Christian

We used to sing a vineyard worship song whose chorus said, “Refining fire - our one hearts desire –is to be holy –Dr. Billy set apart for Holland you Lord – I choose to be holy - Set apart for you, my Master – ready to do your will.” When a person accepts Christ, they make a holy vow of commitment to Jesus that promises they will never flirt, tease, or engage in any type of romantic activity with sin. It’s easy to sing a song, but are we really serious about our commitment and dedication? What are we thinking when we sing songs like this? “Set a fire down in my soul – that I can’t contain – that I can’t control – I want more of you God – I want more of you God.” Do we really want to be filled with Him, or just enough to make it to heaven? Maybe we do not realize what salvation actually is. Matthew 16:24 is such a profound statement from Jesus and worthy of our highest consideration. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

The reality of us being lost and then being found is the greatest gift we could ever receive. To believe with faith and be saved by His grace is a miracle from heaven. However, in case no one ever mentioned it, being bornagain is not without conditions or accountability. There is more to being saved than just raising your hand and receiving a golden ticket. Redemption is entering into a marriage covenant with Christ and taking a holy vow to give ourselves entirely to Him and to allow Him to reign within us as Lord and King. We are not just dating the Lord; we are to be completely sold out to Him100 percent. Not 50 or 60 percent committed – we are to be walking in His presence every moment we are to be “living” in the Holy of Holies with Him. How many have a passion for this type of relationship? Probably not that many which is why they call His followers a remnant. The truth is that very few really want to be committed to this extent. What makes you say that? Well, we can see that hardly anyone is this radical and we can also examine our own life and determine if we are living in this extreme spiritual level. We are able to do whatever we want and this means we can be as close to God as we desire. However, if we are not as close to Him as we can be, something must be stopping us. What is it? It’s simply a rebellious refusal to surrender our will to Jesus? Do we actually have a passion to become sanctified and holy to the point where sin makes us nauseated? Are we in control of our life, or is our life in control of us?

Human nature has its own ideas about living for God and the devil is always ready to educate us with his own distorted persuasions and influences. We would rather do anything in the world than to let go of our independence and decision making power. Listen very carefully my friends, this is not an opinion or some type of spiritual speculation, this is a holy reality directly from God: there is only one throne upon your heart and there can only be one of two possible kings who can be sitting on it – Jesus or Satan. You might be convinced that you are in charge of your own destiny and you might be proud that you did it “your way” but you were duped by the dark side and were actually serving yourself. God is asking for all of us to look into the mirror and accept who is really the Lord of our thoughts and plans. Are we willing to lay down our will so that we can embrace His, or are we satisfied to leave our lives exactly as they are? Today, if our life is not a representation and demonstration of the nature and character of God, then obviously Jesus is not ruling on the throne of our heart. The cross is a symbol of death and hope all at the same time. Jesus died and rose from the dead and likewise our old nature must die so that we can live as a brand new creation in Christ.

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It won’t be long before it’s FOOTBALL TIME IN TEXAS!

A Christian Fellowship

150 Fellowship Ln, Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 815-1333

Wednesday 6:30 pm – Potluck Meal 7:00 pm – Worship Service 7:00 pm – Jr & Sr High Youth Sunday 9:30 am – Sunday School (all ages) 10:30 am – Worship Service 10:30 am – KidZone Children’s Service (5yr – 12 yr.)

Community Bible Fellowship

415 S Collins Fwy, Howe, TX 75459 Wednesday 6:30 pm - Food and Fellowship 7:00 pm - Community Kids (ages 3 - 6th grade, nursery available) 7:00 pm - Youth and Adult Bible Study Sunday 10:30 am - Worship Service

First Baptist Church Dorchester

11831 FM 902, Dorchester, TX 75459 903-476-5525 Wednesday 6:00 pm - Meal (Donations for adults and kids eat free) 6:30 pm - Praise service 7:00 pm - Youth Bible Study 7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study 7:00 pm - RA's/GA's/children's group Sunday 9:00 am - Men's Prayer Time 9:45 am - Sunday School 10:45 am - A.M. Worship Service 5:00 pm - Adult Choir Practice 6:00 pm - Evening Worship

First Baptist Church Howe

100 E. Davis St., Howe, TX 903532-5504 Tuesday 7:00 pm - Bible Study Wednesday 5:30 pm - Kids Choir 6:30 pm - Team Kid 6:30 pm - Youth Ministry 6:30 pm - Adult Bible Fellowship Sunday 9:15 am - Bible Fellowship 10:30 am - Kids Church 10:30am - Worship Service

First United Methodist Church of Howe

810 N Denny St, Howe, TX 75459 903-532-6718 Monday 9:30 am - Care Team Meeting 10:30 am - Pastor's Bible Study Tuesday 9:30 am - Women's Bible Study 11:30 am - Out and About with Pastor Zack 6:30 pm Boy Scouts Wednesday 9:00 am - Wednesday Workers 6:30 pm - Jr. High and Sr. High Youth Saturday 9:00 am - Feed My Sheep (1st and 3rd Sat each month) Sunday 8:40 am - Fellowship and Donuts 9:00 am - Sunday School 10:00 am - Worship service 3:00 pm - Cub Scouts

Howe Church of Christ

1205 N Collins Fwy, Howe, TX 75459 903-532-6441 Wednesday 7:00 pm - Bible Classes (all ages) Sunday 9:00 am - Bible Classes (all ages) 10:00 am - Worship Service 5:00 pm - Worship Service

New Beginning Fellowship

910 S Denny St, Howe, TX 75459 903-532-6828 Wednesday 7:00 pm - Radiate Youth 7:00 pm - Sanctuary of for prayer Sunday 9:30 am - Sunday School (kids, youth, women, men) 10:30 am - Worship Service 10:30 am - Kids Church

Times are subject to change. Please check with each church for any possible changes

Verse of the week

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.