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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
August 15, 2017 - There was a man of the Pharisee’s named Nicodemus, a ruler of Jews, who came to the Lord Jesus one night seeking answers to his questions of salvation and eternal life.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Many people have the same question as did Nicodemus.
All people are first, born to a human mother, born of flesh and blood and bone. All are born into sin due to the sins of Adam, all are doomed to sin at birth.
Jesus explained it this way; “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.” (1 John 3:7)
Jesus was born not of an earthly father, his seed was of the Holy Spirit of God. One who is born-again is also born of the Holy Spirit of God, washed and made pure by the blood of Jesus that the Holy Spirit can then dwell within that person, becoming a helper, a comforter, a daily guide through life’s perils.
Once born-again you must understand that you are then more like God, washed by the blood, set aside from the world, becoming more in His image.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
This likeness is not visible, it is the likeness of the Spirit of God and the only creature blessed with this Spirit of God is man. Our earthly bodies are only shells, tents in which our spirit resides until it is no longer needed and we are called home.
Many may say, “I just cannot understand.” That is understandable, but keep in mind that part of being born-again is that one must have faith and trust in the Lord.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in the Lord, be obedient to him, acknowledge Him in all you do, giving all glory to him for all you have.
“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born-again, not of perishable seed (human seed) but of imperishable, (Spiritual) through the living and abiding word of God.” (1 Peter 1:22-23)
One comparison to being born-again, being saved from the penalty of sin forever, would be in the exodus of the Israelites from bondage under the Egyptians.
As with salvation, God lifted them up from their bondage and carried them across the great wilderness, crossing over the river Jordan into the Promised Land to become a new people, living under a new set of rules, living with their God in their new home.
A very similar thing happens when one is saved or born-again. Once born-again, one is lifted from the bondage of sin, carried away from one’s old (sinful) life in the world into a new (righteous) life in Christ, becoming a new person, living in a new world (the spiritual world) under a new set of rules, living with one’s God in a new home, a spiritual home.
Jesus is the cornerstone of the church and each of his followers are living stones being built up as a spiritual house.
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:1-2)
I beg you today, leave the bondages of sin, accept the free gift of salvation, become a new creature born of the Spirit of God washed forever clean by the precious blood of Jesus shed on the cross for the sins of all people. Jesus paid it all, all you have to do is to believe and accept his free gift of eternal life in heaven with our Lord. May His blessings be yours this day…
August 15, 2017 - The pastor and members of the House of Refuge invite everyone to worship with them on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 3pm. Guest speaker will be Pastor Mario Osby of Smith Chapel, Timpson, Texas.
On Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:30pm Pastor Carlos Johnson with Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Timpson will be the guest speaker.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 7:30pm the speaker will be Pastor Byvon Cutee from Blount Chapel, Center.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 7:30pm listen to Bishop W.C. Martin with Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville.
August 14, 2017 - Sunday was the 10th Sunday after Pentecost. We have had a rainy August which means we have had cooler temperatures, with no string of 100 degree days this August! Since this is the year of Matthew, our Gospel Lesson for Sunday was Matthew 14:22-33. Once again Jesus sends his disciples ahead so that he can find that quiet place to pray and think. When Jesus rejoins his disciples, he does so in dramatic fashion. He comes walking on the water toward the boat. At first the disciples think they are seeing a vision or a ghost. But then they realize it is the teacher. Peter asks permission to join Jesus on the water: Peter does well in the “walking on water” category until he realizes what he is doing and starts to sink. Jesus reaches for him and pulls him to safety.
Our Sunday school lessons for this quarter have all dealt with how people respond to the call of God. The scripture from The Acts of the Apostles tells us of Philip and his chance meeting with the Gentile eunuch. This man was considered very unclean and yet Philip is moved more by Jesus’ love than he is by religious purity. Philip proclaims the Good News, and on the side of the road the eunuch is baptized. That is all we know about this fellow. I wish someone would write a book about his life—maybe someone has and I just haven’t found it. Ms. Fannie led us in a spirited discussion and our time flew by.
We were in double digits this Sunday, a reason for celebration (but we controlled ourselves). Fannie read a request for a scholarship from a Joaquin graduate for whom the church is very happy to provide money to further her education. This month we are collecting children’s underwear and socks for Community Christian Services. Most students are already in school or will be starting next Monday. In the Prayers of the Church the teachers, students, and all those who make school possible were lifted up. We pray that Vera has a productive school year.
Our monthly ministry to Focus Care (Green Acres) was last Thursday at a new and improved time—10:15. Hilda said everything was great—larger crowd and quieter environment. Sue and I were in Dallas. My brother had a lung transplant, so we went to Dallas to provide moral support and prayers. My kids have been with my sister-in-law the whole time. My brother is doing fine—Monday will be a big day as they will remove the ventilator and allow him to wake completely up. We are all hoping and praying for continued renewal.
“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
August 11, 2017 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Tenaha Texas would like to Announce their Homecoming and Revival Services.
Annual Homecoming Service will be Sunday, August 27th at 2:30 pm Guest Speaker will be Pastor Larry Thorn of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Carthage, Texas.
Revival Services will begin Monday, Aug. 27th - Wednesday, Aug. 30th 2017 at 7:30 p.m nightly.
Guest Speakers will be as follows:
- Monday Night: Aug. 28th: Pastor Carlos Johnson, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Timpson, Texas
- Tuesday Night Aug. 29th: Pastor Harold Patton Antioch Baptist Church Timpson, Texas
- Wednesday Night Aug. 30th Pastor Marlon Cloudy Abundant Love Ministries, Center, Texas.
Pastor C. Pettis and the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Family cordially invite all to come and be Revived.
Humbly submitted Church Secretary M Cook.
August 9, 2016 - Huxley helping hands, a local mission group is holding a food pantry for the residents of Shelby County. It will be held the second Saturday of August 2017. Proof of residency & I.D. will be required. Only (1) box per household will be given.
Date: August 12, 2016
Time: 9am – until food is gone
Location: 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
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
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