Shelby County Today

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…

March 30, 2018 - Have you ever said or done something that you wish you could take back? Just imagine if you could take back those harsh words that you may have said to a friend or relative. Unfortunately I have had to "eat my words" far too many times in my life. I am sure that if you have lived for very long you can think of a time that you have done the same thing. 

As I prepare for the Easter service this Sunday, I was reading the story in John 20 where John and Peter came running to the tomb. I realized that even though John outran Peter and came to the tomb first, he didn't go in. But Peter went immediately without hesitation, into the tomb to find Jesus gone.  Peter appeared to be more enthusiastic to see the empty tomb than others. I asked  myself the question, "What made Peter so bold that without hesitation he ran straight into the tomb without stopping at the door?" Then I recalled that it was he, who when Jesus was taken from the cross dead,  he denied Christ three times. It was he, who had wept and was filled with guilt when the rooster crowed as predicted by Jesus. And now if the resurrection was real, he had a chance to right the wrong he had done that night as he stood by the fire and denied that he even knew Jesus. You see the empty grave for Peter was an opportunity for a new beginning. 

Later in John 21: 15-19 Jesus restores Peters place as the leader of the disciples and the early church by making him commit to "feed my sheep." the same number of times (three) as Peter had denied Jesus. Peter became the "rock" of the church that Jesus had told him he would be. Even though Peter stumbled, Jesus forgave him, and restored him to the position that Jesus had promised him.

I love this story because it reminds me of the kind of God we serve.  He is a God of forgiveness and restoration. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Christ died for you even though you were, or are still committing sins. In other words He loves you right where you are at. He knows we sometimes stumble. That we have all manner of character flaws, but He loves us just the same. And just like Peter, if we are willing to seek forgiveness and restoration He is faithful to give it to us. Not because we deserve it, but because of His great love for us and His unlimited grace. 

So remember, no matter how bad you may think you have messed up, God loves you. He wants to restore you to the high place He has prepared for you. With arms open wide He's waiting for you. Quit running away and start running toward Him. 

I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard

March 30, 2018 - Good Friday Worship Experience will be March 30th at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church, 107 Cora Street, Center, Texas. A unique service that will include Praise and Worship, Scripture, and a self guided walk through the “Stations of the Cross.”

Easter Block Party will be held on Saturday, March 31st, Noon until 3 p.m. at the Port-A-Cool Park located behind the Library in Center. An afternoon of fun for children and families hosted by the First Baptist Church in Center.

Easter Morning Worship Services will be April 1st and will begin at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church.

March 30, 2018 - Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ will be having their 2nd Biannual Conference April 5-7, 2018 in Center, Tx.  

Presider: Prince Archie Thompson