Mars Hill Baptist Church

Summer is officially here: time for homemade ice cream, fresh Chilton County peach pie and lazy days on the lake with family and friends. Boating is a popular activity for families this time of year. It’s a great way to cool off from summer’s heat. I love to ride down the river with the wind blowing in my face, watching people have fun, but not on Sunday—that is God’s time. Others may feel differently about this, but God gave up his only Son for me so that I might live in his presence one day. It’s not much of a sacrifice to give him one day a week; so instead of fishing on the creek, go to church. Worship him and be thankful for all that he has done for you. Amen.

Bro. William Short took the morning message from Acts 27:10, 17-32. Most of you are familiar with this story. Paul, in verse 10, tells the centurion not to set sail because the voyage would end in disaster and much loss of life, cargo and the ship. But his warning was not heard, and the ship set sail. Verses 17-32 tell the story of how the winds tossed them about and the sailors began to throw everything overboard to lighten the ship. When they had been many days without food, Paul again stood before the men and said, “Men you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete, incurring this disaster and loss. Now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar. Indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Take heart, men, I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”

The sailors began to take depth soundings and realized they were nearing land. Then, fearing they would run aground, they dropped anchors and prayed for daylight. The sailors were trying to escape the ship and lowered the rowboats into the sea, but Paul warned them to stop, saying, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” The sailors then cut the ropes of the rowboats, and they dropped into the sea.

The message here is to heed the word of God, listen to him and do his will. Even when you ignore what God is saying, he is still there. Just stay in God’s boat—repent of your sins and stay in the boat—and you will be saved from the storms of life. You can never escape life’s storms completely, but you can be saved from disaster. God has done this for me many times. Many people are facing storms of one kind or another today. Those storms may be physical, financial, mental or grief-ravaged.

People in America wake up everyday wondering how they will make it through the day, trying to find shelter from the storms and praying for daylight. Jesus Christ is the answer to whatever storms you may be facing. Our hope of being saved from life’s storms is not found in this world and security is not found in this world; in Christ alone is our hope found!

Paul warned the men not to set sail. Today, there is no Paul like the New Testament Paul, but we represent the same God as Paul. Just think about that. God is the same as when Paul walked the earth in his day; he has never changed. Friends, don’t play church; don’t give God less than your best. Give him you all because he gave all for you. Everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God, but Praise God, he made a way, through the precious blood of Jesus, for us to atone for our sins and get in the boat with him. Set your compass straight for heaven; be a sinner saved by grace.

Our grief support group will meet for the first time this Sunday at 5 p.m. These meetings are open to anyone who needs help dealing with grief. Grief is not just limited to the death of a loved one, but can include divorce, the loss of a job, a relationship, the family pet, a home, a way of life and even health issues.

We welcome you to join us. God is good, all the time. Amen.

Mountain Springs Church

Services started this Sunday with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” “Old Time Religion,” “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All” and “This World Is Not My Home.”

Bro. Ricky Bice gave a devotion from John 16:23-24: We have the right to pray in God’s name. Prayer works; we just need to take the time to pray each day.

After Sunday school, Bro. Kenneth Moates led the church in the hymn “Somewhere Listening” and Sheri Moates sang “I Need You More Today.”

Bro. Don preached from 26:30-46: Life is filled with struggles, but you are never to low that God can’t lift you up. God will always be there to prepare us.

Sunday night’s service began with Bro. Kenneth leading the church in the hymns “Come and Dine,” “Fill My Way With Love” and “He Set Me Free.”

Bro. Kenneth Moates gave a devotion from Genesis 3:9. Where are you in God’s will? Are you living in God’s permissive will or God’s perfect will?

Kellie Bice sang “Because He Lives” and blessed the church with a wonderful song.

Bro. Don preached from Zechariah 4: It’s through the power of God that we can finish the work he has started in us. In the eyes of the world we may not look like much, but through God, we are glorious.

Don’t forget our services are Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday’s at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!