Shelby County Today

April 16, 2026 - One of the most elusive things in our lives are friends. We might have some we consider to be our friends, yet, they later prove themselves to be what are known as “fair weather friends.” When the going gets tough, often they are nowhere to be found. There is one friend who will never let us down and that is God.

When we turn to the word of God, we find a man who was known as a “friend of God.” That is what James tells us about Abraham in James 2:23, he was “called the Friend of God.” Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever considered what a high honor that was for Abraham?

Abraham believed God. Faith is something that must be present for us to be pleasing to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet, Abraham did more than this. He obeyed God, he feared God and he had a deep concern for the lost.

With God there is no such thing as being a partial friend. There is no such thing as being an acquaintance. James also tells us in James 4:4 that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. That whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God. The question we must ask ourselves is could it be said of us that we are the friend of God? Are we living our lives as friends of God or friends of the world?

It’s something to think about... tbp

Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com

April 15, 2026 - I want to talk to you about Mary Magdalene, who did a lot of waiting. You see, we are always in a rush to get things done, only to find that when we reach our destination, we have to wait. As a kid, did you ever get a toy and get excited, only to find out that Santa forgot to bring batteries for it? Maybe you have been running late to get to work, only to run into a traffic jam or get behind a chicken truck! There is always something. We hurry from task to task, appointment to appointment, hoping life will finally “start” when the next thing arrives. But spiritually, many feel stuck in a waiting room of some sort, waiting for healing, answers, and a breakthrough. The life of Mary Magdalene shows that while we are in a hurry, God often does His best work in the seasons when we are forced to stop and wait.

The Bible introduces Mary Magdalene as a woman who had been tormented and possessed by seven demons until she encountered Jesus Christ. He delivered her completely, transforming her from a captive into a free and devoted follower of Christ. Her story reminds us that some of our longest, darkest seasons of waiting are the ones that end in the greatest freedom. Many people today are hurrying from solution to solution, but still waiting for real change. When Jesus intervenes, the waiting for true deliverance is over. His power still sets people free!

Mary also appears at the cross of Jesus. While others ran and scattered, she remained at the feet of the tortured and lifeless Jesus. Standing near the cross, she could not change what had happened to her Lord and Savior. She could only stay, watch, and wait through the deepest pain of her life. Jesus was more than just a great mentor and teacher to her. He was her Deliverer, Savior, Teacher, and Friend. That image is familiar to anyone who has waited by a hospital bed, a graveside, or a broken relationship, wondering why God allowed such sorrow. Mary’s faith teaches us that real devotion does not waver when life makes no sense. It holds fast to Christ even at the place of suffering.

On the first day of the week, Mary rose early and hurried to Jesus’ tomb, only to find it empty. Confused and grieving, she stayed outside the tomb, weeping. In that moment of waiting and heartbreak, Angels and Jesus appeared. She did not recognize Him until He spoke her name, turning her mourning and sorrow into joy and peace. The empty place where she feared all was lost became the very place she encountered the resurrected Christ.

Many of us today live in that state of being. We are always rushing things and want the imminent answer to our problems, only to find ourselves in the waiting room of sorrow and grief. We are in a hurry for life to change, but unsure how long we have to wait. The good news of the gospel is that, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we do not have to wait for Him to show up. He is already here. The wait is over! You do not have to wait for peace, deliverance, joy, strength, purpose, and confidence anymore! Jesus has all of that and more ready just for you. Does that mean that we are exempt from heartbreaks and hard times? No. But it does mean that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Revelation 3:20 gives us His invitation when it says, “ He stands at the door and knocks.” He is calling each of us to open our hearts to Him.” I always tell my congregation that Jesus is at the door, knocking. He is not going to force His way in. He is not going to bust the door down. We have to hear it and answer it. We may still wait on God’s timing for certain answers, but we do not have to wait one more minute to come to Christ.

Mary had to “hurry up and wait”, but all that waiting led her to the feet of Jesus. Jesus is here today. You can hurry to Him now. The wait is over!

God Bless,
Josh Crawford
Pastor, Pleasant Grove MBC
-1 Timothy 4:12-

April 14, 2026 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and Fish Fry will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 11am.

Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be $12 per plate. Sardis cookbooks will be available for $10 each.

Business meeting will follow after cleanup. Please make plans now to come by, sit around, visit with friends and family and just enjoy the day.

Donations are welcomed and will be used for the upkeep of the cemetery.

Donations can be mailed to: 
Sardis Cemetery
6034 FM 414,
Center, Texas 75935.

April 13, 2026 - St. John Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its Annual Family and Friends Day - 'Celebrating those that are dear to us' on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm.

Guest Speaker and Church are Rev. Ronderick Kirkendoll and St. Luke Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana.

The theme is 'Where there is UNITY, there is strength. Let us gather in His name and be blessed together' (Psalm 133:1).

Pastor - Rev. Winston Kibbles and St. John Baptist Church invite all to attend. The church is located at 2308 Co Rd 2050, Center, Texas 75935.