Mount Carmel No. 1

We had a glorious time in the Lord on this cloudy Sabbath. We are thankful for all who came to worship with us, and we welcome our visitors.

We began our service by singing “When We All Get to Heaven.” Bro. Derrell gave the announcements and introduced our speaker, Geoffrey Lockhart, student of Pastoral Certificate from New Orleans Seminary who is studying at the associate office in Clanton.

“All In: Fan or Fellowship” was the title of Bro. Geoffrey’s message, taken from Revelation 3:14-22. The church at Laodicea thought they could serve on their own, but the church that is lukewarm has left out God. They did not rely on Christ.

How are we: lukewarm, selfish, worried over something little and forgetting God in our worship? When we fail to praise God in song and worship because we don’t like this or that, we quench the Holy Spirit. Luke 9:23 tell us, “Take up your cross daily.” W must die daily to self in order to follow Christ. God stands at the door and knocks; are you going to answer? How can you be a follower of Christ? What are we going to do? Let us exalt Christ.

The service ended with several coming to pray. The Holy Spirit was truly present.

Bro. George Campbell was anointed and prayed for. His surgery will be on Monday morning. Please remember him in your prayers.

On Sunday evening, Bro. Derrell’s message was titled “Blessings From the Storehouse,” from Deuteronomy 28:1-6 and Malachi 3:10. “‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,’ saith the Lord of Hosts.” Deuteronomy 28:2 tells us, “and all these blessings will come on thee and overtake thee. If thou shalt harken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” We can affect the blessings of others. When we quench the Spirit and fail to take part in the services, we rob the blessings of God. Jealousy and greed will cause you to miss your blessing from God.

On Wednesday night, Oct. 6, Jason Mandrell, also a student of the Pastor Certificate class, spoke and gave a good message. We are thankful for these students and pray God’s blessings on them.

Oct. 27 will be Pastor Appreciation Day for Bro. Derrell and his family. Lunch will be served following the service. Join with us as we join our church and your church, the lost, the sick and our country. God is good and will hear our prayers.

Samaria Baptist Church

We enjoyed a wonderful day in God’s house. We celebrated Pastor Appreciation Day and also Bro. Charles’ birthday, which will be next Saturday. Bro. Chris Driskell gave a testimony that dated back to his youth when he met Bro. Charles. He also read a poem titled, “Pastor.” Others celebrating birthdays are Bro. Aubrey Brown and Bro. Curtis McCary.

Our special music today was Jeannie Mims on the piano playing a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Our message was brought from Hebrews 7:25, 8: 1-6. Our great high priest sits at the right hand of God. We are made free and complete because of him. We are made free and complete because of him. We worship today, even though we are just a shadow of the reality of his worship.

Confession and repentance bring forgiveness. Once you are a born-again believer in Christ, the devil can hassle you, tempt you and aggravate you, but your soul is safe and secure in God’s merciful care. God will not back down on his promises. When he says forever, he means for all eternity. You can believe he means every word of every promise he makes to us in his Word.  Our redeemer will never let us down. Isn’t that a remarkable promise?

In heaven there will be no sin, no anger or sulking, and no sickness or death. All this passes away when we leave this earth. We have a titled deed of heavenly property awaiting us. No one will foreclose on us or take it from us. We will live in complete peace and joy. Isn’t it a wonderful thought just to try and imagine living in the presence of an awesome, loving God?

Christians should think on things of heaven and not concern themselves with the worries of life. Live in faith, trusting God to keep us, just as he said he would. First John says, “Love not the world nor the things of the world.” We know that times are difficult, and we believe that our people are giving to the church to the best of their ability. God doesn’t need our money; he just wants our hearts to be willing to give to him.

God bless all who read these words today.