Christian

I was reading an article the other day that was discussing how most people are confident that just being nice secures a place in heav-Dr. Billy en. But is this Holland true? Of course, we want to believe that it’s relatively easy to go to through the pearly gates, but is being a decent person all there is to it? Have you ever heard the expression, “They would give you the shirt off their back” when referring to someone’s kindness and generosity? This is a very notable character trait, but is this alone the standard to qualifying and “earning” a ticket to eternal life? I must say...not necessarily. Contrary to popular belief, eternal salvation is not based on how good we are or how much we can give, but instead depends on if we have been spiritually bornagain and if Jesus is our Lord and Savior. According to the Bible, the privilege of being invited into heaven has everything to do with accepting God’s love and allowing His love to flow through us in everything we say and do. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God” I John 4:7.

Without learning what it means to be a genuine overcomer for Christ, our lives will always be empty and meaningless, no matter how many good works we can do. I have spoken with many people over the years who are convinced that God grades everyone for their deeds and if we make a passing grade, we automatically graduate into the next life. The logic of many who are religious without a spiritual understanding assume those who receive bad grades because of their trespasses, will fail to reach the required points needed in their quest to obtain the keys to their “mansion just over the hilltop.” This might be considered natural common sense, but it’s not what the Bible says. If a person is not a child of God, yet is known to be generous, this might look wonderful to the world, but cannot take the place of surrendering our will to the Lord. There are many unsaved people who give and volunteer to help others while refusing to love and worship God or allowing Him to control their life. I John 2:15, says it this way, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

If heaven and hell were based on a grading system, there would have been no reason for Jesus to come and die on the cross, shed His blood, or raise from the dead. God could just keep track of all the good and bad things people do and after we have taken our last breath, all the points would be added up, and our fate would be sealed. The reality is that redemption forgives our sin and makes us a brand-new creation in Christ Jesus. When this change occurs, we begin to pray for our mind to be renewed, that our heart will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and for Jesus to sit on the throne of our heart as our King. As we are filled with the endless flow of His love, it overflows onto others, and is what “this little light of mine” is all about. We cannot out-give or out-love God, and without the nature of God flowing through us, we are not what we think we are. First Corinthians chapter 13, verses 1-3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.” One of the greatest legacies that anyone can have is to be known for their love. I’m always reminded of Jesus when He was nailed to the cross and asked His Father to forgive those who were torturing and killing Him. This example of the endless compassion He has for everyone, reminds us how His love must also be the conscience of our identity.

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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

Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.