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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
November 4, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. Last Tuesday my puppies, Gunter and Sam, joined me in going to Haslam Baptist to see if Community Christian Services was open. They were open and busy, serving folks in our part of East Texas. I delivered the peanut butter and jelly that Paxton Methodists have been collecting during October. A young man (young being relative) came out to my truck to help me and asked if I remembered him. I did indeed—a fine young man who was a student at Joaquin when I was High School principal. He said that the other day he and another former student were driving on Highway 84: His friend said, “Is that Mr. Smith walking some dogs?” The answer was, “No—that’s some old man.” Well, it happens to the best of us if we hang around long enough!
Halloween morning was a cold walk in the park! Gunter and Sam didn’t seem to mind, but I made it through my laps quicker than usual. Sue was cooking for the Seniors, so we three stopped in to say hello at the Senior Center. The weather on TV said it was colder here than in Maine Thursday morning!
Friday morning was colder than Thursday morning, but the winds were calm so it didn’t feel as bad. Friday was All Saints Day, when Christians around the world remember the saints in their communities that have died in the past year, as well as all the saints who were so important in their lives.
Sunday was All Saints Sunday; the morning was cool but not as cold as the previous mornings. Our Sunday school lesson focus has shifted to “Objects of Worship.” The text for today’s lesson was Deuteronomy 5: 1-10 and 6: 1-9. The purpose of today’s lesson was “to understand what it means to love God.” We are reminded in the ancient text not to have any other gods above the God of creation—God of the universe. We were also told that God is often revealed to us in creation and that God’s faithfulness is as dependable as the cycle of day/night and springtime/harvest.
The Gospel Lesson for Sunday was Luke 9: 1-10, the story of Zacchaeus. My favorite Quaker minister, Philip Gulley, wrote an article in the Indianapolis paper that explained the cornerstone of the Quaker faith: seeing “God in all people.” Our Gospel story certainly reinforced that idea, as Jesus not only saw God in Zacchaeus but honored him by going to his house for a meal. Such an honor left many in Jericho speechless.
On Monday we head to Focused Care in Center for our monthly ministry. All month we will be collecting rice and beans for Community Christian Services. Next Sunday we will have a Gideon speaker at our church. Gideon International is one of the ministries that Paxton Methodist supports in prayer and financially.
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 and Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
November 4, 2019 - Jesus tells us that if we follow him in this life that we will have problems due to the hate that the world has for him and for anyone who would dare follow him.
"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
And then he tells us not to worry about those of this world who would harm us, but that we should fear only the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
There is but One who can condemn one's soul to the fires of hell, our heavenly Father, Almighty God.
Proverbs tells us that fear of God is a good thing and the beginning of much more in life was it says; "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)
And so since we know that we will face persecutions, maybe even to the point of death, we also know we have nothing to fear from them as long as we remain steadfast in our worship of the Lord as our Sovereign Lord and Master. So, how do we handle things when persecutions come upon us?
We lean on our God for his help to get us through the hard times.
"Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love." (Psalm 109:1-5)
Yes, in this world we will face tribulations and persecutions, but take heart Christians for our Lord has already overcome the world and through him we too shall overcome it.
"I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads." (Psalm 109:25)
It is exactly as Jesus described, that the more we work to serve him, to spread his gospel, the more we are ridiculed and persecuted by those of the world. But, be of good courage for through the strength of Jesus Christ we too will overcome them.
"Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it! Let them curse but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!" (Psalm 109:26-28)
We can count on the steadfastness of our Lord Jesus Christ to always be there for us when we are in need, we can know that through him, we will overcome!
"With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death." (Psalm 109:30-31)
No fear, no fear shall we have of this world or the evil in it for we know without doubt that the one who controls all things stands with those who remain true to him and his love for us.
"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
Blessed and hallowed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...
November 1, 2019 - Smyrna Baptist Church in Huxley is presenting, "The Porch Under the Stars" at Boles Field, November 11, at 7pm. Our guest speaker will be Rick Gage of Go Tell Ministries.
We will also have live worship music led by Paul, Brittany, Abigail and Hunter. We will have something warm to drink and sweets to eat.
Come and bring someone with you to hear God's word told in a mighty way.
Rusty Hall - Pastor
October 31, 2019 - Often we hear people talk about “choosing a church” or “looking for a church home” like they were doing their Christmas Shopping or buying a new suit of clothes. I have heard folks say, “I am shopping around for a church and when I find the one I want, I’ll join it”.
That statement prompts a question. Where are we shopping? By this statement, people mean they are going from one church to another. They attend services one place this Sunday, somewhere else next Sunday, and some place different the next Sunday. They base their decision on such criteria as friendliness, social activities, environment and “the meeting of felt needs.” They keep shopping until they have found these before settling down.
Yet, suppose we find everything in a church that we want, is that proof that it is what God wants? If we find what is pleasing to God, we must do our shopping in the word of God. There we will find all God wanted to say about the church. He will tell us about its beginning, its worship and its work. When it comes to choosing a church, let us make certain our criteria comes from the scriptures and not from men.
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 www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 29, 2019 - Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr. and the members of the Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church would like to invite everyone to their Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 3:00pm.
Guest Speaker is Pastor Dexter Yarbrough of the Star of Hope Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas.
Dinner will be served.
October 29, 2019 - Pleasant Grove MBC will be having their annual Fall Fest, this Saturday, November 2, 2019! There will be several fun games, a cakewalk, a photo station, campfire, smores, food, and a hayride! Come join our Church this Saturday, beginning at 5:30 pm. We are located on CR 1470. Be sure to bring your coats to stay warm! We can't wait to see you there. For more information, please call Bro. Josh Crawford at 936-572-5303. God Bless.
October 29, 2019 - The Called Out Church would like to welcome all Spooks and Goblins to our Trunk or Treat! We will be passing out our Yummy Treats Thursday, October 31 from 7:00-8:30pm (as long as the weather allows!) We will post if we have to cancel! Hopefully not because we can't wait see to all the kiddos dressed up.
The church is located at 270 Hwy 96 N directly across from McAdams Propane.
October 14, 2019 - (Flier) - Mt. Calvary Full Gospel Church in Shelbyville will have a Revival October 30 - November 1, 7pm each night featuring Bro. Lamar Denby.
Friday night the New Day Spirituals will perform.
Mt. Calvary Full Gospel Church is located at 5527 FM 417 East Shelbyville, TX 75973.
October 28, 2019 - Shelbyville First Baptist Church will be hosting their annual Fish Fry and Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 from 6pm until 8pm.
October 28, 2019 - All things through Him-
For all who are Christian or to all who would become Christian, born-again followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)
In order to become one with our Lord we must die to this world and its evilness and be raised with him in righteousness, then we will seek the things that are above and not the things of this earth.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is." (Colossians 3:1)
"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)
From the day of your new birth in Christ, the day when you are raised with him, these are the things you are to do to follow him.
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil, desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you 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 off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:5-10)
And that is the image that all Christians are to reflect, the image of the goodness of Christ Jesus to the world.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13)
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14)
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 3:13)
It is by our love for one another that we are known as the disciples of Christ Jesus our Lord.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
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 3:15-17)
Do these things as Jesus asks of you that you too can then say; "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
For we are weak but he is strong and it is only through his strength that we are able to stand for him and cast his light into the darkness that is this world...
Praise and glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ...
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