Stay in the know on upcoming concerts and events.
As I was walking to my truck to head to the cafe this morning, I could hear the train coming from a distance. I live a block from the tracks, and those tracks cross my road twice before I get to my destination. From the sound of the train, I knew it was still a ways off, but I stepped up my pace to beat the train to the crossings. That reminded me of Stop! Look! and Listen! We have all heard that in regard to a railroad crossing. In the early days of trains, this worked pretty well, but today, with enclosed automobiles, we need electronic lights and barriers. Even then, some try to beat the train and illegally cross the tracks, and, unfortunately, that decision can be deadly.
However, Stop, Look, and Listen will still work for us spiritually today. Stop and consider your ways. God’s Word says in Psalm 119:59, “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes,” and then we can look at ourselves through God’s eyes. In Psalm 139:4, God says: “And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Finally, we must listen to the voice of our heavenly Father for direction. Proverbs 8:33 says, “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.” Those who disregard the safety and protection God has provided and are determined to do it their own way may find that their decision can also prove spiritually deadly. Stop! Look! Listen!
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
From time to time, I hear Christians complain that God isn’t meeting all their needs or answering their prayers. Often, that is because what they consider needs aren’t, but more often it is because they don’t understand that the Bible often presents promises as “if, then.” What do I mean? This concept is found in Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." We often want the maximum from God while putting little effort into seeking the kingdom of God first. We want to live a lukewarm Christian life but expect God to perform for us as we desire. We are saved by grace, and God’s love for us never changes, but our answers to prayer and our blessings are affected by our faithfulness or lack thereof. Luke 6:38 tells us: "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." Colossians 3:23-24 tells us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
So what is my point? To receive the best from God, be your best for the Lord. None of us is perfect, and we often fail to put God first. We thank God for His mercy and grace. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make our best effort every day to faithfully serve the Lord. We can become spiritually lazy and easily put ourselves first rather than God. When we do, the Lord will remind us to seek Him first, and everything we need will be supplied.
Deut. 28 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
What happens when someone acts as if they have the final authority over their life? For instance, they may say sin is only a sin if they think it is. They may say the child in the womb is only a baby if the pregnant woman wants it to be. They may say they are a woman when they are actually a man. They may create their own religion and a god in their own image. We see every day those who totally disregard God’s Word and create a fantasy world where reality is only what they choose it to be. If you refuse to participate in their fantasy, you are the bad guy.
We, as Christians, need to be careful not to do the same within the realm of our biblical beliefs. We may also be tempted to disregard or ignore Scripture we don’t want to follow. We may judge others as worthy of hell based on our own opinions or preferences. We may put our desires and plans first rather than making God’s direction and plan for our lives our top priority. It is easy to see the blatant sin and anti-God actions of the world, but we, as Christians, can soft-pedal our own lack of surrender to the Lord. How would our lives change if we fully surrendered to God’s way, God's Word, and God’s plan for our lives? Pray for the lost to be saved, for sin is all they know. As Christians, let's pray for each other that we will not take the reins from God’s hands but submit and be content with His direction and His Word.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry!!! 4 Days this year at the Karen Peck & New River Homecoming Concert!! Buy a three day pass and get you a fourth day for FREE!!! For all the details go to rayflynnministries.com
Abraham Productions
Singing News
Karen Peck Gooch
Karen Peck and New River
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
I did it again. I made myself a nice cup of coffee, took a few swallows, got interested in reading an article, and before I knew it, I had a cup two-thirds full of cold coffee. I went and reheated it, and before I knew it, I had half a cup of cold coffee because I forgot about it again. What I need to do is enjoy a cup of coffee before I start reading and get distracted.
Now that’s no big deal when it comes to coffee, but it is a big deal when it comes to your time with the Lord. How many times do you start to pray or read your Bible, only to be distracted, and before you know it, you didn’t spend the time with God you needed to? Try to find time to spend with the Lord without distractions. It’s okay for your coffee to get cold while you pray, but don’t let your relationship with God get cold while you are distracted by the world.
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Listening to The Guardians this morning!
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The topic at the café this morning was bush hogs. They were talking about different parts breaking on them, how they fixed them, and problems with tree limbs and vines when cutting close to the edge of the field. I just listened because I have no experience with bush hogs. It reminded me of years ago, when my dad, a cable repairman for the telephone company, was working with a trainee from up north. They came across a cable that had been torn up by a bush hog. When Dad told the trainee what caused the damage, the trainee said, “Wow, those bush hogs must grow really big down here.”
Sometimes when we talk with the lost about Jesus, we may use terminology they don’t understand. We may say, “Jesus will save you.” They may think, from what? We may say, “The blood of Jesus will wash away your sins.” They may look at you like a deer in the headlights. We may say, “You are lost and need Jesus.” They may think, I know exactly where I am; I’m not lost. When we share the gospel, keep it simple and give them the basics in a way they can understand. Share your testimony and God’s Word, free from theological terms or phrases that may be confusing to someone lost and with no church background. They can’t receive it unless they understand it. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and He will.
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Philemon 1:6 And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Close to home this weekend…come be with us!
Sun 5/17 – 10:00AM
Reeds Baptist Church
6120 West 5th Street
Reeds. MO
Sun 5/17 – 5:00PM
Grandview Missionary Baptist
3208 North Barnes Avenue
Springfield, MO
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome to “Getting To Know You with Host Paul Pitts” and his special guest Clayton Inman of the Triumphant Quartet. Clayton has had a wonderful career as a Gospel Music Artist always inspiring his audiences. Today we are talking about his career, his family, and his upcoming induction into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame. Just sit back and enjoy listening to Clayton as he talks with Paul today.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This Sunday on “Getting To Know You with Host Paul Pitts” will be 2026 Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductee Clayton Inman. We will be going over his great career in Gospel music as well as discussing his beautiful family. Tune in Sunday Morning!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome to “Getting To Know You with Host Paul Pitts” and his guest the Mid South Boys. This Inspirational Southern Gospel Group was originally established in 1970, are once again taking center stage spreading the message of hope, faith, and love through their souls stirring music. This group is made up of Jonathan Raugh, Mark Marshall, Tracy Thrasher, and Jeff Wilcox. These are guys that have been in the gospel music world for many years and really enjoy what they are doing. Listen as they talk about their music and their history this morning.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome to “Getting To Know You with Host Paul Pitts” and his special guest Brian Free. His Gospel Music Group Brian Free & Assurance have earned many awards including multiple Dove Awards, chart-topping music, and, most recently, a 2024 Grammy nomination that has sustained Brian Free & Assurance's presence at the forefront of Christian music for over 30 years.
Brian Free & Assurance delivers music that speaks to real life and lasting faith. With powerful harmonies and songs rooted in truth, their ministry continues to encourage hearts and points people to Christ. Listen as Brian brings us up to date with their newest project.
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
This coming Sunday on “Getting To Know You with Host Paul Pitts” will be special guest Brian Free of Brian Free & Assurance. Brian is undeniably one of the most recognizable tenors of our generation. Since 1982, he has been at the forefront of Christian music since first joining Gold City Quartet. In 1993, he formed Brian Free & Assurance (BFA) and the rest is history. Be sure and tune in Sunday Morning!!!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers have been singing to global audiences for over 60 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. They have performed throughout the United States as well as...
