Shelby County Today

December 31, 2018 - As Christians, followers of the Christ and children of the Most High God we all wait. We wait for the coming of the Lord in glory, we wait for the end of this age and the coming of the next, the age of The Kingdom of God on earth.

John the Beloved gives us a look into this time with his words from Revelation and the vision he had of the new heaven and the new earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

What a sight to behold, the earth has been flattened, the mountains have slid into the sea and the sea is no more. And now, a new heaven and a new earth are coming down from heaven. A new beginning for all who are true believers, for those who do the will of the Lord in their lives.

As the half brother of Jesus, James says; “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

To be simply a hearer of God’s word does little, for when one is not in worship of the Lord, he looks away and does not remain in faith but is easily drawn away by the passions and temptations of the world. For those the judgement will be one of disappointment and torment, forever.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres. Being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25)

It is not enough to just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for the devil and his demons believe and tremble in his presence, no, one must also obey the Lord Jesus Christ if one is to be saved of the penalties of one’s sin. One must be a doer of the Word of God, living the Word of God each day of one’s life on earth.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5)

“And the city has no need for sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:23)

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.” (Rev. 22:1-2)

“Let the evildoer still do evil, the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” (Rev. 22:11)

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Rev. 22:12) Where will he find you when he comes???

December 27, 2018 - Mt Zion CME 5th Sunday Missionary Program this Sunday, December the 30th at 3pm. Guest speakers will be First Lady Pearlie Nash of House Of Refuge Ministries and First Lady Lillie Price-Standley of East Liberty Baptist Church.

Rev. Richard Edwards, pastor. Joyce Johnson, Missionary President.

December 24, 2018 - There is an age-old question; How shall I come before the Lord, what am I to do to be saved, and how do I then live the Christian life that Jesus Christ requires of me, to assist in spreading the gospel?

A young man once came before the prophet, Micah, with this question; “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?” (Micah 6:6)

To his question, how do I seek salvation from the Lord? The old prophet then answered.

“He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

And so the old prophet answered his question telling him that one does not need to bring offerings or sacrifices before the Lord when seeking salvation. No, one only needs to live the life of righteousness by doing justly toward all people. By showing mercy to those less fortunate than oneself, and by humbling oneself before God. Committing ones life and actions to serving the Lords will and not his own or the wishes of the world. Jesus had not yet been born on earth and so he is looking only to the Father for salvation.

King Solomon gives us even a roadmap into living the Christian life in his book of Proverbs as he says;

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your ear to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” (Proverbs 2:1-8)

King Solomon is telling all that if; we are faithful and true to the Lord our God, and follow his commands in our lives, listening to the Holy Spirit as he guides us through life. If we call out in prayer for wisdom and understanding that we may better serve him each day. If we truly seek to do his will and not our own each day, then he will give us understanding that we can know his will and his wishes for us every day of our lives on earth. The apostle John follows this up with these words of wisdom for all who do accept Jesus as Lord;

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

As we know from the scriptures, that is all one must do to saved; “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

And that is the commission that all Christians have been given, to live a life of service, reflecting the goodness, love, grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus to all that we meet each day. For by our lives Jesus is known to the world. May you accept him as Lord and live the life of a disciple helping to spread the gospel every day.

December 24, 2018 - The Timpson First United Methodist Church invites everyone to thier annual Chrtismas Eve service at 5PM on December 24. Located at 312 Austin Street, the church is decorated for this special occasion and all are welcome to join in the celebration of Jesus's birth.