by George | May 19, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
May Community Church Ministry Newsletter
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.”
I Chronicles 4:10
Part of the prayer of Jabez was for God to enlarge his territory.
Community Church Ministry is praying that God will enlarge our territory. Our desire is to expand the work to other neighborhoods. There are several places in Floyd County and surrounding counties that we want to bring God’s love to.
Please pray with us for wisdom to know where to go, for open doors, resources and volunteers.
We would love to work with you to reach your neighborhood.
Please contact me if you are interested!
Thanks for your time, prayers and support. —
Blessings!Pastor George Nix
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by George | May 11, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Don’t Forget to Plug Into the Charger
“However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
Luke 5:15-16
I forgot to plug my work tablet into a charger last night. Fortunately, it has enough “juice” to get me through this work day.
What if I forget to do it tonight, and for the next 3 or 4 days? You’re right. It will eventually run out of battery and I won’t be able to use it.
Sometimes we get so busy and distracted that we forget to plug ourselves into the charger. I’m talking about our “Spiritual charger,” our time alone with God in prayer.
Have you noticed that there are some quick battery chargers, and some that charge slowly?
Certainly quick prayers help, especially in time of need, but we also need to slow down, take a deep breath, and listen for the still small voice of God.
Jesus made a priority of spending time in prayer with the Father. He did this in spite of being so busy teaching and healing folks.
Jesus said He does what the Father tells Him to do.
“But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do….”
John 14:31
I’m sure that this guidance took place when He spent time alone with the Father.
Jesus once spent the whole night in prayer, and the next morning, chose the 12 apostles.
Important decisions need to be made only after spending time in prayer.
Prayer helps us to abide in Jesus:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
We can do nothing without being “plugged into”/ abiding in Him.
Also, our minds need to be rebooted, refreshed and renewed by God.
Paul tells us:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
This renewal can occur as we spend time alone with the Father.
So, don’t forget to plug into your “Spiritual charger.”
by George | May 9, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Mary Was There
When we think of Mary the mother of Jesus, our minds go back to the Incarnation, the birth of Christ. Her response to the angel who came to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of our Lord was “… Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:38
We are inspired by her courage, faith and servant’s heart.
But the story of Mary doesn’t end at Christ’s birth.
When the shepherds came to worship Christ and to share what the angels had said to them, Mary “… kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19
When Jesus was 12, the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus took this opportunity to go to the temple and have a discussion with the religious leaders.
Mary and Joseph realized He was gone, searched for Him, and found Him in the temple.
“So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:48-49
Jesus was no ordinary child!
Next, we find Mary at a wedding feast:
“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it. ”
John 2:3-5
Mary knew that Jesus would take care of the problem, and He did. Hint: water into wine.
Later, she and her other children came to see Jesus.
“Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.”
Mark 3:31
Was she trying to get Him to go home with them? It’s unclear.
Fast forward to the cross.
Mary was there, watching her firstborn Son die.
How her heart must have ached!
Even though He was suffering, Jesus took the time to make sure His mother was taken care of.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
John 19:25-27
Mary went to live with John.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the disciples, including John. Scripture doesn’t record Mary seeing her Son, but that doesn’t mean He didn’t appear to her. I imagine John brought her the wondrous news.
Perhaps she, along with Jesus’ brothers, finally, fully grasped that Jesus was really the Son of God.
Mary was in the upper room, praying with the other followers.
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
Acts 1:14
I wish I knew more about what Mary did for the rest of her life. What role did she play in the early church? We don’t really know, but we do know that she was there!
Like the disciples, she longed for the day when she would see her Son again, and by faith believed she would.
Her “step son” John wrote: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20
Happy Mother’s Day!
