+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
August 8, 2017 - The Blake Brothers will be at Joaquin First Baptist this Sunday morning, August 13 at 11am. Everyone is invited to come and a love offering will be taken during the service for the Blake Brothers.
A fish fry lunch will follow the singing event, which is free of charge and welcome to everyone.
August 8, 2017 - The Blake Brothers will be at Joaquin First Baptist this Sunday, August 13, morning at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to come and a love offering will be taken during the service for the Blake Brothers. A fish fry lunch will follow the singing event, which is free of charge and welcome to everyone.
August 8, 2017 - Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ San Augustine, Texas will hold their Healing & Deliverance Revival August 17-19 7pm nightly.
Guest revivalist will be Pastor Richard McCowin, Lone Star Baptist Church Larue, Texas.
August 8, 2017 - The blessed man-
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
First, I must tell you that I am a “blessed man”. Not because I am a perfect person, but far from it. I am a blessed man for God has taken me from a sinner, lost in a world of sin, and turned me into a “born-again-child of the Most High God.
Full of imperfections and weaknesses, lacking in so many ways, and while not worthy, still his own. Thank you Lord God, my Heavenly Father, my Blessed Redeemer.
What does our scripture actually say of being a blessed man.
First, it says he “walks not in the council of the wicked,” council being described as; “an assembly or group of people”. To be wicked is; “to sin and transgress against God and other people. A transgression is a wrong-doing against another person, while a sin is a wrong-doing against God.
So we are not to associate or walk with those who gather together in sin or who would do harm or wrong to other people.
Goodness, how much of this is highlighted daily on television. Graphic displays of violent protests, actually riots, against all who oppose them.
Second, “stands in the way of sinners” so the second part includes the first part in that it refers to the wicked by their actions which is to sin or transgress. It simply means the blessed man is not to associate, to walk or to stand with the wicked, those who sin and transgress.
Third, “nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Who are the scoffers? Scoffers are described as those who mock others, who deride or laugh at or show scorn for others. To scoff or to gossip is a mayor cause of problems within churches today.
So we know to be a blessed man one must veer away from any who are described here. We come to another of life's choices, who shall I associate with!
We see what one who would become a blessed man must not do, now let us look to the scripture for what one is to do in order to become a blessed man.
“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Delight means; “to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment”. So the blessed man takes great pleasure and satisfaction in the law of the Lord. To us of the present world, this law is found in the pages of God’s Word and on the lips of preachers and pastors. So we are being instructed if we wish to become “blessed” to enjoy the pleasures found in the Bible and also in the words spoken by the preachers and pastors of our land. Meaning to become “blessed” we are to read God’s Word and attend houses of worship where God’s Word is preached by a God-called preacher.
“On his law he meditates day and night” also meaning to become blessed we are to study, or to meditate, to contemplate, to think about God’s Word day and night.
As I said, I am a blessed man, for God lifted me from the pit of sin, gave me a new life and a new path and allows me to spend time each day in His Word, working for Him and His will. Certainly through nothing I have done nor deserved, but because of His amazing grace and mercy. May the blessings of our Lord be upon you this day…
August 7, 2017 - Sunday was the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. The Gospel lesson is one of the most beloved stories in the New Testament, in which we see Jesus feeding the multitude with only five loaves and two fish. But my focus was on what brought Jesus to where he hoped he would find peace and quiet. As the Gospel lesson from Matthew begins, Jesus has just learned that his beloved friend and mentor John the Baptizer has been executed. Jesus, filled with grief and despair, heads off into the wilderness or desert for undisturbed contemplation. But Jesus, a celebrity in the Galilee, is soon discovered by crowds in his hiding place. Rather than sending them away, Jesus uses the time for teaching.
Most of my sermon came from the Old Testament lesson about the greatest wrestling match in the Bible. Jacob the deceiver is returning home. But on the night before his return, Jacob wrestles with someone. The text from Genesis says it is a man. The prophet Hosea calls the wrestler an angel of God. Some believe it is Esau or even God himself. Others see a metaphor for Jacob wrestling with himself as he must deal with dark deeds from his past. Whoever it is, Jacob leaves the match with pain but also a blessing.
I went to worship service at Tenaha Methodist this morning. Pastor Matt gave a great message with many good Methodist themes. Ms. Hilda was playing the piano. What a special person she is! As soon as she finished there, she headed to Paxton Methodist to play for us. Ms. Fannie’s lesson was from Acts, titled “Called to Witness.” All this quarter we have studied various Old Testament prophets answering the call from God.
We had a short business meeting: The church voted to give $500 to the Tenaha backpack program and $500 to the Spanish language church that shared our building for many years. Our treasurer Gene also presented a financial report. Every Sunday in August is “Undie Sunday,” when we collect new children’s underwear and socks for Community Christian Services. Our ministry to Green Acres—Focus Care—has a new time and day. This Thursday, the second Thursday of the month, we will meet at 10:15am. Our other nursing center ministries’ times remain the same.
“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 10am. 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 and Sue Smith Paxton Methodist Church
August 4, 2017 - Back-2-School Bash Saturday, August 12th at 6:00 PM. The fun will be at Old Home Baptist Church. There will be water games, hot dogs and treats. All activities are free. Directions: 9 miles North of Center on Farm Road 699, turn Left on County Road 4455. Call or text for more details. 936-332-9293
August 7, 2017 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville, TX announces Homecoming and Revival Services:
Annual Homecoming: Sunday August 13, 2017 at 3PM. Guest Speaker: Reverend Timothy Teel of the Bell Chapel Baptist Church of San Augustine Texas.
Revival Services: Wednesday August 16th - 18th at 7:30pm nightly. Speakers: Wednesday - Reverend Larry Thorn of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Carthage Texas, Thursday - Bishop Stanley Lawson of Unity Tabernacle Longview, TX and Friday - Apostle Cornell Hamilton of From Bondage to Freedom Ministries Shreveport, LA
Bishop W. C. Martin and the members of Bennett Chapel Church invite you all to come worship with us.
August 4, 2017 - Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ of San Augustine, Texas is hosting a Healing & Deliverance Revival August 17 through August 19 7pm at nightly.
Guest Revivalist is Pastor Richard McCowin of Lone Star Baptist Church, Larue, Texas.
August 3, 2017 - Blessed, we hear this word so often, but what does it truly mean to be blessed by the Lord our God.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
The blessed man sits himself apart from the evils of the world, even though he lives in the world, he is not a part of the world for he has been set apart by the Lord our God for his own good pleasure and not for the world.
The blessed man does the will and work of the Lord our God as he delights in doing God’s wishes. The blessed man delights in God’s Word as he studies and contemplates and reflects on the Word. Considering that the Word of God is what is to be done while on this earth.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
Being grounded in God’s Word gives the blessed man strength and faith allowing him to be fruitful in his works and worship of the Lord. As with a tree whose roots reach streams of water in summer, he does not falter when times become troublesome or he is persecuted for the name of the Lord our God. But he prospers in his faith and gains riches, laid up in heaven for the day of the judgment of the righteous.
“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:4) Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit the lost will be driven by the devil and will never stand with the righteous unless they repent of their sins and accept the Lord our God as their Lord and Master.
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, not sinners in the congregation of the righteous;” (Psalm 1:5)
There will be two separate days of judgement. First, the judgement seat of Christ that is spoken of here when the Lord returns for his own. We will all be lifted up in glory to meet him in the clouds and travel with the Lord to heaven where we will each stand before the Lord our God to be judged innocent of all sin and allowed to enter the Kingdom of God. To hear the words of Christ as he says; “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
No sinner, no wicked person will ever be allowed to enter into this congregation of the saints.
“for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
The Lord knows the righteous and delights in those who have kept his commands, but he will send the wicked into eternal torment on the day of the great white throne judgement when the wicked shall all stand before the Lord to be judged guilty of their sins and sentenced to eternity in the fires of hell. Jesus said on that day many will come before him crying that they have done good works in his name but because they never truly devoted their lives to him he will tell them; “and then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)
To be blessed is to know the Lord and for the Lord to know you, devote your life to him and to do his wishes and commands and not those of the world.
May the Lord bless yo hand keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day…
August 1, 2017 - Mt. Zion Homecoming & Revival Services will start on Sunday, August 6th at 3pm with Rev. Delphine Thompson, Shepherd of Triumph Church, Center as the special guest.
Revival Services will be August 7th - 9th at 7pm nightly. Monday night speaker will be Rev. Marilyn Briggs, pastor of St. Paul C.M.E. Church, Nacogdoches.
Tuesday night speaker will be Rev. Karl Moore, pastor of Carroll Chapel C.M.E. Church Shelbyville. Wednesday night we will be closing our revival with Rev. Karen Christopher, pastor of Pine Flat C.M.E. Church, Nacogdoches. Rev. Elgena Weaver, pastor.
Pages
