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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
August 4, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 4.
School bells start ringing one week from today in Center, Texas. In other East Texas towns, students are already back in class. But wherever you live, it’s a safe bet that teachers have been back at work for a while. And so this morning we begin “Teacher Week” at the Daily Devotions. Behind every great person is a great teacher. Each day this week we’ll look at a Bible character who was called to greatness by God, and the teacher who helped them get there.
The name Moses is known by people who have never read a word of God’s Word. But few know anything about a man named Jethro. When Moses fled Egypt after killing the Egyptian overseer, he was literally running for his life. He was given refuge by Jethro and ended up living and working with his family for forty years. Jethro saw something in the young man Moses and invested his life in him. Great teachers recognize great potential.
During those forty years, Moses had the opportunity to observe Jethro, a man of wealth and accomplishment, who was also known for his wisdom and integrity. Sometimes the strongest lesson we can teach is the lesson of our lives. Moses came to Jethro as a confused young man and left as a leader. Great teachers are great examples.
After Moses had led the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt, he struggled to be an effective leader. He was overwhelmed by the needs of his people, by the demands of his calling. Jethro came to him in the wilderness and taught him another lesson, the lesson of delegation. He encouraged Moses to set up a group of aides who would help him in his work. This made all the difference. Great teachers give great advice.
The story of Moses has echoed through the ages. A great man who did great things for a great God. But perhaps none of this would have happened without the efforts of Jethro, his great teacher.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
July 31, 2025 - When Paul writes II Timothy, he is an aged soldier of the cross. He is facing death and writes this letter to young Timothy, his son in the gospel. In chapter 1 and verse 12 he writes a beautiful passage when he says, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him.” It is a touching and inspiring picture.
Paul poses himself as one possessing something of untold value which is in danger of being lost. It is something that he alone cannot protect, yet he has found in Jesus Christ a safe protector. That possession is his soul, something more valuable than any wealth. It is undying and immortal.
Paul was well acquainted with Jesus. He had seen him personally on the road to Damascus. He had known Jesus through years of prayer and providence. Yet, we may also know Jesus through the experience of the Bible carefully studied and through our own time of prayer and beholding his presence in our own lives.
May we reflect carefully upon the value of our soul and the certainty of judgment. We know that if we commit our lives to Christ and live his kind of life, the faith that sustained Paul and inspired Timothy will see us safely to victory also.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Come join us for worship at Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
July 30, 2025 - Mt. Zion CME Church is Celebrating 148 years with their 2025 Homecoming Celebration on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 3pm with Pastor, Marlin Cloudy Sr., Abundant Love Ministries, Center, Texas as guest speaker.
Three night Revival is Monday-Wednesday, August 4-6, 2025 at 7pm nightly.
- Monday Night - Bishop William Nash, House of Refuge, Center, Texas
- Tuesday Night - Rev. Stanback Morris, Fellowship CME, Keithville, La
- Wednesday Night - Rev. Steve Standley, East Liberty Baptist, Center, Texas
Pastor, Rev. Richard E. Edwards
Chairpersons: Kristi McClelland, Mattie Suell, Dr. Shannon Suber
Mt Zion CME Church is located at 921 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas 75935. The church’s mailing address is P.O Box 1504, Center, Texas.
July 28, 2025 - The North Jericho Homecoming will be August 3, 2025, and as always it’s the first Sunday in August.
There will be a potluck dinner at 12-noon, followed by a short business meeting, some old fashioned hymns and a wonderful message.
Make plans to bring a covered dish and join in for a wonderful fellowship on August 3, 2025, at North Jericho Church.
The church address is: 335 Co Rd 3671, Center, Texas or click here to view Google Map to the location.
July 28, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, July 28.
On the morning of July 28, 1945, World War II was winding down. Germany had surrendered two months before, Japan would follow in two weeks. Soldiers were returning home. America was ready for a return to normal life. And then, an event occurred which sent shock waves through the nation. An event that would foreshadow 911. A B-25 bomber flew into the 80th floor of the Empire State Building.
The pilot had just returned to his family after flying 50 dangerous missions in Europe. A sailor, who had hitched a ride on the plane at the last minute, was trying to get home after receiving news that his brother had been killed in action. A dozen employees in the office of the Catholic Relief Society were at work on a Saturday, providing help to the thousands left homeless by the war. And in that moment, on a foggy morning in Manhattan... they were all lost.
But then there was Betty Lou Oliver. Twenty years old, she was working her final day as an elevator operator. Her fiancé had come home from the war and they planned to marry and return to Arkansas. The bomber hit the skyscraper at 200 miles per hour and severed the cables holding up Betty Lou’s elevator. It plunged 80 stories and crashed into the basement. Rescuers were astounded to discover that she was still alive. After ten months in the hospital she finally had her wedding. She went home, raised a family, and lived long enough to hold her great-grandchildren.
Fate. Fairness. Faith. We often wrestle with these things, these ideas. Are our lives just guided by the whims of fate? Is there no fairness to be found in tragedy? Will our faith sustain us in times of challenge and loss? The Bible character most identified with these questions is the man called Job. In Chapter 19 of his book, he has lost everything, his “friends” have brought him no comfort, he seems to be a broken man. And then he utters these famous words - “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that, in the end, He will stand upon the earth.”
Fate? Fairness? In the end... Faith.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
July 28, 2025 - Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its Annual Homecoming and Revival Sunday, August 10 through Wednesday, August 13.
- August 10th Homecoming - Pastor Derrick Rhodes, Wallace Chapel Baptist Church at 2:30pm
- August 11th Revival - Bishop W.C. Martin , Bennett Chapel Baptist Church at 7pm
- August 12th Revival - Bishop W.C. Martin , Bennett Chapel Baptist Church at 7pm
- August 13th Revival - Minister Cameron Cloudy, Abundant Love Ministries at 7pm
"He has saved us and Called us to a holy life" 2 Timothy 1:9
Pastor Anthony Jackson
Reverend Stephen Fields
July 28, 2025 - The Gates Chapel Baptist Church family invites you to our Annual Homecoming Service.
The Annual Homecoming Service is Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 3pm with special guest Rev. Deshmond D. Johnson, Pastor of Mt. Horeb Baptist Church.
July 24, 2025 - One of the shortest passages in the New Testament is in John 11:35. It simply says, “Jesus wept”. Yet, those two words are packed with meaning and significance for us. That passage tells us that Jesus came to live with people and to love them.
If you remember, Jesus’ first miracle was changing water to wine at a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. You see, Jesus entered into the daily lives of those he came in contact with. He rejoiced with them at their weddings and he wept at their funerals. To souls stained with sin, Jesus gave another chance, he would say, “go and sin no more.” and the phrase “be of good cheer” was an expression that was often upon his lips.
Jesus, you see, cares about what happens in the ordinary events of our lives. True, he turned the water to wine, but he does more than that. Jesus has the power to turn frowns into smiles, whimpers of fear into anthems of hope, deserts into gardens and sin-blistered souls into victorious saints. He does all of this because of the selfless love that he has for us. For you and for me.
Yet, before Jesus fed the multitude, a little boy gave Him his lunch. Before the sick woman was healed, she touched the hem of His garment. Before Lazarus was raised from the dead, the stone had to be rolled away. Before we can live victoriously in Jesus Christ, there is something we must do. We must surrender our stubborn will to the will of God, obey his commands and live God’s kind of life.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come join us for worship at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
July 23, 2025 - Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Center Texas is hosting three days of V.B.S., Armour of God - Ephesians 6:13-17 from July 23rd through July 25, 2025 from 6pm until 8pm. Enlist Now!
To rise through the ranks, please attend all 3 days. There will be activities, food, and lots of fun for everyone! Camo attire, if you have some but not required!
July 23, 2025 - Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its 'Welcome Home and Cemetery Fund Drive' on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 11:30am with Rev. Dr. Jackie Garrett of Borden Chapel Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas.
Leading up to the Welcome Home, Blount Chapel is hosting its Annual Revival from July 30 through August 1 at 7pm nightly.
- Wednesday, July 30th at 7pm - Bishop Cedric Grace from Mount Zion Baptist Church, San Augustine
- Thursday, July 31st at 7pm - Pastor Johnny Jones from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Center
- Friday, August 1st at 7pm - Pastor Deshmond Johnson from Mt. Horeb Baptist Church, San Augustine
Blount Chapel Baptist Church is located at 298 Co Rd 3760, Center, TX 75935 and led by Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr..
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