The news has been talking about Lance Armstrong the last few days. He is competing in the Tour-de-France, a bicycle race that covers 2200 miles. You read that number correctly. He was involved in a crash over the weekend that basically takes him out of the running to win the race this year. He won this race seven consecutive times after being diagnosed with cancer. I realize that Mr. Armstrong is not exactly the role model for the family, but one thing about his endurance in this sport stood out as I read an article about it this week. A friend of mine stated that perhaps the most impressive thing he has done is the establishment of the LiveStrong foundation, an organization that helps to encourage others who have been diagnosed with cancer. Instead of giving up in 1996 after receiving word of his illness, he chose to live strong.
We, as GodÕs children, are challenged to do the same thing. No matter what we face or what comes up in our lives, we need to determine that we are going to live strong. ÒTherefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healedÓ ( Hebrews 12:12,13). Sometimes we are the ones who need the encouragement to live strong and sometimes we are the ones who are to give the encouragement. The apostle Paul told us ÒFinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devilÓ (Ephesians 6:10,11). We are engaged in a race just like Mr. Armstrong is. Ours is a race of endurance just like his race. Our race is far more valuable to us than the Tour-de-France. The race we are to remain strong in will lead to eternal life. Listen to the Hebrew writer, ÒÉlet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GodÓ(Hebrews 12:1,2). We must stay strong in this race to the end and we have the perfect example to look to in order to finish. DonÕt look at the obstacles, look at Jesus.
AM I GOOD ENOUGH?
An old story is told of three men who meet at the end of a dock on a Florida beach. One of the men is an alcoholic and homeless. The second man is just an average guy. The third man is a fine, honorable man, well respected in the community. Suddenly, the alcoholic runs and jumps off the edge of the dock, land five feet out into the water. The other two men standing on the dock yell, ÒWhat are you trying to do?Ó
The man in the water yells back, ÒIÕm trying to jump across the Atlantic Ocean!Ó
The second man, the average Joe, says, ÒWatch me, I can do better than that!Ó He quickly runs across the dock, jumps and lands ten feet out into the water, twice as far as the alcoholic.
The third man, the outstanding man laughs and says, ÒThatÕs nothing, Watch this!Ó He backs up about fifty feet and makes a mad dash across the dock out into the water and lands twenty feet out, twice as far as average Joe, and four times as far as the homeless alcoholic.
If we were to actually see such an attempt we would think these three men were crazy for attempting to do the impossibleÑjump across the Atlantic Ocean! But people trying to earn their own salvation are even more foolish. God canÕt be approached by man on the basis of manÕs own moral goodness. Sometimes people are heard to say, ÒIÕm a good person. WonÕt God accept me and bring me to heaven?Ó This question shows a woeful lack of understanding of the grave nature of an individualÕs sin and the absolute holiness of God. If we were so good that we deserved heaven, salvation would be owed as a debt rather than something to be received as gift of grace (cf. Romans 11:6)
A truth made absolutely clear in the Bible is this: ÒNo, God will not accept me because I am not a good person.Ó Isaiah wrote, ÒBut we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us awayÓ (Isaiah 64:6).
A person may look moral when compared with other people, but when compared with Christ, all people fall perilously short. This is why Paul states, ÒFor all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GodÓ (Romans 3:23). No matter how moral any person might be, he or she has fallen short of the perfect mark of GodÕs righteousness. This is why in the next verse Paul declares that we have been Òjustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ JesusÓ (Romans 3:24).
There are a lot of people who do good things for others and demonstrate a level of morality. However, there is a big difference between morality and righteousness. Righteousness is defined and revealed by our Òrighteous FatherÓ in heaven, or seen in His Son ÒJesus Christ the righteousÓ (John 17:25; I John 2:1; Hebrews 4:15). To become righteous before God means that you are innocent or faultless in His sight. Such a person doesnÕt exist (cf. Romans 3:10). The only way anyone can stand in the presence of a righteous God is to be forgiven and declared righteous by faith in GodÕs work in Christ (Philippians 3:9). We are only accepted Òin the belovedÓ because we believe and trust in the righteous work that He did (Ephesians 1:6). When a person finally realizes this, he is on his way to realizing and receiving the free gift of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).
..Howell Ferguson, Bells, TNÑGlad
Tidings of Good Things, 01/21/10
WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP
PEOPLE SAVED?
1. Help People Grow in Their Faith. The last thing Peter said in his last epistle was to Ògrow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus ChristÓ (2 Peter 3:18). Seagulls ride the air currents as they flee turbulent weather offshore. Many people in congregations are fleeing storms. They are looking for currents that will lift them up and cause them to move forward. Church leaders must answer the question, ÒHow are we helping our people face the realities of life?Ó
2. Help People Develop Friendships with Other Christians. Those who do not develop friendships with others in the church generally fall away. Other Christians help us to be secure. People are like the giant California sequoias hose shallow roots intertwine. Family, friends, neighbors, the church body and other groups are reinforcing. When the strong winds of life blow, these people serve as reinforcement to hold each other up. Church leaders must answer the question, ÒHow are we helping our people develop friendships?Ó
3. Help People Become Involved. Everyone yearns to feel secure and significant. While friendships provide security, appropriate responsibility provides a sense of significance. New people want to be valued for their contribution as well as loved. Effective assimilation occurs only when people take on a specific position, designated function, or a new responsibility. People who feel good about the good they are contributing are less likely to drop out. Church leaders must answer the question, ÒHow are we helping our people to use their gifts and talents?Ó
4. Help People Belong. People met in large groups for public worship. They also met in houses for fellowship. The Apostle Paul taught Òpublicly and from house to houseÓ (Acts 20:20). Church leaders must answer the question, ÒHow are we helping our people find a place to belong?Ó
5. Help People Work Together. The church learns how to get people to work together and for one another. This spirit enables people to get more accomplished in a short time. It also draws in new people. Church leaders must answer the question, ÒHow are we helping our people identify with our values and goals?Ó
The Forest
Hills News 8/19/08
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 18, 2010
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Anderson
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper
Scriptures Reading..2 Cor. 4:13-15.. Zac Cole
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Brian Harville
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .. . Harold Smith
LordÕs Supper-Preside:
Mitchell Brooks
Serve: Jimmy Smith, Ricky Kirby,
Brian
Smith, Billy Halliburton
Closing Prayer.......................... Tim
Hommrich
GreeterÑ Billy & Karen
Halliburton
GreeterÑ Jimmy & Melanie
Smith
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM SermonÑ Is It Well? (2 Kings 4:26)
PM SermonÑ Justin Draper speaking
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .. . . .Roger Draper
.Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver,
Sr.
Scripture Reading..2 Cor.
4:16-18É.. Zac Cole
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy
Smith
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Robert Hackett.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Russell
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .Larry Kemp
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
AnnouncementÉ . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
Roger Draper
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Harold Smith
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Ricky Kirby
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Mitchell Brooks
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton
Prepare Communion for July
Sherry Jo & Kelly
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: Canned Soup
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou GehrigÕs disease
Hoss WestÑSmith County Health Care
Vaughn Allen
John William LeonardÑspine
problems
Daffolene GreenÑliver cancer
.
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 100
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 45
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
$2914.00
Jackson/Smith County Youth Camp is July 18th- 24th.
Youth Day is August 14th. at Bush residence in Defeated
Thanks to all those who helped with Vacation Bible School
this year. The teachers, the
puppeteers, the song leaders the refreshment committee, all who helped. Thanks to Steve and Maria for bringing
animals the last night for the children to see and pet. We averaged 83 in
attendance.
If I counted correctly, we have twelve children and five adults going to JSCYC this next week.
01
Psa. 116-120
02
Psa. 121-123
03
Psa. 124-126
04
Psa. 127-129
05
Psa. 130-132
06
Psa. 133-135
07
Psa. 136-138
08
Psa. 139-143
09
Psa. 144-146
10 Psa. 147-149
11
Psa. 150;Prov.1,2
12
Prov. 3-5
13
Prov. 6-8
14
Prov. 9-11
15
Prov. 12-16
16
Prov. 17-19
17
Prov. 20-22
18
Prov. 23-25
19
Prov. 26-28
20 Prov. 29-31
21 Eccle, 1-3
22
Eccle. 4-8
23
Eccle. 9-11
24
Eccle. 12;
S. of S. 1-2
25
S of Sol. 3-5
26
S of Sol. 6-8
27
Isaiah 1-3
28
Isa. 4-6
29
Isa. 7-11
30
Isa. 12-14
31 Isa. 15-17