Cedar Grove Church

Bro. Jackie Smith brought Sunday’s message “Let Go and Let God.”

We at Cedar Grove experienced the overwhelming power of the Holy Ghost in action. We Christians are given the power of the Holy Ghost when we are saved, but as I myself can testify, we become weak in our faith at times. We let that lack of faith keep us from tapping into the wellspring of Jesus opening new doors for us and extending our borders.

There are two reasons for this: (1) We do not actively seek the Word of God on a daily basis. We need a closer relationship with Jesus so others can see his light shining in us. (2) We try to put limitations on the power of God, and for what? This only leads to us missing out on God being able to do a work in us.

We serve a mighty God. We witnessed firsthand the healing power of God at work in Sunday’s service. He bestowed his anointing on us, and we are able to better serve him in our witness to this lost and dying in this world.

In Romans 10:9-10 Jesus teaches in no uncertain terms: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Do you know Jesus? What are you doing to proclaim Jesus as Lord of lords and King of kings? Are you seeking more power from God, or are you like I was: afraid to step up, believe and accept the chance to be free. Let go and let God.

Announcements:

July 5: There will be a fellowship service starting at 6 p.m. with water games, jump houses for the kids, singing, good food and great fun. Everyone is invited to attend.

July 25: An Outreach Ministry event will be held at 6 p.m. at Wood Park in Thorsby.

Submitted by Naomi Gillespie

Rocky Mount UMC

After reading scripture from March 5:21-43, Bro. Phil made some comparisons between this scripture and the situations of today. In both circumstances, people must believe in the power of God.

While Jarius was so worried about his daughter and the news of her death, he continued to believe in Jesus. The hand of God was with the girl, and she was instructed to arise and walk, which she did.

We can proudly say that following a tragedy of great proportion which occurred recently in Charleston, the people of Charleston and the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church believed in God and stood behind their beliefs. They did not turn to looting or violence to express their grief; they turned to the Lord, putting their minds together and putting God’s love in action. They didn’t have riots; they had reverence. They didn’t have violence; they had virtue. They didn’t have confusion; they had composure. Jesus makes the difference; he reminds us that we have hope.

The loss of faith in the face of downfall shows that we are relying on ourselves instead of God’s strength and providence. God is still at work. Be of good courage because we have Jesus. With Christ, we have all we need. We have hope in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and he holds the key to heaven.

Submitted by Betty Janey