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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
September 30, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 30.
This devotion first ran on Monday, September 29, 2020.
I have always loved storms. When the thunder starts to rumble, and the lightning starts to flash... I go outside! It's a wonder I'm still alive to write this. At about 4am this morning I was awakened by a nice little storm and as I sat on the porch and watched it, I was reminded of a story about wind and rain and floods - a story that ends a famous sermon.
The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5 - 7. These three chapters mark the longest continuous passage of the words of Jesus. These three chapters feature some of the Bible's most quoted verses. These three chapters include the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and at the very end of the sermon, these words -
"Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
With that "great crash", the Sermon on the Mount came to an end. Meditate for a moment on this little parable, this earthly story with a heavenly meaning, this tale that contains the very secret of life.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
September 26, 2024 - Why do we live in such a mad rush? Why have you been racing about all day as though today is your last day on earth? Why do you sit and pat your foot impatiently when your telephone call is a little slow going through?
The answer, of course is always, “there is so much to be done, and so little time!” And it is true. However, have you ever heard the old saying, “Rome was not built in a day”?
Jesus had the burden of the sins of the world on His shoulders, and yet, He said to His disciples, “come ye apart into a desert place, to rest awhile.” Jesus knew they could not crowd every day and every moment to the brim without losing some of the peace and relaxation they needed for their real goal in life.
When Jesus and the disciples passed through Samaria, Jesus was weary, so He sat down by the well to rest, while His disciples went away into the city to buy bread. He took the time to take little children into His arms and bless them.
To a group of disciples, with the most stupendous task before them any group of men ever had – evangelizing the whole world - 0 Jesus said, “Consider the lilies.” Take time out to notice the beauties of nature and draw some conclusions about God from them. Take the time to meet God at His house for Worship on the Lord’s Day. Don’t live in too much of a hurry.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
September 25, 2024 - We're thrilled to invite everyone to the dedication service of our Texas historical marker at Providence Missionary Baptist Church! Join us in giving all the glory to God and celebrating our rich history together.
The dedication service is September 29, 2024 at 1pm at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 580 CR 1265, Center, Texas (CR 1265 Just Off FM 711). Lunch will be at 12 noon. Sunday school is at 10am and worship at 11am.
Speakers will be Bro. Charles W., Bro. Don M., and Bro. Hayden W.
We look forward to seeing you there! God bless!
September 25, 2024 - Short Community Homecoming and Singing is October 13, 2024 with a potluck dinner at 12 noon and open mic singing at 1:30pm.
Come enjoy good food and fellowship. For more information, contact John Monk at 936-598-4150.
Psalms 95:1-3 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
September 23, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 23.
Today we start a five-part series on facing disappointment. We've all dealt with many moments of disappointment, and so God gives us many characters in His Word who dealt with it as well - and came out the other side with renewed hope.
Our first character is perhaps the greatest example of this. He certainly faced as much or more disappointment than any other Bible character. His name was Joseph, and we find his amazing life story in the book of Genesis.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was falsely accused of a crime. He was unjustly imprisoned. Have any of us ever experienced anything like that? And yet, despite all his disappointments, despite all the people who let him down, Joseph never lost heart. He never lost faith.
In the end, Joseph forgave his family, and his story teaches us that forgiveness is an important part of dealing with disappointment. And Joseph never stopped trusting God, trusting that God had a purpose for his life. His words to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 say it all -
"What you intended for evil, God intended for good."
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
“Tis a sad, sad story they relate
These weak and foolish beings
Who never get through the day
But someone hurt their feelings”
September 19, 2024 - Injured feelings are given as an excuse for a lot of wrong doing. Alcoholics have used hurt feelings as an excuse for going on another binge and not a few Christians have forsaken the church because some member of the church hurt their feelings.
Let’s face it, there are tactless, ill-mannered people who are forever saying crude and harsh things that would puncture the feelings of most anyone. Yet, it matters little what people of this disposition say or do. No life has ever been lived without a few knocks. If every sensible adult would stand firm and fight their own battles with life, each little knock would leave them stronger and more knowledgeable than before. Remember, kites rise against the wind, not with the wind.
Hurt feelings usually spring from a well of self-pity and folks, life is too short to spend one minute in self-pity, or in seeking after the pity and sympathy of others. We must make sure we are not one of those tactless people who needlessly hurt the feelings of others, and we must also make sure we don’t “wear our feelings on our sleeve” just waiting for someone to hurt them.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
September 19, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, September 19.
When I began writing these daily devotions four years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would not abuse your time. You're a busy person, places to go, things to do, people to see. So, I've tried to never write more than it would take you more than two minutes to read. Today's devotion will most certainly come under the wire.
One verse. One thought. One prayer.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Don't give up.
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 16, 2024 - Annually the Clever Creek Baptist Church celebrates its founding which was in September of 1903 with a Homecoming and Cemetery Celebration. This year, as always, the gathering will be on Sunday morning, September 29, 2024, for Sunday School at 10am and for the morning worship at 10:55am. A special offering will be taken for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery and grounds. At the conclusion of the worship there will be a report on the cemetery endowment and offering.
Reverend Bobby Warr will be the special guest preacher for this annual gathering. Bobby grew up in Clever Creek Church and under the ministry of Brother Henry Clark was called to ministry and has served for many years Baptist churches in this area as pastor and preacher.
Clever Creek is celebrating 121 years worshipping, witnessing and working for the Lord. We welcome you to share with us on this special occasion.
After the morning worship and cemetery meeting, lunch will be served in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to share in this good time of celebration and faith.
September 16, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 16.
Misidentification can be embarrassing. Have you ever called someone by the wrong name or asked them how their Aunt Bertha is doing after her recent surgery, and then realized that this is a completely different person who does not have an Aunt Bertha. Embarrassing. I once had an experience like this, without even speaking a word.
My wife and I had gone to a movie, and it must have been opening night because the theater was packed. When the film ended, everyone made that mad dash to the exit doors. The aisles were really crowded and, afraid that my wife and I would get separated, I reached out and put my arm tightly around her. Except, as it turned out, it wasn't my wife. My wife was a couple of steps behind me, with a look on her face that is hard to describe to you. What isn't difficult to describe is the look on the stranger's face - a mixture of surprise and abject fear. Misidentification can be an embarrassing thing.
In Matthew 16 we see an example of misidentification in the gospel story. Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." During his three-year ministry on earth, Jesus was often misunderstood and, apparently, often misidentified. But then he asked, "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?" And Peter, in one of his finest moments, rose to his feet and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" Peter was often guilty of speaking before he thought. He sometimes, as they say, would "put his foot in his mouth." But in that famous moment, he nailed it.
And so, in this moment... Who do you say that Jesus is?
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 16, 2024 - The historical Old East Hamilton Cemetery will have its Annual Homecoming and Dinner on the Grounds on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 11am to 3pm. This is a wonderful time of visiting and singing, as well as conducting the annual business meeting for the cemetery.
As always, donations are welcomed and encouraged for the maintenance and upkeep of this beautiful old cemetery. We look forward to seeing everyone! If, for some reason you are unable to attend, but would still like to donate, please contact Dudley Cox at 936-368-2596, and he will be glad to accept your donation. Thank you for your support.
Directions: From Shelbyville, take Hwy 87S to Patroon. Turn left on FM 2261, and drive approximately 6 1/2 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 126 off of FM 2261, there is an East Hamilton Cemetery sign on FM 2261 showing where to turn. Continue down FSR 126 to the next intersection and turn right. Continue less than a quarter mile to the Old East Hamilton Cemetery sign on the left, and turn left and go to the end of the road.
Hope to see you there!
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