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THIS WEEK
9/14/25
Praise the Lord we're open for
business!
| TODAY: |
John M - Morning Class
John M - Speaker
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WEDNESDAY: |
Jack D - What the Bible Says About: Assurance |
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Paul is doing the announcements
and Bill is in charge of the program.
Serving one another is
how we help and encourage each other. Please let
the Elders know how you can serve.
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THIS AND THAT
September:
Communion Preparation - Jack & Cheryl
Collection Counting - Adam/ Kevin
Anger is a destructive emotion that has led
to many kinds of sin, including murder, as when Cain killed Abel
(Genesis 4:4–8). The elder brother of the prodigal son “was angry and
would not go in” (Luke 15:28). Paul wrote, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’:
do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). It is
possible to be angry without sinning, but it is difficult. When Jesus
saw the moneychangers cheating people in the temple, He made a scourge
and drove them out of the temple, saying, “Do not make My Father’s house
a house of merchandise!” (John 2:16). Je sus acted out of righteous
indignation. Undoubtedly, He was angry, but He did not sin because He
was zealous for God’s glory. The child of God ought to be angry when the
glory of God is challenged, and it is a tragedy for Christians to be so
tolerant that nothing makes them angry. James gives a simple
prescription for dealing with anger: “Let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the
righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). To be “swift to hear” means to be
a ready listener. Often, we are angered because we do not have enough
information. When we listen carefully, sometimes even “reading between
the lines,” we may find that concern replaces anger. Anger is often
simply an emotional reaction. To be “slow to speak” means to control the
tongue, which is a difficult task. James said, “No man can tame the
tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).
Solomon said, “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope
for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 29:20). Hasty words spoken in anger
will almost always be regretted. To be “slow to wrath” is also
difficult. We can slow the anger process by count ing to ten. Prayer is
also helpful, as is the realization that we can control our reaction to
a problem. The “new man” in Christ lays aside worldly anger. “Put off
all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your
mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man
with his deeds, and have put on the new man” (Colossians 3:8–10).
(House to
House, Heart to Heart)
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 “has appointed a
day on which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). All
people who have ever lived on the earth will be brought before the
throne of God, and His glorious Son will judge each one of us (Matthew
25:31–33). On that great day, do not expect to see or hear these things:
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 will be clear to all: “He is”
(Hebrews 11:6). “So then each of us shall give account of himself to
God” (Romans 14:12). 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 washed in the blood of the Lamb are
redeemed from sins (Revelation 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 (1 John 1:7). On the Day of Judgment, no one will say,
“I regret that I did my best to follow Jesus faithfully.” The crown of
life is for the faithful (Revelation 2:10). It is the good and faithful
servant who will hear on that day, “Well done. . . . Enter into the joy
of your 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 walked for the cause—all of this and
more will make us think, as the hymn says, “Heaven will surely be worth
it all.” May we all give diligence to make our call and election sure (2
Peter 1:10–11).
(Roger Campbell)
PRAYERS NEEDED:
Cancer
| Titus |
Star G |
Steve S |
Tony H |
Dan G |
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Kim & Dave R |
Jack D |
Barbara N |
Ed S |
Brian R |
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Carol R |
Wes S |
Debra B |
The See sisters |
Jim G |
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Kathy T |
Janel R |
Marlene B |
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| Other Health |
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Sheena |
Carolyn G |
Carroll B |
Dora B |
Kristopher B |
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Jerry N |
Juna R |
John R |
Michael S |
Daniel |
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John M |
McKenzie L |
Dakota |
Jackie D |
Kari Ann |
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Ed S |
Conner B |
Harriet N |
Noah W |
Gaylene G |
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Shawn C |
Sandra H |
Gavin F |
Debbie Z |
Joe N |
| Wes S |
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| Upcoming
Surgeries/Procedures |
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| Elderly & Shut-In |
| Carol G |
Juna R |
Jerry N |
Rita P |
Shirley V |
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| Others: |
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| Service Men &
Women |
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| Expectant Mothers |
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Always
remember our young people who have grown out of the family home and
are pursuing studies and careers, that they continue to seek wisdom from
the omni-present Father. And that they continue to hold Him first in
their lives.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The sky darkened, the winds were howling,
parents gathered their children and ran (yes, ran - parents gave each
other support while yanking their kids behind them or pushing them
forward) to the cement storm cellar. The sound is often described as
that of an oncoming train; but having grown up living next to a railroad
tracks and having ridden a few subway trains, I don't agree. Yelling did
no good at communicating unless you were right next to the other
person's ear. Communication was accomplished by hand signals. The storm
cellar where we sought safety could hold 24 adults (?), made out of
reinforced concrete and partially buried. There were three vents to
allow fresh air in. The cellar had a steel door at the entrance with a
reinforced 4x6 wire strengthened window and a lever lock. The door at
the bottom of the stairs was solid metal.
The occasion was
an escape from a passing tornado while visiting my Grandparents in the
Panhandle of Texas. The storm was REAL. (It took two grown men pulling
with all their strength to close and lock the cellar door!) The fear was
REAL! The destruction? Well, we were fortunate. Even though I was 10
years old, I knew this was no game! (Yes, you who are family should
recognize this was the visit where my Mother's pregnancy was announced.
A few months later a little brother joined our family.) I can't remember
if this was the same storm that destroyed a portion of Lubbock, TX; but,
it did get your attention!
This event came to
mind as I read Exodus 19. The people trembled. God came down to Mt.
Sinai. The earth shook violently. He came in a fire and the smoke
ascended like the smoke of a furnace. And, the people trembled!
The power of God
is beyond our comprehension. But what strikes me is our response to Him.
Some people ignore Him and His power only to be swept away. Others,
tremble with fear. Some fear that He will pounce on them like a cat.
Others will respect Him and His power and act accordingly. For us, we
found safety in a place prepared (consecrated, set apart) for this
purpose. The Israelites consecrated themselves, removing all the dust,
dirt and debris from them.
The middle of a
tornado is not the time or place for "looky-Lou's" or for a selfie. How
does that saying go - "Only fools dare where angels fear to go?" Such
adventurous glory hounds were warned that they would be stoned to death
if they or any animal would venture unbidden on the Mount. Only those
whom God permits can venture into His presence.
Jack (7/31/17)
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