Corinth Baptist Church

Do you ever feel like the world is out to get you? It seems that at every turn something has to go wrong. As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Have you ever thought about that saying? Do you know anyone who drinks straight lemon juice? When life is throwing you lemons, it isn’t giving you sugar to go with those lemons. What if you don’t even like lemonade—with or without sugar?

Chin up buttercup! God is up to something or the devil wouldn’t be fighting you this hard. You’re going to win; it may not look like it right now, but you will.

We all see these people who are living in sin, doing everything the way the world wants, and their lives are just great. Don’t let it get you down. I saw this anonymous quote the other day that hit the nail on the head: “Some of y’all aren’t blessed; you’re just being rewarded for doing the devil’s work.”

That will certainly make you think. I don’t know about you, but I must be doing something right lately. We’ll make it through; we always do. You just have to keep your head held high and keep on walking. The devil loves to test and tempt. God has something big planned; don’t let the devil stop you from reaching your destination. Don’t get discouraged.

What God is leading you to requires preparation, focus, commitment and patience. Discouragement is the devil’s favorite tool to use against you. He knows there is greatness inside of you. Kick him in the teeth and keep going. Don’t give up!

Don’t forget about Bible Boot Camp VBS, which will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. June 24-26. Commencement will take place at 5 p.m. on June 28.

As always, keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the latest happenings and events.

Until next time, may God bless you and keep you. We hope to see you soon.

Submitted by K.J. Bowen

Mars Hill Baptist Church

Vacation Bible School has been a blessing! Kids young and old have explored Jesus in their “Journey Off the Map.” VBS is an important tool in reaching the young for Christ. Many youth are saved during VBS.

Whatever you do, never miss an opportunity to tell someone about the love of God, and what he has done for you.

Bro. William Short’s message for this week came from Mark 5:35-42: “While he was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’ He permitted no one to follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James. Then he came to the house of the ruler and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When he came in he said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed him, but when he had put them all outside, he took the father and the mother of the child and those who were with him and entered where the child was lying. Then he took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cumi’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ Immediately, the girl arose and walked, for she was 12 years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.”

This world today is astonished when God does something miraculous. Why? Jesus says, “Only believe, and all things are possible.” Trust in the Lord, and him only; repent of your sins, and only believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Most often, we have to get “self” out of the way before Jesus is allowed to do anything in our lives. We think we can do it all and handle everything, but we can’t handle anything without Jesus. When we are in trouble, the name we call upon for help is Jesus Christ. Why do we only seek him in troubled times? He is an ever present help in all times. Life is sweeter and more beautiful with Jesus.

The people in this scripture passage had given up. They were wailing with grief for the little girl, the ruler of the synagogue’s daughter. I know the pain of losing a child, so I know what it is to grieve over something you cannot get back. Jesus told them not to give up, but only believe.

Today, the ol’ devil is shouting from the rooftops for the world to quit. He’s telling us it’s no use, nothing good is going to happen and that only bad things are coming our way. But God says, “I am, I can and I will, if you only believe!”

Victory in Jesus is not just a song, friend; it’s what we are headed for if we only believe and never give up but keep on keeping on.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life. There is never any reason to quit, to just sit down and give up. Paul never quit, although he was beaten near death time and again; he was ship wrecked time and again, and he was put in chains in prison time and again, but he never gave up.

So often we measure ourselves against others using the yardstick the world uses. We look at how successful or unsuccessful others are and judge our own lives by them. If you are guilty of this, stop it! Measure your life by that of Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith, and the only one we need to look to for guidance and help. Plant your feet on the solid rock of the sinless life of Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:4 says that greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world. Do you shelter Jesus within your heart, mind and soul? If you have never asked him into your life, today is the time, and wherever you are is the place. Go to sleep tonight with no fear, knowing that whatever tomorrow brings, you and Jesus can handle it. It��s a decision you will never regret.

Satan’s job is to deceive, and he is very good at it. Look around at our churches today. How many of them are filled to overflowing with eager people worshiping Jesus? Not many, friend. Satan wants you to give up, to quit; he’s telling us that if the road is rough, we should back up and sit down.

Yes, the road of a Christian is often long, and it gets weary, but it’s never pointless or without reward. That reward may not come in this life, but it will certainly come in the life that is to come—and that’s the one that counts, right? Don’t walk out on God; he wants to use you.

If you quit now, you will never know if your breakthrough was just around the corner. That’s a sad statement, isn’t it? In the passage of scripture above, everyone involved had given up on the little girl, saying she was dead. But Jesus said, “Only believe!”

When Jesus comes on the scene, everything changes. He is life eternal. Yes, our earthly bodies will fade away, but our souls—our heavenly bodies—will live forever, and we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone on before us. What a wonderful thing to look forward to! We will live with Jesus, walking and talking with him and the saints of old. Take a stand, friend, and just believe! Amen.

Please pray for our church, our pastor, our children, our schools, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our military, our missionaries at home and abroad, our government and the peace of Israel.

God is good, all the time! Amen.

Submitted by Danny L.