Mountain Springs Church

Bro. Ricky Cleckler lead the congregation from “The Best Loved Hymnal” in the songs “Glory to His Name,” “Oh, I Want to See Him,” “I Want to Know More About My Lord” and “Gettin’ Ready to Leave This World.”

Bro. Roger Cleckler brought a devotion from Romans 13:11. Sometimes we may feel like a broken record by saying, “Jesus is coming,” but don’t stop telling the good news, for one day, it will be reality. Get any sin out of your life now while you still have time. Jesus loves you and wants you to be saved. Preachers keep preaching, teachers keep teaching and singers keep singing.

After Sunday School, Roger Cleckler, Ricky Cleckler, and Kandice Cleckler sang “Didn’t I Walk on the Water.”

Bro. Heath Vines preached from Matthew 16:13-17. Simon Peter made a very bold confession of who Jesus is. Understanding who Jesus is will make a difference in your choice to go to heaven or hell. Your answer determines where you will go when you die.

Some people in the past considered Jesus a good man. Herod thought he was John the Baptist back from the dead. Jews thought Jesus was Elijah, the one before the Messiah. Some even thought he was Jeremiah. Many thought different things of who Jesus was.

Thinking Christ was a good person will not save you. The only way to get to heaven is through Christ. We need to believe that he is Christ the Son of the Living God—the Savior.

At times, we have opinions of Jesus because of what others say, but we shouldn’t. If we look at who men say Christ is, we will go astray. We are to look at what heaven says about who Jesus is. Scripture speaks of who Christ is. We should study to know who Christ is.

Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Pray God shows you who Christ is. He is the Son of the living God, and the only way to heaven. Who do you know Christ to be? Do you trust Jesus and him alone? It’s a decision only you can make.

On Sunday night, the congregation sang the following hymns: “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” and “I Want to Know More About My Lord.”

For his devotion, Bro. Kenneth Moates presented a study on Revelation 6.

Kadie Coker, Kandice Cleckler and Savannah Parrish sang “Long as I’ve Got King Jesus.”

Bro. Heath Vines preached from 1 John 3:19-24. Do you ever feel insecure or uncertain? Do you ever feel unworthy? Have you ever doubted your salvation? The devil may use our conscience as a tool or weapon to make us doubt our salvation.

Our assurance of salvation should be based on grace, not works. God can give us assurance of our salvation. Do you have assurance?

The only way to have assurance is to come before God. The devil will try to come before us and accuse us of things in our past to make us feel unlovable. When the devil accuses us, he wins if we quit. We shouldn’t quit. God’s opinion is the only opinion that matters—the devil has no say.

God and his grace is greater than our sin and our past. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one we do not repent of.

It’s important that we be assured so we can be effective Christians. Obedience is extremely important. That’s one way to avoid a guilty conscience. There’s no need to feel condemned if you’re living right.

Assurance is a gift of grace. Do you have assurance? God can and will bring assurance.

Submitted by Savannah Parrish

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Service began with baptism for Josh and Jeff Thrasher, followed by congregational singing, announcements and welcoming.

“Heaven’s Hero, Champion of Love” was the Celebration Choir’s special music. Jordan Thomas was the soloist.

Bro. Justin preached his sermon “The Path to the Cross” from Philippians 2:7-8 and James 4:1-8.

Bible study was held in the evening service.

Pray for Allen and Casey Danieland’s triplets, Buddy Knudson, Maria Parter, Samantha Grace, Jeanette Rhodes, Pete Johnson, Charles Held, Wendell Hand, Lynn Cox, Mike Smith, Melissa Langford, Betty Blalock, Betty Bennett, Kathy Fitzgerald, Kyle Fulford, Jimmy Headley, Michael Arnold, Kinlee Till, Hunter Moore, Justin and Peter Daugherty, Chad Mix, Lowell Strock, Kelli and Tim Milford, Stephanie Hinton, Paul Price, Renie Thomas, Charles Beard, those facing cancer, our homebound, assisted living and nursing home residents.

Happy birthday this week to Nowal Salim, Ethan Hand, Jerry Smitherman, Earl Willis, Randall Moore, Cat Hunt, Tod Williams, Donald Barrett, Matthew Langston, Alyssa Evans, Zac Nixon, Tre Fulmer, Jillian Baker, Jodi Bice, Zach Williams and Wayne Hunter.

There will be no evening service on Sept. 6.

Sept. 13 is “Friend Day.” Invite a friend to attend church.

AWANAS will return on Sept. 13. See Jason Hill for more information.

Submitted by Elvie Patterson