Samaria Baptist Church

Happy Birthday to Bobby Patterson, Cathy Willis and Alexis Willis. Happy Anniversary to Josh and Amanda Parker.

Our services began with a special prayer time for Bro. Benny Mims, Tracy, Ozelle, Travis, Jody Little, Hannah Bonds, John & Lisa on a trip, Aubrey and Jane Brown, and our church family as a whole.

We are thankful for answered prayers and we praise our father for these. “I know who holds tomorrow” was a very fitting title for Sunday’s message. Bro. Shane Wyatt brought another soul stirring message that lifted and convicted each heart.

We put a lot of thought into who our national, state and local leaders are. We hope and pray for better leaders in various offices of leadership. However, if we leave all of this in the hands of a loving God, we can go about our day knowing that he is truly in control.

If we seek his face and live within his will, that is all we have need of.

Bro. Shane took his immediate text from Psalms 46:1-7. We speak the words all the time that Jesus will meet all our needs and that faith will pull us through.

But do we truly turn it all over to him? Do we let go and leave it at the altar of God’s grace?

God’s word has reigned supreme for thousands of years, and it is still as true and definite as it was when men were inspired to write it. God’s love is so much greater than the love we have for our children, which is really hard for us to fathom sometimes.

We are his children, and he is capable of the greatest love ever known. This was exhibited on the cross at Calvary.

God has the answers to every question and to our prayers. Let us give control to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and watch with expectancy as to what he does with us.

We as humans question why God would allow severe storms, hurricanes and other disasters. But the heart that is filled with faith in the Almighty God does not have to know why. We know who has the answers and that is enough.

Acting out our faith in the actions and ways of God is the key to the peace that will sustain us throughout any trouble or trial. Regardless of what happens, we must exercise faith in the God who is still the same “I AM.”

He was with Moses and he is with us now through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is alive. Do not allow physical ailments to steal your joy in Jesus. Praise him even in the midst of your life’s storms.

The difference that you will experience will amaze you. Do not allow Satan to cheat you out of blessings galore. Seek the Savior while he may be found.

Our special music was “How great it is” sung by Diane Greer. God bless all who read these words.

Join us at Samaria for a blessing from God’s holy word.

 

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church

We had a great service this past Sunday. The power may have been out, but we were all there to worship anyway.

A big thank you to Bro. Norris for bringing the message and dealing with no lights for most of his preaching.

We will be having several guest preachers in the upcoming weeks as we search for the one that God has planned for us. Everything will be done in God’s time. We will be praying for him to send us the man he has prepared for us.

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in our part-time pastor position, please email resumes and information to corinthmissionarybaptist@gmail.com.

It is that time of year again. Retailers have been getting Christmas decorations out even before Halloween was over. The lights, trees and stockings are all trying to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Some people love to jump right into Christmas, while others wait until as close to the actual holiday as possible before they pull out their decor.

However, one thing for sure is that the “war on Christmas” posts have begun. It happens every year. This year, Starbucks seems to be at the center of the ‘war’ with its simple red and green cups.

A self-proclaimed radical Christian and Evangelist, Joshua Feurstein, is convinced that this cup is a slap in the face to Christians. His rants on social media are anything but Christ-like. For more information on the #MerryChristmasStarbucks issue, check out our Facebook page.

I just want everyone to remember that Christmas is originally a pagan holiday. We have adopted all the traditions of Christmas, but in all honesty Christmas has nothing to do with Christ. He was not born on Dec. 25, and the bible does not tell us to celebrate his birth on this day. Christmas is a tradition of man. More information on the origins of Christmas will be posted on our Facebook page.

Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to get offended by a red and green coffee cup, or someone saying Happy Holidays. Do you not want a happy holiday? Would you rather it be a grumpy holiday?

Do you think Jesus would approve all of our silly hashtags and arguments over a day that is supposed to be all about peace on earth? Yeah, I do not think so.

If you want to tell someone Merry Christmas, do it! No one is stopping you. If you want to put your Nativity scene up this year, go for it!

The only war Christians should be fighting is the war on hunger, poverty, and homelessness, just to name a few. You want to get offended at something? Get offended at the fact that those three things exist in this world, and then go do something about it.

Get offended that other “Christians” are dragging Jesus’ name through the mud with their hatred and ignorance. We do not need a holiday to show people Christ’s love, we should be doing it daily!

So as the Christmas season approaches and someone tells you Happy Holidays, just smile, thank them and go ahead and tell them Merry Christmas. Tell them Jesus loves them, because he does. He loves each and every one of us, whether we like it or not.

Until next time, may God bless you and keep you. We hope to see you soon.

Submitted by KJ Bowen