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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
The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will again be observing their Annual Homecoming Service on August 13, 2017.
Starting at 10am Sunday school with morning service starting at 11am. Pastor Freddie Wilson, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Center, Texas.
The annual revival will be Monday, August 14, 15 and 16 starting at 7pm. Pastor Tim Teel, Bell Chapel Missionary Baptist Church San Augustine, Texas.
We welcome everyone to come out and worship with us.
Thank you,
Pastor Jeremy Moore
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
July 6, 2017 - At the first constitutional convention the men who crafted the document that has defined freedom for the last 200 years knew where to draw there wisdom. They were at an impasse in there negotiation of the document when a well respected man in the group who was known for his ability to persuade people with both the written and spoken word, stood up and addressed the group. He requested that the group separate for three days in which they would pray and fast, then come back together and again work on the document. They agreed,and after three days returned together and with the wisdom of God in their hearts. Ben Franklin, George Washington, and the other writers of The Constitution Of The United States penned the document that established the country that became the greatest provider of freedom and liberty that the world has ever known.
You see the founding fathers knew something we seem to have forgotten today; that it is impossible to be free without the help of God. Some people don't even realize that they are slaves to anything. But all of us are slaves to something. Some to work, some to addictions, some to our "things," some to our bodies, and the list goes on. All these things that we allow to bind us up, hold us as slaves. We allow ourselves to be lured into slavery by the bait of "more money, more fun, more pleasure, more fame, and more things" and before we know it we are slaves to those things. The more we struggle on our own to be free the more we become entangled until we give up and just start accepting our circumstances.
But there is good news. We have a redeemer who can set us free. If we trust Him , He promises to rescue us from our chains. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 "If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
Here are three things you must do to be set free:
1) Recognize what you are a slave to. In the Alcoholics Anonymous program one of the first steps toward recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Once you realize your bondage you can work on getting out of it. When we confess with our mouth God is faithful to forgive.
2) Abide in His word. Be not only hearers of His word but also doers. Start reading the teachings of Jesus and do what He says.
3) Allow Him to set you free. Quit struggling to free yourself and let God take control of your life. In Jn 8:36 Jesus says "Therefore if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed."
Our freedom in this country was bought with the blood of those who died to insure that we would no longer be a slave to anyone. Our spiritual freedom was paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who can set you free and get you started on a new life. Trust Him and you will live the life of freedom and independence you have always dreamed of.
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard
July 5, 2017 - House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries presents a native of Shelby County, Mr. Cornelius Bell.
Bell will preach his first message this Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 10:30am. He is also serving his country in the military.
Bell is the son of Clifford Ray and Beverly Bell. Everyone is invited to attend this event.
House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries is located at 215 Church Street in Center, Tx. Apostle W.E. Nash, Jr. - Pastor.
July 5, 2017 - “In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (Psalm 56:10-13)
The song of praise for salvation, the song to be sung by every believer in thanksgiving to God for his mercy and grace given to those who submit to his will and wishes. God delivers us from the penalty of sin that we may fulfill our vows to him. He delivers us that we may be his face on this earth, that through our lives others will see the joy of living in Christ Jesus. He truly delivers our souls from death, though the body will die the souls of the saved will never perish but will rejoice throughout eternity in praise to the living God and we will walk in the light of the Lord forever, amen…
When we come upon trouble and strife in our daily lives on earth we have a place to which we can turn for refuge, a place the lost can never find.
“Be merciful to me, O God. Be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1)
Yes, in the arms of our Lord we find our refuge from those who would destroy our souls. All we must do is to call upon the Lord for protection from the evil one.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me, God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness.” (Psalm 57:2-3)
All the believer must do when in need is to cry out to the Most High God for help, for God hears the prayers of his saints and he uses our weakness to show his mighty strength, through our weakness he is made strong. He will send his love and faithfulness whenever one of his own is in need. It is our job to call on him in prayer, to call in his will that we can receive his grace and mercy in our time of need.
The Christian has a rock, a fortress, that no other can call on, but we must ask if we are to receive. We must be of steadfast heart, believing in God’s power and ability to do anything which he so desires.
“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” (Psalm 57:7)
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” (Psalm 57:9)
We are to carry the gospel of the Lord Jesus to all nations, giving thanks to the Lord for all things and spreading his word across the land. That is our commission, our duty as his children, to take his word to all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That is his command to us.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:11)
Yes, Lord Jesus, let your glory be over all the earth and all peoples.
May the blessings of the Lord be upon you this day, may you know the joys of living in the light of the Lord each day.
July 5, 2017 - Blount Chapel Baptist Church presents Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr. and Sis Larissa Coutee 3rd Annual Celebration of Love and Appreciation on July 9, 2017 at 3pm.
Guest speaker will be Pastor Dr. Derrick White of Bethesda Baptist Church, Lufkin, Texas.
The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23
July 5, 2017 - We the members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville, would like to invite you to our Pastors Appreciation Program, Sunday July 16, 2017 at 3:00 pm. Our guest speaker will be Reverend Karen Christopher of the Pine Flat CME Church in Nacogdoches, TX. Everyone is invited.
July 3, 2017 - Beginning Sunday at Clever Creek Baptist Church, July 9th, at 10:55am there will open a special meeting on the theme of two old hymns—“Rise Up, O Men of God” and Break Out, O Church of God”.
Pastor Robert Horn will be preaching in the Sunday morning service with his wife Jeannene singing along with Maureen Kennon. For the Sunday night service at 5:30pm the service will be at Neuville Baptist Church with Pastor Larry Byrd preaching and his church furnishing the special music.
Monday through Wednesday nights the service will be back at Clever Creek Church at 7 PM with Dr. E. L. Sharp, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Vicksburg, Mississippi, preaching. Liberty Hill Baptist Church will provide special music on Monday night; Spanns Chapel Church special music on Tuesday night; and Clever Creek Church on Wednesday night.
Gleaner Baptist Church from Linden, Texas, will also be involved in this annual meeting. Dr. Jerry Hopkins is the pastor of Clever Creek. He is celebrating 24 years with Clever Creek Church.
July 3, 2017 - Peggy Ross, a Christian author, conference speaker, and missionary wife, will be the featured guest at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday morning, July 15, at 10:00. The event is free and open to everyone.
The church is located on FM 1970 approximately 4 miles south of Clayton.
July 3, 2017 - Sunday was the 4th Sunday after Pentecost. Our Gospel Lessons have been from Matthew and focus on the five long talks by Jesus found in this Gospel. The five symbolize Jesus’ Torah and a way for the Matthew writer to tie Jesus to the Jewish faith. Matthew 10: 40-43 speaks of a cool cup of water as a sign of hospitality. This passage is only found in the Matthew Gospel. Methodists are always to be practicing “radical hospitality” as seen in their motto—“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” Unfortunately, as a denomination we don’t make enough of an effort. In Jesus’ time if someone offered and you accepted a cup of water, both of you would be contracted for a year to provide assistance, kindness, and help to each other.
Sunday was the first Sunday in July. In just a few days we will celebrate our nation’s 241st birthday. All of us are fortunate, blessed, or just lucky to live in this country, which has grown in freedom and liberty. We still have quite a distance to go, however, to become that “more perfect union.” Like the verse from “America the Beautiful” says, “God mend thine every flaw.” In July our little church will be collecting cans of spaghetti and ravioli for Community Christian Services. Monday, July 3rd will be our ministry at Focused Care, AKA Green Acres. The program begins at 2:00. Sunday we celebrated Holy Communion. Before heading to Paxton, I went to worship with my friends at Tenaha Methodist. Pastor Matt brought a great message on a difficult passage of Scripture. Being a preacher, most Sundays I miss hearing preaching. Preparing and delivering sermons is not the same, even though I enjoy that too.
We were in double digits at Paxton, which is always exciting. Joy and Gene’s daughter Cherie was up from Houston—always nice to visit with her. Cynthia once again made a side trip to Paxton and played the piano for us this morning. Joe selected patriotic songs in honor of Independence Day, and Cynthia played a lively version of “God Bless America” for the offertory.
“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.
“These are wells without water…” 2 Peter 2:17
July 3, 2017 - John Perkins was a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Starks, La. when I was the church’s pastor in the sixties. One day I went with him to the old abandoned house where he was raised on what’s now “John Perkins Road”. As we drove up, I spotted an old rusty hand pump in the front yard and began vigorously pumping for water. I was about burned out when John hollered from the porch, “Aint no use, Preacher! “That well’s dry!”
John went to heaven many years ago and I have often thought of our visit to his old house place. My pumping that day reminds me of the many times I failed to get church members to produce spiritual water. There were probably many reasons for my lack of success. Maybe I wasn’t winsome enough…or was just using the wrong methods of persuasion. But there was also another possible reason. I learned it that day at John’s old house place:
You can’t pump water from a dry well.
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