O
Local Churches
PA S T 0 R'S C 0 R N E R b y R e v. N a h a n J a c ks o n
,you are upon us. So
how can we go about making
this year better than last year?
A wise man once said: "If I
am better today than I was yesterday, then
I will always be getting better". How can
we as believers in Jesus Christ and God's
Holy word do this? Well by being obedi-
ent, obedient to God's word. The Bible has
a lot to say about obedience. In the Ten
Commandments, we see just how impor-
tant the concept of obedience is to God.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 sums it up like
this: "Obey and you will be blessed. Dis-
obey and you will be cursed." In the New
Testament, we learn through
the example of Jesus Christ that
believers are called to a life of
obedience.
The concept of obedience
woven all through scripture
relates to hearing from a higher
authority. One of the Greek terms
for obedience conveys the idea
of positioning oneself under
someone by submitting to their
authority and command. An-
other Greek word for obey in the
New Testament means "to trust"
According to Holman's Illus-
trated Bible Dictionary a succinct defmi-
lion of biblical obedience is "to hear God's
Word and act accordingly"
Thus, biblical obedience to God means
to hear, trust, submit and surrender to
God and his Word.
Here are a few thoughts to help us in our
attempts to be more obedient to God in
2019.
1. Jesus calls us to Obedience
In Jesus Christ we find the perfect model
of obedience. As his disciples, we follow
Christ's example as well as his commands.
Our motivation for obedience is love:
If you love me, you will keep my com-
mandments. (John 14:15)
2. Obedience is an Act of Worship
While the Bible places strong emphasis
on obedience, it's critical to remember
that believers are not justified (made
righteous) by our obedience. Salvation is
a free gift of God, and we can do nothing
to merit it. True Christian obedience flows
from a heart of gratitude for the grace we
have received from the Lord:
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead
with you to give your bodies to God be-
cause of all he has done for you. Let them
be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he
will find acceptable. This is truly the way
to worship him. (Romans 12:1) 3. God rewards Obedience
Over and over again we read in the Bible
that God blesses and rewards obedience:
"~nd through your descendants all the
nations of the earth will be blessed--all
because you have obeyed me." (Genesis
22:18)
Now if you will obey me and keep my cov-
NATHAN
JACKSON
enant, you will be my own special treasure
from among all the peoples on earth;for all
the earth belongs to me. (Exodus 19:5)
But don't just listen to God's word. You
must do what it says. Otherwise, you are
only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to
the word and don't obey, it is like glancing
at your face in a mirror. You see yourself,
walk away, and forget what you look like.
But if you look carefully into the perfect
law that sets you free, and if you do what it
w~ ath-
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10 a.m, at Chr UMC 417 North Frontage
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tion, approvatin advance is required. Contact
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Circle Gare.
Jan. 18
Ferry Rd, Jutiette, will host an awesome
says and don't forget what you heard, then by. Bank on sir in0 family, Diggle,on Friday, Jan ]8
God will bless you for doing it. (James 16, To r tO help unload truck and/ 7 p.m. Finger ~ wit! be served Come and:
1:22-25) or a stribute food, show up at receive a blessing. -
4. Disobedience leads to Sin and Death
The disobedience of Adam
brought sin and death into the
world. This is the basis of the
term "original sin" But Christ's
perfect obedience restores fellow-
ship with God for everyone who
believes in him:
For as by the one man's disobedi-
ence the many were made sinners,
so by the one man's (Christ's)
obedience the many will be made
righteous. (Romans 5:19)
For as in Adam all die, so also in
Christ shall all be made alive. (1
Corinthians 15:22)
5. Through Obedience, we experience
the Blessings of Holy Living
Only Jesus Christ is perfect, therefore,
only he could walk in sinless, perfect
obedience. But as we allow the Holy Spirit
to live in us and transform us from within,
we grow in holiness. This is known as the
process of sanctification. The more we
read God's Word, spend time with Jesus,
and allow the Holy Sp'mt to change us
from within, the more we grow in obedi-
ence and holiness as Christians:
This is what the LORD says--your Re-
deemer, the Holy One of Israel: "/am the
LORD your God, who teaches you what is
good for you and leads you along the paths
you should follow. Oh, that you had listened
to my commands! Then you would have
had peace flowing like a gentle river and
righteousness rolling over you like waves
in the sea. Your descendants would have
been like the sands along the seashore--too
many to count! There would have been no
need for your destruction, or for cutting off
your family name." (Isaiah 48:17-19)
Therefore, we don't learn obedience
overnight; it's a lifelong process that we
pursue by making it a daily goal. Keep
growing Forsyth, let 2109 be the year of
our Lord, as we all grow with Him and in
Him.
Nathan Jackson is Student Pastor at New
Providence Baptist Church, 2560 Highway
41, Smarr. The Pastor's Corner is sponsored
by the Monroe County Ministerial Associa-
tion, which meets on the second Thursday
of each month at 8 a.m. at The Pickled
Okra, 33 W. Johnston St. on the Square.
Driving Program at Boys & Girls
Club prepares teens for the road
By Diane Glidewell
news@mymcr.nef
Forsyth-Monroe County Boys & Girls
Club helped prepare 22 teens to be safe,
responsible drivers in courses it offered
on Dec. 15 and Jan. 4. Joel Tolliver, unit
.director of the local Boys & Girls Club,
taught the UPS Road Code Teen Driv-
ing Program and made
it available to any teens
who were interested, ages
13 and up, whether they
are members of the Boys
& Girls Club or not.
The program lasted for
four hours, including
lunch provided for partic-
ipants. It included videos,
five interactive sessions
with videos, games to re-
enforce the learning and
driving simulation with
a steering wheel and gas
and brake pedals. With
Liberty Mutual Insurance
as one of the partners in
the program, those who
completed it received
a certificate that could Christopher Hedges
be used for a discount
on vehicle insurance with participating
companies.
Students did not need a driver or
learner's license to take the class.
"The earlier the better for teens to learn
about driving safety" said Tolliver.
Christopher Hodges, a 7th grader at
Monroe County Middle School, said he
learned how important it is not to be
distracted while driving. He said that all
kinds of things can distract a driver and
impair his ability to drive skillfully and
safely, like drugs, drinking or even being
sleepy. The first year a teen has a driver's
license, he can't drive with another teen
as a passenger because that can be a
distraction.
Hedges said that all drivers have to
watch for hazards like animals and
bicycles on the side of the road, and
drivers shouldn't drive with one hand.
He liked the simulator that let him drive
through a danger zone and a driving
test and learn the best ways to manage
them. He also liked the
games that let teens earn
points while reenforcing
what they were learning.
The sfudents divided into
two teams and competed
to reach their point goal
first.
Hedges is a member of
Forsyth-Monroe County
Boys & Girls Club. "Ms.
K," who works at the Club
said that the Teen Driv-
ing Program is just one of
the useful and interesting
opportunities available at
the Club, She encouraged
adults and older youth to
volunteer at the Boys &
Girls Club, which is open
from 3-7 p.m Monday-
Frida)n Volunteers can help
with art, sports/recrealion, music/band,
or tutoring during homework time. They
can work with students or can help set
up programs and classrooms. Members
of the community are encouraged to give
presentations, especially about career-re-
lated skills. Ms. K. said that volunteering
at the Boys & Girls Club is a great way
for older youth to build resumes.
"It's good to make a difference," said
Ms. K. "Every little bit helps"
Call 478-992-5605 for more informa-
l!on. The Club is at 500 Highway 83
South, Forsyth on the former Hubbard
Middle School campus.
Bin o for Books i Friday
By Joe Reed and Care- Last year Sammi Rich- worthwhile organization, who support Monroe
line Nickel ardson, daughter of Chris commit your time, dollars, Reads, also known as
and Kristen Richardson and support to the many Ferst Readers of Monroe,
Monroe Reads Bingo for of Forsyth, won the grand worthwhile organizations do so because they know
Books will return as a fun prize, but the real winners in Monroe County. that the importance of
event on Friday, Jan. 11, are Monroe County chil- We are grate+ful to childhood literacy cannot
from 6-9 p.m. at Mon- dren who receive a book multiple local businesses be overemphasized. All
roe County Clubhouse, each month and have and organizations who children need exposure
behind the library at 52 someone they love read to are supporting our efforts to age-appropriate books
W. Chambers Street. The them. In the 10 years that financially. They will be and need to be read to
event begins with pizza at Monroe Reads has been recognized at the event, from the earliest age.
6 p.m and Bingo starts active, more than 60,000 Contact Caroline Nickel "Early literacy (read-
promptly at 7 p.m. books have been mailed at cnicke143@gmail.com, ing and writing) does
Several different versions to hundreds of Monroe 478-508-0828 or Face- not mean early reading
of Bingo will be inter- County families, book about the event, instruction or teaching
spersed with door prizes Whether or not you Ticket may be purchased babies to read; it is the
and delicious desserts. A attend Bingo for Books, in advance through Pay- natural development of
ticket costs $36 for adults please head to the Vol- pal and held at the door. skills through the en-
- the cost to mail a book unteer Expo, Thursday, Many organizations in joyment of books, the
each month for one year Jan. 17, from 3-7 p.m at Monroe County are worth importance of positive
to a child under 5 years the Monroe County Fine the investment of our interactions between
old. For children under Arts Center. Whether it's time, our support, and our babies and parents, and
12, tickets are only $18. Monroe Reads or another money. The volunteers the critical role of literacy-
Bingo for Books is great family fun for a good cause.
Check it out this Friday at 6 p.m. at Monroe County Club-
house.
rich experiences. Literacy earlyliteracy
development begins at Monroe Reads works to
birth and is closely linked put a new book through
to a baby's earliest expe- the mail into the hands
riences with books and of MC'S children every
stories" American Library month from birth to 5
Association http://www, years, at no cost to their
ala.org/united/products families. That means we
services/booksforbabies/ need your support.
Lee Smith
Men - Fri 10 to 7
Unless Playing Golf
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