NOW WHAT

We have just concluded a wonderful meeting as far as the preaching and singing were concerned. The attendance could have been much better, but I don’t know what else to do to get people to come. Some of the members did a wonderful job in coming every night, bringing visitors, children, grand-children, etc. Others did not darken the doors after Sunday morning. I do not understand that. If you have any suggestions as to how to motivate people to come to hear God’s word proclaimed, please let me know. Gary Hampton has done a wonderful job in the lessons he presented each time. Wally Kirby has done a great job with the song leading. I also want the say a special thanks to those who prepared meals each evening before services. They were all excellent meals. Thanks to Zac and Justin for helping me with the recording each night.

It is now time for Vacation Bible School that begins July 6^th. and continues through July 10^th. If you can help with this effort, please let Glen Reece know. We will be studying “Fishing With The Master.” Monday night the lesson will be “Be Fishers of Men.” Tuesday night we will study “Prepare to Share” based on John 6. Wednesday night we will study “Go Fish The World” based on the Great Commission as stated in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16. Thursday night we will be studying “Fish With Power” based on Acts 1. Friday night the lesson will be “Love The Fisher’s Catch” based on John 21. If you have fishing equipment that might be used for visuals, let Glen Reece know. We have most of the adult teachers lined up to speak. Randy Bybee will speak Monday evening. Tim Smith will speak Wednesday. Wayne Lankford will speak on Thursday. Hopefully by Sunday, I will have the others night worked out.

The last report I had, we still had room for some male campers for JSCYC. The girls have a waiting list. If you are interested, you need to contact Edward Anderson as soon as possible. We may the final assignments on July 10^th. Look forward to seeing you next Sunday.

LOOKING TOWARD HOME

Nothing could be of greater interest to the minds of toiling faithful Christians than the promised Eternal Home of rest for the soul (Heb. 4:1). Heaven is the ultimate in the heart’s desire for escape from this world, for the relief and release from the burdens of sin, and deliverance from the continual temptations,

sighs, sorrows, and suffering that sin has brought to those in this life (Rom. 5:12). Our faith is to be secured in the evidence that the Bible is everlastingly true (Mt. 24:35) and that Jesus was the divine Son of the Living God (Jn. 20:30-31), who offered the perfect sacrifice for all who will obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9), and these things support our hope for a “new heaven and a new earth” wherein dwelleth only righteousness (Rev. 21:1). This eternal home is yet to be realized and enjoyed in a future world not now seen except by faith (Heb. 11:1; II Cor. 4:16-18; II Pet. 1:9).

Blessed Assurance

On the night of the institution of the Lord's Supper and His betrayal, Jesus announced to His disciples the shocking news that He would soon lay down His life for the sin of the world as prophesied (Jn. 1:29; 13:31-38). That meant, of course, that their blessed teacher, comforter, companion, and guide would be separated from them. Such words from their beloved Saviour, Lord, and King caused them pain and sorrow and seemed more than they could bear. It even brought them to denial that such could transpire. It was at this point that Jesus spoke one of the most tender and assuring discourses that has ever graced mortal lips! Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way . . . I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one

cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jn. 14:1-6).

What About the Future?

For the great trials before them, without their blessed Master’s care, Jesus reminded them that they had their faith in Him, and in His Father, to lean heavily upon. They are no doubt encouraged as they are assured that in the “Father's house,” which speaks of His domain, dynasty, or the entire Heavenly habitation of God, were many “mansions.” This is the word, according to W. E. Vine, for “manor or manse” and not simply a room, which Jesus was going away to prepare for them. It is made clear that it was to be in the place of God’s abode, of the eternal realm of the blessed, and to be theirs forever and forever! Christians rejoice to sing, “Heaven will surely be worth it all.”

Separation Only Temporary

By these promises Jesus was showing His disciples that the separation because of His death would not be lasting but only temporary. The faithful, then and now according to this promise, will be with Him after this life is completed throughout the endless ages! (cf. Rom. 14:7-8). This was not just a “pie in the sky” promise. Jesus says, “If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (:2). He who could not lie is saying, “If I knew that you who are my beloved followers were cherishing a hope of life beyond the grave and it was not true, I would not have allowed you to continue in deception! If you would later come with Me to the Father’s house where I am going and where those who die in their

sins cannot come (Jn. 8:24), follow Me. For, ‘I am me way, the truth, and the life!’” (:6). With such trust as the disciples had learned to have in the Saviour through His teaching and many miracles, these men went forth to preach the Gospel to the whole world!

--Gary Colley, Getwell Bulletin, 6/22/09

CHASED

WARMER MONTHS ARE here, and with the warm weather comes the challenge of modesty...

I'm not going to lecture or give you my "opinion." I don't want to set your standards for you, and tell you what you can and cannot wear. All I want to do is ask you to read God's Word and then answer one question:

"You shall not commit adultery"(Exo. 20:14).

"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Exo. 20:17).

"Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery in his heart" (Matt. 5:28).

"Abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11).

"Flee youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22).

"Posses your vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passionate lusts" (1 Thess. 4:4-5).

"Women should dress in modest apparel; dress that professes one's godliness" (1 Tim. 2:9-10).

"Let us resolve not to put a stumbling block or cause to fall in our brother's way" (Rom. 14:13).

Now then, the question: Does the way you dress cause the opposite sex to think you are "chaste," or does it cause them to think you want to be "chased?"

Honest self-evaluation, virtue, and an unrelenting desire to be pleasing to God is all that is needed, and modesty will take care of itself.
(Steve Higginbotham)

KneEmail: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2).

--Posted by Mike Benson at January 9, 2006, KneEmail