Mountain Springs Church

Services started on Sunday with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “Come Unto Me,” “I’d Rather Be an Old-Time Christian,” “I’m Going That Way” and “Heaven’s Jubilee.”

Bro. Rickey Bice gave a devotion from Luke 2:42-45: If we get too tangled up in what’s going on in the world, we will get farther away from God.

After Sunday School, Bro. Kenneth led the church in the hymn “I’ll Be Satisfied,” and Ricky and Sherrie Williams sang “God Saves Old Sinners.” Bro. Don gave the message from Matthew 15:29-31: The purpose of being a Christian is to glorify our God. We are to glorify God with praise, good works and through the unity of the church. What glory does God receive from you?

Sunday night’s service began with Bro. Kenneth leading the church in the hymns “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “A New Name in Glory,” “Living By Faith” and “Camping in Canaan’s Land.”

Bro. Kenneth gave the devotion from Psalms 1:1-2 and Bro. Sam Ross sang “We Need to Thank God.”

Bro. Don preached from Revelations 6:1-8. It is comforting to know that God is in control in our lives. Even though this world is getting worse by the minute, we can still look forward to being with Christ one day soon.

Cedar Grove Church

Weeping may come in the night, but joy comes in the morning!

Pastor Jeff Carroll’s text came from John 10:1-18 for his message titled “The Voice.”

There are two voices Jesus wants us to know and recognize: the voice of the Good Shepherd, who is Jesus, and the voice of the thief and robber. He tells us in his word there are two ways to enter the sheep fold: through the door or sneaking in over the wall. Jesus says, “I am the door, the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Jesus in this parable was teaching the Jews and the Pharisees that should have known he was Christ, the door, and the Sadducees that did not believe in Christ. No wonder they were sad!

Jesus Is the door by which anyone enters by him he will be saved. There are no secrets in the house of God and no secret society, as of the devil. The great shepherd brought up from the dead to care for and make perfect the sheep. The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection. Jesus is the chief shepherd who is coming in his glory to give crowns and reward the faithful. Jesus died for us on Calvary and he is the only hope we have. When the wolf (trouble) comes, no one but the Good Shepherd would die for us instead of fleeing. Jesus will fight for us, never leave us and will give us comfort.

There is a difference in knowing how to get in the door and “being” the door. Without Jesus, there is no other way to heaven. When, like the Pharisees and the Sadducees, we reject the truth and reject Jesus, we are imagining there is another way to heaven. People will let you down, but Jesus will never let us down. Jesus’ voice is the one we are to listen for and obey, not man’s. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus when we become discouraged. It means we are not listening for Jesus’ voice. I encourage everyone to listen for the voice of Jesus; he and he alone can save your soul from a devil’s hell. Love to all from Cedar Grove. Have a great week!

Announcements: Friday Night Prayer Meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Prayer concerns: Peggy Pearson, Janet Wyatt, Jean Varden, Eugene Neeley, Bernice Witt, Sherry Gore, Brenda Patterson, Debra Martin, Bob Hill, Jim Lowery’s family, our church family, our pastor and those in nursing homes and hospitals.