Shelby County Today

November 19, 2018 - Of sons and heirs-

“My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both.” (Proverbs 24:21-22)

A caution from the Proverbs for the Christian follower of Christ. One who strives to follow the will of the Lord must resist the temptations of the world for to be saved is to be removed from the world.

“For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:10)

To be justified is to be judged worthy of salvation, for God justifies with his forgiveness and grace all who come to him asking for forgiveness of sin.

Those of ancient Israel were held under the law given Moses by God for all to strive to follow, but when Christ Jesus came all were released from the law by God’s grace, given by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, once, for all mankind.

“Now before faith (the Lord Jesus) came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming of faith would be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23)

A set of more than six hundred laws given by God, through Moses, to the people of Israel. A set of rules to follow, designed to show all that they could not exist on their own but that all must have help from the Lord to be saved.

“So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

Please take note here that the scripture says; “we might be justified by faith.” The saving grace of God is only available to those who come, by faith, trusting in the Lord Jesus as their Sovereign Lord and Master. Salvation is free, paid in full by the sacrifice of Christ, but, only available to those who accept him as Lord.

“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)

All who do come, who believe and confess Jesus as Lord will be saved, but all who do not will be left in darkness, the choice is yours.

Now, for all who do accept him as Lord there is no more guardian of the law as all who accept him are then heirs to the throne of God, sons of God, joint heirs with Christ Jesus.

"But now that faith (Jesus) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 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.” (Galatians 3:25-28)

You see there is no place for evil in the kingdom of the Lord. A place where all are treated equally, where there is only peace and joy, where nothing of this world can enter. A place where only those who have been set aside by the Lord are welcomed 

So I ask you today, will I see you there? Will you come in faith confessing Jesus as your Lord and accept his gift of life eternal with him? 

Come today and allow the Lord to remove you from the world. “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:7)

May the rich blessings of our Lord be upon you this day and forever… 

November 16, 2018 - Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley community, are holding a food pantry for the residents of Shelby County. It will be held Saturday, November 17, 2018. Identification and proof of residency will be required. Only (1) box per household will be given.

Sign in starts at 9am until food is gone at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 901 Southview Circle, Center, Texas.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6

November 13, 2018 - The first official act of the new government of the United States of America was not to pass a law, but, to officially dedicate the new country, the new republic, to the service of the Lord God.

New President George Washington and his cabinet, all appointments from the ranks of the leaders of the war of independence from Great Britain walked to a small chapel in New York where they prayed together, led by President Washington and dedicated our country and their efforts to lead it, to the Lord God of heaven.

That is how America came into being, as a servant of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah speaks of such a country that had become as has America when he says;

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.” (Isaiah 1:2)

A country reared up by God Almighty, delivered by his hand from the chains of bondage to Great Britain. A country of farmers who defeated the largest army in the world, but only by God’s grace. A country which would prosper like none other since time began. A people which would eventually turn from the Lord and go their own selfish, sinful ways. 

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.” (Isaiah 1:4)

How long, America, how long will you defy the Lord? When before you come to your senses and repent of your sinful ways? For only through repentance and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ will this country be saved from its own wickedness.

“Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.” (Isaiah 1:5) 

And so the Lord asks of us; why do you do this? Why do you not know my law, my will for you?

Because, as a whole, we are an ignorant people, ignorant of God’s Word, the Bible.

Understanding comes only from the pages of God’s Word and without study and meditation on his word we are found stumbling in darkness, lost in sin and iniquity. Feeble attempts to satisfy the Lord without true repentance will not succeed.

“Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations - I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” (Isaiah 1:13)

“When you spread out your hands, I will hide my face my eyes from you; though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)

The Lord requires true repentance of all sin if we are to be saved again as a people. We must come to him first, as individuals repenting of our own sinful ways, and then come together as a people dedicated to him and his will as we started, if, America is to return to his good graces.

“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek social justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but of you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:16:20)

So I ask you this day, will you turn from your sinful ways, repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Sovereign Lord and Master? For there is no other way to salvation than through the Lord Jesus. 

Accept him this day and escape the fate of all evildoers when the day of the Lord comes…

November 12, 2018 - Sunday at Paxton was Gideon Sunday as well as Veterans Day. We had as our guest Gideon speaker Cliff Hickman from Henderson. We really appreciated the update on the work of the Gideons. We budget money each year for their work and many past members of this church were Gideons. 

I am typing and filling in the reports for the upcoming Charge Conference. Pastor Matt is going to fill in for Pastor Karen at the conference. I completed the Trustees Report and the Finance Committee Report and will need to get signatures. Next Sunday we will have a brief Church Conference to approve all the reports, pastor’s salary, apportionments, and budget. 

We had the largest Sunday School since I have been pastor at Paxton.  Our numbers were swelled by the extended Hutto family. It was so nice to see all of them. I know their Sunday was very busy helping Joy and Gene prepare for the Veterans Day Program in Center. Fannie had us really thinking as several wondered why this story of deceit is such an important story in the Jewish Testament. Jacob and his mother Rebekah were determined to steal Isaac’s blessing of his favorite son Esau. It does seem that Jehovah had his hand on the scale in support of Jacob. The scripture and lesson certainly had plenty of “food for thought.”

Cliff Hickman from Gideon International did a nice job giving some history of the organization and how money is raised and spent to get Bibles into the hands of those who want them. Cliff has spoken once before at Paxton, but this Sunday he had a “Paxton full house.” We really appreciate him coming from Henderson, and we had a nice collection for the Gideons.  

During the month of November we are collecting rice and beans for Community Christian Services.  This Thursday there will be a flu shot clinic at the Joaquin Senior Center from 10:00-11:00. This past week Pastor Matt, Jo, Hilda, Minnie, and I met at Focused Care for our program of music and fellowship. It was great to see everyone there. Matt read scripture and spoke. Jo spoke about veterans and Veterans’ Day, saying she was filling in for Fannie, who would have had a patriotic message. Minnie played and Hilda led and we sounded pretty good—with help from Jo!  I shared some things that I am thankful for this season. We even sneaked in some Christmas songs.

This afternoon, Sue and I joined many folks, including a good group from Paxton, at the Veterans’ program at the historical courthouse. There was a standing-room-only crowd. Larry was the MC of the program and did a great job. He mentioned that they have been working on this 100-year celebration of the end of WWI for about eighteen months. I know that Gene, Joy, Larry, Theresa, and Carolyn have done a lot of creative work, which you could really tell driving up to the courthouse. The cascading river of poppies came down from a courthouse second story window, and all the “planted” poppies made a dramatic scene. The printed program was so nice with pictures of all the Shelby County WWI veterans. The music was great. The presentations and the history spoken of really made for a moving tribute to our veterans. And, as we were leaving we saw the replica of the courthouse that Gene had been working on. For such a small church, we have a lot of talent!

“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.