Rocky Mount UMC

It is such a blessing when a church fills an opening when a team member is out and others drop into that slot and let the service continue. We were just so blessed Sunday as Bro. Phil chaperoned a school field trip to Washington D.C. and our own lay speaker, Charlotte Powell, filled the pulpit in his absence. We also were blessed that Martha and Mike Gothard were able to join us and fill in our music positions. We always appreciate their help and the sharing of their talents. Mike blessed us with “The King Is Coming” for our anthem, and Charlotte asked, “How do you live your life knowing that the King is coming?”

Charlotte’s scripture came from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. These two short verses are the only ones in the Bible that mention Jabez. What is so important about Jabez that books would be written about him and his prayer when there is so little written about him? Jabez was an honorable man who literally begged God to bless him and enlarge his coast. It’s quite an adventure to see what Jabez prayed for, how he prayed and how his prayers were answered.

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Samaria Baptist Church

Our service honored our veterans who served in our military service. Charles Hay, Gaines Silas and Harold Fraser were the three recognized. Our congregation sang “The Star Spangled Banner” under the leadership of Jeannie Mims.

Prayer concerns are for Bob Shultz, the Brooks family, Chris and Janet Driskell, E.R. Johnson, Tim Popwell, Salena Stoneback, Collis Easterling and Betty Edwards.

Bro. Charles’ message text was 2 Corinthians 13 titled “Knowing Who We Are.” We are to examine ourselves and know who we are. We should stand firm with our faith, knowing who we serve. The Bible encourages us to disassociate ourselves with reprobates. Simply put: confess our sins; repent and turn away from them, and we will, by grace through faith, be forgiven. Know that Christ is in you. Life is a vapor that vanisheth away. It is short-lived at best. Loving one another is the key to Christian relationships. We must not run down one another.

True children of God have no fellowship with the sins of the world. Vices can take control of our lives. It is important for Christians to realize that our behaviors influence those who watch our lives. Things we do may not harm us, but may reflect a negative influence to others who observe our actions.

We are to be burdened over lost people. It is our responsibility to share what Christ means to us with a lost and dying world. It may be difficult to talk to someone who doesn’t want to hear about their need for a Savior, but it would be more difficult to answer for a soul that goes to hell because we couldn’t manage to witness to them. We can receive courage from our Lord Jesus Christ and he will empower us to do his will in all facets of life. Our world is full of evil, and those who serve Satan do not have any trouble sharing their opinions. Let us focus on the lost and those who need a Christian to lift them up.

May God bless all who read this article, and may the Thanksgiving season be a blessing to you and your family.