Posts

Bulletin for 3-6-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-6 Gladys Ramirez

3-8 Dena Weeks

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, recovering from thyroid surgery.

Marilyn Jones is at Lakepointe Hospital. Brain tumors are causing breathing issues. Pray hard.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, her cancer seems to be under control for the moment.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

Doris Coley, regular listener, also recovering from knee surgery.

Gary & Sally Nelson, Gary’s dental surgery Thursday.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

Charles Couch passed away last week. Also, another classmate of Steve’s, Benny Garner, passed away.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

The pilgrim’s place

The founder of Forthright has lived in Brazil since 1984. Current regular contributors to this publication live and work in countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Though published in English, one might say that this is an international affair.

Yet in a very real way that is a misnomer. While the writers — and readers — of Forthright live in various places all over this globe, as Christians we are all citizens of the same country.

There have been many good articles written about our pilgrimage on this earth. You can see some of them here

In one very real sense, Christians are all wanderers, exiles, pilgrims. We are strangers in a strange land (see 1 Peter 2:11). God’s people have a history of being strangers.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents in a foreign land.

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

David claimed the mantle of a sojourner or “foreign resident” (Psalm 39:12; Psalm 119:19).

Perhaps the best preparation for the Christian exile is that of the Babylonian captivity. All those carried away lived in exile in a foreign land (see Jeremiah 29:1).

While the New Testament makes clear that Christians are strangers on earth, we are not hopelessly homeless.

Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus who were once connected with the kingdoms of this world but disconnected from the kingdom of God.

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11, 12).

Those who are not a part of God’s kingdom today share the same designation as those in Ephesus before they came to Christ. They are citizens of the kingdoms of men, but aliens to the eternal kingdom.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

What happened?

They have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13), who gave them access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). They were delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of the Father’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Those who were once at home on earth, have found a new home. Note the contrast in Colossians 1:13 (ESV, LEB), between the “domain of darkness” and the “kingdom” of his beloved son.

From an earthly perspective, Christians are sojourners, pilgrims, exiles, and aliens. But from a heavenly perspective, we are fellow citizens with the saints, part of the everlasting kingdom of the Most High (see Daniel 7:13, 14, 27).

Contemplate for a moment the implications of this phrase, “fellow citizens with the saints.”

This means that I am connected to the fellow saints who contribute to Forthright, not in some nebulous or tenuous way, but we are fellow citizens of the same kingdom!

Christians all over the world, in every country where they may be found, are joined into one everlasting kingdom.

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever” (Micah 4:1-5).

The prophet’s vision of this great kingdom is a reality.  May it press upon our minds and sink deep within our hearts.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-27-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

3-1 Mauricio Ramirez

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, recovering from thyroid surgery.

Marilyn Jones is not doing well. Some new developments in her brain scans… keep praying.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, her cancer seems to be under control for the moment.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo recovering from knee replacement surgery

Doris Coley, regular listener, also recovering from knee surgery.

Gary & Sally Nelson, Gary’s dental surgery rescheduled due to icy weather.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Loving the brotherhood

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17 ESV).

What is “the brotherhood”? It is the “family of believers” (NET), “God’s people” (CEV), who have become brothers and sisters in the Lord (see Philemon 1:16).

Loving the brotherhood is not an option, but a command. It is essential that we love God’s people. God loved us, and “anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Loving God is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37), and love of neighbor as self is second (Matthew 22:38), upon these two depend all the law and prophets (Matthew 22:39).

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

Loving the brotherhood includes liking it.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:9, 10).

Our selfless love (agape), must be authentic. It leads us to hate sin (Jude 1:23), and cling to what is good (1 Peter 3:10-11). But that selfless love also includes affection, which drives us to be “devoted to one another” (NET). Instead of desiring places of honor for ourselves, we urge them for others. Instead of pushing for recognition, we push to recognize others.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

Loving the brotherhood requires sacrifice.

God demonstrates his love for us through his sacrifice (John 3:16; Romans 5:8, 9; John 15:13). If we love God we will sacrifice (Luke 9:23, 24). If we love the brothers we will sacrifice.

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).

Love compels us to sacrifice our time (Hebrews 10:22-25), our comforts (1 John 3:17, 18; James 2:16), and our rights (Romans 14:15).

Love impels us to speak when the body of Christ is in peril. The Scriptures detail many different approaches to dealing with error (e.g., 2 John 9; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; 1 Timothy 5:19-20). Restoring the fallen comes with risks. Yes, we risk the anger of those in sin. We risk accusations from those without and within. But love will gladly bear that burden time and again.

Love seeks unity in truth.

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

When we are baptized into Christ, we are added to the church that he purchased (Acts 2:47; 20:28). Christ established the brotherhood. He establishes fellowship.

Our task is not to make or break the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” but to maintain it (Ephesians 4:3). This takes work. Left to our own, we might “bite and devour one another,” and like the Pac-Man game, we will consume each other (Galatians 5:15). Yet it is the power of love that directs us away from such destruction (Galatians 5:14).

Our influence in our community is tied to our unity in truth. In his prayer to the Father, Jesus asked the Father to “sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). He sent those who were sanctified in truth into the world. Their unity — based upon the unity of the Father and the Son — would determine how the world recognized them (John 17:21-23). But Jesus also prayed this very thing for you (John 17:20).

When brothers abuse and malign us, we are called to peace (Romans 12:18). We are to love those who hate us; and to those who give to us evil, we return good (Romans 12:17-21).

Truth is the foundation of love.

A man of God must not insist on his own way (1 Corinthians 13:5), but he must insist on truth. If love is the foundation of unity, truth is the foundation of love. Unity is just an illusion if it is not based upon truth.

Love the brotherhood by cherishing it, sacrificing for it, and being united in it in truth.

Lee Parish, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-20-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

2-20 Eleuterio Oviedo

2-22 Lucas Camacho

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, recovering from thyroid surgery.

Marilyn Jones good MRI report. Another PET scan in the future, some side effects to radiation.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo knee replacement surgery coming up

Paul Tyler has had some rough times with illness and his vehicle.

Gary & Sally Nelson, still recovering from Covid. Gary has major dental surgery this week.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke.

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

Condolences and Sympathy:

Al Sissom passed to his reward last Thursday. Services are at Laurel Oaks on Lake June. Visitation, Wed. 6-8 pm. Funeral and burial Thur. 12:30 pm.

Sean Brooks, friend of Paul’s, passed away for complications of covid.

Sharon Gerstman, passed away suddenly from a massive stroke.

Keep these families in your prayers, please.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Come to me

A man once told his friend he was in deep trouble. He used a well-known figure of speech to describe it. He said, “I’m at the end of my rope.” The figure means he was out of solutions to his problems. He didn’t know where to turn.

He isn’t alone.

People are in desperate trouble everywhere. According to the World Health Organization, 3.8 percent of the earth’s population has depression.

For those who consider themselves religious, there is also trouble. According to the Pew Research Center, government religious restrictions (or persecutions) have risen to their highest level since 2007.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pressures have driven people into isolation where their problems are compounded and seem almost insurmountable.

Many have become fearful and nervous. They have endured several situations for so long they don’t know how, when, or where to get help. They feel lost, lonely, and vulnerable. What can they do?

Jesus has the answer. He said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry,” (Matthew 11:28-30).

There has never been a better time to go back to the Bible and find the salvation you need for your soul. Jesus offers the only help anyone could ever get. He has the answers to the most difficult problems in life.

One who needs his help, however, must go to him and obey his word. Find him now in the New Testament. Grab a copy and start reading and studying.

John Henson, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-13-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, thyroid surgery Feb 9. Removed part of it. Recovering at home.

Marilyn Jones good MRI report. Another PET scan in the future.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo knee replacement surgery coming up

Paul Tyler has had a rough time with covid this week.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, moved to skilled nursing facility.

Gary & Sally Nelson, still recovering from Covid.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke. Wendi back home now.

Sean Brooks, friend of Paul’s, has covid.

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

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Faithful defiance

One of the characteristics of a faithful Christian life is submission.

As our perfect example, Jesus submitted to the Father (John 6:38; Philippians 2:5-9). As Jesus submitted to the Father, the church must submit to Christ (Ephesians 5:23-24). Christians submit to each other (Ephesians 5:21), by subordinating our own will for the needs and desires of others (Philippians 2:3). We should submit to shepherds (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5), as they watch out for the souls of the sheep. Wives are to submit to their husbands (Colossians 3:18), slaves to their masters (1 Peter 2:18), and all Christians to the government (1 Peter 2:13).

It matters not if we like the decisions that are made. There is no room for prideful disobedience to these commands, for we have completely submitted ourselves to the Father of spirits and to his law (Hebrews 12:9; Romans 8:7).

Yet this submission also demands a type of defiance, a faithful defiance.

We find an example of this in the life of Nehemiah. The former cupbearer to the king turned governor had many enemies. Sanballat was greatly displeased “that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel” (Nehemiah 2:10). He accused Nehemiah of rebelling against the king (Nehemiah 2:19), and jeered at the Jews (Nehemiah 4:1). He tried to lure Nehemiah away in order to harm him (Nehemiah 6:2). When that failed he paid Shemaiah to convince Nehemiah to seek shelter in the temple (Nehemiah 6:10; see Numbers 18:7). Nehemiah’s response is one of faithful defiance, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in” (Nehemiah 6:11).

He would not run from the threats, for he was God’s man. He would not enter the temple, for that was sin. His piercing question reverberates to this day, “Should such a man as I run away?”

Nehemiah would not abandon the LORD or his people, but would stand in faithful defiance of those who would entice him to sin.

We stand in faithful defiance when we heed the words of Paul to Corinth, “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We stand in faithful defiance when we “stand firm and hold to the traditions that [we] were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Elders stand in faithful defiance when they “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught,” so that they “may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). There are those who are “empty talkers and deceivers” who must be “silenced” (Titus 1:0, 11). Shepherds are God’s men for the task.

Preachers stand in faithful defiance when they “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Paul’s warning to Timothy that there would be those who will not endure sound teaching (2 Timothy 4:3-4), is fulfilled with each new generation. And the solution to such a problem remains the same, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Christians stand in faithful defiance when we cling to God’s glorious word in the face of “false teachers” who bring in “destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). We stand in faithful defiance to the pride and selfishness of the world, when we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), and become more like our Lord.

In 1955, William F. Buckley, Jr. stated that his new magazine’s task was to stand “athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.” At the risk of mixing the holy with the profane, I say we stand in faithful defiance when we stand athwart the truth, yelling stop to those who would exchange her for a lie.

Those who submit to God must resist the devil (James 4:7). It may be that we feel we are alone — we are not. It may be that people have little patience for our plea. But the man of God will — with all love and faithfulness — fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

Like Nehemiah before us, let us pose this question, “Shall people such as us run away?”

Bulletin for 2-6-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

2-8 David Mendoza

2-10 Sam & Alice Pirozzo, Dan & Carolyn Anthony

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, thyroid surgery Feb 9.

Marilyn Jones maintenance chemo, scans last week, doing well with physical rehab.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo knee replacement surgery coming up

Steve Weeks, negative for covid! Thanks for the prayers!

Paul Tyler has had a rough time with covid this week.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, hip surgery in Feb 2.

Gary Nelson, dental surgery postponed due to Covid.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, stroke. Wendi back home now.

Sean Brooks, friend of Paul’s, has covid.

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

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Blindsides

“Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23 NASB).

For more than two years the world has been battling the Covid 19 pandemic. Hospitals have been over-filled, non-emergency surgeries have been postponed or cancelled, and a great percentage of medical time, talent and resource has been devoted to this single virus. Yet people continue to contract other diseases which require attention.

For example (though not involving Covid), a young child in India was admitted to a hospital to be treated for leukemia, but before those treatments could begin, he contracted Dengue fever. He could not be treated for the life-threatening disease until the less severe (but dangerous) fever was cured.

A spiritual application of this same principle is obvious. Jesus once pointed out to religious leaders in Israel that their efforts to apply even relatively minute features of the law of Moses was blinding them to the importance of major principles (Matthew 23:23). Sometimes it is the trees which prevent us from appreciating the forest; at other times it is the “big picture” which blinds us to smaller important details.

This leads to the neglect of important duties of Christian living and to the participation in socially acceptable sins. We “go to Church,” give generously, and avoid “major” sins (adultery, theft, etc.), yet spend little time in private devotional activities, instructing and influencing our children, or showing mercy to others. We also often indulge ourselves in anger, resentments, greed, and gossip (Ephesians 4:25-32).

One’s fear of Covid may cause him or her to avoid doctor’s offices even when symptoms of other ailments suggest the need. Our over-emphasis on certain religious activities or doctrines may also cause us to neglect commands of equal importance, whether of duties we must perform or sins we must avoid.

This also applies to the Church’s teaching and preaching. Paul was able to state to the elders of the Church in Ephesus, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). And, again, “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27).

A perceived overemphasis on doctrine in earlier generations has caused a more recent focus on “spiritual values” such as God’s love and mercy, and lessons which lead to a good self-image and greater harmony with others. Many older Christians long for more teaching on sin, judgment, and “sound doctrine.” “Millennials” are happy with what they perceive to be a more tolerant and less demanding approach.

The late Ira North wrote an important book on “Balance.” He emphasized the need for wholistic preaching and teaching, as well as attention to all parts of a congregation (all ages, social strata, etc.), and to every part of individual life – body, spirit and soul. We neglect groups with dire consequences. We neglect human needs at the same risks.

In the text used at the beginning of this article, Jesus’ last phrase is critical: “. . . but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” His response to Satan’s first temptation in the wilderness is also to the same point: “It is written, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). At the end of his time on earth he instructed the apostles to make disciples by, after baptizing them, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20a).

No sin is minor. No command of God is unimportant. Let us not be blindsided by overemphasis on a few things while neglecting others.

–Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 1-29-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, thyroid surgery Feb 9.

Marilyn Jones maintenance chemo has been a little tough but doing well with physical rehab.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo knee replacement surgery was postponed until next month

Steve Weeks, sleep apnea, adjusted mouthpiece, we continue. Also, positive for Covid. Doing ok at home.

Paul Tyler also was positive for Covid this week.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, hip surgery in Feb 2.

Gary Nelson, dental surgery postponed due to Covid.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, is some better. Wendi back home now.

Sean Brooks, friend of Paul’s, has covid.

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

Luis Camacho’s family has suffered a loss. His sister’s father-in-law passed away.

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Israel: God’s chosen people

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6, ESV).

If there is an “unforgivable sin” in the minds of modern humanity it is that of intolerance and exclusivity. To claim to have a status before God (i.e., to be saved) from which others are excluded is considered arrogant, prideful, and prejudiced. For any religion to claim to have the only truth is offensive and unacceptable.

This attitude is contradictory to many Biblical teachings. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter taught, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Paul also taught the exclusive power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to save (Romans 1:16; 10:13-17). At ancient Athens he proclaimed,

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed” (Acts 17:31).

There will be a time when all men will be judged by a single standard. That is the essence of exclusivity.

But, as I taught in my last article, physical Israel is no longer “true” Israel. The Church which Jesus established (Matthew 16:18) has replaced the genealogical descendants of Abraham for that title. But much of the same language and concept still pertains. Peter said to Christians of his day,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

We, therefore, teach that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, that God his Father is the only true, living God, and that the Church to which they add the saved is the only body containing those who have fellowship with them (1 John 1:5-7). Is this exclusive? Yes, because the Bible demands it. But is it arrogant and prideful? Is it prejudice? Absolutely not.

The key is that though there is only one truth and one way to forgiveness from sins, that way is open to all who will accept it, regardless of nationality, race, social status, or other material considerations.

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1b-2).

No passage is clearer than the “Golden Text” of the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Again, it is stated, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). These and many other passages teach that the gospel is available and effective to everyone who will hear and obey it. No one is excluded except by their own unbelief and disobedience.

God’s natural laws work in exactly the same way. The law of gravity applies to everyone within the earth’s atmosphere. No one can ignore it safely. If I warn a friend not to step off a high precipice, am I acting arrogantly or with prejudice? Of course not.

When Christians preach a gospel of salvation based on faith in and obedience to Jesus, they are simply fulfilling God’s command to share their faith and their hope of eternal salvation. Those who hear this gospel are free to accept or reject it. God allows all of us this choice. But God has also made his choice, to accept those believers as his people and to receive them in eternal fellowship. For this grace we are deeply grateful.

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 1-23-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

None this week

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, thyroid surgery Feb 9.

Diane Esner, Joe’s mom, positive for Covid, she has several co-morbidities.

Chris Girvin and Lowell Taylor both doing well after surgery

Marilyn Jones maintenance chemo has been a little tough but doing well with physical rehab.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, still recovering from surgery.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio Oviedo will have knee replacement surgery Wednesday.

Steve Weeks, sleep apnea, appointment Wed.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, hip surgery in Feb 2.

Gary Nelson, dental surgery Thursday.

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, not well. Wendi has gone to be with her.

Sean Brooks, friend of Paul’s, has covid.

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

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Three words

It was only three words. Three very powerful words.

Death signals finality, ending, goodbye. Those three words must cause the most sorrow and pain one can experience in this life.

But Jesus spoke three of the most powerful words human beings have ever heard: “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). Then, a man who had been dead for four days walked out of his tomb dragging his grave clothes behind him.

Jesus told Lazarus’ sister, Martha, that if she believed she would see the glory of God. Then Jesus spoke those three words and Lazarus came out of the tomb.

This was the most spectacular event before or since!

But Jesus has something even more amazing waiting for humanity. One day, the Christ will raise every person who has ever lived and died. Millions and millions of people will hear the voice of God the Son and shall come out of their graves, tombs, and vaults. By his word, those still living will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52).

All of humanity will attend one final meeting together in which all will be judged before the one, true God.

On which side will you stand? Will you take your place with the redeemed of all ages, or with the condemned? The choice is yours. Make your decision to obey the gospel before you hear those three words on the last day of earth.

John Henson, link to original article

Bulletin for 1-16-22

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Birthdays and Anniversaries:

1-21 Al Sissom, Jefferson Mendoza

Prayer requests:

Kennedi Reames, her doctor has determined that a nodule on her thyroid is cancerous. Surgery Feb 9.

Paula Taylor is positive for Covid.

Dominic Esner has covid and strep.

Diane Esner, Joe’s mom, positive for Covid, she has several co-morbidities.

Chris Girvin and Lowell Taylor are recovering from surgeries.

Marilyn Jones maintenance chemo has been a little tough but doing well with physical rehab.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, small setback. Had an ulcer and needed blood, but doing ok.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Eleuterio & Lidia Oviedo have not been well.

Steve Weeks, sleep apnea, got the mouthpiece, struggling with it.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, hip surgery in Jan.

Gary Nelson, has not been feeling well.

Robert and Sue Waller, Robert has a severe toe infection, Sue is very ill.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, bone marrow transplant.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease, not well. Wendi has gone to be with her.

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

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

True Israel

“For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (Romans 9:6b NASB).

The proper noun Israel is used in the Bible to designate the patriarch previously known as Jacob (Genesis 32:28), the nation founded through him and his twelve sons (Romans 11:1-2), and the northern kingdom of ten tribes which was established after the death of Solomon (1 Kings 12:16).

New Testament writers added a fourth application of the name to include all those (including Gentiles) who are descendants of Abraham through faith, especially faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. In the text cited at the beginning of this article Paul is making this argument from the negative perception. Descendants of Abraham became the people of God known as Israel. But not all the descendants of Abraham received that designation. Neither Ishmael nor the children of Keturah (Genesis 25:1-11) were official heirs of their father, but only Isaac. And Isaac’s elder son, Esau, forsook his birth-right and did not share in the spiritual blessings reserved for Jacob (Israel).

The implication of Paul’s argument is that if not every physical descendant of Abraham was included in the special relationship of Israel, then it is possible that some who were not physical descendants could be so included. And indeed, they were. “That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of promise are regarded as descendants” (Romans 9:8).

Earlier in Romans he stated,

“For he is not a Jew (i.e. an Israelite) who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:28-29).

True Israel, to Paul, is that assembly of people who are in fellowship with God. They are no longer bound by obsolete covenants (such as the Law of Moses, Hebrews 8:7-13), but only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. So, “Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law” (Romans 9:30-31).

This understanding of course showed that God’s gift of salvation is to all mankind (Romans 10:13) and paved the way towards unity among all humanity (Ephesians 2:19).

“For he himself is our peace, who made both group into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in his flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in himself he might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace” (Ephesians 2:14-15).

Israel is not an antiquated phrase, nor one restricted to a physical nation. Those who follow the Bible can find identity, promise, and hope within the concept of a chosen people of God, identified not by genealogy or physical characteristics, but simply by trust in God and his Son. They are the true spiritual Israel, the children of promise, to whom all blessings are given.

Michael Brooks, link to original article

Bulletin for 1-2-22

/in /by

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

1-7 Paul Tyler

Prayer requests:

Marilyn Jones maintenance chemo has been a little tough but doing well with physical rehab.

Darlyne Stewart, Karl’s sister, small cancer spots on liver, therapy ongoing.

Paul Tyler, recovering from a fall with wrist injury and head wound. Back trouble.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, is not well.

Sharon Best, Steven’s mom, small setback. Had an ulcer and needed blood, but doing ok.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Some of our Spanish brethren have covid.

Eleuterio & Lidia Oviedo have not been well.

Steve Weeks, sleep apnea, got the mouthpiece, struggling with it.

Sharon Gerstman, regular member of our radio group, hip surgery in Jan.

Gary Nelson, all tests good, dental work coming soon.

Robert and Sue Waller, Robert has a severe toe infection, Sue is very ill.

David Shaffer, being treated for leukemia, had bone marrow transplant last week.

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, stage 4 kidney disease.

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

If you have more prayer requests, just message or text Steve and we will update!

Article:

Struggling with God

“He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28 NASB).

Jacob’s new name, given to him by God himself, is transliterated in our English Bibles rather than translated. That is, it is simply the Hebrew word spelled in English letters providing as close a phonetic equivalent as is possible between the two languages. The occasion of the renaming of the younger son of Isaac was a nighttime struggle with God immediately before a reunion with Jacob / Israel’s older brother Esau.

The new name was both prophetic and complimentary. The text of Genesis explains it, “You have striven with God and with men and prevailed.” A note in my edition of Scripture defines Israel as, “he who strives with God” or possibly, “God strives.”

Modern readers of this story find it difficult in that it seems to record an actual physical wrestling match between Jacob and God (in a human form) himself. Not only that, but the contest ended with Jacob prevailing. That is hard for us to comprehend, yet it is central to the point of the story.

Previously Jacob had been the clever usurper who obtained blessings and rights which had belonged to his brother (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-41). He continued that persona in his relationship with his father-in-law, Laban (Genesis 29-31). But upon his return to Canaan with his family, God revealed to him the change in character which he had achieved. He was no longer dependent upon trickery and deception but could stand up to all opposition with faith and courage.

Modern readers benefit from Jacob’s experience. That experience reveals that faith is not simply a passive acceptance of God or his will. Jacob wrestled with God – that is, his relationship was at times a struggle. God presents challenges to his people. God invites humans to participate with him in developing and growing our relationship with him. Our prayers may often include not only praise, petition, and thanksgiving, but also questions and laments.

It is natural that God’s will may be in opposition to our own. When that is the case, it is unlikely that we will surrender to him calmly or joyfully. There will often be a period of struggle in which we evaluate the situation and (hopefully) come to an agreement with his superior knowledge and wisdom. Giving up our own desires and opinions is never easy, nor does God expect it to be. But when we struggle and come to acceptance of his will, our trust in him grows.

Israel was an older and wiser man than Jacob had been. He was a man of greater faith, and of a closer walk with God. Much of that change may be attributed to his having strived with God and man and prevailed.

Michael Brooks, link to original article