Family News and Notes
We need Volunteers to help clean the building for the month of February. If you are willing and able to help with this good use of your talents please sign the sheet on the
table in the foyer.
BUILDING FUND!....If you are able and have made plans, then today is the day. Thanks.
Osa Colley was able to go home from hospital and he is doing better.
At the printing of this bulletin, Hazel Phillips was scheduled to be dismissed from the hospital in Tyler and will transfer to Mission Manor Nursing facility in Mount Vernon for continuing treatment.
Carroll Dean Phillips of Longview, Texas, nephew of Hallie Lang and Pat Lee and cousin to many here in our congregation, passed away at his home on February 02, 2005 at about 7:00 AM due to a heart attack. His funeral was conducted at Pine Church of Christ in Longview by Radar Funeral Home at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 05, 2005, with graveside service and burial at Nevill's Chapel Cemetery at 12:30 PM. Carroll was an elder in the Pine Tree congregation for over 35 years and was born and raised in Titus County, Texas. Carroll was 70 years of age.
THANK YOU "North Jefferson Church of Christ The flowers were beautiful. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue encouragement to Perry & Josephine, precious to me.
--Wanda Phillips and family"
THANK YOU "Dear Christian Family at North Jefferson: Thanks so much for your prayers, cards and phone calls regarding the death of my son Bobby Joe Phillips. Bobby Joe was a member of the Lord's Church and your concern as fellow Christians means so very much to us.
--Josephine and Perry Cooper and Johnny Rex Phillips"
The following has been received from MEDINA CHILDREN'S HOME:
"A Unique Christian Ministry Serving at Medina Children's Home"
Would you be interested in making a one, two, or three year commitment to a wonderful, rewarding ministry in Christian child care?
Applicants should be spiritual, mature Christian couples with high school diplomas. The annual salary for a couple is $28,000 without experience and $34,000 with experience. Additional benefits include health insurance, lodging, food, utilities, telephone, and Pension Plan.
We also need an individual to work in the Social Services Department. A bachelor degree is required, but persons with a degree in the Social Services Field, Psychology, or Counseling would be preferred. Same benefits as houseparents apply. Salary is negotiable and based on experience.
If interested contact Anna Pruitt at 830-589-2871 or apruitt@medinachildrenshome.com
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown,
Sue Browning, Billy Carter, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper,
Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Hollis Lee,
Winnie Patton, Hazel Phillips, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets
ALSO: Ercell Fetters, Jodie Hanks, Marie Holloway, Kelsey Meyers,
Donald Newman, Jennifer Tolson
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SATAN'S BAG OF TRICKS
Lots of folks think the devil is a big joke, dreamed up by some preacher to scare the ignorant into doing right. The name "Satan" conjures up in their minds, a picture of some guy with a goatee, dressed up in a red suit, complete with horns, a forked-tail, and a fiery pitchfork. However, according to God's Word, "Satan," the "devil," the "serpent," the "prince of darkness," our "adversary," is no joke. He is real and his ability to tempt and enslave us with sin should not be discounted. Hell, which is prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt. 25:41), is also real, and Satan will take us there to die eternally, if we don't overcome him in this life.
However, we can overcome Satan, and avoid hell! James said, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jms. 4:7). Sometimes to resist him, we may need to flee, like Joseph did when tempted to sin by Potaphar's wife (Gen. 39:12). Of course, it would be easy for us to recognize the need to flee, if every time Satan came calling, he arrived in the already described red suit. But, Satan is more cunning than that. So, he disguises himself in one of three ways. If we are to be successful in defeating our mortal spiritual enemy, we must learn to recognize and see through his disguises.
First, Satan comes to us as the "subtle serpent," as he simply tries to talk us into sinning. This is the way he approached Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-13). With his lies about sin's consequences, and his appeal to the sensual pleasure of sin (which is but for a season), he is often able to beguile our minds and pervert our judgment. Beware! As cheese in the mousetrap looks appealing to the unsuspecting mouse, so is sin appealing until you're caught in its trap, only to realize too late that it was the bait of death. This is the way Satan approached and tempted Jesus in the wilderness, but Jesus used God's Word to defeat him every time, without fail (Mt. 4:1-11).
Secondly, if Satan is unsuccessful in talking us into sinning, he will disguise himself as an "angel of light," and try to trick us into sinning (II Cor. 11:13-15). With his deceptive presentations, Satan's way will appear to be exciting and profitable. Beware! Remember, Satan is the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). The way to overcome this disguise of Satan is to mature in Christ, by studying God's Word, so we will not be deceived by every false doctrine which comes along (Eph. 4:14-15, II Tim. 2:15).
Finally, Satan disguises himself is as a "roaring lion" (I Pet. 5:8-9). According to Peter, if Satan can't talk or trick you into sinning, then he will seek to overcome you with tribulation and persecution. Beware! The victory is almost won. Don't quit the battle now! Peter encourages us to victoriously triumph over Satan's final disguise by standing firm in the faith, and by realizing that our suffering is not unique, but rather that which every faithful Christian must endure. Paul says this persecution is bound to come (II Tim. 3:12), but we must not give up nor give in, for the victory belongs only to the faithful (II Tim. 4:7-8, Rev. 2:10).
Don't be fooled by "Satan's bag of tricks." "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Pet. 3:17-18). David McCain
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GOD WON'T ASK
God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was, but He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was, but He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
IF JESUS CAME
Would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines, and put the Bible where it had been?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you, would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say? Or would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you go? Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your closest friend? Or would you hope they stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things you would do. If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.
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