Special Music Guest
Penny Thomas

Menu: Homemade Brunswick Stew,
Cornbread, Lemon Delight

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Giving as of January 9, 2024

Budget for 2024 . . . . . . . .  $329,423.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . . . $6,335.06
Received to Date . . . . . . . . . . $5.623.32
Needed for weekly budget . . .  $6,335.06
Tithes Received this week . . .  $5,623.32

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Don’t forget to check out Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotion in the book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

From Our Pastor

How can we face life in these days?  Everywhere we look we see violence, lies, fraud, evil and hatred.  It would very easy to get depressed and defeated.  In fact, that would be a normal reaction to these times.

However, it is possible to live in confidence and joy in these days.  We can experience the life that David was inspired to describe in Psalm 32.  In verse 11, David wrote, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, and all you who are upright in heart.”

What amazing words!  It is even more amazing to consider that they were not written by someone who had never known pain and suffering.  In fact, every chapter of David’s life had heartaches and burdens. Yes, some of them were self-induced.  But aren’t some of ours?  Yet, David experienced and expressed joy.

What enabled David to rejoice even though he had problems and burdens?  First, he knew the security of the Lord.  Verse 7 says, “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.”  David knew he was secure in the Lord.  He knew his Shepherd was watching over him – even in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).

Child of God, the Shepherd is with you.  He will watch over and protect you.  You can trust Him.  You can rejoice in His care.

David also knew the Lord’s guidance.  In verse 8 David wrote, “I will counsel you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”  David knew the Lord would guide him through all the twists and turns in life.

What a comfort!  We do not have to try to find our way through this world’s lies, frauds, and counterfeits.  We can trust and follow our Lord.

Last, we have the assurance of our Lord’s lovingkindness.  David wrote, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.”  David knew that God would turn every situation to be a blessing for him.

Believer, our God is so good to us.  He has promised to work all things together for our good.  We can trust his lovingkindness (Psalm 23:6).

It would be so easy to be overwhelmed by these days.  But we don’t have to be overwhelmed.  We have a wonderful and mighty God.  We can trust Him.