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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
April 6, 2023 - When we meet Moses in Exodus chapter 4, he is 80 years old. He has spent 40 years in Egypt, growing up in the household of Pharaoh and 40 years in Midian, herding sheep for his father-in-law on the back side of nowhere.
He had a stammering voice and some serious self-esteem issues. There was nothing about his physical appearance or disposition to make him outstanding as a leader among men.
But, when he submitted himself to the Lord, when he allowed God to direct him, he became mighty in the history of the people of God. You see, God can take the little things and change them into something great. God asked Moses, “What is that in thy hand?” Moses answered, “A rod”. Something that was simply a stick in the hand of Moses, by the power of God became the force that brought the plagues on Egypt, divided the Red Sea, brought water from a rock and won a battle when Moses used it as God directed him. Little things, when placed in the hand of God become great things.
David’s sling and five small, smooth stones by the power of God were able to slay a Philistine Giant. Five loaves and two fish that belonged to a small boy became enough by the blessing of the Savior to feed five thousand.
We must be willing to take our talent, our ability and commit fully to God and become an instrument in the hand of God to do great things for His glory.
It’s something to think about. . . TBP
Join Center Church of Christ for Worship this coming Lord’s Day - www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 3, 2023 - Join us at Lydia MBC for a Easter Egg-stravaganza on Saturday, April 8th from 2pm to 4pm at Lydia Missionary Baptist Church on Fm 139.
We will start with a devotional and special prayer with Bro. Michael, then egg hunting for babies to 6th grade, bounce houses, cookies and lemonade refreshments, photo prop, games and more!
Everyone is invited! Kids only need to bring an empty basket! If you have any questions, please call Haley Parks at 368-2838
April 3, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 3.
This, of course, is Holy Week and each day this week I will be looking at what Jesus was doing on that day. After His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Sunday, His Monday began very differently. Matthew 21:12 tells us - He entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written", He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you are making it a den of thieves!"
I directed an Easter production years ago at a church in Dallas and I remember how much our "Jesus" enjoyed the scene where he got to turn over all the tables and throw down the cages! I don't believe that Jesus enjoyed it, though. And He was very aware that the "powers that be" were closely watching His every move that week and were plotting against Him. The easiest thing to do would have been to look the other way and to do nothing.
But Jesus spoke truth to power. Jesus stood strong.
This story reminded me of this song . . .
Stand up, stand up for Jesus the trumpet call obey
Forth to the mighty conflict in this His glorious day
Ye that are His now serve Him against unnumbered foes
Let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 30, 2023 - At the front of the auditorium in many church buildings you will find what is called the “communion table.” On the front are engraved the words of Jesus, “This do in remembrance of me”. On every Lord’s day, it is (or should be) prepared for those who would remember their Lord in the way commanded by the Lord Himself. There is nothing that could be more simple or more human than this appointment. Jesus requests that His disciples make the simple act of eating and drinking the occasion for remembering Him each week.
In our home, we have a special drawer in our kitchen that we refer to as the “junk drawer”. You probably have one too. In that drawer is an old baby food can, open on one end with a knife slit in the other end. To the uneducated, it is simply an old worthless can. To me it is a valuable treasure. That old can was grandmother Perkins’ biscuit cutter. Over the years I have eaten some of the finest biscuits ever made cut out with that old tin can. So, to me, it is a treasured remembrance of priceless value.
Just like I have my old baby food can, you have your keepsakes and remembrances and they are of priceless value to you. Yet, how much value do we place on the remembrance of Jesus? When we fail to make worship a priority on the Lord’s Day, we say to the world and Christ who died for us that it does not really mean all that much to us. Paul would write, “As oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do show forth the Lord’s death till he come.”
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
March 30, 2023 - St. John's Episcopal Church will be having Easter Services with communion being offered on April 9, 2023 at 9am.
Everyone is invited to attend. Located on 96S just past SV circle.
March 29, 2023 - Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church would be so honored by your presence at their upcoming Easter Program.
Presenting 'The Easter story' - like you've never heard it before! The program presented by the Mount Calvary Praise and Worship Team and Children on Sunday, April 2 at 6pm at Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church.
Refreshments after.
Directions: 5527 FM 417 East, Shelbyville, TX 75973.
For more information, call 936-591-1886 or 936-590-1040.
March 27, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, March 27.
Over the next two weeks, we’ll have two week-long devotion series. Starting next Monday, we’ll focus on the events of Passion Week, leading to Good Friday and Easter. This week, leading to Palm Sunday, we’ll focus on the theme of praise.
Palm Sunday is connected to praise because of the stirring image of Christ entering Jerusalem that morning. We see the crowds of people lining the streets of the Holy City, shouting “Hosanna!” and waving palm branches. The Bible doesn’t say that they were singing, but if they were, the hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” would have served the moment well.
In 1823, there was a memorable moment in the history of classical music, as Ludwig Beethoven completed his final symphony - the Ninth. It was the first symphony to feature a choir and was a tremendous success. The applause at the climax of its premiere was thunderous. But the aging maestro, almost completely deaf, was unaware of the ovation until he was turned to see the cheering crowd.
In 1907, a pastor wrote words of praise to accompany the stirring melody from Beethoven’s Ninth. We sang those lyrics yesterday morning at First Baptist Center.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 24, 2023 - Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church, April 30, 5th Sunday Night Singing, Bring A Song. Starts at 6pm.
Refreshments after.
Directions 5527 FM 417 East, Shelbyville, TX 75973
For more information Call 936-591-1886 or 936-590-1040.
March 23, 2023 - The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministeries Presents Usher Program April 16, 2023, 3:00pm located at 215 Church Street, Center TX 75935. Special Guest Elder Richard Mccowen - Lone Star Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 1792, Chandler, Texas 75758.
March 23, 2023 - In reading the New Testament, you find these words recorded in James 2:10-11, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”
If we learn anything from that passage it is this, we must yield our stubborn will entirely to the will of God. To yield at one point and refuse to yield at another is to defy God and reject his authority. When we refuse to yield completely to the will of God, we are still lacking in the spirit of submission.
You see, if we reject God’s word on any one point, we are guilty of rebellion against God, no matter how obedient we might be otherwise. An individual who commits murder is guilty of breaking God’s law. They are not excused because they have been a good mother or father or have been an honest neighbor. Good conduct otherwise will not offset disobedience and neglect. Kindness to neighbors will not offset other areas of rebellion. We cannot expect God to overlook one kind of disobedience because of an area of obedience.
We cannot be pleasing in the sight of God until we have come to put into practice the saying, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth; command and I will obey.”
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.
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