Been a while

It's been a while since I posted, but I plan on trying to go back to the two a week posts that I had been doing. A lot is going on. Attendance is down a little, summer is almost here and the kids have a bunch of things to distract them. I wonder who is behind that? Anyway, I will post after church Wednesday night and get things rolling again. Please pray for my wife's grandfather, Mr. Clayton "Bud" Jones. He just got home from Jackson and he is in bad shape. Pray the Lord will comfort him and strengthen his family in this very hard time.

Until next time, FIGHT THE FIGHT! Preach the WORD! And give all honor and glory to Jesus-

Sunday March 29, 2009

Wow what a day. Brother Robert called Saturday afternoon and told me he was very sick, so I volunteered to preach for him. He let me and for that I am thankful. It is always an honor and privilege to stand in the pulpit and preach. So after Sunday school(we had 19 total), I got to preach. I preached on how as Christians we can go from being on the mountain one day, to finding ourselves in the valley the next. I used 1 kings chapters 18 and 19. Elijah went from delivering a mighty blow to satan, then the next day begging God to kill him and get him out of his misery. How very like Christians today. We need to recognize that if we do what we are supposed to, we are going to come under attack. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. So revel in your suffering for Christ, for it can be a blessing. He will never leave us nor forsake us, so when the going gets tough, seek His strength! After Church, we ate lunch and then had our fifth Sunday singing. Not many stayed, but those that did were blessed I hope. Amazing how willing we are to devote time to this world, yet we scorn to do the things of God. Surely the Lord's army needs to regroup and press the attack while we can. Yet just as it was in the Lord's day here, the laborers are few. I had four youth stay for all our services Sunday. Four. Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Lord I pray for the few labourers left, and that the Lord of the harvest will come soon.

We had a wonderful service, and I pray our Lord was glorified. I am not discouraged, for I know how the story ends. I don't know how it will all work out, but I know it will. We must trust and obey and allow the Master to work. 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Catching up

It has been a little while, sorry no posts, but once you miss one it is so easy to get out of the habit. Kinda like going to church it seems, as we have had a few fall off and drift away. I hate that, but it happens pretty regularly. Was way off on attendance today, guess spring break and prom got them. Pretty lame excuse if you ask me, but I guess it is as good as any other.

For Sunday school we only had thirteen, that is as low as we have had in a while. We studied in the twenty-second chapter of Matthew, verses one through fourteen. In this scripture I tried to illustrate how we must be able to rightly divide God's Word. This scripture is easy to misinterpret, and many Christians have done just that. We must be very careful to always understand that not all scripture is written expressly and doctrinally to us. That is why we have so many different people preaching various things. Someone is failing to fully understand the Word of God and therefor we have confusion among the brethren. The main thing I tried to get across to the kids was that they NEED to be able to read God's Word and know what the Truth is. We have gotten lazy as a people and tend to rely too much on others. We need one on one time with God in His Word everyday! God wants us to both talk to Him(prayer) and listen to Him(reading His Word).

We are busy trying to get camp finalized, Easter services laid out, and tons of other things. This past week we carried the kids to Amory to eat at Pickle's on the hill, fed them Wednesday night, and had a little fun time afterwards. We were off on attendance, but I expected that. We studied in James chapter two verse twenty-three and chapter four verse four. We discussed whether we were friends or enemies of God. When you really look at it it will make you think about what we are doing!

We have a lot going on, like everyone else, just be sure you make time for the important things. The eternal things, like serving our Heavenly Father. Seek Him and His riches! Have a blessed week, keep the Faith, and fight the good fight.

In the King's service-j

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.14] For many are called, but few are chosen.

Us chilling at Pickle's on the Hill

Sunday March 8, 2009

Wow, we had a great day! I started off sluggish, due to the time change, but made it to Sunday school to find a packed house. We had over 20 kids, but I don't remember exactly how many because they kept coming in late, but the important thing is they made it. We studied in chapter fifteen of Matthew, specifically in verses eight and nine. In it Jesus addresses a serious problem faced by the "religious" people of that time He said, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." I feel this is the same state of many Christians today. Instead of worshiping in Spirit and in Truth, we worship the way that best suits our needs. We should consider how Christ wants to be worshiped, and we should live our lives accordingly. So many times I see people who claim to be on fire for Jesus, yet there is no fruit to show for it. If we would only turn our hearts to Jesus, He would show us the way through His Spirit. This is what I tried to get across to the kids, get you heart right first and let Jesus lead the way. A simple lesson, yet so few can trust and obey.

As soon as church was out, we headed straight to Tupelo Mississippi to take part in Winterjam 2009. We got to try out the new bus, and it was great! Could not ask for more. Fifteen of us traveled in it with Drew Garvin at the helm, Tyler and a couple more were in the middle in his truck, and bring up the rear was Ms. Andlyn in the suburban with some of the girls. We went to the mall and ate, and then headed to the Bancorpsouth center to get in line. We got there at about 2:45 and were not the first ones there. We waited in line until 4:45. We got in fast and got great seats. About 5:30 it started, and it was a blast. Loud, but still a great time. There was some music I didn't care for, but I enjoyed most, and the tour pastor brought a good message that reached some kids, and some made decisions for Christ. The headliner this year was tobymac, and he rocked the house. Final song was my favorite, Jesus freak. To some people, I guess you wouldn't have cared for it, but the kids loved it, and so did I. We got out easy and made it back to Hamilton by 10:15. It was truly a great day, the Lord blessed us. The kids did good, we had plenty of adult support, and it couldn't have went smoother. In the end, God was praised, we had a good time, and I feel revived in the fight! Thanks to Drew and Sayonia Garvin, Andlyn Robinson, and Dyana for going with us and keeping us straight. May God bless you for your help. Keep us in prayer, and keep up the fight. To God be the glory-brother jason



Jesus Freak by dctalk

Chorus:
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that its true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

Wednesday Night Class March 4, 2009

We had a total of 27 in class tonight, so we had a full house. We had a great supper before hand, and that always brings out a crowd, because our ladies can cook! You might have noticed that we didn't have a post for Sunday. That is because we cancelled the services due to the snow and my computer was down. Thanks to Jimmy McGhee for bringing it back to life! We studied in Matthew chapter 7 verses 24-27 and discussed building on the sand or the rock. In our lives we choose how we build our lives. Many build there life upon things that change and can let them down. This is building on the sand. Others choose to build on that which is unchanging, eternal, and never undependable. This is building on the Rock. Jesus is the Rock, and when we live the way He wants, our lives are able to stand up to the storms of life. If we build our life on the things of this world, then the storms of life can bring our lives down in a great fall.

This pertains to both getting saved(hence building on the Rock) and once we are saved building our lives in accordance to God's will(also building on the Rock). If you want a joy and peace that will last even through the worst storms, then you should build on the Rock of my salvation, Jesus Christ.

We are carrying the crew to Winter Jam Sunday, so keep us in your prayers. Also please keep the Whitaker family in your prayers as they deal the loss of Mrs. Dorothy. She is at home with the Lord now and back with her husband. Until next time, keep the faith and praise His name-brother jason

Matthew 7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Wednesday Night February 25, 2009

We had a crowd tonight with twenty-five kids. That was with a couple regulars skipping out on us too! It is much more fun when we have a crowd, and that is what we had. We finished up on 2 Timothy chapter three. I really focused on what Paul had to say in verse 12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Here we can clearly see that if we do what we are supposed to, we WILL suffer persecution. Many Christians view persecution and hardships as a negative thing to be avoided. The truth is we should welcome them as they show we are on course. If you never encounter any hardships, then you are doing what you should. Paul then goes on to tell Timothy to continue in the Word.

I am trying to do the same for our young people as what Paul was doing for Timothy. Paul was teaching Timothy how to be a good soldier for Christ and encourage him where he needed it. If we can lay a foundation based on God and His Word, then our youth will have what they need to bring honor and glory to the King.

We finished up Bible drills for the month of February. Richard won the older group and Sarah won the younger group. It was close, but they pulled it off. Congratulations. We will try to mix it up a little this next month with a little different format. We are finalizing plans for our summer camp, as well as working up a couple excursions in the month of March. Until next time, may the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you-brother jason

1 Corinthians 15:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Sunday February 22, 2009

We had a good number for both the morning and night classes this Sunday. Sunday morning we had 19 and Sunday night we had 19 again. We studied Matthew chapter 9 this Sunday morning. The focus was on who Jesus choose to minister to. He sought out the people that the religious crowd considered to be trash. Jesus went on to say: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance(Matthew 9:13). This is a lesson that we as soldiers of Christ need to understand. We are to be the light to those we love and care about, and also those that might be different from ourselves. In short, we shouldn't pick and choose who to witness to, but should witness to all. Especially those that some would consider unworthy. For the truth is that we are all unworthy of Christ, but He is full of grace and mercy. Ephesians 2:4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. This scripture allows us to see that we are not privileged in what we are(sinners saved by grace), but in who He has made us to be(sons of God). It is sad to me that so many Christians shun the poor, unsavory, and what many would call sinners, when we ourselves are separated from that only through the Blood of our Savior.

Sunday night we studied again in 2 Timothy chapter 3. We focused on verses 8-9. In it we see how that there are those that will oppose us in our fight against satan, and they have powers. Sometimes we might not be able to overcome them outright, but in this Scripture we are assured that they will only go so far until God will deal with them. It is not our place to make people believe, it is our place to preach the Word, and point them to the One. In my own life there have been times when I was not able to convince someone of the Truth of Christ. There have been times when I have had enemies get in the way of me in my service to Christ. These are things that we are going to have to face. We must take comfort in the fact that one day they will stand before their Creator and answer for themselves. Our duty is to do our part and give them a chance. Plant the seeds and allow the Holy Spirit to work.

Please keep my wife's cousin Blythe Dillard in your prayers. She was in a car accident Friday night and was severely injured. She was ejected from the car and suffered broken legs, arms, ribs, back, jaw, and shoulder. She has damage to her neck arteries, a punctured lung, a punctured liver, and other injuries. She has a long, hard, road to recovery. Pray that God will not only heal her body, but that through this she might become closer to God. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Please remember us as we fight the fight, and for the kids here as they do the same. May God bless and keep you-brother jason

Wednesday night we will finish 2 Timothy chapter 3. Those of you coming to class be sure to read it and come up with a question on verses 10-17.

Mark 16:15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.