+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
June 26, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 26.
Today's devotion is all about 3:16. There are 49 "3:16" verses in the Bible. Bu there are 66 books in the Bible, so why aren't there 66? Well, some books, like Psalms, have a 3rd chapter with less than 16 verses, and other books, like Jude, don't have a 3rd chapter at all.
Here are a few notable "3:16s" . . .
- Matthew - When Jesus had been baptized, as He came up from the water, suddenly the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighted on Him.
- I Corinthians - Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
- Colossians - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- 2 Timothy - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
- I John - We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
Having shared these random, single verses today, I must admit that I prefer to study God's Word "in context". Looking at each verse in the context of the verses that come before and after, in the context of the entire book - its writer, it's intended readers, the time and history and culture of its writing.
But, then again, there are some verses that seem to... stand alone.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmahis@fbccenter.org
June 22, 2023 - Just for a moment, ponder the message of the following passages of scripture.
Matthew 12:36-37; “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Ephesians 4:29-30; “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
By our words we express our ideas and thoughts. With words we can hurt, discourage, anger, stir up strife and crush the spirits of those around us. Conversely, we can cheer, enlighten, encourage, uplift and calm others by our words also.
We can speak a language that is pure and pleasing in the sight of God and unquestionable in the sight of men, or we can corrupt that language until it damns our soul. Stop and think!
Do my words justify or condemn me? Is my speech pure and clean or is it distasteful in the sight of God and man? Let us strive to speak in a manner that is becoming to Christians and uplifting to those we associate with daily.
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 19, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 19.
Today is a federal holiday that celebrates freedom. Growing up in Texas, I've always known about "Juneteenth." On this day in 1865 in Galveston, a general named Granger read the Emancipation Declaration. President Lincoln had declared freedom for the slaves two and a half years earlier, but news traveled slowly back then.
Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the next year and slowly spread across the South and then to every state. Two years ago it was declared a federal holiday. A day to remember, a day to celebrate, a "freedom" day.
Do you remember your spiritual "freedom" day? For me, it was Saturday, March 23, 1968. My father's church was having its annual spring revival crusade, and at the end of that Saturday night service I walked forward, took my dad's hand, and publicly professed that I had accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ. March 23rd hasn't yet been declared a federal holiday, but it's a pretty special day for me!
Romans 10:10 - It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 15, 2023 - The body is made up largely of bones, about 200 or them, classified as to shape. The church is also made up of bones, classified according to use. There are three kinds. First, Wishbones. You know this kind. They wish for greater things in the church. They wish for larger attendance. They wish for more souls to be saved. Wishbones? They are languid and they are listless. The only thing they deny themselves is work and effort to make their wishes come true. They are sometimes referred to as “rocking chair Christians.”
Then there are the jawbones. Nothing slow or listless about this kind. They work up and down at great speed. They can criticize. They can pick flaws. They tell how it would be done if they were in charge. In their wake, follows dissension and discouragement. Verily, it takes a Samson to handle this class and turn them to some good use.
But, the third class is the one we like to think of. They are the backbones. There is work to be done; the backbones do it. There are meetings to attend; the backbones are there. When the Saints assemble in their home congregation, the backbones are there to support their brothers and sisters and have fellowship with the saints. There is giving so the work might be carried on; the backbones are willing to sacrifice. Oh backbones! If we were poets we would write about you! If we were singers we would chant your praises! If we were artists we would paint your lovely likeness! Being merely ordinary humans, we can only love and appreciate you. And we do!
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 14, 2023 - The Annual Homecoming for the upkeep of the White Rock Cemetery will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at White Rock Missionary Baptist Church located on State Highway 7 West, approximately 14 miles west of Center with dinner on the grounds. Church starts at 10am.
If you cannot attend, please feel free to send your donations to the:
White Rock Cemetery Fund
c/o Tammy Davis
2966 CR 1245
Center, Texas 75935
Or
White Rock Cemetery Fund
c/o Farmers State Bank
P.O. Box 352
Center, Texas 75935
Also, a little reminder that the Annual Homecoming is always the 4th Sunday in June, we hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tammy Davis at 936-488-0095.
June 13, 2023 - House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries presents its Youth Revival from Wednesday, June 14 through Friday, June 16 at 7:30pm nightly. Guest speaker is Pastor Marquist Taylor from Freedom City Church, Lufkin, Texas.
June 12, 2023 - The Wimberly Cemetery Homecoming will be held on Sunday, June 18 at noon. Everyone is encouraged to come, enjoy our beautiful cemetery, and fellowship with friends and family over lunch.
If anyone would like to donate to the cemetery fund, that would be greatly appreciated either at the homecoming or by mail. Hope to see you there!
Donations may be mailed to:
Wimberly Cemetery
c/o Wanda O’Rear
11466 FM 2694
Shelbyville, TX 75973
“Jesus come to seek and save that which was lost…” Matt. 19:10
June 12, 2023 - When I was in the second grade, my Dad took me, Uncle Jink, and my brothers on a fishing trip to Mill Creek. This cold, spring fed creek was a great fishing place and was the sole water supply for my hometown of Center, Texas. We arrived at the pump station on a hot, summer afternoon equipped with catalpa worms, hooks, cane poles… and plenty of peanut butter and crackers.
I crossed the creek on a familiar foot log and raced down a trail to my favorite slough. My stringer of goggle eyed perch was growing so fast that I didn’t consider the dangerous thunderstorm that was approaching or the falling darkness. Sensing my peril too late, I desperately searched for the creek trail, but was soon overcome by the darkness and rain.
After shouting myself to hoarseness, I began a disoriented four hour walk in the blind darkness. My heart leaped for joy when I finally spotted a light shining in Walter Bound’s chicken house. After standing me to dry in front of his fireplace, he put his daughter’s dress on me, and drove me down to the creek.
Fire Chief Dr. Hap Rogers and twenty members of the Center Fire Department met us at the pump station. After giving me a quarter and a hug, he told me a moving story about my father. “Your dad wouldn’t give up on you. He kept diving in the dark under that bunch of driftwood. He said he’d last seen you crossing the foot log there.” I’m eternally grateful to have a father who loved me like that.
Seven years later, I was rescued by my Father in Heaven… and so was my Dad. And we’re both eternally grateful to a Father who loved us like that.
Janetta Searcy told me that the kids at school called me a hero… but I know better… the real hero was my dad!
June 12, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, June 12.
On June 12, 1942, a young girl turned thirteen. One of her birthday gifts was a small book with a lock on the front, a diary. She began writing in it that very first day, but wondered how the happenings of her humdrum life could ever fill its' pages. Less than a month later, the life of Anne Frank changed forever.
Her family, living in Amsterdam, was forced into hiding, threatened by the Nazis. And for the next two years, Anne would chronicle their harrowing experience in her diary. She had hopes of becoming a writer when she grew up. But, tragically, she would never have the chance to grow up. When she was fifteen, the Nazis found them, and before her sixteenth birthday, Anne Frank died in a German concentration camp.
Otto Frank, Anne's father, was the only member of the family to survive. On returning to Amsterdam, he found her diary. It was published as a book and became a bestseller. It was turned into a play and received the Pulitzer Prize. It was made into a movie and won the Oscar.
Her life was cut short, but her legacy has been long and powerful. The Diary of Anne Frank is standard reading material for school children around the world. Eighty years after her death, her voice still rings loud and clear. Her example of courage in the face of danger is a continuing inspiration. And her words, written during one of the darkest moments in human history, continue to give us hope.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
June 9, 2023 - Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is celebrating 147 years on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 3pm. Guest speaker is Rev. Rhonda Christopher with St. Paul C.M.E. Church, Nacogdoches.
Mt. Zion C.M.E. Presiding Prelate - Bishop L.L. Reddick, III; Presiding Elder - Rev. Milton Proctor; and Pastor - Rev. Richard Edwards.
The church is located at 921 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas.
Pages
