You have no doubt heard people talking about simplifying their lives, as they get older. Perhaps it is because you begin to realize that all these ÒextrasÓ are just that. They are not essential for our living, or even our happiness. That seems to be what Solomon had concluded when he wrote the words found in Ecclesiastes 12:13,14. Notice several translations of this text.
ÒLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.Ó(KJV)
ÒThis is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear
God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will
bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or
whether it be evil.Ó (ASV)
ÒThe conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.Ó(NASV).
ÒEverything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.Ó (CEV).
The conclusion, the end of the matter can be summed up in the few words recorded by Solomon. It all comes down to this. We need to have reverence toward God and we need to commit ourselves to doing what God has instructed us to do. This is to be the priority of our lives. This is what life is supposed to be about. There is nothing else that should even come close to this priority. We have so many things crowding our lives on a day-to-day basis. Simplify life: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.
MOMENTS
OF PANIC
Many will learn the true meaning
of panic at ChristÕs return.
There were some anxious moments at
our house as my daughter and I prepared for our mission trip. Late in the packing
process we discovered that my passport that had been set out earlier, was not a
current passport!
That current passport was not
where we expected it to be.
For about an hour, we gave the
term ransack new meaning. God answered our fervent prayers and we found the
all-important document.
Those who travel understand the
seriousness of misplacing a passport. This document shows you are a citizen of
the United States and have been cleared for travel to other countries. Without
it I would have been denied admission to Peru. Actually, I wouldnÕt have been allowed onto the plane headed
for Peru. I would have been left behind.
As I reflect upon that
nerve-wracking episode, I think of a more vital appointment. Jesus spoke about
it in Matthew 25:31,32: ÒWhen the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the
holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the
nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goatsÓ (NKJV).
Following the pronouncement of
judgment, only two destinations will await those who have been sentenced. Of
the two, heaven and hell, all know the destination to which they want to go.
Earlier in that chapter (verses
1-13), Jesus spoke the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Ten young women
anxiously awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. The wait was longer than
expected and five of them found that their supply of oil for their lamps was
not sufficient.
While they were away buying oil,
the bridegroom came and the door was shut. The five foolish maidens were barred
from the celebration they had dreamed about. They should have made better
preparation.
There will be those at the Day of
Judgment who will experience panic far worse than I recently felt. They will
assume theyÕre ready for the coming of Jesus Ñ but they wonÕt be.
For them there will be no second
chance. The sound of heavenÕs door closing will be heard, and it will prompt
Òweeping and gnashing of teethÓ ( Matthew 25:30).
As
you read this, realize one thing: You have this opportunity to make
preparations for the coming of the Lord. You may not have another opportunity.
We urge you out of genuine Christian love to prepare your soul for the certain
arrival of Jesus Christ!
--Tim Hall (September 25, 2009) forthright.net
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct 25, 2009
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Hackett
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Cole
Scriptures Reading.. .. . . Gal 2:10-14É..Brian Harville
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold
Smith
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper
LordÕs Supper-Preside:
Mitchell Brooks
Serve: Jimmy Smith, Ethan Leonard,
Zac
Grubbs, Brian Smith
Closing Prayer................................ Larry
Kemp
Greeter- Jimmy & Melanie
Smith
Greeter- Billy & Karen Halliburton
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM Sermon- . Ben Flatt
speaking
PM SermonÑBen Flatt speaking
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry Cole
Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr
Scripture Reading.. . . .Gal. 2:15-21É. Brian Harville
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy
Smith
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Billy Halliburton
Serve . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen
Reece
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy Smith
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ricky Kirby
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . ..Mitchell Brooks
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. .Harold Smith
Prepare Communion for Oct.
Patsy Taylor
Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed
above, please notify the coordinator
so that he can find a replacement.
The following books, CDÕs and
DVDÕs were placed in library in
memory of Mitchell Smith. Sermon Design and Delivery, Sermon Outlines on the
Parables of Jesus, DVDÑWhat about Instrumental Music in Worship (Alan
Highers). CDÑof Sermons by
Marshall Keeble. Gifts were
received from Jackie and Jacqueline Carver and Billy and Karen Halliburton.
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou
GehrigÕs disease
Kathy
Harville
Vaughn
Allen Ðcancer has returned
Barry
Wayne Kemp
Charles
Owens
Kaleb
Bush will have out-patient surgery Wednesday.
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
77
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 45
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,814.00
10/11/09
WednesdayÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ65
Worship Sunday
AMÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ..101
Bible Study AMÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ84
Daily Bible
ReadersÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ..48
Worship Sunday
PMÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.67
OfferingÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ..$2475.00
Oct 18-21st. Fall Lectureship with Ben Flatt. Sunday at regular
times. Mon-Wed at 7:00 PM.
We are asking each family to
bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise:
Items for week: Cooking Oil.
.
|
01
Micah 5-7 02
Nahum 1-3 03
Habakkuk 1-3 04
Zephaniah 1-3 05
Hag. 1-2; Zech. 1 06
Zech. 2-4 07
Zech. 5-9 08
Zech. 10-12 09
Zech. 13-14;Mal.1 10
Mal. 2-4 11
Matt. 1-3 |
12
Matt. 4-6 13
Matt. 7-9 14
Matt. 10-14 15
Matt. 15-17 16
Matt. 18-20 17
Matt. 21-23 18
Matt. 24-26 19
Matt. 27-28; Mark 1 20
Mark 2-4 21
Mark 5-9 |
22
Mark 10-12 23
Mark 13-15 24
Mark 16; Lk.1-2 25
Luke 3-5 26
Luke 6-8 27
Luke 9-11 28
Luke 12-16 29
Luke 17-19 30
Luke 20-22 31 Luke 23-24
John 1 |