Category: Faith/ Local Churches

Christopher and Elisabeth Bowen

Devine Christian Church has welcomed Christopher Bowen as the new pastor. This is a very special event as Pastor Bowen was born and raised at Devine Christian church and considers it the thrill of a lifetime to be the pastor. He was mentored in the ministry by his predecessor, Pastor Schell Smith for over 7 years and was the associate pastor for the past 5 ½ years. He married his beautiful wife, Elisabeth, Pastor Smith’s daughter at the church, where they met, 3 ½ years ago. They are both excited to continue moving the church forward in the direction that Pastor Bowen’s father-in-law had the church already going. The church is a vibrant and growing family where we genuinely care for one another.
Pastor Bowen simply preaches and teaches the Bible, no gimmicks, no games, just straight truth from God’s Word every service. In a day where fake news dominates the internet and world in which we live, you can be sure you’ll only get Bible truths at Devine Christian Church! So, we encourage you to stop by and stay awhile at Devine Christian Church! We meet on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 for Sunday School and 10:30 for the main worship service. We also meet on Wednesday night at 6:30 for Bible study and prayer. If you would like more information on the church, please call 830-349-1045. See you there!

The South Texas Ministerial Fellowship (STMF), a non-profit organization rooted in Christian faith, unites local churches and leaders in our communities. We believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and seek to work together to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of our community. While we encourage cooperation in the areas where we find “common ground”, we recognize and respect the individual beliefs and characteristics of our various member churches and ministers. With a focus on compassion, the STMF provides crucial emergency assistance, including shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, utilities, and transportation, to those facing hardship. Beyond immediate relief, we offer support for emotional well-being, education, and spiritual guidance, aiming to foster long-term stability…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Well, looks like Old Man Winter finally arrived, at least for a couple of days here and there; typical of south Texas. Hopefully we won’t be getting any of the really bad weather we’ve seen in past years. I pray that you are getting into your Bible every day for it tells us, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deuteronomy 4:29).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find”… a sorcerer struck blind for interfering with the teachings of God’s apostles?
God is pretty serious about His statutes and commands, that is why he gave the apostles power to perform miracles; to prove that what was being taught was indeed from God himself. There is an instance in the book of Acts where Paul and Barnabas went to Cyprus to teach the gospel to a man named Sergius Paulus, who desired to hear the word of God. Acts 13:8-12 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and shou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” Think about it! J.W.

Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
I hope everyone has gotten off to a great start in 2025. I pray that you are planning on getting into your Bible everyday for it tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2nd Timothy 2:15).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find people in the Bible burning their books worth 50,000 pieces of silver?”
Some people are enamored with books some don’t care to read much but we all know that it is from books that we get a lot of our learning. History tells us that many times people who found that their books were inaccurate or taught something incorrectly they burned their books to keep others from being taught incorrectly also. Unfortunately some books have been proven to be fraudulent and promote things that are not true, however those in authoritative positions refuse to discard these books because they continue to promote their doctrine. In the Bible during the days of Paul the apostle there were people who practiced witchcraft and things such like, when they saw the miracles performed by Paul, abandoned those works. Some of them were exorcists and when they unsuccessfully attempted to cast out an evil spirit by the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches, they were actually rebuked by the evil spirit. Acts 19:15-19 “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all man: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Think about it! J.W.

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Well looks like another year has come and gone. As we enter into a New Year I’m praying that you start the year off right surrounded by love and family. I also pray for our nation that each individual and family will grow closer to God and search the scriptures daily. I hope you remember to get into your Bible every day for it tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2nd Timothy 2:15).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find sundown at noon and darkness in the clear of day?
There are many things that God did during the Patriarchal times to show His people that he really was God. many attempts have been made over the years to explain these miracles away by exaggeration, or natural phenomenon. The truth is God miraculously did things to convince people! In the passage of question for this article God tells the prophet Amos that He’s going to bring destruction upon his people for their sinful behavior. Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:” Think about it! J.W.

Question: Why did Jesus come to this earth?
Answer: According to the Bible, Jesus came to this earth to save sinners. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” One of the names of Jesus is “the Son of Man” so this verse is referring to Jesus coming for the purpose of saving everyone who is lost. Why is this so important? Because all of us are sinners and are lost in our sins. Romans 3:23. Without Jesus, everybody would still be lost. This is why we celebrate Christmas and Christ’s arrival as a baby born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2. Luke 2:10-12. Even though Jesus was born over 2,000 years ago, because He’s God and eternal, the sacrifice He made back then still has the same power today. Hebrews 13:8. The birth of Jesus Christ shows with crystal clear clarity how much God loves people. John 3:16. Romans 5:8. Knowing that our Creator and our God who has unimaginable and limitless power loves and cares for even the poorest of mankind is astounding and should create awe and joy in our hearts. 1 John 3:1. God is not a distant, impersonal God, no, on the contrary, He desires to be very close and personal with all His people. Another name of Jesus is Emmanuel which means, “God with us”. Matthew 1:23. This is all part of why Jesus came to this earth, to reveal God the Father to all people and let them know that He loves them and wants to save them from their sins. John 14:9-11. Jesus wants to save you from your sins, just pray and ask Jesus to come into your life and save you from all the bad things you’ve done, all the sins you’ve committed. Romans 10:9-13. It only takes one sin to make you a sinner, and Jesus came to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus left His throne in heaven and put on human flesh so that He could save all humans. As you celebrate Christmas this week, don’t forget the real reason we celebrate, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Question: How do I choose which Church to go to?
Answer: According to the Bible, you should go to a church that is founded on and based in Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” This verse speaks of Jesus and how He is the head of the church. You should only go to a church that gives Jesus the preeminence, which means that He’s placed first. The song service, fellowship, communion, and children’s programs are important but if Jesus isn’t honored and glorified, it’s not a true church. The other most important factor when choosing a church goes hand in hand with the first one, that is making sure the entire Bible is taught and preached there. A church that honors Jesus must also honor and reverence His Word, the Bible. The Bible is the very words of God recorded for us in our language. 2 Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:20-21. In order to be a true church of God, the Bible must be the first and final authority in all matters. Joshua 1:8. Before choosing to attend a church you should carefully look into what the church believes and their position on important issues. If the Bible isn’t preached straightly, if Jesus isn’t honored especially, and the church doesn’t attempt to help you grow closer to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, then you’re better off going to a different church that does. 1 John 2:19-23. Pray and ask God to guide you to the church He wants you to attend. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
It’s hard to believe we’re already well into December! I hope everyone is doing well and praying for our country “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1st Timothy 2:2).” I hope you remember to get into your Bible every day. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Galatians 5:9).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find an oath also called a curse in the same passage?”
Some words in the original language will have several meanings while other words are more exact than the words they translate to in English. Sometimes it’s just that the way things were worded were so different back then that we see them as odd or strange. The passage is about the sealing of a covenant and can be found in Nehemiah 10:28-29, “And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding. They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes.” Think about it! J.W.