Quality Time

(2nd Part of “INTIMACY WITH GOD” Series)

Do you have people in your life that only come around when they want something? They never call or check on you to see how you are doing. They don’t even take a moment to consider your needs, before they are asking for financial assistance or a favor. It certainly leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Unfortunately, I believe that more often than we would like to admit, we treat our relationship with the Lord the same way. We come to him when we need him, but don’t seek him to discover his desires. Are we that self-centered? I present an eye-opening challenge for you: For the next seven days, track how often you spend alone with God and audio record the prayers that you pray. Are the prayers only about what God can do for you and your family - the spiritual grocery list? Did you find out God’s plans? Have you praised God for who he is and thanked him for what he has already done? Also, assess how much of your energy is spent on social media, texting, and other activities that could be replaced with spiritual interactions with the Lord. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Quality Time

Quality time is a special period of time that you plan to spend with God concentrating on him and enjoying his Presence. If we are too busy to do that, we have become too busy! Jesus demonstrated this truth of the importance of prioritizing prayer and alone time with the Father. In Matthew 14:23 (ESV) it says, “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Also, in Mark 1:35 (NIV) it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” You don’t have to take 10 hours to pray and study the word. Quieting your mind and heart to wholeheartedly focus on the Lord is the goal. Schedule a specific place and time to meet with our Heavenly Father everyday. It may be in your car or even in the bathroom etc. Some like to connect with the Lord early in the morning, others right before bed or on their lunch break. Whatever you decide, I guarantee you won’t regret it.

PRAY THIS PRAYER: “ Father, you are magnificent in all your ways. I love to come before your presence. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Forgive me for not consistently meeting with you because I was too tired, busy or distracted. Help me to remember that you love me and desire to fellowship with me. May I learn to look to your strength and seek your face always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Danyale Patterson would love to hear from you! Contact her at www.danyale.com to share a testimony, send a prayer request, or book her to speak.

[humans] exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen.” Now let’s be honest, my articles are not your quick, two-minute, coffee-mug, bite-sized pick-me-up, so stick with me here and we can learn something wonderful!

Today’s conversation is actually not about Romans 1. Today, let’s think about another infamous moment in human history. The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4, describes an historic moment in which a created spirit, “the satan”, and the Son of God, Jesus, collide. And, let me tell you: the fight was over before it began!

Scripture tells us that Jesus was led, by the Spirit, to the desert in order to be tempted. Jesus was about to once again prove Himself to be a new and meek-er Moses, a purer Aaron, stronger David, wiser Solomon, and greater Adam. Jesus was tempted by the devil to EXCHANGE a very legitimate desire. You know the story. The desire for hunger, leadership, and safety were LEGITIMATE desires, but satan wanted to fulfill those desires in illegitimate ways. Our King won this fight on an empty stomach and without breaking a sweat. My friend, do you see this fight in your life? Do you get drunk to escape a cursed world? Legitimate desire, corrupt solution. Do you fornicate to fill a void of a good marriage? PURE desire, but an illegitimate answer. Do you gossip in order to find fellowship?

Pure intentions, wrong fulfillment. You see, the satan is the clever serpent in the garden always looking to twist God’s Word!

So, what’s our conclusion? I’m glad you asked!

First, our High Priest understands us. Our Lord Jesus knows our hunger, pain, weariness, hurt, illness, shame, and guilt. He understands – He knows!

Second, Jesus modeled the path for confronting sin. He taught us to stand firm on the Word of God, to know the Word of God, and to trust in God’s Word.

Lastly, my Jesus was tempted by sin and yet He is the sinless Lamb of God. This means that temptation is not a sin. The book of James teaches us that we are all tempted in our own ways. Still, do not fret!

The battle has already been won!

My friend, if you stand firm in God’s Word and lean on the High Priest (Jesus) then you will find that satan will flee. The victory was already won on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus is greater than fornication, substances, pride, gossip, gluttony, and all other sins! Jesus loved us so much that He exchanged our sins for His righteousness so that we might be saved. A walk with God trumps any of the temporary pleasures that sin can bring. Lean on the sweet Savior Who loves you and fights ahead of you!

Anthony Grove Baptist Church 100 Anthony Grove Road Crouse, NC 704-435-6001

Bess Chapel United Methodist Church 6073 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-7969

Bethlehem United Methodist Church 6753 NC 182 Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-1608

Blessed Hope Baptist Church 3357 Fallston-Waco Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-8530

Body of Christ Fellowship Center 405 S. Cherokee Street Cherryville, NC www.bodyofchrist7.com

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Cherryville, NC Pastor Clifton Morgan

Cherryville Church of God 810 East Main Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-2275

Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church 318 W. Ballard Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6934

Emmanuel Baptist Church 1155 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5764

Fairview Baptist Church 415 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-4299

First Baptist Church 301 East 1st Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3796

First Church of the Nazarene 301 North Elm Street Cherryville, NC 828-838-2428

First Presbyterian Church 107 West Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6064

First United Methodist Church 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 704-435-6732

First Wesleyan Church 800 North Pink Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6069

Free Saints Chapel Church 813 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-0949

Gospel Way Baptist Church 3904 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 866-356-3219

Legacy Church 805 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-457-9615

Living Word Ministries 306 East Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3213

Marys Grove United Methodist Church 1223 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5544

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 235 A.W. Black Street Waco, NC 704-435-8842

Mt. Zion Baptist Church 112 Mt. Zion Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9636

North Brook Baptist Church 7421 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4471

Oak Grove AME Zion Church 542 Flint Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3687

Oak Grove Baptist Church 219 Tot Dellinger Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3053

Revival Tabernacle 1104 Delview Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4073

Rudisill Chapel AME Zion Church 417 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-5621

Second Baptist Church 201 Houser Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9657

Shady Grove Baptist Church 3240 Tryon Courthouse Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9605

St. John’s Lutheran Church 310 West Church Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9264

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1203 St. Mark’s Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-5941

Victory Life Assembly of God 1655 Shelby Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-5539

Waco Baptist Church 262 N. Main Street Waco, NC 704-435-9311

Washington Missionary Baptist Church 1920 Stony Point Road Waco, NC 704-435-3138

Word of Faith Ministry 306 Doc Wehunt Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-5560

Zion Hill Baptist Church 3460 Zion Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3355

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF BILLY HUGH YOUNG

Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Billy Hugh Young, deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned at 106 North Cherry Street, Cherryville, North Carolina, on or before the 8th day of May, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms,and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 8th day of February, 2023.

Janet Martin King

Executrix

Counsel for the Estate: PALMER E. HUFFSTETLER, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW 106 North Cherry Street Cherryville, NC 28021 Telephone: 704-435-4907

CE (2/08, 15, 22 & 3/01/2023)

Legal Notice

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 10th day of December, 2022 as

Executrix of the Estate of CARYL B. AUSTELL; AKA, CARYL BEAM AUSTELL, deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned, at McIntyre Elder Law in Shelby, NC on or before the May 1st, 2023 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 1st day of February, 2023.

Elizabeth Austell Shuford, Executrix

Estate of: Caryl B. Austell; aka, Caryl Beam Austell

Counsel for the Estate McINTYRE ELDER LAW

233 E. Graham Street Shelby, NC 28150

CE (2/1, 08, 15 & 22/2023)

Legal Notice

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of:

ADDIE SUE SANDERS JONES aka ADDIE SUE PARTON, Deceased.

Having qualified on the 17th day of January, 2023 as Administratrix of the Estate of Addie Sue Sanders Jones aka Addie Sue Parton, deceased, late of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned Administratrix on or before the 27th day of April, 2023 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This the 25th day of January, 2023

Diana C. Stroupe (FKA Hughes)

113 Early Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086

C. Andrew Neisler, Jr

CLONINGER & NEISLER ATTYS

P.O. Box 515, 300 E. King Street Kings Mountain, NC 28086

CE (1//25, 2/1, 2/8 & 2/15/2023)