PASTOR'S CORNER by Rev. Jeff Dean
As for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord"- Joshua 24:15
That scripture still hangs in the house
that I was raised in. It became so
,! common place as I walked by that
wall space in my parents home that,
in fact; I had forgotten it even was hanging
there.
After years of hanging there,
the print has faded and the
glass has turned. While admir-
ing it not long ago, memories
flooded my mind of church
and my family praying before
meals. But in the grand scheme
of that walk down memory
lane, I never asked why this
picture never moved and was
never replaced. Also, I cannot
remember ever considering the
real meaning behind this scrip-
ture that hung in the hallway.
What does that mean?
Rev. Jeff
There was never a question as a child who
had authority in my parents' home. Both my
mother and father were wonderful parents
and strict disciplinarians. My father often
spoke and it was followed. Never any yelling
or dramatic tones, just firm, strong words.
He lived by action that was good example
for all of us to follow. But as we submitted to
his oversight, how much must my parents
have submitted to the oversight of Christ
to place a picture of that scripture for us to
acknowledge each day as a staple-point piece
in our home? My parents saw fit to express
in a demonstrative form the desire to submit
their home, their family, and their lives to the
Lord. To them, hanging that scripture meant
to submit to do what the Lord said in a way
that makes him look supremely valuable over
all things.
What a definition of a servanfs disciple -
to express submission in such a way that it
be recognized by all who would enter their
home. This was a blessing shared by them to
their children; this example of bold servitude!
Now I know there are ways to submit to God
that only make him look intimidating, not
with gladness
exciting. There are ways to do what he says
that only call attention to the fact that he is an
authority, not a prize. But that kind of service
is not the service God commands.
God does not need our service nor our "se-
lection" of Him. He is God. Period. God has
told us not to serve him as though he needed
anything. In Acts 17:25 it states, "Nor is he
served by human hands, as though he
needed anything, since he himself gives
to all mankind life and breath and
everything".
In Mark 10:45 it says "The Son of
Man came not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many" Both of these texts put all
the emphasis on God's giving to us
when we serve. God's glory is seen in
abundance when all of our serving
is moment by moment, step by step,
receiving from God's endless, merci-
Dean ful supply! So the kind of service that
makes God look exciting is the kind
that serves God by constantly receiving from
God.
1 Peter 4:11 states, "Whoever serves, [let it
be] as one who serves by the strength that God
supplies -- in order that in everything God
may be glorified through/esus Christ."
This supply is received by faith because we
learn to trust that what we need, in serving
Him, He will supply. That means in ALL
things! This is the opposite of being anxious.
This type of service brings about joy! And
it makes God look no less authoritative, but
infinitely more desirable. This is the glory he
means to have. The "giver" gets the glory.
day at 1
permits.
May 18
published fm of charge as space
40
breakfast of
on Evans Rd, Smart.
East Jullette Baptist
has ming
services 104th An-
Road, East Julieffe Bap- niversary
Jarvis Barrion of tist Church, 183 J.H. Pastor John W. Corner
Aldridge Drive, willand the Springhill
the message, celebrate its An- Baptist Church family,
Read, Juliette
members are invited
to come wearing their
women ministry shirts,
church shirts or reli-
gious T-shirts. The cost
of the breakfast is $7.
Sunday, May 19 with invite everyone to com-
services starting at memorate the 104th
10:30 a.m. There will church anniversary on
be special singing with Sunday, May 26 at 2
Susan Handley, and p.m.
Preacher Randy Reece
St. Phillip AME hasA
prayer breafast will follow. Everyone is
St. Phillip A.M.E. invited.
Church, 36 Fort Val-
ley Road, Culloden
will have a prayer
breakfast at 10 a.m.
on Saturday, May 18. 1786
The speaker will be
Yvonne Stroud of St.
of Forsyth.
So, "serve the Lord with gladness" as it says May 19
in Psalm 100:2. Emit joy so that you maybe Hopewell UMC
that light to someone who doesn't have that
right now. Be the hands and feet!
Rev. ]eff Dean is the senior pastor of Sanc-
tuary Baptist Church, 12643 Highway 87,
Forsyth. The Pastor's Corner is sponsored by
the Monroe County Ministerial Association,
which meets on the second Thursday of each
month at 8:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist
Church, 417N. Frontage Road, Forsyth.
UMC cele-
266 Martin
Jr. Drive,
Hopewell Uni the ~undation of
odist Church, Maynard Prayer, Faith; Love and
Mill Road, Forsyth
ii
S u nday, May
Min.
Friends Day on Sunday, ~:'
.may 26 beginning at
Dexter Greet. 11 a.m.
The first
grade classes
at K.B. Sutton
Elementary
visited Noah's
Ark on April
29. They saw a
wide variety of
animals, includ-
mg buffalo,
primates, exotic
cats, reptiles,
and livestock.
First grade
students study
the basic needs
of plants and
animals. Cooper
Livingood
experiences
the beauty of
nature at Noah's
Ark Animal
Sanctuary in
Locust Grove.
e
Williams Chapel A.M.E. May 23 June 22
has Family & FriendsLunch & Learn on Five Jackson First Baptist
Day Below
4O
Church, 9818
Road, Forsyth invites will have Lunch-N-
everyone to its Annual Learn on Thursday,
Family and Friends
Day on Sunday, May The topic will be Five
19 at 11a.m. The Below, Smarr. Repre-
speaker will be Rev. sentatives from Five
Alexis Brookins. Dress Below will talk about
is casual as Therewill their history, mission
be food, fun and activi- and goals.
ties on the church yard
Midway Baptist has
hosts "The Incredible
Race" 5K
~a:ckson First Baptist
Church, 1227 West 3rd
Street, Jackson will
have its first Annual
5K Run/Walk and Kids
Trot on Saturday, June
22 at 8 a.m. Funds
will go toward the
children's summer camp
and missions. For more
information on "The
Incredible Race", visit
www.jacksonfbc.com
I '
ho ds Unity in the Corn- or call 770-775-3102
reunify' at Kynette Park and ask for Lisa Wi der,
Church invites everyone the street on Saturday,
to the church's 138th May 25 from 12 noon- June 23-28
' in Fors#h UMC has VBS
will begin at 11 a.m. Kynette Park. Come out
message.
July 10-13
Baptist will
liette will
on
Great Things
from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on
at
two pine trees.
Jesus. For more
or
Sanctuary
Ig
Lee Smith
Mon - Fri 10 to 7
Unless Playing Golf
"Servicing Each Family With Equal Re6 3ect"
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