April 10, 2018 - There is a saying that goes like this; " Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me."  I'm sure that you may have said this when you were a kid or maybe taught it to your kids when they were being called names. The truth be told, that sounds good in theory, but its not really true. The words we speak and the words others say to us have great power and can hurt in a way that leaves lasting scars.  That is why we need to be very careful what we say and how we say things.  In Proverbs 12:18 it says " There is one whose rash words are like sword thrust, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."  We have power in our words to tear down and hurt or to heal brokenness.
       
So why are words so powerful? We have to  realize that God spoke all things into existence and gave us His Word as a guide for us to live by. So God puts a lot of emphasis on the power of words. Jesus called Lazurus out of the grave. He battled the devil in the desert with the Word of God. I could site many other examples but you get the point. Words do matter and how we use them in relation to others can have a profound impact on their lives. Husbands and wives who constantly criticize and tear each other down with their words will eventually destroy the love relationship that made them so happy in the beginning. Fathers and mothers who beat their children down with harsh words can destroy the life of a child they say that they love.  I believe harsh words are like bullets fired from a gun. When you shoot them out of your mouth they are not going to stop until they hit something. When they do, they first leave an open wound that may heal up eventually,  but leave a really nasty scar. 
     
So how should we speak to one another so that instead of tearing down, we build others up? Paul speaks directly to that point in Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come from your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Let your words be words that are filled with kindness, gentleness, and self control. When we speak to each other with love and respect there is no limit on the effects those words have on improving the confidence, self esteem, and love that can grow from them. I have seen peoples lives changed by words of encouragement spoken to them. When we allow the Spirit of God to guide what we say, our words can be like a "healing salve" put on a wound that gives instant relief.
      
So as we go through our day let us imitate Christ . Let us treat everyone with love and respect. Speaking words of encouragement, peace, and love, extending the grace that God has so freely given us to all we meet. It will not only improve the lives of those you come in contact, but God will bless you with a life filled with love and happiness.

I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard

April 10, 2018 - Strong Triumph Church, under the leadership of Elder Faye Dell Allen, invites everyone to their annual revival, May 3-5, 2018 starting at 7 p.m. each night. The evangelist for the week is Pastor Brandon Owens of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Center, Texas.

Please come out and join us as we lift up the name of the Lord. For more information, please call Elder Faye Dell Allen at 936-368-2611/936-572-5810.

April 10, 2018 - United in Christ, our Lord-

Why does each person have a longing in his soul, a longing for more than the world can offer, for more than the world can provide? For what do we seek?

We seek for the unity that comes only with living in the Lord Jesus, of being in the Body of Christ. The unity that comes by being one with the Lord and many others, each being a single part of the Body of Christ which is the church of the Living God on earth.

Paul gives us insight into this longing as he speaks to the Ephesians, exhorting the church to unity based on the truth of there being one God and Father of all and his work of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This unity was established by the Lord Jesus when he established the church in his name, we are only to accept him as Lord and to continue in unity with one another.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

“There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:1-7) 

While Paul is speaking here to a group of first century Christians, the way was established by the Lord Jesus for all to follow. 

One hope, that of eternal life and joy, lived with Christ in heaven. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3)

One Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God that the Father sent to indwell each of his children when the Lord Jesus ascended back to heaven. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name.” (John 14:26)

One Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. Cornerstone of the unified church, the body of Christ, irrespective of denominational differences, a voice for Christ around the world.

For as Jesus so said; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) 

One faith, the faith given us by the resurrection of the Lord, the faith of knowing that if forever faithful that we too will be raised in unison with him to be with him forever in heaven. “To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)  

One baptism, showing again the unity of becoming one with the Lord. “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) 

One God and Father of all, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God of all, our Heavenly Father and Creator of all things. 
For all who walk with the Lord and reside in the Body of Christ, I rejoice as the angels rejoice in heaven with each soul that is saved.

For those who have not yet chosen to accept the Lord, I issue this prayer and hope of redemption to come.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

April 10, 2018 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club will meet Monday, April 16th, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church at 11:30 AM. An enjoyable musical program will be presented by Charles and Judy Delaney. 

Visitors are always welcome to join us for a delicious covered dish luncheon, a good program and time of fellowship.

April 9, 2018 - Sunday was the Second Sunday of Easter. The First Lesson for this Sunday was a short passage from Acts 4: 32-35. In these four verses we see what the hallmark of the early Jesus Movement became—consumed with living a life of caring, giving, and compassion just as the Master taught and lived. 

After plenty of rain, Sunday morning was chilly, but the sun was trying to break through. Sue and I got just over four inches at our house; most everyone had three or more inches. Gene is hoping that the ground will dry out enough so he can start putting in his garden. He is a serious gardener, with a huge garden that he works diligently. I, on the other hand, just play at being a gardener but I do really enjoy it. Flowers, vegetables, trees, and bushes are some of the lovelier things in God’s creation.

We had the regulars for Sunday School. Fannie’s lesson really stressed the idea of community, which was so important to the early church. The lesson from John 21: 1-14 has Jesus fixing breakfast for his disciples. The disciples don’t recognize Jesus until he has them cast the net to the right and bring up many large fish. I like the idea of Jesus appearing and doing something as ordinary as fixing breakfast for his friends. I think we are to be ready to encounter Jesus in shared experiences with each other.

All month long we will collect toothpaste and toothbrushes for Community Christian Services. I found their schedule of openings on the internet, so maybe I’ll be better able to deliver our monthly donations. Up until now, I’ve just been hoping they might be open when I go through Haslam on other errands. This Thursday we head to Focused Care at 10:15 for our first monthly program. 

“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. Godspeed.

April 9, 2018 - Saturday, May 5, 2018 is set for the Willow Grove Homecoming. Come fellowship, spruce up the cemetery, enjoy a covered dish luncheon and attend the business meeting.

We thank Willow Grove Church for allowing us to use their Fellowship Hall. Also, we thank Mr. Lennis Holt for another year of keeping up the "back forty."

The cemetery layout is currently being updated. Please come as we honor those we love who have "walked on ahead of us."

Heritage is defined as something handed down such as a tradition. Help keep this tradition going. Consider donating to the Willow Grove Cemetery Association for today and the future. Hope to see you there!

To donate contact: Willie Edwards, P.O. Box 71, Joaquin, Texas 75954. His telephone number is 936-269-3236.

April 6, 2018 - Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church will have a youth revival April 18th, 2018 through April 20th, 2018 starting at 7pm nightly.

  • Wednesday night speaker: Rev. Bradley Hale of the Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in San, Augustine, TX
  • Thursday night speaker: Rev. Charleston Johnson of the First Smyrna United Missionary Baptist Church Timpson, TX
  • Friday night speaker: Rev. Brandon Owens of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Center, TX

All area churches are invited to attend

Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr.
April N. Moore, Church Clerk

April 5, 2018 - Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church will have a musical: Bring the Praise April 7th, 2018 at 6pm.

All area choirs, soloists, praise teams, and churches are invited to attend.

Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr.
April N. Moore, Church Clerk

April 4, 2018 - We have all heard of Jesus being called the Son of David and see this repeated many times in the New Testament. But, do we really understand why that is said so often about our Lord Jesus Christ? Let us look in the book of Matthew for a better understanding of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus.

It all starts with Abraham, the first to become a Jew, the first of the chosen ones of the Lord God. God called Abraham and promised him that he would be the Father of many, many people, more even than the sands of the sea shore.

Now we know that; “Abraham was the father if Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.” (Matt. 1:2) And so the linage goes on until we reach Jesse. Now Jesse was the grandson of Rehab, the prostitute who saved the spies that Joshua sent into the city of Jericho. Rehab, the same who was spared by Joshua when the city of Jericho was laid to waste and all except for Rehab and her family were destroyed. God uses, the least to defeat the most, often to show his glory.

“And Salmon the father of Boaz, by Rehab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah.” (Matt. 1:5) 

Time continues on through many generations, through the deportation of all the people of Israel to Babylon and back into Israel until we find Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

“And Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Matt. 1:16)

“So all generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.” (Matt. 1:17) 

A generation in Biblical times was considered to be one hundred years, so the time from Abraham to Jesus would have been 4200 years. but, the blood from Abraham through David to Jesus was never broken, showing why Jesus is often referred to as the Son of Abraham, the Son of David in the Bible.

Now here is the greatness of this, we also are Sons of Abraham, for through Abraham, by his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. One a Jew, the other an Arab by the women Hagar, servant to Abrahams wife Sarah. 

According to the Bible all people on earth are descended from these two sons of Abraham. Through Ishmael the twelve tribes of Arabs and through Isaac, the twelve tribes of Israel and eventually all the people of the world.

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) 

And so I ask you this morning, are you washed in regeneration by the blood of Jesus Christ? Do you know the joy of walking in the light of Christ each day? May it be so Lord, but if not, then the Lord Jesus stands ready to accept you into his flock this very day.

And all you must do is take that one step of accepting him as Lord and Savior, asking him for forgiveness of your sins and by forever dedicating your life to him. 

He is knocking at the door of your heart this morning, open it and let him in and receive the gift of eternal life in him. May the blessings of our Lord be yours this day…

April 2, 2018 - Sunday was Easter Sunday. Some people don’t like the term Easter because it comes from the goddess Eostre who is a fertility goddess and the goddess of light and the dawn. So some people speak of Sunday as Resurrection Sunday. It was also April Fool’s Day which fit in well with my sermon. I was raised in a very conservative sect of the Lutheran Church and traditionally, Lutheran ministers tell a joke on Easter Sunday. Martin Luther thought the joke was on the devil because God resurrected Jesus and death had been defeated. Love wins! Christians should laugh and sing on Easter Sunday. 

Jesus’ resurrection is just as radical as his teachings. During Holy Week, Jesus attacked the religious institutions of his day. Let us not become complacent and too comfortable in our institutions—our churches. Let us pledge never to become the religious elites that Jesus criticized in his day. Let us never let our religion, our institutions, our denomination, our ways of faith override the message of Easter.

We were in double digits this morning. Hilda’s sister Linda came this morning; it was wonderful to catch up with her. Liz and her beautiful voice added greatly to our singing this morning—and always nice to talk with her. The lilies from last week still looked nice: We had to move them and the palm fronds off the altar before having Communion. 

And wasn’t it a lovely Easter day? Ever since last Wednesday’s storms, we’ve had the most gorgeous weather (and no snow like some Americans are dealing with today). I haven’t delivered last month’s donations to Community Christian Services yet but will try to go by this week. For April we will collect toothpaste and toothbrushes.

“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. Godspeed

Randy & Sue Smith
Paxton Methodist Church

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