Church News

University of Mount Olive Christian Studies major Katelyn Gregory had always felt a deep connection to her faith, which guided her college selection process. “Although my parents begged me to apply to many more schools, I applied to only two: Liberty University and the University of Mount Olive,” Gregory recalls. “My relationship with Christ has always played a huge role in my decisions, and I knew that both of these schools exemplified my values and the core of who I am.”

“March Forward and Stay Focused”

Last week, I heard a few folks grumbling and asking, “Why pray?” They felt that with everything going on in the world today and all around them, it just wasn’t worth it to be praying, that what was going to happen is going to happen and that what is to come is to come. Me personally, I did not, and I do not agree. Prayer does change things. Honestly, there is evil in the world and there is good, there is hatred in the world, and there is love. Satan is roaming, devouring whom he can, but Jesus is also with us, hoping to save whom he can.

GOLDSBORO — Members of the Arts Council of Wayne County say they are thrilled to announce a generous donation of $25,000 from Southern Bank, headquartered in Mount Olive,, through the Southern Bank Foundation.

In John 10:10 (NIV), it states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The enemy in this scenario of course would be (the devil). His attempts are to take good things from you created by God to steal (e.g., snatching people from God), destroy (e.g., destroying churches through persecutions), or kill (e.g., enticing humans toward self-harm). Each day, as Christians, you face spiritual warfare. At times, the warfare may come through your finances, income, marriages, children, health, family, or friends, and at other times, your very own church members. In 1 John 4:1-3, The Bible (ESV) tells us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

When God gives you an out!

If you are anything like me, you love receiving gifts, but the biggest thing shouldn’t be receiving, but giving. See, in II Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), it says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse tells us concerning a cheerful giver that when it’s from the heart it should be voluntary, not forced, or feeling obligated. This matters to God. Why? Because “cheerful givers” give happily, with love unconditional, willingly, without expecting anything in return, and when the favor isn’t returned to them, they do not hold it against you or be like, “You remember when,” or “How ‘bout that time, so many times, “ or “Let’s not forget I was the one who done this or done that for you.” This is not God or Godly behavior. If a Christian or person reacts in this manner, this has now become a grudge; it has caused them to be under compulsion.

The University of Mount Olive will perform “Savior…A Musical Experience” at 7:30 p.m. on April 11 at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro.

Kinfolk Worship will perform Sunday, Jan. 28, as part of the Warsaw Baptist Church Concert Series. The concert begins at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 209 E. College St., Warsaw. A hot dog supper will follow.

So, we’re already seven days into the New Year, and already some of you have failed at standing by or keeping your New Year’s resolutions. It’s okay though, I am not here to pass judgment. And truthfully speaking, you should not be beating yourself up about it either. We all fall short in many things, especially God’s glory, but it’s the getting back up that makes you stronger. Last night you went to sleep without praying, without reading your Bible, without talking to God and telling Him what you are “thankful” for, without confessing and repenting of your sins, and without seeking forgiveness, yet, once again, God being the amazing and Great One that He is, still saw fit to breathe life into you today, and give you another chance at getting right what you didn’t yesterday or the day before, in order to do something way more different and out of character in His son’s name. It just begs the question, “With WHAT are you feeding your mind daily?”