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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
January 30, 2018 - Appreciation service honoring Brenda Carrillo Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 3pm Bennett chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Possum Trot, Bishop WC Martin Pastor.
Special guest will be Abundant Love Ministries Pastor Marlin Cloudy
Everyone is invited to worship.
January 29, 2018 - Sunday was the 4th Sunday after Epiphany. I have not preached the last two Sundays. After spending a week in the hospital I got to come home just in time to watch the beautiful snow falling. After a few days of feeling better, I was diagnosed with the flu. Sue got the same diagnosis, and we have both been quarantined quietly at home. Finally I have started to improve, but still am weak.
For the scripture basis of my sermon I used the Epistle Lesson for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany—1 Corinthians 8:1-13. As is often the case, Paul is putting out fires, trying to resolve disagreements among the Jesus folks in Corinth. We look back at this early church disagreement and are puzzled at why there was such a fuss. And yet, today the Jesus Church is as splintered and divided as it has ever been. We really need to remember John Wesley’s words about the essentials of faith and charity toward others.
It was so great to be back at Paxton this morning. It seemed as if I had an extended absence. I sure missed everyone and am planning a healthier February. We ended up skipping all three of our January programs at nursing homes and assisted living, due to illness—we’re hoping to improve that record also. All this month church members have brought cans of tuna to donate to Community Christian Services. In February we will be collecting soap and shampoo. I would like to wish happy birthday to all who had birthdays in January. Happy birthday to Bill, Jake, Stephen Joe, Liz, and Lillie.
Sue and I came to church this morning to find Ms. Fannie with a good Sunday school lesson going. The scripture lesson was Daniel 10:10-19. From the little we heard, this lesson stressed how important it is to continue—not quit or turn back—plug forward! It was great to see everyone this morning. Gene made me a couple of CDs of Brother Dave Gardner. Bro. Dave is a comedian from the 50-60s; to listen to him is a flash from my childhood.
We were all saddened to hear of the death of Liz’s sister/Lillie’s daughter, Nancy. Liz, Lillie, and Mike will head back to Tennessee for her memorial service. Carolyn called after church to report that her grandson, Guy Ross Barton, is in ICU in Tyler after a wreck. We’ll keep all these people in our prayers.
“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.
Randy & Sue Smith
Paxton Methodist Church
January 25, 2018 - People today find themselves always seeming to be short of time. Short of the time needed to get everything of the day done, as they would like.
Even for the most devout it seems so hard to make time for stopping and giving time to the Lord God. Giving time to sit and commune with God, time to devote to the study of the Words of God written in the Bible’s of today.
Here’s what God said to Joshua about following his words as Joshua sat out to guide the Israelites across the Jordan river and into the promised land; all of that land west of the Euphrates and to the Mediterranean Sea.
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
Now we know from the Bible that Joshua did indeed follow the words given him as directed and that as long as Joshua lived the Israelites prospered and gained the lands that had been promised to them as quickly as their numbers increased to allow them to possess the new lands. Only when Joshua died did the Israelites turn from the Lord God, never to fully receive the fullness of the Promised Land.
God asks the same of you and I today, that we study his word and meditate on it day and night, so that then He can make our way prosperous and that we will have the good success of gaining salvation through Jesus Christ.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) All are given the chance of salvation but each must first believe and confess that Jesus is Lord in order to receive the gift of eternal life with the Lord.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Read your Bible daily and give thanks to the Lord God for all things, for only by his grace and love do we receive our daily needs. Only through his goodness do we receive the things we have, the things we say we own. For truly all things of this earth belong to the Lord, we are only stewards of the things he allows each of us to use.
“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8) We learn godliness only from study of God’s Word. Study each day is critical to our own well being as our relationship with the Lord God depends upon the time we spend with him each and every day.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Only through God’s grace which is the Lord Jesus are we saved. Only by his sacrifice on the cross, dying, once for all, that all who call upon him will be saved. Oh thank you Lord Jesus for your saving grace given to all who will ask.
How about you today? Have you asked for the Lord God to save you, do you believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross and that God raised him from the dead? Have you confessed your sins to him, have you confessed that Jesus is your Lord and Master to others? That is the requirement for salvation, do it today and receive the eternal gift of life.
January 24, 2018 - I love to play golf. The only problem is I'm just not that good at it. I enjoy the company of the people I'm playing with, the beauty of the course, even the thrill of competition. I have tried practicing to get better but it dosen't seem to work for me. But there is one thing that improves my game every time I use it, and that's something golfers like to call a "mulligan". A mulligan is when you get to hit another ball from the same place if you don't like the way you hit it the first time. It's the same thing as what we called a "do over" when we were kids. Wouldn't it be great if we could have "mulligans" and "do overs" in all aspects of our lives? It would change the whole "game of life" for us. If we found out that a decision we made was bad we could stop, go back to where we messed up, and try again. We could start over from that spot and make some positive adjustments and do it all again but this time getting to the place we wanted to be. Well, I am here to tell you that with God you can . That's right our God is the God of beginning again. He gives us "do overs".
Jesus, in a conversation with the young man Nicodemus, says to him, "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God ". He then goes on to tell him in that conversation how much God loved him and everyone else in the world and that whoever believed that His son was the salvation of the world would not die but live with him forever. Jesus tells him everyone could have a "mulligan/ do over" at life if they would believe in Him. God wants us to succeed in not only this life, but more importantly, eternity. So He sent His son to die for our mistakes (sins) so that we might be "born again".
Then in Luke 9:23 Jesus tells us how we can do things over every day when he says, "If anyone would come after me let Him deny himself daily, take up his cross and follow me." He knows that we are going to make some mistakes, bad choices, wrong decisions, even make some wrong turns on our journey through life. But if we call out to Him and admit we messed up, He will hear us and give us a second chance on life. And here's the best news : He is willing to give you another chance no matter how many times or how bad you messed up. He offers an unlimited supply of "mulligans" for life. The only way to lose this game of life, is not to use the free gift of a " do over on life" that God offers us all.
God loves you and wants you to know that He is there for you. He wants you to win at life. Don't be afraid to ask God for a second chance. After all, He is the God of beginning again.
I'm just Sayin
Mike Belgard
January 22, 2018 - Overcomer's Support Group with guest speaker Rev. Doc Lazarine, will be held Wednesday evening, January 24th at 6:30pm at First Assembly of God Timpson. It is located at the corner of Houston and Hwy 59, Timpson, TX.
This meeting is for everyone that has and is today facing any kind of life challenges. We encourage the public to attend, as well as anyone that would like to join the weekly meetings. Come join us as we gain hope and encouragement by listening to how others have overcome and began a victorious life!
January 23, 2018 - Joaquin UMC presents the Hinson Family in concert at 10:30am on Sunday, January 28, 2018.
First United Methodist Church is located at 105 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas. Admission is 100% free and an offering will be received. For more information, visit the church online at www.joaquinumc.com or call 936-269-3661.
The Hinson Family sings Southern Gospel music and released their 6th album in September "The Light Just Came On." For more about The Hinson Family, visit them online at www.thehinsonfamily.com
January 22, 2018 - Mt. Zion C.M.E. invites everyone to our 8th Annual Gospel Explosion, Saturday, January 27th at 5:30p.m. Come out and have a glorious experience in Christ through song, dance and comedy. You will be blessed by Gospel Comedian Flashback, East Texas Community Choir, Josh & Co. area church choirs and more. Please join us!
Rev. Elgena Weaver, Pastor
Shalanda Walker, Event Organizer
January 19, 2018 - Smith Chapel Baptist Church will be having their Pastor and Wife Appreciation on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 3pm. Guest speaker is Supt. Marvin Jackson of Clayton Temple C.O.G.I.C. Everyone is invited to attend.
January 19, 2018 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church presents the 3rd Annual Formal Banquet on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the John D. Windham Civic Center from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Join us for a night of adult fun, Mardi Gras style, in a Christian atmosphere. Tickets are $30 each and sales will begin Dec. 8th - Jan. 20th. No tickets will be sold at the door. RSVP table of 8. Contact any St. John Missionary Baptist Church member or Sandrel Slaughter at (936)332-8432 to purchase a ticket.
January 17, 2018 - Man enters into this world searching for something more that he cannot see nor feel. Something more than he has. Something more than he knows.
This quest for more is instilled in each of us from before we are born until we either find the answer or we come to the end of our earthly life.
On whom or what we base our individual life’s search depends the outcome of our search and our destiny.
For some it is as the Psalmist once said; “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
Yes, some do indeed trust in the things of this world for their “something more” while others, the more fortunate, trust in the Lord God for their answers to joy, peace and happiness.
May you belong in this group of searchers.
For those who trust in the things of this world can be best described by these words from the book of Romans.
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:22-23)
Claiming to be wise they seek earthly wealth, fame and fortune, all the while not realizing that no matter the amount of riches they may amass, there is not enough in all the earth to satisfy their quest for something more. For what they search for is the Lord God and he is not found in fame nor fortune but in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before Jesus ascended back to the Father in heaven he told his disciples not to be troubled for he was going to his Father’s house where he would prepare a room for everyone who loves him. And that if he prepared the place that he would then return for those who love him.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3)
Jesus then assured them that what he had said was truth when he said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no man comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
There, my friend is the answer to the quest for something more in life. To know and understand that there is NO other way to find what you seek but through the Lord Jesus Christ.
As Peter and John stood before the Jewish court being tried for preaching the gospel of Christ and for healing a lame man; Peter being filled with the Holy Spirit then said to them; “if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by him this man is standing before you, well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:9-12)
Now Peter was almost never at a loss for words nor courage and at these words the court was silenced for they knew then that these men had indeed been with Jesus and were speaking on his authority and that they could not overcome the word of Jesus on their own.
They understood then what Peter was saying but they just could not accept the Lord Jesus as their Sovereign Lord and Master.
The question today is, can you?
Can you trust in the Lord and not in the world?
I pray you can, for only then will you find what you seek which is the true joy and peace and happiness that is only found in the Lord. May his blessings be upon you this day...
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