Submitted
Warsaw Christian Church
Paul wrote the following to Timothy: “. . . from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” “Able” in this verse is a translation of the Greek word “dunamis,” a word which, I believe, is a bit stronger than “able.” It is the word often used for power, suggesting that there is an inherent power in Scripture that draws us to faith in Jesus as we are exposed to the gospel. Thus, the Scriptures “have the power to make us wise unto salvation.”
A wise Christian is one who knows that salvation is in Jesus Christ, a truth that has powerfully exploded in his or her soul through exposure to the Scriptures. We have a glorious treasure in the Holy Bible, yet many give it little time or thought. Faith in Christ makes us Christians. A knowledge of Scripture makes us wise Christians, helping us to understand the wonderful treasure we possess in the word “salvation.”
We normally think of the new birth as taking place when we trust in Jesus (e.g. 1 John 4:15). So closely connected, however, are the written Word in the Bible and the Living Word, Jesus Christ, that being born again is also attributed to the written word of God in 1 Peter 1:23: “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Jesus, the living Word, becomes our Savior and Lord when we encounter Him in the written Word and exercise faith.
But how can words on a page have such wondrous power? The Bible, according to its own testimony and the testimony of millions of believers, is a unique book. Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. As we handle the Word of God with faith, the God revealed on the pages of Scripture becomes real in our hearts. Jeremiah tells us that God’s Word is like a fire that burns within the soul and like a hammer that smashes a rock (23:29). The point in this reference is that there is power in God’s Word.
When God speaks, it is different than when we speak. I may read the words of Aristotle, Cicero, or Herodotus and gain information, but reading their words does not bring about a personal, living relationship. I enjoy reading Martin Luther, and while my soul is refreshed by such reading, Martin Luther does not jump off the page and into my soul. With God, reading His word with faith does bring about a relationship because God is always living and present in His Word. Those who wish to be "wise Christians" will regularly read and study the Bible.
Hopewell Baptist Church
In Matthew 9:27 Two blind guys find out Jesus is coming, and they call out “have mercy on us, Son of David”. They have heard who Jesus, and they believe He is the Messiah. Jesus goes inside and asks them if they believe He can do this, and they reply “yes, God”. He touched their eyes and said, “according to your faith will it be done to you” and their sight was restored. Jesus asks them not to tell anyone, but they went and spread the word all over the region.
Someone else shows up who is demon possessed and Jesus drove the demon out and the mute spoke. The crowd asks what is happening. People have actual problems, and all the sudden the burdens are gone because that is what Jesus does. A person’s life is radically changed, and, on and individual level. Here’s the problem. They see something but they haven’t found the faith yet. It’s one thing to believe in Jesus and another to believe in who Jesus is. Faith is a justified, true belief. It’s knowing in something. You can know in something a little or a lot. And this depends on our growth as humans. Faith is not a question of knowing everything about Jesus, it’s do we believe. The problem isn’t Jesus, it’s humans.
The Pharisees might have the strongest faith in the crowd, but their faith is in the wrong thing. The question today is what is your faith in, the right thing or the wrong thing. We put the whole of our faith in a person, then we get in trouble. But people cannot save us from our sins. Here are some things we put our faith in – our political party, in our football team, our pastor, or our church, and our faith belongs only in Jesus and everything else will take care of itself. Where is your faith today? If it’s anything but Jesus, put it down and walk away. We really like our things, but we get a choice. We get to pick. Put our faith and trust in Jesus and then start walking that way.
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 us live at 11 a.m. on Hopewell Baptist Church Facebook page.
Lincoln First Baptist Church
Fall has arrived. Weather is cooler and trees are changing color. Sunday school was well attended today. We had a good discussion in Sunday School class from Mark 8. There was a lot of chatter in the hall telling me there are people who care about Jesus and being in church.
WE WILL BE HAVING A HAY RIDE OCTOBER 21. WE WILL HAVE HOT DOGS AND HOT CHOCOLATE AND MUCH MORE TO EAT. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY GATHERING. We are starting to collect boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Don’t forget October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Don’t forget to honor your pastor.
Keep in prayer all who are in need. Some with cancer and other in need of healing and care. Always keep God on your side. He will never fail you.
Pastor Jesse brought a message about Peter today. His text was from Matthew 14, 16 and John 21. Failure was the content of his message. Peter failed to trust Jesus when walking on the water, he also rebuked Jesus when Jesus talked about His death and Peter denied Jesus three times of knowing who Jesus was. Jesus is greater than anyone. You can’t hide your sins from Jesus. You will fail and sin but you have an advocate in Jesus. Jesus came down from the mountain and won the battle. Worldly things will disappear.
Peter was a failure. Jesus loved Peter and used him in His ministry. Jesus will use us everyday. Worry how Jesus looks at you. Take care of those who serve God. When you fail, God can still lift you up. If Jesus can forgive you, you need to forgive yourself. Give your burdens to Him. Our job is to lead people to Christ and He will do the rest. When you fail don’t stay there. Make it better. Claim Jesus as Peter did.
GOD BLESS AND GO WITH GOD THIS WEEK. REMEMBER THE HAY RIDE ON OCTOBER 21.
Unity Of The Lakes
Unity of the Lakes is blessed to have Rev. Anna J. Shouse, Ph.D, as our guest speaker this Sunday 10/15/23. Her service is "What Do You SEE" and her scripture reference is 2 Kings 6:17. Rev. Anna brings an extensive background in Unity as well as education. She is a gifted speaker who will present a very informative and enlightening service. Service is 11 am. dress is casual and all are welcome. We are located 8 miles south of Warsaw on highway 65. Our physical address is 34948 Hwy 65 South. We are growing and we invite you to come grow with us. We teach positive, practical, Christianity as taught and demonstrated by Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing you.
From The Pastor's Desk
Better
The Apostle Paul said, "I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is FAR better." (Phil 1:23)
With the above verse in mind, I have a problem thinking Paul was going to sleep in the ground until the resurrection. I also don't believe we have a resurrected body soon after we die. We are in some form as was Samuel, Moses and Elijah.
I certainly don't have a death wish and I'm not in a hurry to leave this life even as good as the next one might be. I will get there soon enough.
I have lost most of my family members and many friends over the years. That just comes with age.
I recently lost my preacher friend Ron Gross and a friend of long ago whom I hadn't seen in years in Bill Cox. Bill was killed by a raging cow. I never will look at a cow in the same way ever again. I am sure Adam didn't see fruit the same way, or Peter a rooster, Jonah a whale or the Prodigal Son a pig after their experiences.
I am rambling a little this week as I have gotten behind with things. With winter coming in, we will be moving our services in a couple of weeks regretfully to the homes of our last remaining church members.
I am Pastor Johnie J. Logue of Grace Baptist church on Hwy MM outside of Warsaw some four miles. Services are at 10:00 AM,11:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Sunday.
Call me at (660) 281-4775.
