Shelby County Today

March 15, 2018 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Center, Texas, Rev. Winston Kibbles - Pastor Celebrating Friends and Family Day.

The event will be held Sunday, April 15, at 2:30pm. Special guest, Rev. Cedric Grace, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church San Augustine, Tx.

Theme: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity." Psalm: 133.

March 14, 2018 - Most people search each day for more of what they do not have; peace, happiness and joy. All of which are very difficult to find in this present day world.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

To ask; is to realize that what we seek can only be found by being aware of the sovereignty of God. That only God can grant these things and that only by through humility can we effectively seek the peace afforded those who seek the face of God.

To seek; is to connect with God through reverent prayer and responsible action as we pursue the will of God in our lives. We must commit our lives to his will and wishes. 
To knock; is to persevere. We are to persist in our prayers being confident that the Father will provide whatever is best for us, according to his sovereign, gracious will. Remembering it is his will and not our own that matters, for he sees all, knows all and does what is best for his children.

Jesus tells us even more about the grace of our Lord and what he will do for his children.
“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11) 

How wonderful can it be to be wrapped in the arms of our Lord?

For it is written: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Oh, the glory to be received by those who trust in the Lord and accept him as their sovereign Lord and Savior.

So what are we to do as children of the Most High God?

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

What we know as the “Golden Rule”, we are told here to be the basis for all scripture as the “Law and the Prophets” is the Hebrew name for the entire Old Testament.

For if we have accepted the Lord as our God and if we then treat others with grace then we too will be so treated by our Lord.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus warns us here that to follow God is not always easy, that he is the only way to the Father, that we must enter through acceptance of him as our Lord. And that the ways of the world will appear glamorous and inviting but not to be deceived for only the way of the Lord leads to eternal life in heaven, all others lead to death.

Which have you chosen, or which will you choose, for all must choose and all must live by their choices. Please make your choice the right one today. May the blessings of our Lord be upon you…

March 12, 2018 - "Take Off the Mask," Women's Conference is set for Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10am at Open Door Worship Center.

Guest speakers are Sis. Stephanie Hicks of Center; 1st Lady Levarie Cloudy of Garrison; Minister Darlene Hawkins of Henderson; 1st Lady Shaneeta Rhodes of Timpson; Prophetess Annie Weaver of Lanesville, TX; and Keynote speaker Prophetess Rhonda Coleman of Athens, TX.

March 12, 2018 - Sunday was the Fourth Sunday in Lent. It is still winter, but we have had a taste of spring this week. The days are getting longer; once we adjust to Daylight Savings Time, we will be able to enjoy the light-filled evenings. Of course DST has plunged our morning coffee into darkness. I guess we can’t have everything.

The Gospel Lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is John 3:14-21 and includes probably the most famous verse in Christianity—John 3:16. John intended for these verses to be words of comfort, love, and hope during a very difficult time in the early Jesus Movement. 

About once or twice a year I cite the boy wizard, Harry Potter. I still remember the elementary kids at Joaquin Elementary carrying around these huge books. I wondered what had captured the imaginations of so many kids, so I read that first Harry Potter novel. I was hooked—books and movies.

In my sermon, I referenced the time when Harry’s wise mentor, Dumbledore, reminded Harry what the greatest magic was—love. John the Evangelist also believed that it was love—the love that Christ had that was the way and the truth. 

Our Sunday school lesson was titled “There Is No God Like You.” The scripture was 2Chronicles 6: 12-21, speaking to the covenant that Yahweh made with David. The Israelites certainly believed that there was no God quite like their God: When Yahweh made a promise, it was always kept. 

This past week several volunteers went to Focused Care in Center. Hilda was already playing and the residents singing when I got there. And unless you get the wrong idea, I wasn’t late! There were so many Joaquin folks that it was almost like a school reunion. The Cammacks joined us, along with Louise and Wanda. Fannie read a biography of Jesus that was very poignant. Nora sang two songs that are special to her church—Old Home Baptist. I shared my favorite Bible verse, Micah 6:8, which talks about what God requires of us. Ms. Hilda was lively on the piano, and we had a large crowd full of good singers. 

“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.