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And I know He watches me I was working out in the yard the other day and a tiny sparrow landed on the ground just a few feet from me. I watched as it moved its Dr. Billy head around Holland and then flew off with lightning speed. I was reminded of the passage in Matthew chapter ten which states that God keeps His eye on every sparrow and how He watches us even more closely. What a comfort to know that wherever we are or what experiences we are going through, we can rest assured that He is attentively observing every moment of our life. There might be times when we are lonely, but there will never be a time when we are alone. I remember years ago watching the Billy Graham crusades and Ethel Waters singing “His eye is on the sparrow.” I went back and watched it recently and it still brings tears to my eyes. The first verse of the lyrics are, “Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is He, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Such beautiful words and a very comforting truth which remind us that God is never too busy and never forgets us. Psalm 121:2-3 declares, “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will never slumber or sleep.” An interesting backstory to this song, reveals how this popular hymn came to be written. Civilla Martin was born in Nova Scotia in 1866 and became a devout follower of Christ. Her husband was an evangelist and they traveled together all over the United States holding revivals, singing and preaching the gospel. In 1904 Civilla was visiting a friend that had fallen seriously ill and was bedridden. Although weak and discouraged, her friend testified that her Heavenly Father was watching each little sparrow very attentively and she was con-
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vinced that He would also watch after her. She quoted the scripture in Matthew about the sparrows and with Mrs. Martin being a poet, the inspiration became a perfect idea for a poem. She jotted down her thoughts and by the end of the day, had completed “His Eye is On The Sparrow.” The poem was sent to a well-known composer of that day, Charles Gabriel, and his lovely melody has since then carried this encouraging message around the world. When I write, I not only pray that God will give me the words to relay, but that He will direct those to read the message He has appointed for them. These divine connections are the result of a Savior who loves us and desires to help us. Psalm 121:7-8 promises, “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” I enjoy talking to God when I’m by myself. It’s a wonderful contentment to share my personal thoughts and feelings with Him and to have an awareness that His presence is listening. I will admit there have been times when I’ve been in difficult situations and wondered why He would allow me to fall into such a serious crisis. However, even when we are suffering, He is a constant companion and never fails to respond on our behalf. So today whether you are isolated at home or working in a busy environment, God knows where you are and is aware of what is going on in your life. Maybe you are facing a fearful dilemma and you cannot figure out how you are going to make it through this. As all loving parents watch over their children and protect them, how much more is our Heavenly Father ready to step in on our behalf? In your daily time of prayer and meditation, I encourage you to remember to thank Him for not only always seeing you, but also for His endless compassion and mercy. There is joy, peace, and hope in knowing that God is with us both on the mountain top and in the darkest valley. “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Find hope and inspiration at billyhollandministries.com
Local church calendar 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 Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
