Family News and Notes
David McCain is preaching this morning and the topic is a continuation for the "Qualifications for Elders."
Johnny Ramsey will be preaching this evening.
Men's Business Meeting following evening service tonite. We will meet in the Multi-Purpose Room. All men are encouraged to attend.
There is a new insert in the bulletin today. Please discard the blue insert that was in last week's bulletin. This new one corrects some errors that were in last week's insert.
John David Wright will give us a slide presentation on Wednesday evening, December 14, regarding the work at Queretara, Qro, Mexico. We are supporting Miguel Bocanegra there, who is the Director of the Preaching School.
Ladies Bible Class has dismissed until Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006. Ladies you need to mark your calendars for the resumption date.
Gospel Journal . If you wish to continue your subscription (or place a new subscription) for the spiritual publication "The Gospel Journal" for the club rate of $14.00, you need to give David McCain your money by this evening (December 11). We will mail our order this week.
Congratulations to Ben McCain who took Second Place in the Junior & High School Division at the Bible Bowl at Clarksville last Tuesday. Thanks to Stephanie Sparks & Janice McCain for providing all of the refreshments for the Bible Bowl.
Elna O'Neal will travel to Baylor Monday where she will have a by-pass surgery on her legs. She will be there a few days before returning home.
Dorothy Kyle had the electrical problem in her heart treated Monday and she is hopeful it was successful. She did return to the doctor Wednesday evening for a review of another medical problem she was experiencing. She is at home. She is tired and will take time for her recovery.
Patsy Duncan had foot surgery last Wednesday morning where she had pins placed in 7 out of 10 of her toes to correct a major problem. She will be healing at home for several weeks and will have a follow-up surgery on her big toes later.
Betty Ferrell continues to improve following her recent double knee replacement. Joe says her doctor feel she is at about 90 percent now.
R. C. Grissom is back at home. Please keep him, and Myrtice, in your prayers.
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PRAYER LIST
Betty Abbey, Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell, Perry Cooper, Betty Ferrell, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide,
Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Dorothy Sargent,
Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Austin Cody, Dudley Farrell, R. C. Grissom, Ruby Jeffery,
Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson
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God's Time Machine
For hundreds of years, man has dreamed of building a time machine which would allow travel forward or backward through time. Authors, like H. G. Wells, Mark Twain, and Jules Verne, penned some exciting books that contemplated what time travelers might experience if a journey through time was possible. Scientists like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawken have theorized about the possibility of traveling faster than the speed of light, perhaps allowing us to break through the space-time continuum to experience a time warp. And, daydreamers like Walter Mitty have wasted countless hours imagining how much fun it would be to build a time machine, which might allow us to travel back in time to meet our great-grandfather or some famous historical person. As far as I know, though, the prototypical time machine, as dreamed of above, is still only in the dream phase.
However, time travel is possible, for there is in existence a time machine of sorts, which will allow all of us to travel through time. I refer, of course, to the Holy Bible. With absolute accuracy, and in perfect detail, the Bible lets us see not only what happened in the past, but also what will happen in the future. We can travel backward in time to observe the results of man's interactions with God, and we can travel forward in time to see the ultimate consequences of man's interactions with God.
The Bible is a time machine all of us should make use of every day. By traveling into the past with the aid of the Scriptures, we are able to observe and learn from both the successes and the failures of those who have gone before us. Thus, the pitfalls and danger spots of life are pointed out to us ahead of time, so that we might take pains to avoid certain disaster. The Bible also lets us look into the future, to consider the consequences of our actions. Where will this road take me? Where will this decision lead? What will be the result of this choice? What will be my end? The answers to all of these questions should be considered in the light of God's Holy Word.
If only we would take a ride in God's time machine, how much happier we would be! How many marriages could be saved and made better, if people would bother to take a ride in God's time machine, to consider the agony, the heartache, the guilt, and the sad hearts of the children which result from divorce? How many reputations could be saved, if folks would only jump in the time machine to view the life damaging effects of gossip? How many churches would never splinter and divide, if brethren would only take a quick trip in God's time machine to consider the heartache and misery that results from unchecked hatred, envy, and strife? How many sins could be avoided, if we would only bother to take a little look at the future by considering the eternal consequences of our actions?
Yes, time travel is possible with the help of God's Word. I encourage you to make careful and frequent use of God's time machine, for the time is coming when time will be no more, and it will be too late then for time travel. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, today is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2).
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A FAITH THAT NEVER DIES
- Johnny Ramsey
The victory that overcomes the world is strong and steadfast faith in God (1 john 5:4). This trust is based upon confidence in the Lord and the Bible. It is a very powerful tool in defeating Satan and dominating sin. James Gray paid this tribute to scripture:
It fills the world with fragrance
whose sweetness never dies.
It lifts our eyes to heaven
It heightens human joys,
Yes, dynasties have fallen
And the Bible still stands
Since faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), we can draw nearer to spiritual values through daily and diligent study of the sacred text day by day. Let us not rob ourselves of the rich treasure within our grasp! The Bible is compared to a sword, a mirror, a lamp, a hammer and fire. Each of these metaphors tell us of the wholesome power and discernment that emanates from the piercing Word. All we can know for sure about the Savior is revealed in the glorious text of the Bible. Someone has blessed us with these informative reminders concerning Christ:
IN HIM WE HAVE:
A life that never dies
A love that cannot be fathomed
A beauty that is never marred
A joy that is never diminished
A light that is never darkened
A purity that is never defiled
And resources that can never be exhausted!
Some of those in the Bible whose faith did not waver and whose courage still inspires us are:
Gideon, who with God's providence, took 300 men and defeated 135,000. Esther, who put her life on the line to preserve the seed of Abraham. Nathan, who boldly rebuked King David. Ruth, who left home to follow God. David, who defied Goliath against all odds. Peter & John, who obeyed the Lord and not men (Acts 5:29). Paul, who preached the gospel in wicked Corinth. Titus, on the evil island of Crete as he denounced sinful men. Moses, as he challenged Pharaoh. Jeremiah, in the dungeon, often because Truth was worth it! Amos, the fiery and honest prophet who demanded that Israel repent or perish. John the Immerser, a voice crying the in the wilderness as he called men back to God. Nicodemas & Joseph, as they begged Pilate for the body of Jesus for burial.
It took tremendous faith, courage, loyalty and dedication for all of these folk to take a stand for truth. We live in an age that calls for full commitment also. W. H. Bathurst wrote:
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.
Let us build within our hearts a faith that never dies!
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