Trough Creek Valley Community Church

Past: February 2, 1881, The first formal church youth organization was established in the Williston Congregational Church in Portland, Maine, by the Rev. Francis E. Clark, 29. It became the prototype of the modern denominational "youth fellowship." This is the pledge that youth were asked to make: "First. I will accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. "Second. I will try to learn and do His will by forming the habit of praying and carefully reading my Bible daily, and by think...ing, speaking, and acting as I believe He would in my place. Present: Our youth are under such attack today, and Satan is capturing their hearts and minds at an alarming rate. Please remember to pray for our youth pastors, and leaders as they fight the battle to win our youth for Christ. Ponder: I Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.’

Past: February 1, 1791, English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'Probably I should not be able to do so much did not many of you assist me by your prayers.' Present: Today with busy schedules, and constant use of smart phones and tablets, we have little time left to even pray for our own families, let alone pray for others. Let us always put the needs for others above our own needs, as Christ did for us. Ponder: James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Past: On this day in 1869 Charlotte A. Barnard, English student of music died. During her brief 39 year lifetime, she published over 100 ballads. She is best remembered for composing the music for the hymn "Give of Your Best to the Master." Present: What a challenge! To give of our best to our Lord. He deserves the best of our time, talent, and treasure. You've heard it said, "You can't out-give God." And so it is." Present: Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Past: On this day in 1737 Thomas Paine ,(the notorious atheist), was born. He once stated that by the time his generation was past, there would be no Bibles in print. The same machine on which he printed this statement was used to print Bibles after his death. Present: today there are some 25 million Bibles sold in America each year. It is by far the number one best selling book of all time. Praise be to God for His Word. It reveals to us His heart, mind and will. Pond...er: I Peter 1:23-25 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached to you." See more

Past: January 28, 1998, Michelangelo’s drawing of Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink sells for $7.4 million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction. Present: How sad that a drawing of Jesus would sell for $7.4 million dollars, when the real person of Jesus can be had as a free gift. Priceless! Ponder: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Past: January 27, 1842, Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'Call upon the name of the Lord. Your time may be short... The longest lifetime is short enough. It is all that is given you to be converted in. Present: Looking at the World’s situation, it is apparent to most Christians that the hour is late, that the Lord could return at any moment. Let us all be busy, sharing the message of Salvation with others, before the night comes when no one can work. Ponder: John 1:9 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.