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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
March 16, 2017 - A Living Sacrifice
"I Appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)
A living sacrifice, to devote our bodies as followers of the Lord, giving to him as he asks each day. Not following the world, but keeping apart from the world, living in Christ Jesus. This is the duty of all Christians each day.
Paul even lists ways in which we may be called to serve each day. "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; if prophesy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; The one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8)
So we see ways in which God may call each of us to serve him, each having his own unique qualifications, given by the grace of God, for service to God.
Let us also look at several marks that will be seen in the true Christian. I am not attempting to discredit anyone here, only to give ways we can verify if the person before us is as he says. Even when that person before us is in the mirror.
First is love, Paul says Christian love must be genuine, not for show, but from the heart. Second, Christians freely contribute, as their own situations allow, to help others in need, one cannot be selfish and do God's will.
Third, maybe the most difficult of all, bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Forth, to live in harmony with others, rejoice with those who are happy, weep with those who are saddened. Live at peace with all people if possible.
Fifth, to never be haughty, but to live with humility always, to never be wise in your own sight for the one who is wise in his own sight is foolish indeed.
Sixth, never repay evil for evil, instead be patient, give thought to what is right, do what is honorable in response to another.
Seven, leave vengeance to the Lord; "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written. "Vengeance is mine says the Lord."" (Romans 12:19)
We are told to give food and water to our enemy when he is hungry or thirsty, in doing so we cause consternation or confusion in him. The Bible says in doing so, we heap coals of fire on his head.
"Do not be overcome by evil, overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)
When one comes claiming to be a Christian, look at him using these Christians attributes to verify that he is as he says.
More importantly, look at yourself using these same attributes to see if you are you think you are.
The true Christian follows closely this verse; "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
Each of us can become better servants of God if we look at ourselves through these eyes. Amen...
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you...
March 14, 2017 - Sunday was the Second Sunday in Lent. Every Sunday in Lent was seen by ancient Christians as a “little Easter.” The Old Testament Lesson was the story of Abraham and Sarah receiving the call from God. We are told that without question or hesitation that Abraham and Sarah pull up stakes and follow God. In Old Testament imagery moving toward God is described as going to the “Promised Land.” In our New Testament Lesson we see Nicodemus meet Jesus under the cover of darkness. Our story tells us that Nicodemus is intrigued by this small town rabbi, but Nicodemus is presented with more questions than answers. He is most concerned with Jesus’ seeming tolerance to Gentiles. But Jesus keeps speaking about being born anew. The Gospel Lesson from John 3 included the most recited verse in Christianity.
My daughter and I took off to Arizona to watch pre-season baseball. We are long-time Cubs fans, and this year we have something to celebrate. We saw three Cubs games and visited with some cousins who live in Tempe. Paxton Methodist had a Sunday of song, scripture, and stories. Fannie and Larry told the history of Paxton and Tenaha. Joe and Hilda sang a special, and Sue read a story. Also last week, a group went to Green Acres, which is now under a different name, for our monthly ministry. Pastor Matt led the program and gave a devotional from Genesis. Nora and Jo sang a duet, and Nora read a picture book of Dolly Parton’s song about her “many-colored coat.” Hilda and Minnie traded off piano duties. Sue read Part 1 of Dr. Seuss’ “You’re Only Old Once.” It was another of those rainy days I missed in sunny Phoenix.
It was great to be back at Paxton. It seemed that I was gone for a long time, and my wife informed me that our dogs and granddog aren’t very good conversationalists. It was wonderful to have Liz and Charlie worship with us this morning. Liz and Charlie are two of my favorite people in the whole wide world! Paxton received a certificate of appreciation from the Bishop for once again paying 100% of our apportionments. Apportionments are a church’s part in supporting schools, universities, hospitals, and missions around the world.
“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. God’s Speed!
Peace of Christ
March 14, 2017 - Isaiah speaks of the perfect peace of those whose minds are focused on the Lord.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)
Jesus gave us this promise of peace before He ascended back to the Holy Father. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be afraid." (John 14:27)
The peace of Jesus came without restriction, without conditions other than faith. Unlike the world which always asks for more than it gives, the peace of Jesus asks only for our trust and belief in him. He tells us to not be troubled, not to worry, for with him, we have all we will ever need, eternal life in heaven.
Nothing of this world can match the riches of eternal life with the Lord.
He assures us of this fact with these words. "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) He even gives us fair warning that we will suffer tribulation which our dictionary describes as; "grievous trouble, severe trial or suffering", but so that we will not worry, he tells us that he has overcome the world. If we are born-again then we too have overcome the world, for the world cannot prevent our eternity with the Lord. As he says here, no one can take his sheep (believers) from his hand. "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (John 10:28-29)
If you have accepted the free gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus then you truly have peace in your heart for you rest assured of your future with him. Yes, you will experience troubles as long as you live in this earth for it is a wicked and vile place, filled with wicked people who do not believe in the Lord. These people will be your enemies just as they were the enemies of Jesus and the prophets of old. Jesus explains this for us here. "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19) So, you see the thing which makes any Christian special is what makes every Christian hated by the world. Jesus has chosen us, set us apart from the world so it hates us as it hated Him.
Have peace in your heart, knowing that you are set apart from this cruel world, knowing that no matter what the world does to you, even to the point of killing your earthly body, there is nothing more it can do; for your soul, your spirit is secure in Christ Jesus. Remember Paul's words as he sat, chained to the floor of a Roman prison. "For I consider the the sufferings of this present time are not worthy comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18) Yes, peace Jesus gives to us, a peace unlike any reward of this world. The peace of knowing that eternity is set. That the future of all who are born-again is secure in Christ. The peace of Jesus Christ our Lord...
May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you...
March 13, 2017 - The First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville presents The Ford Sisters & Mike Burkhalter on Friday, March 17, 2017.
Prior to the gospel concert, enjoy finger food and fellowship at 6:00pm (bring a finger dish) and the concert begins at 7:00pm. Open mic for all!
First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville is located at 252 FM 417 W, Shelbyville, TX 75973
March 13, 2017 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
When I enrolled in college in the 50’s, I chose Greek as my foreign language requirement for a B.A. Degree. And since The New Testament was originally written in Greek, (Greek was the world language in Jesus’ day), theological students commonly studied Greek to better understand the New Testament.
My Greek professor, Dr. C. E. Roark, was a Baptist pastor as well as a Professor at ETBU. At 64 years of age, he’d still begin his class every semester by doing a backflip in front of the class…a feat that amazed all of his fledgling students. After the backflip he began: “Young men, Greek is not an easy language to learn, so make sure you don’t miss any classes.” “Forty percent of you will either flunk out or drop out before the semester is over.” Then he’d tell this story:
“At a General Motors plant in Michigan, a car came to the end of the assembly line with nothing but a chassis. When asked what happened, the foreman replied, ‘someone must have dropped their wrench.’” Then eyeing us intensely, Dr. Roark said, “Young men, you will not pass this course if you drop your wrench.”
Fortunately, I didn’t drop mine. I even bested my friend Tony Evans on the final test and finished first in the class. But I have dropped my wrench many times since those days but was always given a chance to pick it up again. When we Christians have “wrench dropping” experiences in our lives, God doesn’t kick us out of the class. Instead he says, “I see that you’ve dropped your wrench….”
“Now let me help you pick it up again.”
March 10, 2017 - Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University© is coming to Center, Texas and is presented by Heritage Baptist Church of Center.
It is nine-week money class where you will learn to pay off debt, overcome your fear of budgeting, and create a savings plan to replace retirement worries with financial peace. More than 4.5 million people have changed their futures with Financial Peace University©. You can too!
The classes will be held at Sassy Red's Bakery, 1000 Tenaha Street, Center, Texas starting Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 7pm. For more information, contact Roy Davis by email at roydavis1953@sbcglobal.net or phone 936-598-2447.
March 8, 2017 - The Wallace Chapel Baptist Church Family cordially invite you to our Pastor and First Lady "Appreciation Services."
Pastor Derrick and First Lady Shaneeta Rhodes. Sunday, March 12, 2017 starting at 3pm. Wallace Chapel Baptist Church 108 South Marcus Street Timpson, Texas 75975 Reverend Derrick Rhodes, Pastor.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Charleston Johnson, Pastor of First SMyrna United Missionary Baptist Church Timpson, Texas 75975.
March 8, 2017 - Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley community, are holding a food pantry for the residents of Shelby County on March 11, 2017 from 9am until food is gone at Hillcrest Baptist Church.
It is held the second Saturday of March 2017. Identification and proof of residence is required and only (1) box per household. Hillcrest Baptist Church is located at 901 Southview Circle, Center, Texas.
March 7, 2017 - We are told today that truth is whatever we believe, that there is no absolute truth, only the truth of our thoughts. That truth is whatever we wish to make of it. Do not believe this for it is the great untruth, attempting to make humanity turn from the real truth of God to this great untruth.
Don't be like those described by the Lord in Hosea; "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6)
Go and find the truth of God so you won't be destroyed by the great untruth of this world...
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
The truth is; God's Word the truth of Jesus Christ is the truth that sets us free.
Free from the penalty of sin, free from the world, free at last from the great untruth.
Jesus asked the Father for help for his own. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17)
This word sanctify means; "to purify or free from sin", so Jesus asked Father God to purify his own, to make those who believe in him, free from sin. Amen... That is the truth of salvation, to be made free from sin, to be set aside for the Lord himself, to be prepared for the great marriage feast in heaven. That is the absolute truth of the gospel of Christ...
When one is saved, the truth overcomes him by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who then speaks truth to that person every day. Jesus tells us of this.
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-15)
Do you now see the truth?
That once saved, once you accept Jesus Christ as Lord of all, then you, by the Holy Spirit of God, are given the keys to the kingdom of God, forever... That every saved person then becomes a joint heir, with the Lord Jesus, to the kingdom of God. Glory, glory, glory... Blessed be the name of the Lord...
Folks, this gift is free, it cannot be earned by works, it cannot be bought, even by all of the wealth in the entire world, it can only be gained by faith in the Lord Jesus as Lord and Master of all. There is no other truth, there is no other way to salvation, for Jesus said; "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Come to him today, wherever you are today, step up and ask Jesus to save you, just tell him; "Jesus, I am a sinner, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and I believe that the Father raised you from the dead and I believe that you live today at the right hand of God. Please save me! If you can make this plea with a true heart, with true belief, then you will be saved...
May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you this day...
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March 6, 2017 - House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries Annual "Founder's Day Program" on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 3pm will be honoring Apostle William E Nash. The theme will be "Year of the Rise" with guest speaker, Pastor Alicia Hives, Taylor of the True Deliverance Worship Center, Mansfield, LA. Please come out and celebrate with us.
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