WALKING IN TRUTH

“I rejoice greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father” (II John 4). This text is found in the chapter that we studied Sunday night. They were walking in the truth as evidenced by the fact that the truth was dwelling in them. “For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever” (II John 2). Since truth is to be our guide, it is important that we consistently live by it. We need to walk in truth. The term walking in truth is often used to indicate manner of life or behavior. This was action that was continuing and progressing toward a goal. Jesus made the statement, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). Later in the book of John we read “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). That tells me that if I am walking in the truth, I am walking as God’s word directs me. This was a theme that was common for John to write about. He stated in I John 3:18,19, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”

John knew that the truth was at stake when he wrote II John. He wanted them to know how important it was to uphold the truth and defend it. There were false teachers then as there are now. The only way to stand against such is to know what the truth is. That is simply another way to say I need to know what the Bible states.

We made this statement, which I truly believe; “No one who loves the truth will object to having it called to his or her attention.” We should love the truth, we should walk in the truth, and we should abide in the truth. Our lives need to be directed by, what does the word of God say. I believe it is important also to realize that we have to walk in all the truth. We cannot say that we walk in some of the truth or most of the truth. It is something you must accept as a complete package. Psalm 119:160 “The sum of thy word is truth” (American Standard Version). Are you walking in the truth?

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WHITEOUT

The Associated Press ran a headline this week stating: “Record-Smashing Snow Storm Blankets East Coast.” With the 10 inches to 20 inches that fell this week across a large portion of the U.S. East Coast, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington have received more snow this winter than any time since record-keeping began.

Have you ever heard the term “WHITEOUT” ? Perhaps the affected areas have experienced this phenomenon. Some may not know what the term means.

The word has several uses:

1. (noun) an arctic atmospheric condition with clouds over snow produce a uniform whiteness and objects are difficult to see; occurs when the light reflected off the snow equals the light coming through the clouds

2. (verb) lose daylight visibility in heavy fog, snow, or rain

3. (verb) cover up with a liquid correction fluid * [* From www.definitions.net]

As the white blanket of snow falls across the land (and perhaps our own back yards), consider a wonderful word picture of the forgiveness of God...

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as WHITE as SNOW; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” – Isaiah 1:18

The Lord’s description of the sins of Israel also describes our OWN. OUR sins “are like scarlet,” “red like crimson.” OUR lives are stained with our mistakes – things that we’ve done (1 John 3:4) or left undone (James 4:17). And, “the wages of sin is DEATH” (Romans 6:23).

Yet the Lord’s message to Israel was that if they would consider their situation (“reason with God”) and turn to Him in humility and penitence, He would forgive their sins and wash them away, leaving them “as white as snow.”

He’ll do the same for YOU and for me – IF– we will respond to Him on His terms!

God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins. The blood that Jesus shed in His death is the payment for our redemption. OUR sins can be washed away through the blood of Jesus leaving our souls “as white as snow.”

He has promised to cleanse us from sin when we respond to Him by:

believing and trusting Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance

(Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being

baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

He has promised to CONTINUE to cleanse the child of God from sin AS HE CONTINUES to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

We ALL need a whiteout! Won’t YOU allow God to cleanse you from your sins so that you can be “as white as snow”?

--David A. Sargent, Minister, Living Water, 02/12/10

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THREE THINGS YOU WILL NOT HEAR

ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

The concept of a coming Day of Judgment is not a fantasy or fable. It is a fact. Paul told the people in ancient Athens that God “hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). All people that have ever lived on the earth will be brought before the throne of God, and His glorious Son will judge each one of them (Matthew 25:31-33). Some things will be missing on that great day, so do not expect to see or hear them.

(1) On the Day of Judgment, no one will say, “There is no God.” According to the Bible, that is what fools say while living in this world (Psalm 14:1). However, on judgment day this truth about God will be clear to all: “He is” (Hebrews 11:6). “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

(2) On the Day of Judgment, no one will say, “One religion is as good as another.” On that day all will know without a doubt that only through Jesus can people come to the Father (John 14:6). All will see that only those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb are redeemed from past sins (Revelations 5:9), and the only way for His blood to keep on cleansing a person is for that person to continue to walk in the light of His word (I John 1:7).

(3) On the Day of Judgment, no one will say, “I regret that I did my best to follow Jesus faithfully.” Friends, the crown of life is for the faithful—period! (Revelation 2:10). It is the good and faithful servant who will hear on that day, “Well done. . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Regret such a reward? Never! Every service attended, every prayer offered, every minute spent in Bible study, every visit made, every mile driven or walked for the Cause—all of this and so much more will make us think, as the old hymn says, “Heaven will surely be worth it all.”

May we all give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10-11).

--Roger Campbell, Cleveland TN, House to House, Heart to Heart, Vol. 14, #3.

MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Feb 21, 2010

THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE

WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM

Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glen Reece

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton

Scriptures Reading....I Cor 14:.31-35.. .Tim Hommrich

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Harold Smith

Opening Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper

Lord’s Supper-Preside: Mitchell Brooks

Serve: Jimmy Smith, Ricky Kirby

Brian Smith, Ethan Leonard

Closing Prayer............................. Brian Harville

Greeter— Billy & Karen Halliburton

Greeter— Jimmy & Melanie Smith

Count Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

AM Sermon— What Must I Believe?

PM Sermon— Questions and Answers

WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton

Song Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr.

Scripture Reading.. I Cor. 14:36-40…Tim Hommrich

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith

Lord’s Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Robert Hackett

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Kemp

BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

First Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ricky Kirby.

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mitchell Brooks

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold Smith

Prepare Communion for February

Patsy Reece

Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

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: We cleaned out the pantry so we really need non-perishable items of your choice.

MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD

NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,

Those on the sick list:

Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou Gehrig’s disease

Hoss West

Vaughn Allen

Barry Wayne Kemp

Ruby Sutton—NHC, Franklin TN.

OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 02/14/10

Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Worship Sunday AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Bible Study Sunday AM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Worship Sunday PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,593.00

Cody Anderson’s address is:

RCT Anderson, Cody Hix

3^rd BN, Lima Co, PLT 3026

P. O. Box 13005

MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905

Please send letters only.

We sent a total of $12,500.00 to the Estes church of Christ for the relief work in Haiti. Thank you for being so generous.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Skating party at Happy J Skating Rink on Feb 25^th. from 6-8 PM.

BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR. FEB

01 Lev. 12-14

02 Lev. 15-17

03 Lev. 18-20

04 Lev. 21-25

05 Lev. 26-27

06 Num. 1-4

07 Num. 5-7

08 Num. 8-10

09 Num. 11-13

10 Num. 14-16

11 Num. 17-21

12 Num. 22-24

13 Num. 25-27

14 Num. 28-30

15 Num. 31-33

16 Num. 34-36

17 Deut. 1-3

18 Deut. 4-8

19 Deut. 9-11

20 Deut. 12-14

21 Deut. 15-17

22 Deut. 18-20

23 Deut. 21-23

24 Deut. 24-26

25 Deut. 27-30

26 Deut. 31-34

27 Joshua 1-3

28 Joshua 4-6