Our_Bulletin_3_28

Family News and Notes

Next Sunday (April 4th) begins DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. Remember to run your clocks AHEAD by 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night or you will miss services next Sunday.

Also, since that is the first day of a new month it will be Building Fund Contribution Day. So, if you have plans and are able you may contribute on that day.

Grady still needs Volunteers to clean the building during the month of April. So, if you are able to help in this endeavor please sign the Sign-Up Sheet on the table in the foyer. Thank you.

On Tuesday, April 27th, Michael Light will speak to the Ladies Bible Class. The topic will be on the book of Esther. Class begins at 10:00 AM.

At the Bible Quiz in Clarksville, last Tuesday, David McCain won First Place in the Adult Division and Jon and Ben McCain won First and Second Place in the High School Division. Congratulations to all!

The ladies have begun their "mail-outs" for the upcoming LADIES DAY set for April 3rd. Remember all the ladies are invited to attend, so mark you calendar.

Brother Bill Jones continues to have his good days and bad days. His medical records have been sent to M.D. Anderson in Houston for review. He states he appreciates all the cards and prayers he has been receiving.

The following folks remain in the Titus Regional Medical Center:

Brother Louis Bell (Room 326).

Sister Alva Mae Sheets (Room 403).

Helen Roper of the Oak Grove congregation is having knee surgery in Paris on Monday, March 29th. She requests our prayers.

Chris & Tamara Stephens (and their 3-year old daughter, Constance) still need help in replenishing their needs due to a fire that destroyed their home a week ago. They lost everything. Please check the list of suggestions on the table in the foyer and if you wish further information contact Jim or Barbara Duncan. (Chris is the son of Becky Reichman who attended services here in the past.)

THANK YOU "Please accept our thanks for the cards, calls, and visits. We appreciate your thoughtfulness so very much.

Johnnie and Lynn Barrett"

We have a new member. Please place this information in your Directory:

Deborah Rios (She has a 2-year old daughter, Meghan)

203 Sloss

Omaha, Texas 75571

Phone: 903-884-2306

*************************************

PRAYER LIST:

Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Winell Blackard, Sue Browning,

Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Barbara Duncan, Nelda Dunn,

Howard Horton, Bill Jones, & Amy, Weldon Miller, David Neal,

Winnie Patton, Alva Mae Sheets, Ola Mae Simpson

ALSO: Judy Betts, Diane Johnson, Velma Lucky, Larry McCain, Kelsey Meyers, Helen Roper, Delaney Upchurch

**************************************

Cautiously Choose Your Counselors

by David McCain

Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, had much to say about the benefits of seeking wise counsel, even as he warned of the disasters that can result from heeding bad advice. One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 11:14, which says, "Where no counsel is the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Indeed, secular history is littered with the skeletal remains of the dashed hopes, unfulfilled dreams, defeated armies, and failed plans of those folks whose only mistake was choosing the wrong counselors. That history lesson alone ought to warn us to carefully choose our counselors. Even more important though are the Biblical history lessons that warn us of the disasters that can occur if we heed evil counsel. Let me share three examples.

First, there is Adam and Eve, the first humans to sin. God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree in the midst of the Garden, lest they die. However, Satan counseled a lack of restraint, when he falsely advised Eve she would not surely die (Gen. 3:1-4). Eve listened to Satan's evil counsel, and Adam listened to Eve, and as a result sin and misery entered the world. You see, heeding evil advice can have tremendous and eternal consequences.

Do you also remember king Rehoboam, who reigned as Israel's fourth King? When he ascended the throne, he sought the advice of two sets of counselors, about how to rule his kingdom. The older men, his father's advisors, counseled wisely that he should be a servant to the people, ruling with kindness and mercy. The younger men, his contemporaries, counseled him to rule with a heavy hand by adding extra burdens to his subjects (I Kings 12:1-15). Rehoboam, like Adam and Eve, listened to bad advice. He heeded the young men's counsel, which resulted in the end of the glorious united nation of Israel, as God's people divided into two separate kingdoms. From that example, we learn that following poor advice can destroy nations and divide brethren.

Finally, focus your memory on Pilate and the terrible biography he wrote when he listened to the hateful advice of a mob of evil analysts. God's only Son was the defendant in Pilate's court. Pilate faced the most monumental decision of his judicial career. "What shall I do with Jesus," Pilate asked? Pilate's wife counseled him to withdraw from the case. His own conscience told him to release Jesus, for the facts did not sustain the charges made against Him. But, when the angry mob cried treason and demanded crucifixion, Pilate folded, another casualty of bad advice (Mt. 27:1-26). Thus, heeding bad advice can cause physical and spiritual death.

Each day, all of us face similar problems, trials, and decisions, as did Eve, Rehoboam, and Pilate. Our dilemmas may not have the same history-changing magnitude as did theirs, nevertheless the consequences can be just as eternal. The point is, when you have a difficult decision to make in any realm of life, exercise caution in choosing your counselors.

The Bible warns, "Be not deceived: Evil communications (companions) corrupt good morals" (I Cor. 15:33). We might translate, "be not deceived, bad advice, no matter who gives it, corrupts good morals." Sometimes, our friends, neighbors, relatives, or sadly even our brethren may give us bad advice. They may have the best of intentions and the purest of motives, but if their advice is contrary to God's will, it will be just as destructive spiritually, as if offered in malice. That's why it's so important to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12), as you "search the Scriptures" (Acts 17:11), to make sure the advice you are getting is in harmony with God's will.

Brethren, the next time you face a serious problem, whether it be in your marriage, your family, your job, with your brethren, or in some other area of life, why not seek God's advice? As the psalmist said, "Blessed (happy) is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2). David McCain

**************************************

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO FARM? (Part II)

Michael Light

Last week, we began to see how the principles of farming are similar to those used in evangelism; as we must first prepare the soil; second, we must plant the seed; and third, we must tend to the soil once the seed is planted. We now present the conclusion of this excellent article.

FOURTH, WE MUST BE READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

When those who are studying begin to ask questions (and they will) we need to be aware, attentive, and prepared to answer them once asked. We should determine that if there is any way possible we will not let our deficiencies stand as a hindrance to the process of the conversion of a soul. Many are hesitant to engage in meaningful religious conversation because of their own lack of knowledge. We must be good students of the word (II Timothy 2:15). And sooner or later we need to (rather, we must) get started in the business of saving souls. The great commission is for each and every one of us. If we are not willing to do what we can in the area of teaching the lost, we will lose our souls. We must be equipped with the word, and filled with enough love and compassion to see to it that, as much as is in us, we attempt to show Christ to a dying world.

FIFTH, WE MUST HELP THE CROPS GROW

Once the good and honest heart responds to the gospel call and becomes a Christian (is baptized for the remission of his sins Acts 2:38), we need to continue to help that person grow in the word of God. Perhaps the greatest failing in the church of our time is the "dip 'em and drop 'em" syndrome. We labor tirelessly to make contacts and convert them to Christ, then do precious little to help them develop into what God would have them be. We should offer special classes for new converts, and individual members should make it a part of their daily routine to pray for and encourage new members. We should never get too busy to be a part of the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

FINALLY, THE PRINCIPLES OF FARMING CERTAINLY ARE PARALLEL TO THE PROCESS OF CONVERSION

The soil must be found, prepared and planted. Once the crop comes up it must be tended carefully, and watered and fed often. Upon maturation the new plant will itself bring forth still more fruit. The new convert should realize that God expects them to bear fruit as his children. Just as with crops, there is a cycle of bringing forth after one's kind. All Christians are expected by God to share the good news; which includes finding more soil, which they help prepare, plant and tend. Praise God for those who helped us, and may we encourage others to follow our lead to Jesus the Christ.

From Contending for the Faith, December 2002. Be preparing the soil for our agricultural...ahem, evangelistic endeavor when brother Light comes to North Jefferson for our Gospel meeting April 25-28.

**************************************