Mars Hill Baptist Church

God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good! Yes, he is my friend. And God is looking for Christians that will stand up and tell of his goodness to the entire world. What are you looking for? A friend in time of trouble, love, family, happiness or good health? It’s time to look to God for all things. He will equip you to do all things through him, for he will give you the strength you need.

Bro. William Short’s message this week was taken from 1 Peter 1:7-12. “That the genuineness of you faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and search carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when he testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven- things which angels desire to look into.”

God has a desire to do for us what no one else can do. He desires salvation for our souls, but we must first recognize that we are lost before we can be saved. God calls all of us for a reason. He is looking for Christians who know the truth and are willing to tell others. We can lie to ourselves. We can even try to lie to God, but friend, our God sees us for what we really are. He sees inside us, deep into our heart. He knows who we really are, and he knows what we need before we even ask him. God cannot lie, he cannot fail and he will not leave us, ever. God is not concerned about how we look on the outside, the car we drive, the house we live in or the clothes we wear. He is looking for those who desire to know the truth. What are you looking for?

God is looking for the lost to recognize their sinful condition; it’s a heart problem. He is looking for those who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, who will confess Jesus Christ before the world. If we confess our sins before God and man, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, as far as the east is from the west, never to be remembered again. Who else can forgive completely, without ever remembering our failures and shortcomings again? No one, my friend, but the Lord our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you looking for a fresh start, a clean slate? God can give you that.

God is looking for someone to speak up, to say, “Lord here I am, send me.” He is looking for those who would preach his word, to spread the gospel of Christ. Only by the preaching of God’s word will others hear and be saved. Earthly things are temporary; nothing lasts forever. But the love of Jesus will be with us throughout eternity, time without end. 2 Peter 3:11 tells us that one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day with the Lord. However, our time here on earth is limited; don’t put off the day of your salvation, make it right between you and God today. Don’t use what time you have pursuing the wrong things. Work for the night is coming, when you will be unable to work. Work for Jesus today, while time is still on your side. Use your time for the things of God.

God is looking for someone to pray, to shout His name for all to hear. Shout the name of Jesus from the mountaintop; shout his name in the valley. It’s easy to praise and worship when you are on the top of the mountain, but friend, it’s when you are in the valley that your faith is tested and made stronger. Praise him for your valley!

It’s not just the preacher’s job to spread the word of God, but every believer has a responsibility to teach and preach the word of God to unbelievers. What are you telling others about? Gossip, maybe?

God is looking for someone to share him, to share his love, to share our testimony of what he has done for us. Most often we only share our monies, our troubles and trials, and forget the test. We can’t have a testimony without first a test. Only God can turn our test into a testimony, our mess into a message, and our trial into triumph. Everybody should tell somebody about Jesus today. We cry out to God, asking him to do things for us, but what have we done for Him? So many times we put other things before God. What if God put other things before us? We are so blessed with the love of God, how can we Christians go about our daily lives without giving a thought to God and what he has done and is doing for us? Spend time every day with God, reading his word.

God expects more from us than just attending church, fulfilling our “duty” by showing up and being counted on the roll. He expects us to praise and worship him in spirit and truth. He needs us to share him with others. He wants us to pray for the lost. Can you do that? What did you come to church looking for? I hope that you were looking for the presence of the Lord, that you felt him, that you could praise his name. Our time with the Lord is blessed. Be the one he is looking for. All it takes is a simple “Yes, Lord, yes.”

Events: Our children’s camp is July 21-25. Pray for our children attending.

We will have a baby dedication on July 20. Stephanie Levins will be with us on July 27 at 5 p.m. Our senior adults will be going to the Fried Green Tomatoes restaurant on July 12, leaving the church at 3 p.m.

Please continue to pray for our church, our pastor, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our missionaries, our troops and our government. God is good, all the time! Amen.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our day of worship was wonderful. Bro. Cleve welcomed everyone and gave ministry opportunities.

Our youth will leave soon going to MFUGE in Nashville. They will share in the evening service on July 13. Make plans to be there. Keep praying for our youth and leaders.

Our celebration special was an offering of praise.

Bro. Justin preached from Luke 6:39-40, Romans 12:1-2 and James 2:17-24 with a message about forgiveness and repentance.

The evening message from Galatians 2:16-24 was a challenge to memorize scripture.

Pray this week for revival to come to our church. Pray also for Hunter Moore, Gary Welch, Roxanna Dy, Diane Moore, Sara Griggs, Wade Connell, Chester Sparks, Pete and Myra Burnett, Eric Shader, Wanda Smith, Jim Ludwig, Lilianna Thompson, Stephanie Hinton, Charles Bryant, Paul Price, Rebecca Martin, Wayne Smith, Marla Parton, Mark Walker, Sid Griner, Lynetta Bolden, Jessie Phillps, Debbie Powell, Linnie Hathcock, Rosamary Johnson, Blake Edwards, Harold Patterson, Zachary Martin, Brady Edwards and Vickie Moseley.

Happy Anniversary to Jay and Tersa Pierce (30 years), Ralph and Marie Smith (56 years), and Bro. Justin and Renie Thomas (24 years).

Come and worship with us on Sunday. God is good.