Shelby County Today

March 20, 2025 - There is a passage about God’s presence and God’s work that we need at this critical time in our experience. In the Old Testament book of Zephaniah God says that He is present with His people (3:14-20). Then He promises to do some specific things for His people. He comes to His people. Zephaniah emphasizes that as God’s people we ought to be praising, singing, worshipping and rejoicing with gladness. “You shall see disaster no more” (3:15). This is what happens when God is in our midst. This is revival, God working in, through and for His people. Verse 17 is a grand statement regarding God. We are encouraged not to be weak or feeble because God is in us. He isn’t just with us, He lives in us.

“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (3:17).

There is in this passage some very important things. We need them.

First, there is a conscious command, a clear order given to us in verse 14. We are to sing and shout, be glad and rejoice. This isn’t whistling in the dark. It is clearly tied to some real work of God and to His dynamic presence in our lives. Worship is important in our personal and corporate lives as God’s people. God is at work. That should cause such a joyous response.

We need to learn how to praise God, even when we don’t feel like praising Him. We need to learn how to express ourselves in worship, even when we don’t want to. We need to sing. We ought to shout. We certainly need to show forth gladness and rejoicing as God’s people. This is the first thing that we need to recognize in this passage.

Second, there is the presence of God explained in this passage. This is a message about “The God Who is Here.” God is here! God is at work. God is speaking. God does some things for His people. He is with His people. He lives in His people.

First, He deals with judgments. It says here, “The Lord has taken away your judgments….” God is in control and no one can do anything that He does not permit. He is sovereign. 

Then, as to His presence, second, it says here, “He has cast out your enemy.” God takes care of His people. He protects, provides, and preserves His own. He deals with our enemies. We need to be careful about enmity and enemies. Leave them in God’s hands. He will take care of them.

As to God’s presence, third, He says, “The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.” God is with His people. He is in their midst. When God is present we can be confident that He will provide and protect. We can trust Him.

Fourth, because God is present, in the midst of His people, He promises, “You shall see disaster no more.” What a promise. What a blessing. What a statement of confident assurance.

This lays the basis for considering what this means; what the presence and reality of God with us and in our midst means. The prophet here tells us the meaning of God being with His people.

1. There is no need to fear, God is here!
2. There need be no weakness. “Let not your hands be weak” (3:16b).
3. There is salvation. Wherever God is there is salvation available. “The Mighy One, will save” (3:17).
4. God rejoices in His people. As another says, “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3).
5. He expresses His love in real and substantial, often tangible, ways.

There are some who qualify and manifest a demeanor that attracts God, draws Him to them, even as there are often things that repel and impede His presence in our lives. God responds to some specific kinds of people.

God says here, “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who are among you, to whom its reproach is a burden” (3:18). God longs for the repentance, sorrow, assembled and burdened people. This is a glimpse into what God desires and what He will do for those who seek Him. He loves those who humble themselves and those who seek Him earnestly.

God gathers like-minded, God-loving, grace-filled, burdened people together. Indeed, this is His body, the church, called and commanded. This is more than a spiritual club, it is an organic body. “I will gather those…,” God says. Then He makes some specific and amazing promises to these whom He will gather. 

Consider what God promises to these people who have been rejected, abused, misused, afflicted, shamed, demeaned and defeated. He will do some specific and amazing things for them. We can claim these things under similar circumstances as God’s people. Note the use of the words “I will” in this passage. This is God talking.

1. “I will gather these” (3:18).
2. “I will deal with all who afflict you” (3:19a).
3. “I will save the lame” (3:19b).
4. “I will… gather those who were driven out” (3:19c)
5. “I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame” (3:19d).
6. “I will bring you back” (3:20).

What a list of promises and assurances from God to His people. We need to be sure that we are His people and then we need to claim these promises in that confidence assurance.

God is real. He exists. He comes to His people. He works in and through His people. We have here in Zephaniah a marvelous and miraculous picture of what God’s presence means for His people. 

This is who we need to become as God’s people. We need the Lord. We must have Jesus with us, in us and working through us. When we come together we must sense of God’s presence and understand He has called us together.

We need to be filled with God. It is the Holy Spirit, sent by God, who indwells God’s people. He is God living in us. He is God binding us together as His people. In this we need to be careful that we do not “quench the spirit,” that we be led and guided by God’s Spirit.

With this real truth we can deal with Covid-19 and any other attack that might come to us. As I have said before, there is hope for those who love God and seek to honor Him. We must remember that God is the key. We need to rely on Jesus.

Dr. Jerry Hopkins is a historian and retired university professor.

March 20, 2025 - First Baptist Church of Center is hosting a Blood Drive from 10am until 2:30pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025 in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Teresa Crawford at 936-598-5605 with sponsor code 7765 to sign up. Or signup online at https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/390331. Appointments are preferred; however, walk-ins are welcome.

Promotions! - Refreshing Water Bottle and Big Rivers Park Ticket and Diabetes A1C Testing!

Save lives on the go with CFL Express Pass. Complete your health history interview before you come in for your donation. Go to https://cflexpress.giveblood.org and complete the same day as your appointment.

Eat. Drink. Bring I.D..

March 19, 2025 – Burning Bush Ministries invites the community to a special Baseball Glove Fundraiser and Family Fun Night on Thursday, March 28, 2025. This exciting event will be held at Southview Family Church, 1229 Southview Circle, Center, Texas 75935, and promises an evening filled with fun, fellowship, and entertainment for the entire family!

The fundraiser aims to provide baseball gloves for local children in need, ensuring that every young athlete has the opportunity to play and enjoy the sport. Attendees can contribute to this great cause while enjoying a fun-filled night with friends and family.

Event Highlights:

• Christian Movie Screening – Gather for an inspiring, family-friendly film.
• Food and Snacks – Enjoy the delicious treats available throughout the evening.
• Family Activities – Participate in games and entertainment for all ages.

Doors open at 6pm, and the movie will begin at 7pm.

Join us for a night of faith, family, and fun while supporting a great cause! For more information, please get in touch with Burning Bush Ministries at (936) 590-6377.

March 17, 2025 - Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church is hosting a Women's Conference on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9am until 12 noon. The conference theme is "Fruit of The Spirit" Galatians 5:22-23. A $10 donation is appreciated.

Speakers are Sis. Stephanie Hicks, Reed Chapel Baptist Church, San Augustine, Texas and Evangelist Yvette Bates-Coleman, Christian Life Community, Tallulah, Louisiana.

Rev. Richard Edwards, Pastor
Sis. Rose Patton, Conference Chair