Hopewell Baptist Church
Matthew 14:13-21 tells a story we’ve probably heard, but have we looked at what’s going on? Jesus is sad, then He sees all the people and compassion takes over. He is in absolute grief, yet He takes care of other people! The disciples tell Him it’s late and He needs to send the people away so they can eat. Jesus tells them they need to feed them. The disciples tell Jesus they have one boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish. How can they feed everyone when there’s not even enough for the twelve? Jesus tells the disciples to have everyone sit down, He lifts the five loaves and two fish up to Heaven, give thanks, and then He starts breaking up the food, handing it to the disciples to serve to the people. No one stops to ask where the food is coming from. They’re handing out snacks and the snacks just keep coming! Everyone keeps eating until they are done, and the disciples collect the excess of twelve baskets full. Jesus involved the disciples. What a strange, beautiful story of how God works! It’s just dinner, but not knowing where their meal is coming form is a big deal.
God is not limited by our lack of faith. He takes twelve hungry guys and uses them to feed the hungry. Why do we think we have to be perfect for God to use us? Don’t doubt what God can do with our inefficiencies. If God waited for us to be ready, He might be waiting a long time. What are we going to do when it’s time to make a difference in someone’s life? We are not the miracle workers, but we are the active participants when Jesus uses us. Give with the right heart, and yes, some will take advantage, but give anyway! We can give of our time or maybe even kind words – it’s not always about giving money. Jesus is doing it anyway! Do we want to participate or sit on the sideline? The preparation is being ready when Jesus shows us what He wants. Get ready – God has a plan for every single one of us!
Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 10 a.m. with Worship at 11 a.m., and Sunday and Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m. Watch live at 11 a.m. each Sunday on Hopewell Baptist Church Facebook page.
Lincoln First Baptist Church
Happy Valentines Day. Hope yours was a blessed day with your loved ones. Shelby Bowling, one our members who has been in a nursing home for a long time passed away in December. Our condolences to the family. Sunday school was well attended today. The children’s class had 10 young people today. Members of the ladies class talked about Abram, Sarai and Hagar today. We had a great discussion. Youth class set up for tonight’s movie. The movie tonight will be “The Blind.”
Richard and Maggie Camden attended church today after being absent since the covid. We were glad to see them back. There were a lot of people attending worship today. It was great to see the church filling up with people who want to hear the word of God. After the message at invitation was given and a gemtleman came forward to accept Christ as his Lord. There were others who were at the point but didn’t take the step. With prayer they will.
Pastor Jesse’s message was from the 23 Psalm. Most of us had to memorize this when we were small. It is still quoted a lot today. With God you will want for nothing. He leads us for His kingdom. We need a shepherd and He is it. We all will walk through the valley of death. Are you certain where you will be when you get through it? Do you know Jesus? Who’s hand will you be holding when you walk that valley? Will it be Jesus or Satan? The grave and death has no sting if you know Jesus.
If you aren’t saved hell is your destination. David, who wrote this psalm had confidence in his shepherd. Death has no claim when Jesus holds your hand. He knows the way because He has been there. When your cup runs over you can’t contain the blessings you will have. Jesus wants you to be close to Him. We don’t know what or who will be there in heaven. Heaven is a better place than here if you belong to Jesus.
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. GOD BLESS.
Warsaw Christian Church
Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. He was even called the friend of God.
-James 2:23
How do we become a friend of God? Do we roll up our sleeves and work as hard as we can, and perhaps if we do enough, He will consider us His friend? No, we cannot be good enough to earn God’s friendship. Abraham became a friend of God. How did that happen? He believed in God. He trusted God. He had faith in God. But still, he was an imperfect man. He messed up on God’s promise to give him a son, among other character flaws. But God “counted” him as righteous. God spoke to an unrighteous man, saying, “I consider you my righteous friend because you trust in Me.”
That is also the same way it works for us. We cannot possibly earn God’s favor. But, under the New Covenant, He considers us righteous when we trust in His Son. Like Abraham, we become His friend. God offers us His hand of friendship on one condition - - - that we trust in His Son. And so we sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus.”
Unity Of The Lakes
This Sunday 2/18/24 Unity of the Lakes is blessed to have Rev. Sandra Campbell as our guest speaker. This is the first Sunday of Lent and she is using Keep a True Lent by Charles Fillmore as her guide. Her service is "The Alter". What are you bringing to the alter this Lenten season? Rev. Sandra is a very gifted speaker and this may be the perfect service for you. Service is 11 am, dress is casual and all are welcome. Please join us on our Lenten journey. We are located 8 miles south of Warsaw on highway 65. Our physical address is 34948 Hwy 65 South. Follow us on Facebook. We look forward to seeing you.
From The Pastor's Desk
Sinner Man
In 1956, Les Baxter and Will Holt wrote the song, "Sinner Man". Nina Simone took the song to greater heights in the years following.
My sister had a 45 record of the song sung by a man that I would listen to on her record player.
The meaning of the song is a sinner attempting to hide from divine justice on judgement day
I am sharing my version of it today with you.
'Oh sinner man where you gonna run to
Run to the K.C Chiefs, Chiefs won't you hide me on that day
(repeat verse)
Run to the bars, bars won't you hide me on that day.
(repeat verse)
Run to the lake, Lake won't you hide me on that day
(repeat verse)
Run to the Devil, Devil won't you hide me on that day.
(repeat verse)
Run to the Lord, Lord won't you hide me on that day. '
The truth is that there will be nowhere to run to on that day. You either get right with God through Jesus Christ the Lord in your lifetime or you will suffer the consequences.The things that you think are so precious now won't mean anything when you and I stand before a holy and righteous God. The things you take refuge in now won't help you.
I wasn't saved until I was 23. Before then, I loved sports, fishing and could out-cuss most people. The Lord is still working on me as the song says but God did a marvelous work in my life. By the way, I am not hard to find on Sunday. Where were you last Sunday?
I am Johnie J. Logue, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church on Hwy MM in Warsaw, MO 65335.
