Bethany Baptist Church

We are thankful for the privilege of meeting in the Lord’s house to study his word and sing praises to his name. The special sung by Chris Knight was “It’s Who You Are.” Bro. Steve brought a message titled “The Triumphal Entry of Jesus.” He plans to bring other messages in March celebrating the death, burial and resurrections of Christ. Topics will include “Gethsemane,” “Calvary” and “The Empty Tomb.” In his sermon, he used scriptures from Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12 about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem the week prior to his crucifixion. He attempted to create a vision of the sights and sounds of the multitude and surroundings at Christ’s procession on the lowly donkey. The people, for this brief time, acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, Savior and King, just as prophesied in Hosea and Psalm 118. Jesus was presented as the Passover Lamb, and he was honored and praised. We should render unto him all the praise and honor due him.

Following the monthly business meeting, Bro. Steve brought a message called “Seek the Lord” from Isaiah 55:1-7: Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. (Isaiah 55:6) There are certain times when God calls upon us, and we need to respond. God absolutely requires repentance: “Let the wicked forsake his way…and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him..and will abundantly pardon.” Repentance means to turn away from our sin, and turn toward God. When God extends mercy, he withholds what we deserve, and when he pardons us, our sins are removed “as far as the east is from the west.” Have you put your trust in Jesus and been pardoned?

Prayer list: Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Arnold DeLoach, Doris and Verdie Glenn, Hubert Griffin, Vikki Mims, Billie Neeley, the Smith and Mims families, and Glenda Wallace.

See you Sunday!

Mars Hill Baptist Church

The Lord is continuing is work and adding to our numbers daily! We thank you, Lord, and we praise your name!

We are glad for all our visitors today, and please come again. It’s no mistake when you attend church; it’s right where God wants you to be. We are not perfect, just saved sinners looking for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On that day, we will be perfect, as Jesus was perfect.

Our message was taken from Psalms 130:1-6. This psalm tells us about waiting for the redemption of the Lord. The writer crys out to the Lord, asking him to hear his voice and be attentive to the voice of supplication. “If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.”

Forgiveness is an important word. Yes, the Lord marks our sins, and he remembers them until we ask forgiveness for them. All have sinned, but Jesus provided a way out through the shedding of his precious blood on Calvary. We sin, and he forgives if we ask him to. So many times, we don’t teach forgiveness, but rather a spirit of “get even.” Someone does you wrong, and you in turn do wrong to that person, or maybe even someone else. Getting even may make you feel righteous for a short time, but if you belong to Jesus, that feeling won’t last; it will get you into more trouble that you can handle. The best way to handle a situation when someone does you wrong is to forgive them. It may be hard, but it’s what Jesus would have you do. In the end, to forgive helps you as much as it helps the one being forgiven.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than those who watch for the morning; yes, more than those who watch for the morning. Psalm 130:6: When God created this world, he made beautiful the sunrise and the sunset. As scripture says, many people wait for the sunrise each day to begin work, play, school, etc., but those who wait for the Lord look for his coming any day. Are you prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ? Is your soul longing for him to split the eastern sky? Are you looking for him? Christians should long for Jesus more than anything, more than anything this world has to offer. Search your heart, and know that Jesus is coming for you. Those who are looking for him to come may be the only ones to see him.

Don’t pattern your life and your longings after this world, or anyone in it. This world is not our home; we are just passing through. Look above, to the coming of our Lord, read his word, and be ready to meet him.

Please pray for our church, our pastor, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our troops, our schools and our government. God is great, all the time. Amen.