecost, that glorious day when the Holy Spirit came to guide the faithful. Peter preached to the masses saying, “This Jesus God raised, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:32-33)
Peter made this statement of Jesus’ deity from his own personal witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. An eye witness to it all.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)
To first put on this new self, to be faithful to Christ as we still must live on earth in the midst of its corruption and sin we must follow the scriptures as they tell us, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
And then Paul gives us the true magnitude of Gods hate of all sin as he tells us why the wrath of God is coming on the earth.
“On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:6)
WOW!!! Don’t tell me that God is so sweet, so loving that he doesn’t really hold our sins in account, for he does. For as he is loving he is also just and true to himself.
“In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put on the new self, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:7-10)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called, in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Have you put on your new self? Do you wait patiently for the coming of the Lord? Will you run to meet him when he arrives? Only you can answer these questions, but to know that you are ready for his coming they must answered and done.
May his blessings be yours this day and forever.
July 5, 2019 - There are very few who are unaware that Pentecost was the birthday of the New Testament Church. However, there never would have been Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the Apostles had if the upper room had been like the habits of so many in our day and time. If the attitude of the upper room had been like today, then the New Testament record might have read like this:
“The meeting was called for the first day of the week; but so many things interfered that of the company of 120 only 40 were able to be in attendance. Peter and his wife had bought a cottage on Lake Galilee and were away from the hot city over the weekend. Bartholomew had guests and of course could not come. Philip and his family had been up late the night before and overslept. Andrew had a business conference about a new fishing boat. James had to stay home and cut the grass.”
All of that raises a question does it not? If the church would never have been born under those circumstances, then how can it possibly survive, much less grow under those circumstances?
That’s why people need to be part of the local church and involved in the work of the local church. Until members of the body of Christ contribute a sense of vitality to the Lord’s church, the world will continue to heckle our “faith” as a popular indoor sport.
So, how much responsibility do you feel toward the local church?
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
July 3, 2019 - Pastor and Wife Anniversary Service honoring Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr. and Sis. Larissa Coutee will be held Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 3:00pm at the Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Guest speaker is Pastor Derrick White of the Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas. Join us as we celebrate the servants planted at Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Dinner will be served.
July 3, 2019 - Patroon Baptist Church Yard Sale July 12-13 pulled pork sandwich, chips and water for $7 during the sale!
Indoor yard sale, proceeds for our youth.
July 2, 2019 - Come enjoy sitting on "The Porch" at Smyrna Baptist Church in Huxley, Monday, July 8, 2019. Guest Speaker is Blake Lewis, Middle School Minister, at 1st Baptist Church in Haughton, LA. He has a passion to share Jesus with everyone, especially students and young adults. Please bring kids from 8 to 80. Refreshments served at 6:30pm and worship begins at 7pm. Awesome Music Leaders are Paul, Brittany, Bryan and Abigail. Everyone is invited to 'Come and Receive' a blessing! Bring someone! Jesus loves you!
July 2, 2019 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville, TX 133rd Church Anniversary July 14, 2019 at 2:30pm
Guest: Dr. Freddie Wilson and the St. Paul Baptist Church of Center, TX
July 2, 2019 - We the Pastor and Members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville would like to invite you to our Annual Building Fund program Sunday, July 7 at 3pm.
Our Guest Speaker will be: Rev. Archie Tinsley of The Calvery Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, TX.
Everyone is invited.
July 1, 2019 - Starts Monday, July 15 through 19 at Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church two miles from Shelbyville, Texas on Hwy 417 East Starts at 7pm. Guest Speaker - Brother Lamar Denby.
Guest Singers The Stanleys' will be there Friday night.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
July 1, 2019 - For all who have truly and fully accepted Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Master there is no judgement on the day of the final judgment of mankind. For those have been set free from that judgement that leads to the death of the spirit.
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
Our Lord Christ Jesus said this about living in him and knowing his truth, the truth of the gospel of our Lord.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)
Jesus Christ gave his life, once for all, on the cross of Calvary that all mankind might have eternal life through his sacrifice. He paid the debt for the sin of all and he requires nothing in return but that we believe in him as Lord of all and King of kings. That we accept his free gift of salvation as we accept him as our personal Lord and Savior.
The law could never accomplish what Christ Jesus was able to accomplish by that one gracious act of love and mercy for all people.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
This one simple choice is the one choice that all people must make. All must choose whom they will serve, Jesus Christ and eternal life with him in heaven, or, the devil and eternal life with him in hell.
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
No one can not choose for the choice is made at birth for all and that choice is death, all must then choose Jesus Christ to gain life and defeat the death of the spirit.
This must be done; “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law, indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7)
The choice to serve Jesus Christ must be made or you will be forever lost, forever in torment, forever in pain and suffering.
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:9)
All must choose the one or the other.
“But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:10-11)
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