Columnist: “Let go and let God”

Greetings from The Springs. Strive to have an attitude of gratitude as you start the New Year.

In our series of the “Books of the Bible”, we are up to Deuteronomy. The way that Rev. Terrell is presenting the material is making all the dots connect. The books are more understandable and seeing how they all point to Christ gives the Bible more meaning on a personal level. There is more meaning to the phrase, “The Living Bible.”
There is still time to recite all 66 books. I believe that more than half of our regular attendees have completed the challenge. It’s like being back in school! Also, remember to do your homework about The Flood and the sea creatures. Don’t forget that you must be able to explain your answer. Book, chapter and verse.
This Wednesday night is Prayer and Testimony so come and join us. More and more of our neighbors are coming and this is great. We will be looking to see you soon.   
Last Saturday the USBC Choir and other members traveled to McDonough to take part in Pastor Richardson’s birthday celebration held at Kelly Chapel. Our coming was a surprise to him and I know that he enjoyed his gift.

Pastor Terrell’s message Sunday really started the New Year off with a bang. He began by telling us that there are two things that are going to happen in 2013. Things will fall off of us and some people will fall off, also.

He tells us to remember that certain people, certain relationships and certain situations are with us for a season. What we want to do in 2013 is to produce much fruit. This is God’s desire for the church.

The text came from St. John 15: 1-11 which begins by telling us that Jesus is Lifeline and God is the Gardener. There are times when we reach back to grab those that God has cut off from us. Whether we are doing good or bad, God has to purge us in some way. But the key is that we need to stay connected to God and His Word, which will produce much fruit in us.

As we read in the text, God is the grapevine. The fruitful and unfruitful have to be cut. “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it my bear more fruit.”

Often people will not understand when God cuts them off from you and they will try to make you feel like you have done something wrong. If things are unfruitful God is going to cut them off and you will change. You can’t stay the same at that point. When you come to the Lord with a pure heart He will take care of everything.
Rev. Terrell went on to say that if we abide and stay connected to God all those unproductive things in our lives would start to fall away from us. Some of us can’t even walk due to all of the dead weight we carry. It even weighs down those around us. God needs to cut off that extra baggage.   
Pastor also told the congregation that it is not always the bad relationships that the Lord will cut away. Some relationships are good but are simply seasonal. You are in them for a specified time or reason. But when your season is up God will prune your branches.

Pastor Terrell states there are three reasons why people don’t product fruit. First, they are not living a life amounting to anything. The next point is that they don’t have a testimony to share since they are going through their test. Finally they are hooked up to the wrong branch. Now this is food for thought!

He ended the sermon by listing the benefits of us abiding in God and with the word abiding in us. By staying connected with the Lord we are cleansed by the word and our prayers are answered. In addition we will have joy and the peace of God. All of these types of fruit are very desirable and are attainable.

Let this be your first step in producing more fruit. When you are seeking a particular gift from God sow the seed of that fruit in someone else’s life. You will reap what you sow!
Don’t live your life holding on to yesterday. Instead of clinging to that which the Lord has cut off just let go and let God. Glory Be To God!

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition