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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
June 24, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 24.
Yesterday morning, at First Baptist Church of Center, Texas, we witnessed the most powerful testimony that anyone can give. We witnessed a baptism. In my faith, a baptism is not, in and of itself, a life-changing moment, but is a symbol of a previous life-changing moment - the moment of salvation. And in the moment of baptism, a new believer proclaims to their family, their church, and their world that they are a "new creation", that the saving grace of Jesus Christ has changed them and given them a new life, and life eternal. What a testimony!
We sang a testimony song in that service called "What He's Done" and it was, I think, an appropriate pairing with the baptism. Surprisingly, there are very few "baptism" hymns. Try to think of one! Well, here's one. It's called "Down in the River to Pray". It was written sometime during the mid-part of the 1800's, the author is unknown. It was popular in both white and black churches throughout the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. And then, in the year 2000, a Hollywood movie came out called "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Maybe you saw it. It's an interesting film, and it contains lots of great early American music, including this baptism hymn. The lyrics remind us of a time in our history when most churches didn't have indoor baptistries, as they do today. When it came time to baptize, they would "go down in the river"!
Here are some lyrics for you this morning . . .
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good ole way
And who shall wear the starry crown, good Lord, show me the way
O sinners, let's go down, let's go down, won't you come on down
O sinners, let's go down, down in the river to pray!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 20, 2024 - Have you ever noticed how complicated some folks want to make religion? We live in a world of problems. Preachers even spend a lot of time pointing out the problems of our time. Yet, the world is not asking for an elaboration on the problems, rather the world is seeking solutions to those problems.
It sometimes reminds me of the accident study conducted about accidents in the home. When it was revealed that 90% of all accidents occurred either at the top or bottom of the stairs, the computer solution was to remove the top and bottom step.
Often, we are searching for complex solutions to our present day problems and anxieties. Yet, the God of heaven, who is high and holy, is not insensitive to the hurts and problems you and I face. He offers a simple solution to modern day problems in every area. Remember the words of Jesus in John 14:1? He said, “let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
We need to stop focusing on ourselves and focus on others. We need to follow the example of Jesus who “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). We need to realize that real security is built upon trust in God and that God is ever the source of real security.
When we spend more time with the solutions provided in the word of God and live a life obedient to the will of God, we will find that we have a simple solution to the stress of life. It’s something to think about.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
June 19, 2024 - The Ministerial Alliance of Shelby County is hosting a lunch meeting for any minister on Thursday, June 20, noon at First Baptist Center, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas. The lunch of Subway sandwiches and Blue Bell ice-cream will be accompanied by some great fellowship. Call David Mathis at 979-533-1575 for more information.
June 18, 2024 - Revival with Bro. Josh Adams and family at Lydia MBC in Huxley is June 23rd through 27th. Service begins at 6pm on Sunday and begins at 7pm nightly Monday through Thursday. Everyone is welcome.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15
June 17, 2024 - I first remember my Dad "asking the blessing" at meal-time when I was around five years old. His prayer was very quiet… short, and always exactly the same: "Dear God, make us thankful for these and other blessings. Amen." I never understood why he said, "make us thankful" instead of "we are thankful.” I later began seeing it in a different way.
Actually praying "make us thankful" is the same as saying, "Help us to be thankful.” The Bible doesn't tell us to say "thank you" but teaches us to be thankful. It's easy to say thank you and not feel it… and it's thoughtless to feel it… and not say it.
Sincere gratitude comes from the heart… not from the mouth. The disciples asked the Lord "teach us to pray"… and Dad's prayer was asking, "Lord teach us to be thankful.”
I don't know if he was taught the prayer when he was young or if he chose it on his own but I'll always remember it.
It was more meaningful than I ever knew.
June 17, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 17.
I have the blessing of sharing the broadcast Sunday School lesson at First Baptist Center. It goes out locally through FM radio and cable TV, and streams around the world on Face Book Live and our church website. Our system has been down for a couple of weeks due to power outages and so it was good to be back yesterday - sending out the Word.
The Bible lesson yesterday morning was about God's covenant with Abraham, and there were several points that spoke to me, and that I wanted to share with our faithful Daily Devotion readers. Before God made a covenant with Abraham - He gave Him a command. He told him to leave his home, his family, everything he knew, and move to an unknown land and into an uncertain future. Sometimes God calls us to do things that are challenging, that are hard, that are outside our comfort zone.
And then God made a promise to Abraham. He told him that he would be the father of a mighty nation, that his family would number more than the stars in the sky and be a blessing to all the world. Well, this particular promise must have sounded very strange to Abraham, since his wife, Sarai, wasn't able to bear children. Sometimes God's vision and purpose for us can make no sense, can be confusing and confounding, can seem impossible.
How did Abraham respond to God's challenging command and confusing promise? In Genesis 15:6 we read these words - "And Abraham believed the Lord". Simple, profound, powerful. We, like Abraham, may be challenged and even confounded by God's will for our lives. But our response should be simple. Belief. Faith. Trust.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 14, 2024 - Mt. Zion to celebrates its 148th Church Anniversary on Sunday, June 16th at 3pm. The special guest speaker is Rev. Rhonda Christopher, pastor of St. Paul C.M.E. Church, Nacogdoches, Texas. Rev. Richard Edwards, Pastor.
June 13, 2024 - This coming Sunday is the day set aside as “Father’s Day.” The day we honor our earthly fathers. With that in mind, I thought the following poem was appropriate. I don’t know who wrote it, I am assuming it was written by that prolific author known as “anonymous.”
I go through life most carefully
For a little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he’ll go the self-same way.
Not once can I escape his eyes,
What’er he sees me do, he tries.
And says like me he’s going to be.
That little chap who follows me.
He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
He must not se the bad in me,
That little chap who follows me.
I must remember as I go
Through summer sun and winter snow
I’m building for the years to be
That little chap who follows me.
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.
June 13, 2024 - Please join Joaquin Church of Christ for an edifying lectureship study on "Focusing on Jesus" beginning June 16.
Services will begin at 9am and 6pm on Sunday, June 16; and, 7pm on Monday, June 17, Tuesday, June 18, and Thursday, June 20. Each lesson will be presented by a different guest speaker.
The church is located at 10674 US Hwy 84E in Joaquin.
June 12, 2024 - Wallace Chapel Baptist Church will host their annual "Homecoming and Revival" Sunday, July 7, 2024 12:30pm Theme: "Ain't No Place Like Home." Luke 15:11-24
Speaker will be Reverend Jeremy Moore, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Bobo, Texas
Revival Services - 7pm nightly Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night - July 8, 9, and 10, 2024 with Evangelist: Bishop Cedrick O'Keith Grace, Sr. Mount Zion Baptist Church, San Augustine, Texas
Wallace Chapel Baptist Church
109 South Marcus Street
Timpson, Texas 75975
Reverend Derrick Rhodes, Pastor Sister LaQuista Garrett - Secretary
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