Calvary Independent Baptist Church

We want to thank everyone who attended this past week’s services. We also want to invite you to a special service on June 14 with Buddy Liles, who will sing in the 10 a.m. service. There is no admission charge; however, we will take up a love offering at the end of the service that will go to support Bro. Buddy Liles in his travels and ministry. Please make plans to come out and hear this great Southern Gospel music and prayerfully support him as he travels through our area.

This past Sunday morning’s message was taken from John 3:1-13, 4: 7-19 and 5:1-9 about how growing up in Christ requires supernatural growth.

Supernatural growth comes only after spiritual sight begins. We looked at how a spiritual problem prevents supernatural growth, how a moral problem prevents supernatural growth and how a physical problem can also prevent supernatural growth. People in general tend to have a testimony about how wonderful or great they are, but Jesus said in John 2:23-26 that he did not need people to testify of man; he already knows what man is all about. He wants to use people with a testimony about Christ.

Do you know him; have you turned from sin to serve the living and true God? We hope you are saved, being sanctified and serving him in your daily life.

Sunday night’s service included a study in Acts 23. We looked at the testimony Paul had and how he was reviled and accused of heresy, and how certain religious leaders determined to have him put to death. This is a re-enactment of what they had done a few years earlier when Christ was doing the work of God in their mist.

People are OK with standing for many different things, but when it comes to those who stand for Jesus and the truth of his word, the devil just cannot tolerate it. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.”

Always remember that if you are saved, you need to be a soldier and have on the armor of God. Our battle is not with flesh and blood; it is a spiritual battle, and you must be spiritually prepared.

If you are in or near Clanton and looking for a church to visit with this Sunday, we would love for you to consider visiting with us. For services and events, check us out on Facebook, Twitter or visit our website at www.cibc-clanton.com.

Submitted by Oscar Mims

Mountain Springs Church

Sunday morning, Bro. Kenneth Moates led the congregation in the following hymns: “Glory Land Way,” “I Feel Like Traveling On” and “Heaven’s Jubilee.”

Bro. Roger Cleckler brought a devotion from Genesis 7:15 and 8:1: The Lord told Noah to build a boat, and Noah was doing the will of God. God has called us to do something.

After Sunday School, Bro. Wayne Barnett sang “Jesus is Coming Again.”

Bro. Heath Vines preached from 1 Samuel 6:11-21. We need to give to the Lord praise and glory. We are either on God’s side or the devil’s side.

God always has a reason for everything, and his ways are always right. God’s ways are always better than our ways. Things go better when God is there.

On Sunday night, the congregation sang the hymns “I’m Camping in Canaan,” “My Lord Keeps a Record,” “Keep on the Firing Line” and “Living by Faith.”

Bro. Kenneth Moates brought a devotion from Psalm 55:17 and 56:9: God is for you. You may be unsure about a lot of things, but you can be sure that God is for you.

Bro. Heath Vines preached from 1 Kings 11:1-6.

How is your heart? If we let down our defense, we can be overcome and fall from where we are with God. Solomon started out as a humble man.

We may not get everything right, but our hearts need to be fixed on God. The best place to be is in a place where we just don’t know what to do. This keeps us humble and allows us to fully lean on Jesus. Being humble before Christ is the best way to be (James 4:10). He will come through and lift you up.

Solomon knew that he needed Godly wisdom—not worldly wisdom—above anything else. We should ask for wisdom like Solomon did (James 1:5). We can overcome our struggles when we have the wisdom of the Word of God in our lives.

The devil will gradually slip things into our lives to get us away from God. Sin has its own path, and there is a price to pay for sin. The devil will use all he can to get our eyes off of God.

Submitted by Savannah Parrish