Family News and Notes
Tuesday Night, July 26th, the 2005 Summer Youth Bible Series of Northeast Texas (SYBSNET) will come to an end. We will meet at Blodgett church of Christ where Bro. Randy Daw will present a topic entitled " A Lamp To Lead Us Home To Heaven." The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Most likely the group who goes will be leaving here at about 6:15 PM. So see you.
A bunch of teens (11) and David & Janice McCain are at Camp Cisco this week.
This coming Wednesday evening will be Singing Night. We will have various men of the congregation lead singing. If you would like to lead a song or two or more contact Hal Roper. Brother Johnny Ramsey will be extending the invitation that night.
Ladies . When we have a need for food preparation for funerals if you are unable to prepare a dish but would like to contribute cash (or check) to help purchase food items you can give your contribution to Amy Jones.
Kristian Marshall fell at home when leaving for church services last Sunday evening. She had quite a fall and possibly broke her wrist.
Jo Ann and Weldon Miller left last Sunday evening for Scott & White at Temple, Texas for a scheduled day surgery for Jo Ann on Monday. They returned home on Tuesday and Jo Ann is much better.
Thelma Reed went to San Antonio last week for tests, returning home Thursday. Her test report was good.
While at church camp in Alabama, during the first week, Ben McCain responded, asking for the prayers of the church that he might be more of an example to others and living a Christian life.
Bonnye Horton responded to the invitation last Sunday stating: "I want o be more committed to the Lord. I want the congregation to pray on my behalf that the Lord might help me in my desire to do more for the Lord."
Josephine and Perry Cooper donated a beautiful Peace Lily from their son's funeral to the church. It is on display in the foyer.
Vernon Garrett got a good report from his doctor in Tyler last week and he does not have to return.
Ruby Pipkin's sister passed away Wednesday in Sulphur Springs. Please remember Ruby and her family at this time of loss.
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Two Friends, Two Hearts, One Promise, One Love
Together with their parents
Keely Aleah Roper
and
Daniel Lee McCary
invite you to share in the joy
when they exchange marriage vows
and begin their new life together
on Saturday, the thirtieth of July
two thousand and five
at two in the afternoon
Daingerfield church of Christ
Highway 11
Daingerfield, Texas
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell,
Perry Cooper, Vernon Garrett, Zenith Hargrove, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee,
Kristian Marshall, Jo Ann Miller, Winnie Patton, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets,
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Denise Dering, Wesley & Juanita DuBose, Ruby Jeffery, Lonita Thompson
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Read The Instructions!
Surely you have heard the old adage, "when in doubt, read the instructions!" The manufacturers of most products usually include an owner's manual filled with instructions on the assembly and/or proper use of their product. This is to help the end user get the most benefit from the product, and to prevent unwitting damage to the product.
Likewise God, as mankind's creator, has given us an owner's manual of instructions for the proper assembly, care, and usage of our lives. Since God created us, He knows what makes us tick. He knows what will make us happy, and what will make us sad. He knows what is good for us, and what's not in our best interest. In fact, He has gone to great lengths to put all that information down for us in His Holy Word, the Bible, and to preserve that Spirit-inspired message so that we can follow His "blueprint for life," and build a most beautiful product of human happiness, peace, and hope.
The Bible shares with mankind "all things" pertaining unto life and godliness (II Pet. 1:1-3). It is certainly comforting to know that the strength to overcome any temptation, the power to bear all trials, and the solution to every problem can be found within the sacred page. God didn't leave us in the dark to flounder, or to try to muddle through life on our own, without a clue as to how to proceed. Rather, like David said, "His Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our pathway" (Ps. 119:105). Indeed, the Bible is the treasure house of the ages, the storehouse of true knowledge and wisdom, and the repository of solutions to every problem and trial of life!
Are you struggling with some dilemma that seems almost unanswerable? Why not deliver that dilemma to Him who said, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not" (Jer. 33:3). Do you carry some burden in your life which seems almost unbearable? Why not lay down that load and unburden yourself at the feet of Him, of whom Peter wrote, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Pet. 5:7). Is there some temptation nagging you that seems irresistible? Then by all means, seek the assistance of the Almighty, of whom it is written, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13). Have you lost your way in life? If so, why not seek the Source of life who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (Jn. 14:6).
Yes brothers and sisters, when life closes in and you don't know where to turn, that's the time to turn to God, in Bible study and prayer. Above all else, "read the instructions!" Let me encourage you to become a daily Bible student, and to spend each Lord's Day in study and worship. God will help you if you'll let Him. David McCain
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REPENTANCE
Johnny Ramsey
Repentance is far more than just an arbitrary "step" in the plan of salvation. It is, in many ways, the key that unlocks the door of conversion. In Acts 17:30 we learn that "all men everywhere must repent." This command, in the gospel age, began to be preached in Jerusalem on Pentecost (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38). Even though we shall perish unless we do repent (Luke 13:3) and even though proper obedience enjoins upon us due penitence (Acts 3:19) still so many people do not understand the scriptural definition of repentance. What is repentance? How is repentance brought about? What is the result of true repentance? What about "death-bed repentance?" We shall strive to Scripturally answer these important questions immediately.
In Matthew 21:28-30 we find the best clear cut example and definition of repentance in the Bible. "A certain man had two sons' and he came to the fist and said, Son go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went." What is penitence according to the Bible? A change of decision. A man has decided to serve Satan and Sin. He learns of the love of God, the terrible nature of sin, the hopeless condition he is in and the joys of serving the Lord. He changes his mind (decision) in regard to sin. He thus repents. No wonder we believe repentance is the real obstacle in the scheme of redemption. Show me a man who will genuinely repent and I'll show you a man who will not quibble over baptism.
Repentance is brought about by the love of God, the wrath of God, and godly sorrow for sin. In Romans 11:22 and II Corinthians 5:11 we learn that the wrath of God should cause us to obey Him in this as well as other commands. in Luke 15 the prodigal repented when "he came to himself." He realized just how sinful he was and how wonderful his father was. "Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of" (II Corinthians 7:10). What is the result of true repentance? Acts 2:38 and 3:19 show us that the result is a reformed life. Repentance is not turning from sin. It is the decision to turn. Repentance is not a reformation of life but it produces such! Faith changes our affections; repentance our will; baptism changes our relationship.
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