Samaria Baptist Church

Prayer concerns are for Debbie Kirkland, Bennie Mims, Tracy Mims, Walter Hudgins, Drusilla Hudgins, Brady Popwell and the Price family who lost their home in a fire Friday Night.

It was Baptism Sunday, and Brady Popwell was the only candidate. The Rev. Mike Lawrence was with us to baptize his grandson Brady.

Bro. Mike brought the morning message and blessed our hearts tremendously. His message was entitled, “Christ is the Answer.” His first scripture of reference came from Matthew 6:19-34.

Our special music was provided by Floyd Collins, who sang “How long has it been?” We find in God’s word that Jesus did everything that the people had need of. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitudes and saved souls.

We all make the mistake of seeking to solve our problems in a variety of ways. Many times we find a dead end and cannot seem to see our way. Selfishness can consume the human heart and leave us walking around with a ton of brinks pressing us down.

So often we try to fill the void in our lives by seeking the things of this world. Drugs and alcohol often take us to places that deter the pain we are experiencing. The answer does not come from a vial or a bottle.

We are joint heirs with Christ. We are equally God’s children just as Jesus. Without Christ at the center of our hearts, we will miserably fail. God’s will must be the most important thing to us each day.

We need to forgive while waiting on God to grant us the forgiveness that he promised would never fail. Elijah was running from Jezebel for protection when God protected him and spoke to him in a still small voice. As difficult as it seems, we must do good to those who use us and are spiteful to us.

As we go through life from day to day, we are to show whomever we come in contact with, that Jesus is by example. In all our ways we are to acknowledge him for he will direct our paths.

Act like Jesus and know his word by studying with the faith that surpasses man’s comprehension. Remember that in our weakness we are held closely by his strength.

Please join us at Samaria for a wonderful service. May God bless you and keep you. May Thanksgiving give you the peace that only comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

The Lord has blessed us once more to enter into the holiday seasons. This week we will be celebrating the time that man has set aside as Thanksgiving Day.

When gathering with family and friends, if you stopped to make a list of the top ten things that you are thankful for, I wonder what would be No. 1. For those that are Christians, that place should be held by Jesus and his amazing gift of salvation.

Not only should that be first on our list, but our daily lives should be lived in a way that would show this to the world around us. One of the ways this can be done is to follow God’s command to assemble ourselves together. We draw strength from other Christians as well as please God by doing so.

Our worship service Sunday morning started with Libby Warren playing the piano for our penny march. Our special music was performed by Mesha Mims and Tori Mims who sang “Rise Up and Praise Him”.

Bro. Travis Burnett brought our message, “A Call From God – Laying Our Isaac Down”, using scripture from Genesis 22:1-14.

The call we receive from God will be a personal call, and we must answer for ourselves. God will ask us to lie down and sacrifice certain things in our lives. It is not that he wants these things, but he wants us just as he wanted Abraham.

There are many things that can be our Isaac. Maybe it is money, family, sports or popularity that is dearly loved by us. It will not be easy to lay it down, but in order to be totally committed to God we will have to be willing to do so.

God has a reason for the call he places on our lives. He will make a way and provide what we need when we make the decision to follow him. In doing so, we will find peace and rest. The reward will be worth whatever the sacrifice may be.

Our Sunday evening service was held in the Fellowship Hall. It started with a devotion being given by Bro. Burnett who used Psalms 107:1-3. These verses tell us to give thanks and let the redeemed say so. That is what we did.

We had a time of testimony and proclaiming of things that we are most thankful for. Following our devotion time, we enjoyed a wonderful meal. Thanks to all that helped prepare the food. Several meals were delivered to the sick and shut-ins in our community.

Upcoming events include play practice on Dec. 5, 12, and 19 at 4 p.m. each day. Caroling will take place on Dec. 12 starting with lunch at noon, while choir practice will be held after church on Sunday night.

At the time of this writing, Grant Franklin, the son of Jeremy and Jana Franklin, grandson of Jerry and Jan Franklin, is in a children’s hospital. Please pray for him and his family.

Also, on our prayer list is Mary Dean Higgins, Richard Sexton, Janice Robinson, Jennifer Watley, Elladene Mims, Leona Liveoak, Juanita Childress, Christy Lowery, Mary Maudlin, Minnie Childress, Ruthie Jean Giles, Jenny Hayes, Larry Cummings, Hilda Cary, and Tammy Harmon.