About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (June 14, 2023)
thejenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, June 14, 2023 - Page 3 If we plant one blueberry bush, we may get a few blueberries. If we plant at least three blueberry bushes five feet apart, then we will have plenty of blueberries for our family in about three years. If we plant 1,500 bushes on an acre of land and install an irrigation system, then we will have thousands of blueberries in a few years to sell to the public. It is remarkable how one seed that God created multiplies in nature when nourished with hard work. When Jesus called the Twelve Disciples, he intended to reproduce himself in them. As long as Jesus was in a human body, he was in one place at a time. After three years, the seed of the Gospel grew in the hearts and minds of eleven of the Disciples through Jesus' example and his encouragement. Those selfish men turned into humble servants and fearless messengers. As more people scattered the seed of the Gospel, it was as if Jesus was in many places at the same time. Soon many churches were established as the early Pastor Bill Kent, Memorial Baptist Church Sylvania, GA “Multiplying our Ministry” Christians followed the principles of multiplication. Ministers and Laypeople shared the message in so many locations that God's spiritual orchard grew beyond expectations. "Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word," (Acts 8:4). It's not easy to plant the seed of the Gospel but the Apostles and their helpers kept on sharing in spite of obstacles and opposition. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard," (Acts 4:20). As we see many churches shrinking and downsizing today, this development happened partly because we are riding the paid ministers rather than joining them in the work. If we all plant seeds consistently as fellow workers in God's field, then we see God multiply our efforts. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase," (1 Corinthians 3:6). If we want to see fruit, seeds must be planted in the garden of people's hearts. Let us join in planting seeds for the Lord today. MILLEN BAPTIST CHURCH: July 17-19 from 6-8 p.m. Theme Hayday. MILLEN METHODIST June 19-21 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. SCARBORO BAPTIST CHURCH JUNE 25 Sunday 5 p.m. Vacation Bible School REGISTRATION & KICK-OFF JUNE 26-29 VBS-VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Church News What's going on in your church? Homecoming? Celebrations? New Pastor? email us or call us at: thejenkinscountytimes@gmail.com 478-451-5007 You know what's the fastest growing thing in Jenkins County besides the roadside weeds? The Jenkins County Times! Want your loved ones' obituary to reach more people? Want a classified ad? Call or email us: jenkinscountytimes@gmail. com 478-401-5007 Brier Creek holds monthly meeting By Dess Smith, Special Contributor for The Times Compatriot Steve Burke traveled to Sylvania, GA on Thursday night. May 4, 2023, to present his program on "Life on the Frontier, 1700's" to the Brier Creek Chapter at Wall's Diner at 7:00. With President Wayne Howard presiding, we had 14 in attendance. The meeting started with the pledge to the American Flag and the pledge to the Sons of the American Revolution. Compatriot John Joyner then presented President Wayne with a Flag Streamer that was presented to him for presenting the Brier Creek Chapter wreath at the Frederica Patriots Day on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. Simons Island, GA. Compatriot Dess Smith III then introduced Compatriot Steve Burke to present his program. The meeting ended with the SAR recessional and a prayer. Photo by Dess Smith. This section is a complimentary service for Jenkins County and surrounding area churches listed in the Church Directory. We will run your church news for two weeks. Email announcements to jenkinscountytimes@gmail.com or drop them off at our office Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 425 Hwy 25 S., Millen, GA. Our deadline is noon on Fridays for the following week. Honor Of Tara Cooper ^ Thursday, June 22nd • 5:00 pm Jenkins County School Cafeteria Help visitors find you! List your church in the directory for six months $60 or one year $120 Call: (912) 451-NEWS or 478-401-5007 T-Th-F East Burke Baptist Church Sunday Services 11 a.m. Pastor: Jordan Clayton Hwy 24 Sardis, GA Please call 706-526-1733 for more information. Millen Baptist Church Come join us!! Morning Worship 8:30AM & 11AM Sunday School 10 a.m. 219 N. Gray St, Millen, GA 478-982-5411 Pastor Brad Asbury pastorbradasbury@gmail.com Millen Methodist Church Morning Worship 11AM Sunday School 10 a.m. 413 N. Gray St, Millen, GA 478-982-2664 Pastor John Drake For questions about our services, please email us @ millenmethodistchurch@gmail.com Oak Hill Baptist Church Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Morning: 10 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Choir practice - Bible Study Youth Group - Kids Mission Group 3233 Oak Hill Church Rd„ Millen, GA Pastor: Joshua Johnson 478-982-1616 www.oakhillmillen.com Scarboro Baptist Church 4204 Scarboro Church Loop Millen, GA 30442 706-466-4494 Pastor: Perry Hearn Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Service: 6:00 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church 4401 Country Club Rd, Statesboro, GA Sunday Eucharist 8:15 a.m. and 10:30a.m. Father Charles Todd, Rector Jonathan Murphy, Music Director. 912-489-4208 www.facebook.com/TrinityEpiscopalStatesboro Words of Encouragement By Joshua Johnson, Special Contributor for The Times Pastor Oak Hill Baptist Church, Millen “The Little Foxes” Song of Solomon 2:15 - Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.” Compromise - to accept standards that are lower than desirable Song of Solomon is one of the books of the Bible that we act like we’re scared of. We don’t teach about it much, and I think that's because it makes us uncomfortable. Song of Solomon is a descriptive love story between Solomon and one of his wives. However, God placed this book in the Bible because it is ultimately an illustrative picture of Jesus’s love for His church, and His church’s love for Him - “my Beloved”. In chapter 2, the anticipatory love between Solomon and his wife is heading toward the marriage union; it is growing, strengthening, and exciting them as they move into marriage. Then in Song of Solomon 2:15, we get this weird verse that seems out of place. Why are they talking about catching little foxes? Vineyards were highly prized in ancient Israel, and God frequently used the imagery of a vine or vineyard to teach Israel spiritual truths about His love for them. In one illustration, God compared Israel to a vine that He planted in the land and tenderly and lovingly cared for until it was grown. Vines and vineyards take years of care and growth to be healthy and produce fruit - it is a multi-year investment. In ancient Israel, fences would be built around vineyards to keep out animals like deer, who would eat the grapes off the vine. However, little foxes would sneak in under the fence and gnaw at the stalk of the vine, chopping it down to get to the grapes that they couldn’t naturally reach - in effect, killing a vine that could have taken 12-14 years to grow! So why is Song of Solomon 2:15 about catching the little foxes? This verse illustrates the small compromises we make in our lives that can kill a relationship. Solomon and his soon-to- be wife wanted to protect their growing relationship from the little foxes that could destroy it at the root. Ultimately the little foxes in our lives don’t just have the power to destroy horizontal relationships, but they can affect our vertical relationship with God in a big way. We are like the ancient Israelites that put up a fence to keep the bigger animals out, and then forget about the little foxes. We protect against the “big sins” but fail to recognize the power of small compromises in our lives. A house only has to be off 1/4 of 1 inch to be out of square and mess up the whole structure. The missionary Hudson Taylor said this about little foxes, ‘The enemies may be small, but the mischief done great! And how numerous the little foxes are! Little compromises with the world, disobedience to the still small voice in little things, little indulgences of the flesh, to neglect duty, little strokes of policy to do evil things that good may come; and the beauty, and the fruitfulness of the vine are sacrificed.” It takes a long time to build up a bank account through faithful deposits and stewardship, but it can be drained in one instant by a little fox. Our relationship with God is like a precious vine that has years of work invested in it. How many years have you walked with the Lord? Do you want to throw that investment away over a small compromise? Are you allowing the little foxes to run free in your life? The vines will eventually come down at the root, leaving ruin in the place where fruit was once found. Charles Spurgeon said, “The ear in which the cannon has been booming, will not notice slight sounds.” What it means is this - small compromises are not small, because they have great consequences - the greatest one being ears deaf and hearts hardened to the Holy Spirit’s voice. ' EXCITING WORSHIP ^ Oak Hill Baptist Church 3233 Oak Hill Church Rd, Millen, GA 30442 Download Oak Hill Church APP Today! c Joshua Johnson, Senior Pastor j CHECK OUT OUR Daily Specials ON Facebook 537 East Winthrope Ave. Millen, Georgia 30442
