I came across another article this morning in reading that emphasized how important it is that we do not just throw the plan that God gave us out the window. Edward Anderson wrote the article that was published in the Livingston bulletin. It was titled ÒEveryday is a Vacation With Her..Ó ÒI had never before seen the gentleman who uttered these words. He was in a wheel chair, so I yielded to him as we entered the menÕs room at the SugarlandÕs VisitorÕs Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Just outside the door his wife was talking with another lady about his physical condition and their vacation, perhaps their last. As he came out, the lady said, ÔMr. Jones, I sure hope you have a good vacation.Õ In a somewhat labored but very discernible voice, he said, ÔEvery day is a vacation with her!Õ How thoughtful and sweet! The smile on his wifeÕs face betrayed her gratitude for the compliment.Ó This highlights what I said in the lesson about treating your mate after you marry them the way you treated them before you married them. For the vast majority of marriages, that would be a tremendous improvement.
We do not need to treat the marriage relationship like it something that we just toss aside if it quits working the way I think it should. The marriage relationship is not something that is disposable. It is something that you need to work on to make sure that it is what God intended it to be. I realize that it takes both parties to bring that about. You just make sure that if something does happen, it is not your fault. If it is, you correct it as soon as possible. I stated that about one million people in the U.S. will decide that their marriage is not repairable and file for divorce this year. Sometimes that is unavoidable, but far too many simply see it as an option to get out of a relationship they no longer want to be in. God planned for that relationship, once it is entered, to last for a lifetime (Matthew 19:3-9). Marriage is a serious decision. Once you make that commitment, you need to realize that it is for life. It is not a disposable relationship. If we had the attitude of the couple we mentioned earlier, divorce would be a rare commodity. Why not work on having that kind of attitude toward your mate? You will be greatly appreciated and much happier.
THINKING
OF HEAVEN
The word of God is a one of the great blessings
mankind has been given. God explains to man how he came to be, how to live, and
how to prepare for eternity. In the pages of holy writ we are told of just how
ÒwonderfulÓ heaven will be. The passages serve to give us comfort when we have
experienced the loss of a loved one, and hope for ourselves when we are over
burdened by the troubles of this world. Paul wrote, ÒFor our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory; (2 Cor. 4:17).
When one thinks of heaven, many different Bible verses
come to mind. For instance; ÒLet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,
believe also in me. In my FatherÕs house are many mansions: if it were not so,
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be alsoÓ (John 14:1- 3). Perhaps one of the most comforting
passages concerning heaven is, ÒAnd I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle
of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed awayÓ (Rev. 21:2 Ð 4). As human beings are limited in understanding the
realm of spiritual beings, God used accommodative language to help us have an
idea of the splendor of heaven. We know of the beauty of gold, pearl, and rare
jewels, therefore we can have an idea of this wonderful place The Revelation
letter is manÕs portal to glimpse the home of the faithful for all eternity.
Truly what a Òwonderful cityÓ heaven will be. Knowing such a place is waiting
should help persuade lost souls to seek for this place, causing them to desire
to leave the things of the world behind. All should have heaven in their mindÕs
eye as they go about their daily tasks, and strive to obey God so heaven can be
their home.
What a great blessing it is to know that heaven will
be ours for eternity. Many times it is said of heaven that it is a going home.
The use of the word ÒhomeÓ gives a sense of peace and comfort to the idea of
heaven. A home is the place where no matter what befalls us during the day we
know it is our safe haven, for there the ones who care about us and who love us
reside. This, being coupled with the idea of a garden of rest, makes one long
even more for heaven.
The Hebrew writer spoke of heaven as entering into a
rest. ÒLet us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you
should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well
as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it.
For we which have believed do enter into rest É There remaineth therefore a
rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath
ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,
lest any man fall after the same example of unbeliefÓ (Heb. 4:1 Ð 11). Rest is
something we all seek from time to time. Have you ever been out working all
day, tired and hot? Now think of how you felt when you went home, cleaned up,
and sat down in your favorite chair, propping your feet up and closing your
eyes to enjoy a few moments of sweet rest. What a wonderful description of the
rest that awaits the faithful. Yet, it should also be understood that the rest
to be enjoyed in heaven will not mean the ending of activity, for there will be
worship of God around His throne (Rev. 5: 1ff). Some would say this is a
contradiction, but think back to the Sabbath day. This was a day of rest, but
also a day of activity as they served God.
Paul by the eye of faith knew that heaven
awaited him and all the faithful of all time. He longed for heaven, but he knew
that he had much work left to do for the Lord (Phil. 1:20 Ð 26).
Jesus assured His disciples, as well as all who read
this passage, that in heaven there are abiding-places prepared, and He Òbids us
a welcome to comeÓ. Matthew recorded, ÒCome unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and
ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
lightÓ (Matt. 11:28 Ð 30). It is GodÕs desire that all be saved and enter in to
the rest of this glorious city (1 Tim. 2:4). This idea shows the mission of
Jesus, He came to save mankind (Matt. 1:21, Luke 19:10, John 14:6).
Heaven awaits all who will
prepare. Believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Him as the Son of God, be
baptized for the remission of sins and live faithfully for Him, and heaven can
be yours.
Riley Nelson, Richmond Hill, GA, WOT 11/09
Nearly all of us have friends who have not become Christians. Some may not have attended church at all; others may have stopped attending several years ago. What can we do to help bring a lost soul to Christ?
First, begin praying earnestly for your friend that God will open a door for your friend to hear the gospel (Col. 4:2-3). Talk to God about your friend; it will help when you talk to your friend about God.
Second, prayerfully set an example of a believer before your friend (1 Cor. 11:1). Your moral life, your proven faith, your sacrificing love, and your unsinkable hope will speak loudly what God has done in your life. Live such a life that people will ask you why?
Third, prayerfully remember you must earn the right to speak to people about the most critical issues of their lives. People will grant you time to speak when they know you genuinely care for them and for their souls.
Forth, prayerfully begin by planting little seeds. A simple sentence containing a profound observation or point can often be far more persuasive than a sermon. In your responses, keep God in the focus.
Fifth, prayerfully give your friend a relevant tract, a Christian periodical, an audio CD or DVD of a sermon, or a guided Bible study. Remember in todayÕs culture most people want to find the truth for themselves. No one wants to be told; they desire to search it out to establish their own faith. There are many valuable aids available to help them; use them (The ÒUpon the RockÓ Bible Studies are especially effective).
Sixth, prayerfully invite them to a fellowship at church so they can meet other Christians. Introduce them so they feel welcome and wanted. Then, invite them to worship to hear a gospel sermon. Encourage them and enlist others to encourage them.
Seventh, prayerfully ask them to obey the gospel. If they are not ready continue working and ask again. DonÕt give up, some folks take a while. In the end youÕll rejoice when they become a child of God.
ÐPhil
Sanders, The Forest Hill News, 07/27/10
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Aug 22, 2010
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ricky Kirby
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Cole
Scriptures Reading..2 Cor. 5:16-19 . . . Zac Cole
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy Smith
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Harold Smith
LordÕs Supper-Preside: Robert
Hackett
Serve:
Jacky Carver Jr., Ben Silcox
Mitchell Brooks, Addison Halliburton
Closing Prayer.......................... Tim
Hommrich
GreeterÑ Robert & Linda
Hackett
GreeterÑ Ted & Vicki
Russell
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM SermonÑ Prayer
PM SermonÑ 4th. Sunday Singing
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .. . . . Larry Cole
.Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy Smith
Scripture Reading..2 Cor.
5:20-21.. . . .. Zac Cole
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .. Harold Smith
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .
Robert Hackett
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .Ethan Leonard
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Larry Kemp
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
AnnouncementÉ . . . . . . . .
. . . . . Larry
Cole
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Harold Smith
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Jimmy Smith
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Mitchell Brooks
Prepare Communion for August
Shirley Hailey
Prepare Communion for
September
Melanie Smith
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: Shampoo
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou GehrigÕs disease
Hoss WestÑSmith County Health Care
Vaughn Allen
John William LeonardÑcast put
on this week.
Daffolene GreenÑliver cancer
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 89
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 43
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
$2735.00
Upcoming Events
Ladies Breakfast will be Sept. 4th. at the barn.
Hayride will be Oct. 9th. at the Russells.
Fall Lectureship
will be October 17-20 with Randy Bybee speaking
We have started collecting school supplies for Defeated Elementary. They will need: loose leaf paper, pencils, colored folders, clear or mesh backpacks, coloring pencils, crayons, kindergarten resting mats, wire bound notebooks.
01
Lam. 1-3
02
Lam. 4-5;
Ezek. 1-3
03
Ezek. 4-6
04
Ezek. 7-9
05
Ezek. 10-12
06
Ezek. 13-15
07
Ezek. 16-18
08
Ezek. 19-21
09
Ezek. 22-26
10 Ezek. 27-29
11
Ezek. 30-32
12
Ezek. 33-35
13
Ezek. 36-38
14
Ezek. 39-41
15
Ezek. 42-44
16
Ezek. 45-48
17
Dan. 1-3
18
Dan. 4-6
19
Dan. 7-9
20
Dan. 10-12
21 Hos. 1-4
22
Hos. 5-7
23
Hos. 8-12
24
Hos. 13-14
25
Joel 1-3;
26
Amos 1-4
27
Amos 5-7
28
Amos 8-9
Obed. 1
29
Jonah 1-4
30 Micah 1-4