Published: July 24, 2009 11:09 pm      

When God speaks to us, we should obey

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood by a man of Macedonia, and prayed him saying, come over into Macedonia, and help us.” (Acts: 16:9)

We read in Acts 10 where God spoke to the gentile, Cornelius, through a vision. Now, we read in Acts 16 of God speaking to Paul in a vision. Some folks believe they would respond to God if God spoke to them in a vision. I’m not sure if they would. There are so many instances where God has made his will clear in his word, but we hesitate to follow his commands. Maybe we are waiting for a vision.

I suspect we do not follow God’s commandments for other reasons. Where God’s will is clear to us, there is no acceptable reason for us not to follow his will. We may refuse to follow out of fear. We may refuse to follow simply out of willful disobedience. Whether God reveals his will through a vision or through other means, he wants us to be guided by his will. Amen.

Thought for the week

“Never try to straddle an issue. He who stands in the middle of the road gets hit by both lines.”

Family reunion

The Hocker Smith- Hocker Yates Family Reunion will be conducted on today beginning at 3 p.m. at the Hocker Farm located on Brassfield Road in Brassfield, Ky. All family members and their descendants are asked to come out and bring a covered dish and enjoy a day of fun, games and a spiritual service.

Food sale

There will be a giant food sale today at the Masonic Lodge Hall on Francis Street at 11 a.m. There will fish sandwiches, fish plates, coneys, hot dogs, homemade pies, homemade cakes, soft drinks, etc. We will take orders for homemade pies and cakes. Deliveries can be made by calling 979-4399 or 893-5273. This is sponsored by the Concord Predestinarian Baptist Church. Come out and enjoy good food and great hospitality.

Homecoming/Rally

On Sunday, Peytontown Baptist Church will celebrate their Annual Homecoming Rally Day. The special guest at 3:30 p.m. will be Pastor John Pray, and the choir and congregation from Town Mountain Baptist Church in Hazard. Dinner will be served. Everyone is invited to come out and worship with us. Clifford Campbell is the host pastor. Deacons David Miller and Sammy Letcher are chairmen.

Vacation Bible school

Children (Pre-K through grade 5) are invited to experience the excitement of a Roman marketplace at First Presbyterian Church (623-5323) on Main Street, Sunday, Aug. 2 through Thursday, Aug. 6. “Rome: Paul and the Underground Church” will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and also is sponsored by White Oak Pond Church (623-6515) and First Christian Church (623-4383). To register children or for more information, contact one of the sponsoring churches.

Kids Fest

Abundant Life Ministries Church of God, 1705 Irvine Road, will present a big free three-day kids fest July 30 through Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be a family fun day with free food, fun and games. School supplies will be given to school-age children, preschool to 8th grade.

Musical program

On Saturday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m., the Tates Creek Ministerial Union will present a big spiritual musical at the Richmond Predestinarian Baptist Church at 209 East Irvine Street. There will be choirs, male choruses, gospel groups, soloists and a special treat — a selection from the ministers of Tates Creek. Host pastor is Elder Raymond Walker; Elder James McPherson is the moderator.

Special program

On Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m., Sister Sydney Garrett will present a special program at the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church in Waco. The special guest preacher will be Minister Derrick Cantrell, associate minister of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. Elder John Settles is the host pastor.

Fundraising yard sale

The Red House United Methodist Church will conducted a fundraising yard sale on Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8. The sale will be conducted on Clay Drive in Richmond from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days.

Gifted Youth Musical

On Saturday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m., the youth and young adult department of Tates Creek Predestinarian Baptist Association will present a gifted youth musical. There will be youth choirs and young adults from throughout the area appearing on program. This event will be conducted at the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church in Waco.

Special note

To all churches and civic organizations: To place your church or civic activity in this column, please send all information at least one week in advance via the U.S Postal Service. The new address is: Church & Community Focus, 246 Sunset Ave., Richmond, KY 40475. E-mailed announcements should be sent to: tpollary@roadrunner.com and all announcements must be received by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week you wish you announcement to appear in the newspaper

Until next week

May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds until we meet again.