Bethany Baptist Church

We opened with the hymn “Breathe on Me,” followed with a devotion titled “Love in Deed and Truth” from 1 John 3:16-18. Love is an action. We must do something to show people we love them. Jesus proved his love for us by dying on the cross for us. We can help those in need by sharing what we have with them. When we help others we should not expect something in return. Do our actions reflect what we say?

We sang “Speak to My Heart,” “Faith of Our Fathers,” “The Wayfaring Stranger” and “He Lives on High.” We then honored our fathers with a small gift. Afterwards Bro. Aubry brought the first of a series of messages from Psalm 78.

The text was from Psalm 78:12-20. This is a reminder of God’s goodness to us. How often do we say we want to serve the Lord and to do his will, and then we balk at what we know God wants us to do? We must learn to trust God that “he can.”

He is still the Lord of Glory, King of Kings and Lord of all. To know what God wants us to do we must read the Word, the Bible. The children of Israel, while wandering in the desert wondered, “Can God give us bread as he gave water from the rock?” They tempted God. We have a God whom we can trust to give us what we need. He never breaks his promises.

We need to be careful or we will make God angry at us by not trusting in him. Many times, like the children of Israel, we forget all that God has done for us. For the Israelites, he parted the Red Sea, made bitter water good and caused enemies to flee. We need to stop and remember God’s power through the storms in our lives. We show our foolishness when we question God. To understand and believe, we need a better understanding of the character of God. We need to teach our children the Bible, God’s promises, and we also need to believe.

Read Romans 4:21, Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19 and Titus 1:2. Remember: God can!

We dismissed the a.m. services with a prayer and the hymn, “Softly and Tenderly.” Evening services began with the hymn “I Would Be True,” followed by part two of the message from Psalm 78 titled “Will God.” When we are in God’s will, he will answer our prayers. Before being born again, the only prayer God will hear and answer is the sinner’s prayer asking forgiveness for our sins and asking him to save us from our sins. After becoming saved, we must live according to God’s will for him to hear our prayers. If living a life of sin, we need to repent and ask God to forgive us. God will hear and answer our prayers. He doesn’t always answer the way we think he should. As the children of Israel, we sin time and time again, and every time they cried out for forgiveness, God heard and forgave them. He will do the same for us today. God is more powerful that any obstacle we can ever face. He was, is and will forever be all-powerful. He will always win the battles (Matthew 15:28, Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27 and Ephesians 3:20). Jesus works through his local New Testament churches today. He expects us to have confidence in God, and trust him (Mark 11:22). As with Daniel in the Lion’s den, the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and the disciples on a ship in a storm, God can and will save us from a devil’s hell. When we put our faith and confidence in Christ, we will enjoy life more fully than before. We closed the services with a prayer and the hymn, “Have Faith in God.” Our prayer list includes, our church, Glenda, Bro. Aubry, Shirley, Elwyn, Grace, missionaries, our journey, Kurt Wallace, Phyllis, Wayne S, Lisa, John Rodriguez, Earnestine, Chris K, Debbie Roberson, Jeanette, Jackie, Billie, Bro. Hubert, Mary Wilma, Colyn, Sherry, Mr. J.C. and Barbara W.

Samaria Baptist Church

Bro. Shane took his beginning text from Matthew 14:25-31. How do we become the men God wants us to be? According to this scripture, Peter was a strong follower of Christ. Only when he took his eyes off the master in the sea, did he begin to sink.

Christian men need to have a desire to be like Job, a true follower of God with absolutely no reservations. He was prepared to follow God no matter what Satan threw at him. Job had integrity, and his fear and respect for God enabled him to win his battle against the wiles of the devil. Our men need the confidence of David. God empowered David to be the leader of men. As a boy he defeated the giant with a slingshot and a rock because he was confident in his God and in himself. No matter what came against him, David knew that God would prevail in him and for him.

We need a “Here I am Lord” mentality. We need to be willing to say, “Whatever you need me to do Lord, I know you will fit me for the task.” There is a call on everyone’s life. We need to be open to accepting whatever our call may be. First of all we need to be right with the master. And seek his ways in loving our wives and raising our children.

Our children learn so much more by watching us than by listening to our demands. Our children will become us. What would you like to see your children become? You need to model the credentials of a Godly man. You need to show yourself to be what God has called you to be. Show Christ in every situation. Lean on him for your guidance in order to guide your children appropriately.

Prayer concerns today: Barbara Collins, Chester Sparks, Bobby and Leone Patterson, Robin Mims, Betty and Curtis McCary, and Walter and Drusilla Hudgins in their illness and grief.

Bro. Floyd Collins sang “What a day that will be” for our special music. James Milford celebrated a birthday, and Jerry and Pat Milford celebrated an anniversary.

Bible School is a few weeks away; however, we need to pray for a wonderful time in Jesus. Samaria is answering the call of God. Don’t you want to be a part of this awesome experience? Join us and may God bless you and answer your every need.