Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this perfect Sabbath day, it was a joy to observe the spring flowers along the way. Nothing is a better harbinger of spring than the yellow jonquils that look like fallen sunbeams.

Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon title today was “When We Are Tempted.” His scripture was taken from Luke 4:1-13.

Luke was the traveling companion of Paul. He was a Greek Gentile writing for Greeks. Tradition connects him with Antioch in Syria. All of us are familiar with these verses from the Book of Luke dealing with the temptation of Jesus. Even the Son of God was not spared the curse of temptation, as Luke illustrates in these verses:

The devil said unto him, “If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” And Jesus answered him saying, “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:3

And the devil, taking him up to a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said to him, “If thou therefore will worship me, all shall be thine.” And Jesus answered him and saith unto him, “Get thee behind me, Satan; for it is written: Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Luke 4:5-8

When the devil had finished all temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke 4:13

Satan’s presence and his temptation are just as present as attractive today as is the days when Jesus walked on earth. We have to be aware and well acquainted with God’s word in order to rebuke the devil. God has promised to be with us and help us bear our load, so trust him and all will be well.

Temptations are just as rampant today, but there are also Christians among us the equivalent of Paul and Luke.

When you pray, remember our pastor, Dr. Mac. Stinson, his son, Mac Stinson III, his daughter, Anne, a medical missionary currently in Africa, and his sister, Nell, who has cancer.

Remember Opal Miller, Dell Moody, Tania Dawson, Cindy McCavitt, Judy Atkinson, Kelly Parker, Anne Glass, and Anna and Autumn as they make decisions for their future.

Pray for our military and their families, our national leaders, our community and each other.

In our Wednesday night Bible study, we will be reviewing the Book of Daniel.

Our young people enjoyed their day out on Saturday. Thanks to Laurel Lee Adams and our church for their support.

The Ladies A.I.M. Refresher is coming up at the beginning of March. If you wish to attend, the last call to sign up is now.

Have a great week.

Friendship Baptist Church

On Sunday, our choir sang “A Beulah Land Medley” and Pam Jones sang “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Bro. Ken’s message, “It’s Friday, but Sunday Is Coming,” was taken from Luke 24:1-8.

On the Friday before the victorious resurrection, darkness came over all the land, the curtains in the temple were torn, and Jesus breathed his last breath on earth as a human.

While he is no longer here physically, Jesus is still with us. Our Lord can help us through all of our Fridays. Trust in God; he is still working each day to make us better. If you feel like the walls are closing in around you, turn to the Lord; he holds tomorrow.

For the evening service, our youth went to hear 18 year-old Austin Foster, who sang at Cross Bridge Community Church.

Upcoming events:

Feb. 19-20: Pictures for the church directory

Feb. 21: Executive team meeting at 7 p.m. at the association office

Feb. 27-March 5: Medical mission trip to Guatemala

March 2: Renew, a one-day event for women of all ages at Heritage, Montgomery from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Cost is $35 per person with lunch included. See Anita Glover to sign up.

March 10: Daylight Savings Time

March 23: Youth will bag groceries at Winn-Dixie to raise money for their “Give Kids the World” mission trip.

March 31: Easter

Happy Birthday to Terry Powell, Sarah Wilkerson and Mark Conradi.

Prayer requests: Rusty Jones, William Cleckler, Beth Connell Chancelor and sons, Janice Wyatt, the Guatemala mission trip, Brittaby Smith, Davis Price, Meagan Daniel, Ed Hatchett, Raymond Powell and Angie and Alex Wyatt.