Cedar Grove Baptist Church

Announcements: Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. will be the Christmas program with finger foods to follow. The McDoogle Family will be singing at the worship on Dec. 20 5:30 p.m.

Prayer concerns include our pastors, our church family, our nation, those in hospital and nursing homes and for those spoken and unspoken requests.

Pastor Jeff Carroll’s text was from John 13: 18-38 and was entitled “Becoming a Tool of Satan”

The betrayal of Jesus was something that someone had to do. Judas Iscariot had been with Jesus from the start as one of his disciples, pretending to love and serve just to see what Jesus could do for him.

When Jesus and all of his disciples were having the last supper, Jesus gave Judas a bite to eat, at which time Satan himself entered into Judas and added to his already unbelief. He then became a tool of Satan.

Many followers of Christ today pretend to serve in order to see what they can get out of it. We need to follow Jesus because he saved our souls. Someone had to point out Jesus; Judas did so by kissing him on the cheek.

Please beware of those that think they stand lest they fall. The devil can get into one or two people and tear a church apart. Satan can get in one person in a family and tear it apart as well.

Tools are what Satan loves to use when tearing people away from God. He does not love you as Jesus does, and he just does not want you to have victory over him in Jesus.

Jesus tells us in John 13:34, “a new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another, you know you have passed death unto life when you love your brother.”

We live in a “dog eat dog” world, which means that I have mine and now you get yours.

Peter told Jesus he would lay down his life for him and Jesus replied, “I tell you Peter before the cock crows you will have denied me thrice.” Satan wants to sift us as wheat like he did Peter for a time to beat the in God out of us.

Listen up friends, we have to be a child of God under his protection from the evil one as with Peter who denied Jesus three times. Jesus instead prayed for him and had him confess his love three times to reverse what Satan had done.

According to Acts 2, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and that is when Peter preached his first sermon. I

In closing, maybe there are things in your life, since becoming a Christian that you are ashamed of or in need to repent. God can restore you, but it is your choice to give him that opportunity. Do not become a tool for Satan.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Cleve opened our worship service by recognizing those who are having birthdays and anniversaries.

Bro. Justin welcomed everyone and gave our ministry opportunities and a mission’s emphasis on Lottie Moon. Our celebration choir special was “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

Bro. Justin freached from Acts 2:41-47 and brought forth a great message that focused regarding concern through fellowship.

Evening service Bible study for both adults and students was held at 6 p.m.

Wednesday family supper is set for 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by Bible study and prayer meeting, children choirs and the outlet for students at 6:30 p.m.

Happy birthday this week to Wendy Glasscock, Andy Ellison, Rhea Burnett, Kathelyn Lovett, Marie Smith, Charlene Yeargan, Logan Gilmore, Joshua Thomas, David MacWilmoth, Pam Shepherd, Robin Crawford, Rebecca Eubank, Kendal Roper, Alice Hollinged, Devon Gibbons, Zoey Edwards, and Drew Miller.

We ask that you pray for our country, our leadership, Tom Brown, Paul Price, Amanda Cecil, Stephanie Hinton, Hanna Vines, Chad Nix, Jackson Kelley, Peter Daugherty, Kinlee Till, Jodie Little, Ann Nelson, Michael Arnold, Kyle Fulford, Nate Jones, Braxton Jones, Bobbie Tipton, Mike Smith, Debra Mims, Clyde Brasher, Judy Smitherman, Elaine Bridges and baby, Donna Vick, Marie Smith, Hunter Moore, Caleb Harrison, Pete Johnson, Charles Held, Lynn Cox, Melissa Langford, Kathy Fitzgerald, those in assisted living and nursing homes, all who are facing cancer, our homebound and everyone who needs salvation.

Next Sunday the Awana special Christmas program will take place during the morning worship.

Have a blessed week, and come worship with us on Sunday.

Submitted by Elvie Patterson