Posts

Bulletin for 10-30-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery scheduled for Nov 3.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, is being treated for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Remember Luis in his mission/church planting in Poland.

Article:

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

When I was growing up I loved it when the chorus from Freed-Hardeman came through our area. I thrilled to hear the songs they sang, especially the spirituals, and was impressed with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” with its seven-fold ‘Amen’ at the end. Later I attended Freed-Hardeman and sang with the Chorale. Although we didn’t use this song as our closing song, we still learned it and I enjoyed singing it. It was around this time that I discovered that what we were singing was actually a text from the Law of Moses.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, “This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.’ ” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’” (Numbers 6:22-27 NIV)

This was a blessing that God gave the high priest to give to the Israelites. Notice the reason was to “put my name on the Israelites” — and this blessing really is all about God. It was the Lord who would bless them, keep them, be gracious to them, and give them peace. Through this blessing they were to learn that they belonged to God and that all blessings came from him.

It would be easy for them — and it is easy for us — to forget that all blessings are from God. After all, they were the ones who would go out, get the ground ready for planting, plant the seed, tend the crops as they grew, harvest the crops, and then store them for later use. We can be the same way: we are the ones who study and plan, go to work, do our jobs, and (in our mind) earn our wage. Yet even though we have a part to play, God is still the one who causes all of this to happen.

You may have seen the film, Shenandoah. In that film the father, played by James Stewart, was leading his family in prayer at the dinner table. This is what he said: “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we’re about to eat, amen.” Although humorous, it does well represent how people view what they enjoy in life.

This father somehow thought himself self-sufficient, not realising that all that he had, including his ability to work the land, came from God— and not to mention that the seed he planted was not something that he could make grow. Only God could do this.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he included the request: “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:1-4). When we pray this we aren’t to expect food to instantly appear on our tables. We realise that God blesses us through the abilities he has given us to be able to work and earn a living. But we need to acknowledge that it is God who gives us what we have and enjoy. He is the one who blesses us.

Do we have what we need to live? Then we need to thank God for it! Do we live a good life? Then thank God! Do we enjoy relationships with family and friends? Thank God for this as well, as we realise he is gracious to us. Do we have peace in our lives? Again we need to thank God for this.

All that we have is God’s blessing to us. May we always be thankful to him!

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 10-23-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery scheduled for Nov 3.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, is being treated for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Remember Luis in his mission/church planting in Poland.

Article:

Thank you for not eating my tomatoes

If Bermuda grass is the horticultural bane of our existence as Southern gardeners, the rabbits are the counterpart in the animal world. Many of us have heaved a sigh of relief after watching a familiy of bunnies playing in the vegetable garden and then finding out that they did NOT eat that ripe tomato or squash that would have been ready to pick tomorrow. 

Many are the times when we have had to replant a row of vegetables after the first row had been mown down by these voracious fuzzy monsters. We have come to expect it.

A prominent political pundit recently made a detour from his usual insightful political commentary to offer women some marital advice. Suffice to say it was not well received by either men nor women. 

“It wouldn’t hurt for a wife to tell her husband, ‘I know it’s your nature to want a variety of women. Thank you for your fidelity.” 

There is so much wrong in this thinking. First, a caveat. We should always be thankful for one another as husbands and wives, or any relationship for that matter.  (Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4Colossians 1:3,  2 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3.)

This gentleman went above and beyond thanks and respect, though. Beyond….in a bad way. First, he assumes that all husbands constantly desire to stray from their marriage vows, but in reality this is the exception. The inspired words penned in the Bible paint a different picture.

“I have made a covenant with mine eyes: why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1, KJV).

“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul” (Proverbs 6:32).

Secondly, one has to wonder what kind of an idea that puts in the mind of a man who is prone to infidelity. If he gets a blue ribbon for keeping his promise made at his wedding, does he get the red, second-place ribbon if he only cheats a few times? 

“Marriage is honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).

Third, this is demeaning to women. Do we also have to thank our men for not beating us, or murdering us? They could, you know. We are the weaker vessel. This demeanor of bowing and scraping and expressing thanks for avoiding a sin described as “against his own body” is lowering women to the level of property, a concept not found in the Bible. This sin is so egregious that God outlines it as the only condition for remarriage after divorce (Matthew 19:9). 

Fourth, this idea is demeaning to men. We are not simply highly evolved apes, and should not behave as such. Man (“anthropos” or mankind) was created in the image of God. Marriage was instituted in the first week of creation. God expects better!

Having looked at all this, we can still agree that appreciation goes a long way. We must never become so complacent in good marriages that we don’t once in a while…maybe even often… tell one another how much we appreciate the godly, decent, and upright nature and actions of our spouses.

This of course includes marital faithfulness, but does not single it out. I have often turned to my husband after seeing a troubled marriage and said, “I’m so glad God gave us each other.”

If you cannot in honesty manage a blanket compliment like that, be specific. “Thank you for not eating my tomatoes.” 

Christina (Tina) Berglund link to original article

Bulletin for 10-9-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Sympathy: Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, has passed to her reward. Graveside service is Tuesday, Oct 11 at 1 pm at Aurora Cemetery.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, is home now, doing outpatient therapy here in Dallas. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery to be scheduled.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, has been having some testing done for her stomach problems.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Spiritual food

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Rebellion led the Israelites to wilderness wanderings. While in the wilderness, this vast crowd had physical needs. They needed the basics: food and water. God provided for them.

The “spiritual food” was manna (Exodus 16:4). It came from heaven, and thus was spiritually provided rather than naturally given. Likewise the “spiritual drink” was water provided by God from rock. It was not naturally given. Both the manna and the water provided physical nourishment for the needs of God’s wandering people.

During Jesus’ ministry, large crowds followed him. On one occasion, Jesus was in a desolate place, by the sea of Galilee, with a crowd numbering over 5,000 (John 6:10). They were hungry and in need of physical nourishment. Jesus provided “spiritual food” for them.  Taking five loaves and two fish, Jesus provided enough food for the people to eat their fill with more left over than what they begin with.

The next day, Jesus left the crowd and was on the other side of the sea. The people got in boats and found him. Jesus said that they were seeking him, “not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (John 6:26). He then commanded them, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal” (John 6:27).

The crowd then quoted Nehemiah 9:15 (and others like Psalm 78:24-25), apparently intending that Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat. Perhaps also implying that the one time Jesus gave them food was not sufficient. If Jesus claimed to be from God and desired for them to listen, then he should sustain them like God did for a generation.

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:32, 33).

This bread from heaven which gives life to the world intrigued the crowd. “Sir, give us this bread always,” they implored.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).

The “spiritual food” that God provided to the Israelites was natural food spiritually given. It sustained them physically. But it did not have the desired spiritual effect, as Paul says, “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5).

Now the antitype of that “spiritual food” is come to the world. Jesus is “the bread of life” which will spiritually nourish all those who partake of him. He is the “spiritual drink” which will quench the spiritual thirst of all who drink of him.

Those who come to Jesus can live eternally (John 6:48-51).

“Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (John 6:58).

Jesus understood that while feeding the physical body is important, feeding the spiritual man takes precedence.

“Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Has anyone brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work’” (John 4:31-34).

Are you spiritually well-fed?

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 10-2-22

Birthdays and Anniversarie

None this week

Prayer requests:

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, her cancer seems to have returned in liver, aggressive chemo planned.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in extended care now. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery to be scheduled.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

Dianthia Grubbs, has been having some stomach problems

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sympathy: Please remember the family of Darlene Hollingsworth in your prayers. Her son, Jonathan, is on David’s Special Olympics team. She passed away and services will be held this week.

Article:

A message to your church

If Jesus wrote a message to your church, what would it say?

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord gave seven messages to seven churches. These churches, located in the province of Asia, were the initial recipients of the whole letter John penned (Revelation 1:4, 11).

John received a startling vision of the Lord. The authority of the Holy One to send these messages is established by the description John gave (Revelation 1:12-16), and the declaration Jesus made (Revelation 1:17-20)..

Jesus knew these churches. To each of them, he began with, “I know.” He is the one who “holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (Revelation 2:1). Jesus knows who his people are, both collectively and individually, and he sees their labor for him.

Each message was individualized. Each drew upon the unique nature of the particular community among whom the saints dwelt.

Ephesus was hard-working, persevering, intolerant of evil, discerning, and enduring. From the outside they would seem to be ideal. But their motivation was lacking. They had left their first love and needed to repent.

Smyrna was suffering and poor in the eyes of their community. They were slandered by self-described Jews. But in the eyes of the Lord they were rich, praise-worthy, and victorious. Jesus encouraged faithfulness at the cost of death. He conquered death, and promised the same to them.

Pergamum shared a ZIP code with Satan. The seat of emperor worship was located there. The pressure to deny Jesus would have never relented. Even though they saw one of their own killed, they held firm to Jesus’ name and did not deny his words. Yet they were tolerant of those who proposed compromise. Food was scarce, peer-pressure was harsh. Some among them were willing to go along with the demands to worship the emperor. For the sake of these compromisers the congregation needed to repent. Jesus would provide the nourishment and the freedom that truly mattered.

Thyatira was working, loving, faithful, and growing. But some were tolerant of sexual immorality and idolatry. Some needed to repent, while others needed to hold fast. Jezebel was once a queen, but Jesus is the true king, and he grants his authority to those who conquer.

Sardis had a name of usefulness, but to Jesus they were dead. Most were not serving Jesus, but there were still a few “names.” Remember, Jesus knows who his people are. He knows their names. If you are his, he knows your name. While many garments had been soiled, some were walking with white garments. They were worthy.

Philadelphia was small and held in contempt by many, but Jesus was proud of their faithfulness. Those who were vexing them would one day bow before them. He tells them to hold on, keep your crown, and receive the name of God, the name of the church, and the name of the Lord.

Laodicea was not useful. They were not hot like the springs in Hierapolis, nor were they cold like the refreshing water in Colossae. These Christians took the temperature of their city instead of changing it. They thought they had everything they needed, but they were lacking everything of importance.

Jesus knew all these Christians. He loved each of them. The promise he made to Laodicea is one of the sweetest promises we can imagine: Open the door and have fellowship, conquer this life and reign for eternity.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Jesus implores everyone to hear what he says to the churches (Revelation 3:22).

If Jesus directed a message to your congregation, what would it say? If he wrote one directly to your heart, what would the message be?

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 9-25-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

9-28 Steve Weeks

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in extended care now. Keep praying, please!

Bobbie Taylor, has gall bladder problems. Surgery to be scheduled.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Time and chance

“The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV).

 

Fatalism is an attractive doctrine to many. That is the idea that our destiny is predetermined and that whatever it may be is unalterable. We cannot change it, therefore the best course in life is simply to accept “whatever will be” and be content. Note that this is not the same as predestination in that the latter doctrine, at least as proposed by some who claim to be Christian, presupposes God as the one who so purposes. Fatalism is often accepted by agnostics and atheists as by various religions.

The appeal of fatalism is that it relieves humans of responsibility. Nothing one does can change his fated destiny, therefore what he or she does will not ultimately matter. Live in whatever manner pleases you and accept the outcome as inevitable.

Solomon does not teach or endorse fatalism in the passage cited at the beginning of this article, no matter how much it may seem at first reading that he does. If anything, he proposes the very opposite. Common sense would argue that the fastest person will always win the race and the strongest will win a fight. But if that were the case there would be little need to actually stage the contests. Figure it out “on paper” (by relative past performances and statistics) and award the winner whatever prize is due. The results are certain.

Except that they are not. Two of the racehorses widely believed to be the greatest ever (Man of War and Secretariat) each lost one race to competitors that were clearly inferior. Yes, the fastest horse should win, but unfavorable conditions, the developments of the race, and sometimes simply having a bad day, can all affect the outcome.

Solomon calls those circumstances “time and chance,” and affirms that they happen to everyone. Life does not always occur according to a script or a set of rules. There are accidents, coincidences, and unforeseen occurrences which alter outcomes.

Recognizing those uncertainties can be uncomfortable. If such things can change my life, both for the better and for the worse, how can I overcome them or avoid them? How can I live so that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28)?

James exhorts us to live by prayer and trust in God’s providence. “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:15). We cannot prevent time nor chance, but God can. It is he who is for us, therefore we fear no one who may seem to be against us (Romans 8:31). Human strength cannot guarantee victory: God’s power can and does.

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 9-18-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, but still a ways to go. Keep praying, please!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, heart valve replacement needed

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Back to school

Article:

God’s promises to the lonely, burdened, and guilty

Someone has said there are 8,810 promises in the Bible. These include promises God made to man, man made to God and man made to man. God’s promises are consistently uplifting because we can be assured he will do whatever he has said he will do. God spoke a promise to Abraham and made an oath to confirm it, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

God’s truth to the lonely demonstrates the reassuring fact that they will never be truly alone if they are faithful to God.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Moses delivered powerful words to the children of Israel as Joshua took over the leadership.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Their wilderness experience proves that to be true, despite their rebellion and unfaithfulness (Nehemiah 9:16-21). David realized God was there no matter where he went (Psalm 139:7-12).

The burdened can seize upon God’s promised relief. Peter told scattered Christians, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). He heard the Savior’s invitation.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Christians have a promised rest from labor when they die. It is powerful to note that God has also promised their works will continue, the reward for which will follow them (Revelation 14:13).

Few things in life are more debilitating than guilt. Paul understood that as well as any. He passed on a great promise.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Paul expressed it in vivid terms.

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25a).

Peter explained how salvation comes to the crowd gathered around the forty year old lame man who had been healed. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” which is another way of saying what he told the conscience pricked crowd on Pentecost (Acts 3:19; 2:37-38). Christians still slip from time to time, but can know their sins will be cleansed if they walk in the light with the Master (1 John 1:7). Jesus will stand by the side of those relying on him (1 John 2:1-2).

There is no need to despair. God is there to help the lonely, burdened and guilty. All we have to do is submit to our loving Father in obedience to his will.

Gary Hampton, link to original article

Bulletin for 9-11-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, bad car wreck, transferred to Children’s Hospital in Temple. Prayers still needed!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, mild heart attack

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea is doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Back to school

Sympathy: Bobbie & Regena’s aunt, Lara Gray passed away this week. Also, Mary Ann Gafford passed away from a massive stroke. her services are posted in the Rylie Facebook group. Please keep both of these families in your prayers.

Article:

Promising freedom

One of the great promises in the New Testament is that of freedom.

Christ has set us free from bondage to the Law given on Mt. Sinai (Galatians 5:1), free from sin (Romans 6:7), and free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). These freedoms in Christ are precious indeed.

While we are free, we are still slaves. If we are in Christ then we are slaves of obedience (Romans 6:16), righteousness (Romans 6:18), God (Romans 6:22), and Christ himself (Galatians 1:10). We are under the “royal law” (James 2:8), and serve King Jesus.

This means that our actions, attitudes, and doctrine must be aligned with his desires. Our pride and selfishness must be abandoned as we carry our cross and follow him.

But there are those who promise unfettered freedom. Service to God seems like such a chore. Why must you give up who you are or what you love for the will of someone else?

Peter spoke of this attitude in clear terms:

“But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!  Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire” (2 Peter 2:12-22 ESV).

That was a long quote, so if you skipped over it please go back and read it.

Notice that these false teachers promised freedom yet they were “slaves of corruption” (2 Peter 2:19). Because they were slaves of corruption, Peter could likened them to irrational animals, blots and blemishes, and accursed children.

This type of freedom enslaves people to peer pressure, doubt, misery, pride, envy, and self-loathing. We are the worst kind of master. When we serve self we become miserable.

True joy is more than a veneer of pleasure, and it requires more than a modicum of effort. But the end results are satisfying in every way.

Praise God that he can rescue us from ourselves!

Remember, you will always serve something. Choose your master carefully.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 9-4-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, bad car wreck, critical condition in a Waco hospital. Prayers needed!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, mild heart attack

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea‘s doing well after her surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

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Article:

Our Faithful God

Men sometimes disappoint because they are not faithful to their promises. God, in stark contrast, is faithful. Moses sang, “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). Israel’s psalm writers also praised God for his faithfulness (Psalm 36:5; 119:90). Jeremiah, even in an hour of great sorrow, could write, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lamentations 3:22-23). If God promised it, you can wait knowing he will keep his word.

God always keeps his promises. Moses told the second generation of Israelites, “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9). God’s covenants most often include promises and conditions. Note Moses’ emphasis on the blessings provided to those who “love Him and keep His commandments.” Joshua closed his time as God’s appointed leader with similar words. “So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it” (Joshua 21:43). He also declared, “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed” (Joshua 23:14). Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple included the fact that God kept his promise to David (1 Kings 8:23-25).

Men may fail to keep their promises because they lack the strength or cannot due to changes in health or even death. God is able to keep his promises because he is all powerful (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). He is also unchanging (Numbers 23:19). The fact that he is also all knowing means he will not promise something for future days that may prove to be outside of his reach. “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 43:9b-10).

Everything we have already observed should cause us to rejoice in the promises of God. Those set apart in Christ experience the blessings of the promises of the Almighty through fellowship with him and his Son. Paul proclaimed, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). We can be assured he will not allow temptation to come our way that we cannot overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). Fellowshipping with him in the light will result in a continual cleansing through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). He has promised his people a place in heaven, guaranteed by the very fact that he cannot lie. We are assured a heavenly home because our Savior has blazed the trail to heaven and remains there as our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 6:16-20).

Thank God we have a faithful God who has, does and will keep his promises!

Gary Hampton, link to original article

Bulletin for 8-28-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

8-28 David and Rosibel Mendoza

8-30 Jennifer Mendoza

Prayer requests:

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, mild heart attack

Dena Weeks had cataract surgery on both eyes now. Doing amazingly well.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea‘s surgery coming up.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Back to school

Article:

Priorities: how different our experiences are

“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37 NKJV).

I grew up in the U.S Bible Belt, the child of devout Christians. Everyone I knew went to church and thought that it was important to do so. Later, when I would visit members whose attendance was irregular, they would often say something like “I know I ought to be in church.” Putting God and his work ahead of other things was a principle which was accepted by many.

I don’t need to tell most of you that this is not true of most of the world, and not nearly as true in the area where I grew up as it might have once been. Here in South Asia the local religions do not practice regular assemblies in the same way that Christians do. The Islamic Friday, for example, is a day when people (especially men) will go to the mosque at some point to pray, but not necessarily at a set time. The idea that everyone must attend worship assemblies is unknown to the majority of people.

For that reason, it can be difficult to teach new Christians the importance of assembly. I was recently invited to a birthday party on a Sunday evening for the young son of a local church member. When I asked about a potential conflict with worship it had obviously not really occurred to him that it might be a problem. A few minutes discussion of the importance of putting God first caused him to change the celebration plans.

One of the issues I struggle with in adapting to different cultures is to appreciate how very different our experiences are and how much those experiences affect our understanding and practice. It is not that the people of other nations disagree on what one should do – it is that some of the things which we value and practice have just not really occurred to them. And it may take the evangelist some time to realize just what gaps exist.

A simple principle, like putting Jesus first, has many applications. Some seem very obvious to us. Exposure to others may reveal that we are mistaken. Patience and understanding will often help us to teach and develop proper applications, resulting in spiritual growth for all.

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 8-21-22

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

8-24 Ruben Turcios, Jr

Prayer requests:

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Please pray for him, his family and friends.

Tonita, Paul’s friend, mild heart attack

Dena Weeks has cataract surgery, one down one to go, Wed 24. So far, so good.

J R Medellin, Tiffany’s (Chance) husband, still doing well. Vanessea‘s surgery coming up.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Leslie Girvin, had a fall this week and sprained both wrists, 6-8 weeks recovery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, not doing well.

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Back to school

Article:

A moment in time

How much is a moment worth? What can you really gain or lose in a moment?

When Jesus was tempted, “the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” (Luke 4:5 ESV). The NET says, “in a flash.” The word means “literally a mark made by a pointed instrument, a dot” (Vincent’s Word Studies). It is “like our ‘second’ of time or tick of the clock” (Robert’s Word Pictures).

It is a fascinating thought that in a particular instant, Satan showed Jesus all the “kingdoms of the inhabited-earth” (MLV). While a second seems so inconsequential, a moment can be very significant.

These moments can seem to come suddenly. My wife wisely told my oldest that it is good to determine in your mind what you will do before you are asked to do something consequential.

Sin so often comes down to a moment, where one decision to do or abstain, to go or stay, to speak or remain silent is the difference between faithfulness and sin. Lives of countless people can be altered in a moment of time. Souls can be won or lost in a moment of time.

Eve, Esther, Judas, and Peter each had a significant moment. What happened in those moments and after them are instructive.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6)

“So when the woman saw,” is a moment that changed the world. Sin doesn’t just happen. The sin progression is described in James 1:14, 15:

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Being tempted is not a sin, but it is our moment of decision. When Eve “saw,” was the moment her desire conceived and she acted upon her temptation.

All of us have been impacted by this moment. Every pain we feel and every life lost to sickness can be traced back to this moment in the garden.

Esther was queen to Ahasuerus. Her cousin had learned of a plot to kill all the Jews. When Mordecai brought this to Esther’s attention, her first thought was that she could not speak to the king without risking her life. Mordecai convinced her:

“Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13, 14).

Her time was now. Esther’s moment saved a nation.

We all know the tragedy of Judas’ life. A chosen disciple, Judas used his position to help himself financially. While the Jewish leaders were constantly plotting to kill Jesus, Judas went to the chief priests and asked for blood money to deliver Jesus over to them.

“And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:16).

After Jesus was delivered to Pilate, Judas changed his mind. But he could not get back that moment. The Jews would not take the money back, and what was done could not be undone. Seeing no other way, Judas hanged himself.

While we cannot relive a moment, no moment is beyond repair. Peter denied the Lord three times, each an opportunity to confess the Lord before men. But Jesus was willing to redeem that moment of betrayal.

‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ (John 21:15).

In Jesus’ mercy, Peter found forgiveness and direction. God desires to be merciful toward our iniquities, and he promises to remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).

We all have moments that we wish we could have back. God is willing to redeem those moments. Jesus would have forgiven Judas, and he forgave Peter, he is willing to forgive you.

Prepare for your moment, be ready to serve. But remember that God can and will forgive.

Lee Parish, link to original article