Samaria Baptist Church

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Our pastor, Bro. Charles brought the morning message, and we were so thankful to have him back. Jeannie Mims sang “Did I mention?”

Bro. Charles took his text from John 3:1-18: Ye must be born again. Nicodemus was one of the first doubters who failed to understand how a man could once again enter his mother’s womb and experience a second birth. That was his misconception. Jesus told him that he is born once of the flesh, and born again of the Spirit.

Jesus came to live and die for our sins, but his resurrection is the key to our eternal life. When Christ enters a person’s life, their nature and attitude is changed. Jesus makes us different in mind, body, spirit, actions, decisions and choices. A new birth in Christ is the way we gain eternal life. We are promised God’s hand on our lives here, and all eternity in heaven with him.

We can have a much better worship experience if we fellowship together with our Christian brothers and sisters. This is important as we grow in Christ. Once a person surrenders their life to Christ, they are never the same. The world has no idea how to grasp the meaning of being born again. They have no understanding from the physical standpoint, but this comes from living and loving God. Jesus assured Nicodemus that he himself was indeed the son of God. God had it all figured out from the beginning. He knew we would need a Savior, and he set the plan of salvation in motion for us.

We pray for our sick and shut-ins today. We also lift up our school children as they begin classes in a few days. Please join us at Samaria for a meeting with the Savior every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Everyone has burdens and despair sometimes. Jesus is willing to carry the load for us; trust him today. God bless you.

Cedar Grove Baptist Church

Our only hope is in Jesus.

Announcements:

Aug. 18: Homecoming starts at 10:30 a.m. Guest will be Bro. Randy Perry. Revival will follow Aug. 19-21.

Friday night prayer meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited.

There will be a block party on Saturday, Aug. 17 beginning at 4 p.m. Several churches in the community will be sponsoring the event. The purpose is to help kids start back to school. There will be gospel singing, food, drinks and games for all ages. Come one, come all.

Prayer concerns: our church family, Peggy Pearson’s family, Tucker Jones, Eli Jackson, Bill Polk, Eugene Neeley and family, Bro. Heath and Freda Vines, Janet Wyatt, Nancy Jones and Bobbie Giles.

Special music was brought by Chris Cleckley. He sang “Your Grace Amazes Me.”

Bro. Jeff Carroll’s text came from 2 Timothy 1:6-7. His sermon title was “Stir It Up and Pour It Out.”

Stir up the gifts God has given you. The free gift of salvation is the best gift we will ever receive; share with everyone you meet and boldly tell them what Christ has done for you. Stir up the Spirit in you for Christ, be excited and on fire for God. If you do not stay stirred up in God, the devil will cause you to develop a spirit of fear, depression and defeat, instead of victory in Jesus. God has given us the spirit of power to combat the enemy, Satan. There is power in just calling on the name of Jesus. We do not need to be afraid of being shunned; the ones shunning us need to be afraid that they will be shunned by Christ for denying and rejecting him.

Churches today seem to be bending to the pressures of the world and re-evaluating their Christian beliefs to accept things that go against God’s word; be not deceived. God has given us a spirit of love, which means loving Christ enough to stand up for the Gospel and what is right. It means obeying God and doing what he tells us to do. God gives us the spirit of a sound mind. Let everything we say and do be based on the word of God. Stir up the gift God has given you. Pour it out so others may see the joy of serving Jesus and want what you have: eternal life with Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Love to all. Have a great week. God Bless.