Cedar Grove Church

Bro. Jeff Carroll’s sermon text came from 1 Peter 3:8 and 4:1-10: “Changing Your Inheritance.” Some of us have an earthly inheritance from our parents, family, etc., but where does your inheritance stand in the kingdom of God? We will earn our inheritance in how we live our lives for God here on earth. Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue, for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. And his ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Our beloved Lord does not bless wickedness. So let us all be alert, praying without ceasing, and seeking God’s will, not our own, to inherit the Kingdom of God. Glory be to God!

Evening worship: Bro. Heath Vines’ text came from Colossians 3:1-4 and was titled “What Are We Clinging To?”

In this world, our lives tend to be busy all the time with work, taking care of children and attending their activities. As they get older, it’s shopping, playing and keeping them entertained. When we get saved, our lives change. (Behold all things become new.) Oh, we will still have struggles and temptations, but God puts our sins as far as the east is from the west to be remembered no more.

Saul is a good example of how our lives change when we get saved. He was persecuting and killing Christians until he met God on the road to Damascus, where he was changed, then began preaching about Christ, the Son of God. The mindset of the world is that we can continue doing exactly what we want and still be a Christian going to heaven, but this is wrong. You can’t live properly without Jesus and his word, the Bible, the instruction book for Christians.

Set your affections on the things of God, not on the things of this earth. Are you clinging to earthly treasures, or seeking God’s Kingdom, where your reward will then be eternal life with Jesus? Praise the Lord!

Announcements:

March 30: Easter egg hunt at Cedar Grove Church at 2 p.m.

March 31: Easter drama: There will be a regular morning service beginning at 10:45 a.m. that will include both worship service and the Easter drama. All are invited to attend.

Prayer concerns: spoken and unspoken. Remember Bro. David Bullard’s brother, Glenn Bullard, who is in ICU at Trinity hospital.

Mount Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

As spring is approaching, let’s take time to see God’s beauty all around us. God’s glory can be seen in the blossoming of the trees and plants bursting forth with new life. It is a great time to give thanks to God for the opportunity he gives to each of us to experience new life in him through his grace.

Our Sunday morning service began with some spirit-filled hymns. Our special music was “Peace in the Valley,” by Donald Liveoak. Bro. Derrell’s message, “Have You Been Through the Fire and Flood,” was taken from Isaiah 43:1-2. These verses tell us there is a promise to everyone from God, but we must be willing to accept it. Even though we may feel we are going through the fire and flood in life, God knows all about it, and he cares for us. Going through trials with God’s help can make us stronger. Trials can help us discover our limitations and teach us to reach out to God. They reveal the saving grace of God.

As we gathered for our evening services, Bro. Derrell used scripture from 2 Timothy 2:1-24 to bring the message titled “Eight Points for Life.” The first point is strength—not ours, but Christ’s. The second is to endure hardness and remain firm in Christ. Third: Study to be approved of God. Fourth: Shun profane and vain babblings. They are worthless and lead to ungodliness. Fifth: Flee lust. Avoid anything that draws you away from God. Sixth: Follow righteousness and have a pure heart. Seventh: Avoid foolish and unlearned question, as they produce quarrels. Lastly, do not strive. Have gentleness and patience with mankind. How much better would our everyday lives be if we could follow these points?

On Sunday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m., there will be a bridal shower for Abby Braswell and Geoffrey Lockhart. It will be in the fellowship hall at Mt. Carmel. Their wedding will be on Saturday, March 30 at 4 p.m. All friends are invited to join them for this special time.

All choir members are urged to be at practice on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. if possible. The cantata Who Do You Say I Am will be presented on Easter Sunday during the 11 a.m. service. Please pray that God will be glorified and the message of Christ’s love for us will be shown through this presentation.

Those in our church family that need special prayer this week are: Sarah Scott, Charlie Walker, Jacob Jones, Nolin Maudlin and Elladene Mims.

If you do not have a church home, you are always welcome to come worship with us on Sundays at 10 a.m. for Sunday School, 11 a.m. for worship and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.