Keeping The Cross In A Safe Place

Scripture

But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

~Luke 9:45, NASB

Quote

“It is the fellowship of the Cross to experience the burden of the other. If one does not experience it, the fellowship he belongs to is not Christian. If any member refuses to bear the burden of another, he denies the law of Christ.”

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When Jesus mentioned His passion [suffering/death] the second time, the disciples did not understand, it was concealed [veiled] from them and they did not absorb the truth into their minds. Was it Jesus who concealed the truth from them? Why would He mention it if He didn’t want them to understand. The word understand is agnoeō from which we get the word agnostic, to know nothing, to be ignorant. An agonistic does not claim faith or disbelief, he pleads ignorance saying, “we cannot know”. The word ‘concealed’ means to cover or veil. The key word is ‘afraid’{phobeō}. Fear puts us on the defensive and when we get tense and defensive, the blinds to our mind close, we stop receiving information. We do not process or understand what is being said.  I don’t think we are that different from the disciples.

We keep the cross locked up as a sentimental relic relegated to the past. We don’t think of the cross in presence tense–Its a moment to remember, a doctrine to study, a sermon to preach but it is not a way of life. By keeping the cross at a safe distance, we are allowed the luxury of being religious yet isolated from the suffering of others. [J.W. MacGorman]

It would help if we were more evangelistic but a bigger problem is our unwillingness to bear the burdens of others. We prefer to stay emotionally detached. You talk about a white harvest, people are hurting and dying all around us while we are in the self-preservation mode, like the disciples.

Jesus was open to questions but the disciples were afraid to ask. They had all the truth they could handle for the moment.

• I checked on Gary yesterday, his eyes were open but I could get him to talk. I am not a doctor nor the son of a doctor but he looks better to me. Joe David checked on Buford and he wasn’t doing well. I think he has stopped eating. I also looked in on Carman Livingston Sunday evening. He is getting tired of the bed.
• Busy week–took DIGEST to Alabama mail yesterday, preparing for tonight and the JBS at Athens February 28-March 2.
• Had some old friends from Cherokee to drop by today, what a refreshing surprise. Bobby and Nelda Thompson on they way back from Birmingham. Bobby lives on one of the best Crappie lakes in the country. They live just this side of the Mississippi line, only a couple of miles off of Hwy 72. It is always good to see old friends.
• SWAMP JOHN’S tickets are going better: we are over the half-way mark. We have to sale 91 tickets before March 28. I think they would make a good gift, buy one for a friend. Remember, you are supporting St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
• Some things to look forward to: Kenny Evans [Christian Entertainer] from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee will be with us Sunday morning May 15. Evangelist Junior Hill will be with us on Sunday morning August 21 and Wade Morris is coming back in November. How many Baptist churches have the top two Evangelist in the Southeast in one year? Are we blessed or what! Junior is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for EASTERN GATE MINISTRIES.

Kenny Evans

Dr. Junior Hill

Wade Morris

After A Little While

Scripture

In his kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

~ I Peter 5:10, NLT

Quote

“Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.”

~C.S. Lewis

A call to salvation in Christ is a call to suffer. I know this doesn’t appeal to our fleshly nature but some things can only be accomplished through suffering.

• Do you love this world? After you have suffered a little while you will long for the world to come.
• Do you crave the things of the flesh? After you have suffered a little while that craving will vanish.
• Does everything revolve around you? After you have suffered a little everything will revolve around HIM.
• Are you cold, callous and indifferent to the pain of others? After you have suffered a little while you will become sensitive to the pain of others.
• Are you ungrateful? After you have suffered a little while you will be thankful. I have never meet a believer who was gracious, humble, compassionate and thankful who had not suffered.

Moses suffered! Most of David’s Psalms came from his suffering. Jeremiah was the suffering servant of the Old Testament. His life, except for a few years under King Josiah, was one disappointment and heart break after another. Very few prophets died from natural causes and only one of the twelve Apostles died as an old man.

One minute into the agony of crucifixion, you and I would be praying for death. Don’t get upset with those who are ready to go home; you don’t know what they have suffered and suffering changes practically every thing.

• What a truly unique CHRISTMAS. We had to run our A/C, there were also flies and floods. There are people in West Hartselle who houses are flooded as I write. Landon and I were working on alliterating our Christmas experience last night and we came up with a four-p0int sermon: Frigeration, Flies, Floods and Flip-flops for Christmas.
• Gary Garner cannot have company but he is improving, PTL. Continue to pray for Gary.
• Buford had a good day yesterday and Christmas Day: he didn’t have a good day Christmas Eve.
• T-Bone {Travis Abernathy} mom’s COLS is today in Huntsville. Joe David and I will be leaving right after the service in the morning.
• The Pat Halbrooks service will be Wednesday but I do not know time or place.

Ignorance Is Not Always Bliss

SCRIPTURE

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?

~Mark 10:38, NLT

QUOTE

In Christ Kingdom, the road to greatness travels through the valley of service, sacrifice and suffering.

~Ya’akov

With a little prodding from mom, James and John got a little over ambition and ask Jesus for the one and two spots in the Kingdom but they were thinking that Jesus would be sitting on a throne ruling, not nailed to a cross dying. Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? In Judaism, a cup meant one of two things, suffering or celebration; here it meant bitter suffering. These two ignorant teenagers said, “Yes, we are able.” Jesus replied,  “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering but I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left.”

These boys did not ask for the throne; they knew Jesus belonged on the throne. They were willing to serve under Him but they did not want to serve the other ten. It is hard enough to submit to a perfect Jesus, who wants to submit to earthly authorities? James and John were kids, most think from 14-20 years of age. They were in for a shock and some accelerated learning. The Cross and the Resurrection were eye openers and they both drank the bitter cup of suffering. James was the first martyr and John survived imprisonment and a pot of oil. They tried to kill him but he wouldn’t die. In time they learned the truth: in the Kingdom, the way up is down.

When I was a young preacher I aspired to be great and then I learned: every great man of God has suffered intensely. Adrian Rogers lost a son, he literally died in his arms. Ron Dunn had a son commit suicide. On and on I could go. When I became aware of the price they paid, I gladly surrendered my ambition.

Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “I am told that I must esteem others as better than myself and there is only one way I can do it–I must contemplate the cross of Christ until I am crushed into the dust. It is the only thing that curbs the flesh in me.”

• I like good news but this has been a tough week and I have a heavy heart tonight. Gary fell yesterday morning and they rushed him to DGH where he stayed all day in the ER. Finally got him into a room last night but his head was killing him and they finally got him easy around 8:00. The report from the PET scan was not what we wanted but they say it is treatable. The man has been through so much. When I got to the hospital yesterday morning he was feeling better and we talked for about 30 minutes about spiritual things. He told me things that made my heart sing. I left on a high note but on the way home from the funeral home Hannah sent me a text and then Larry called a few minutes after I got in. The best news was that they gave him something for pain and he was getting easy. You have been so good to pray for Gary but I am asking you to pray again. I don’t understand this but I don’t understand a lot about suffering. The great Albert Schweitzer, “Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others.” He was a doctor, I am not. All I can do is pray and stand beside those who are suffering. I will tell you this: I am not going to miss this world.
• Tonight is our GATHERING at 6:30. Fifteen minutes of praise and worship and then our break-out groups. The Choir is having a supper tonight and they want everyone to show up. Men, they need you. David is going to introduce the Christmas music. He would be very encouraged to see a crowd for choir. Everyone make a special effort. Call Mandy or Jamie to get details on the party.
• YOUTH: you to could have a pizza party if you do what I ask–[1] Move the racks upon the amphitheater stage [2] take down the remaining fence [3] put picnic tables back under pavilion. Mrs. June will be watching and if she sees you working, she will go get the pizza. No work, no pizza. Text JD and tell him what kind you want if you want the pizza.
• Joe David and I had lunch with Allen and the Blackwood Brothers yesterday. The Blackwood’s are highly intelligent but Allen may be sitting at the head of the table. He doesn’t say much: he doesn’t get a chance.  I love their stories about their grand parents. I should have invited Hannah, she idolizes Keith. She talks about him all the time.
• Needs for FRIDAY BACKPACK PROGRAM: Poptarts, Peanut butter crackers, canned food [Ravioli, Chili, spaghettios], Caprisuns, Fruit Snacks, Applesauce, Granola Bars, Fun sized candy bars.
• Word Press is free so I shouldn’t complain but in their effort to make me pay, they allow glitches in the program. They will not let me delete pics and I have the Wheaties picture of the pervert and I am so sick of seeing it every time I do the blog.

Awesome Epistle

SCRIPTURE

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens.

QUOTE

God’s grace is always received, never achieved.

~Ya’akov

If you are hankering for a blessing, read I Peter in the NLT. Let me give you some examples:

• I Peter 1:4–We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
• I Peter 1:8–You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
• I Peter 1:19–He paid for you with the precious life blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
• I Peter 1:23–Your new life did not come from your earthy parents because the life they gave you will end in death.
• I Peter 2:21–This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is our example. Follow in His steps.
• I Peter 3:7–If you don’t treat your wife as you should, your prayers will not be heard. {Wow}
• I Peter 3:12–The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.
• I Peter 3:18–Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
• I Peter 4:9–Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
• I Peter 5:4–And when the Head Shepherd {Jesus} comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in His glory and honor.
• I Peter 5:6–So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.
• I Peter 5:7–Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

If you don’t find a verse in this list that rings your bell, your clapper is broke.

Pastors, I Peter 5:4 is for you. I cannot remember one moment of glory in my life. Perhaps I am forgetting. I know that I’ve never won a race, scored the winning TD, made the winning shot or been recognized for some outstanding achievement. I’ve never been the honoree in a ticker-tape parade but my day is coming. By His grace, I get a never ending share of Christ glory.

• We pray for STUDENTS today.
• I never think in time but I saw a beautiful sight last night. Joe David lead a prayer meeting at a ball game and it was moving. We prayed for Kane. I hope someone got a pic. I checked on Kenny after the SAFE and he was sleeping.
• The SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON went great. If Chareles’ class had not turned out we would have been in trouble. We had 20 total but that counts the four workers but two were Seniors. We had 17 Seniors and three youth: Mandy, Floyd and Joe David. The rolls were awesome and so was the ham. Everything was delicious.
• We will be visiting today; trying to get folks to the REVIVAL Sunday. Call a friend or fellow member that hasn’t been in a while.
• SCHEDULE: Donuts, coffee and biscuits at 8:45, Deacons and wives meet at 9:00, LCBS at 9:15 and REVIVAL at 10:15 and 6:00.

Teresa Glisson and Scotty

Renewed Day By Day

SCRIPTURE

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

~2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV

QUOTE

How incessant and great are the ills with which a prolonged old age is replete.

~C. S. Lewis

Martha Allen Newby, James M. Newby and Naola Bailey

Mrs. Martha Newby had a simple way of stating the C. S. Lewis quote: She said, “I don’t see anything golden about the golden years.” Life gets tough when you start losing your faculties and your figure. So many people put so much emphasis on the body but aging is a reality we have to face. You can fight it tooth and nail like Kenny Rogers and Joan Rivers but you may as well admit the outer man is in a state of decay. I don’t mind telling you, I prefer spiritual exercise over the physical and it use to be the opposite. I heard Junior Hill say once that he did two exercises every day: roll overs and pull ups. He said, “I roll over in the bed and pull up the covers.”  I am down to roll overs, pull ups and fork lifts. I’d rather read the bible than lift weights. Actually, I’d rather have a root canal as to lift weights.

We have a good–bad LCBS lesson this Sunday. It deals with the reality of aging and long term illness. As a general rule our chances of illness increase with time. I don’t think any of us want long term illness but we are not in control. The greater point of the lesson is to remind us to be compassionate to those around us who are suffering from long term illness.

• Today we pray for FAMILY.
• Kenny was resting peacefully when I was there yesterday morning.
• Senior Adult Fellowship today at 11:30…JD Jones famous homemade rolls. Better than Paula Dean’s!
• REVIVAL this Sunday: two services 10:15 and 6:00.
• Deacons and Wives meeting this Sunday morning at 9:00 in the Sanctuary. LCBS at 9:15 and REVIVAL at 10:15 and 6:00.

LCBS Lesson Preview

READY WHEN SICKNESS COMES TO STAY

QUOTE

“I think God is nearer to suffering than to happiness and to find God in this way gives peace and rest and a strong and courageous heart.”

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Extra: Dietrich Bonhoeffer–“I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer… kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.” [The testimony of the German doctor who witnessed the execution. Bonhoeffer was executed by Hitler at the age of 39. He was one of the few Pastor’s who took a stand against the evil Führer]

Ice Breaker–When you are sick, what makes you feel better? [Medication, rest, hope that you will recover soon, good care, sympathy, etc]

INTRODUCTION

Chip Ingram, the writer of our current series in Life Changing Bible Study, saw both of his parent suffer for an extended time before departing. Both were Christians, both had seen God answer prayers but when they ask for personal healing the answer they received from God was the same as with Paul and Jesus. The writer of Hebrews says…While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. You will note that God did not save His Son from suffering and death. Note what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12…Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I’m not Jesus or Paul. I have not reached the point where I take pleasure in weakness, insults, hardship, persecution and trouble. I’m still prone to mope, to get down, to complain when I get overwhelmed by unpleasant circumstances but I am not the example to follow. We need the attitude of Jesus and Paul. They gave God glory when they suffered.  I don’t pretend to understand but I have observed that God allows the best among us to suffer.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NIV

7 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck [knocked] down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION

1. Paul confessed he felt pressure: do you feel pressure? It could come from your work, from your relationship or even from yourself.
2. To be perplexed is to be baffled, puzzled or at wits end. Can you relate?
3. There were times when Paul got knocked down by unpleasant circumstances but he always got back up. What enabled him to have this inner strength not to give in to circumstances?
4. Do you agree or disagree that today’s typical person hopes are tied up in his or her physical health or circumstances?
5. What factor enables you to stay positive when you are sick and unable to take care of yourself?
6. What do you classify as “light and momentary troubles”?
7. What are some positive outcomes of pain and suffering? [helps us focus on what matters most. Reminds us that life here on earth is frail and fleeting. Helps us to be sensitive to the needs of others. Helps us to be thankful for what we already have.]
8. What is the difference between what you worry about and what Paul worried about? 
9. Whereas God said, “No” to healing Paul, He did make Paul a promise. What was the promise?
10. What does the unbelieving world need to see most: a miraculous healing or a believer who can rejoice in the midst of suffering?
11. Which one of the above conveys the most powerful message? [Healing or rejoicing in suffering]
12. When sickness comes to stay for a friend or family member, what can we do to express Christ’s love without being trite or self-righteous?
13. Are you intimidate by situations where the sick person is terminally ill?

THREE WAYS FOR GOD TO ANSWER

1. Sometimes God delivers us out [Children of Israel out of Egypt].
2. Sometimes God delivers us through [The Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace]
3. Sometimes God delivers us unto [He takes us to Himself]

Don’t Waste Your Sorrows

SCRIPTURE

For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

~2 Corinthians 1:5, NLT

QUOTE

Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.

~C. S. Lewis

We live in a broken sin cursed world which explains a lot of our suffering but there are times when we have no explanation. Job was totally confused: he had no clue why his children were killed in a storm, nor could he explain loss of property and health. Paul understood more about suffering than most and he gives us some reasons why we suffer in 2 Corinthians 1.

Five things suffering will do for you:

1. It will sensitize you to the suffering of others and enable you to give them comfort.
2. It will increase your patience and endurance.
3. It will teach you not to rely on yourself or the flesh. [Trust Christ only]
4. It will encourage you to pray.
5. It will create in you a spirit of gratitude.

I learned many years ago that behind the great men of God, the humble, the prayerful and the thankful lies a story of suffering. Ron Dunn lost a teenage son. Adrian Rogers lost and infant son. Clyde Dotson, Missionary to Rhodesia which is now Zimbabwe, buried two wives and three children in Africa. He was the most humble, gracious, prayerful man I have ever met. Don’t envy the great ones, admire them, they suffered.

• Today we pray for those facing TRIALS.
• Good attendance last night, better anyway. I was tired but the band lifted me up with those last two and we had a good service.
• I think we have had folks going to Memphis everyday and I have decided to wait until next week. Everything I hear is good. If Noah was 21 and married, we would ordain him as a deacon, the kid never misses.
• Kenny was a sleep when I was there yesterday.
• SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON TOMORROW {Friday} at 11:30…If I don’t forget, I will do a phone message today.
• REVIVAL SUNDAY: two services 10:15 and 6:00. Nursery and Children’s Church is both.

Orphans Won’t Be Orphans Forever

SCRIPTURE

But you do see; You take notice of trouble and suffering and are always ready to help. The helpless commit themselves to You; You have always helped the needy.

~Psalm 10:14, GNT

QUOTE

We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.

~Elisabeth Elliot

Personally, I know very little about suffering but I do see it everywhere and practically everyday. In the last 48 hours, I have hugged a child that has a broken heart, prayed with a friend who is battling cancer, visited a sweet lady who is just worn out and ready to go home and then finished the day at Huntsville Hospital where my brother-in-law survived death by inches and my aunt had a late evening emergency surgery that lasted until 9:00 PM last night. I thought about a passage I read in the message this morning…LORD, You know all about it–the contempt, the abuse, and those who never seem to catch a break but ultimately, You will not let us down. Orphans will not be orphans forever. A day is coming with orphans get parents, the homeless get homes, the sick get healing and the reign of terror {death} is over. No matter how dark it gets, there is always hope for a believer in Jesus Christ. He is hope for the hopeless.

 

• June’s brother is going to be OK but he was fortunate. He got blind sided right behind the door of his pickup. I don’t think he would have survived had he taken a direct hit. He has a lot of bumps and bruises. He has one bad cut and maybe a few cracked ribs but to this point, it appears that he is going to be OK. Jason said, “Uncle Jack, Dad will be there for the Thanksgiving dinner. We are thankful and we give the LORD praise.
• There is something that I am forgetting but it is late and my mind is getting fuzzy. Maybe I will think of it tomorrow.

An Inside Job

SCRIPTURE

So we have good reason to give thanks to God without pausing. For you have taken into yourselves the word of God we brought to you and received it as a message from God—not just something whipped up by someone like you or us—and that word is at work in you who believe.

~1Thessalonians 2:13, The VOICE

QUOTE

God is energizing you so that you will desire and do what always pleases Him.

~Paul Of Tarsus

The Apostle Paul teaches us that Christianity is an inside job. Religion works on the outside but Christ begins the work of salvation on the inside and from there, it works out. Dr. Warren Wiersbe says, God works inwardly by using four tools: [1] The Holy Spirit [2] The word of God [3] Suffering and [4] Prayer. I do know for a fact that people who suffer have a different perspective. I also know that salvation is grace from start to finish. You cannot come to Christ in confession of sin and not expect to be changed. The Rich Young Ruler came to Christ but he had no intention of being changed or transformed by God’s grace. He was willing to make a few changes himself but he would not yield control of his life.

EXTRA

• THE GOLDEN GIRLS has been rescheduled for October 11, 9:00 am at Cracker Barrel in Hartselle.
• Baby Shower for Zack & Kimie Cochran at Sandy’s this Saturday 2-4 pm. It is a boy!
• There is a FRONT PEW SHOWER for Katie Matthews Sparkman this Sunday October 5th. Katie is having triplets {Girls}.
• Don’t forget, your deadline for ordering Wednesday supper is Tuesday morning by 9:00 AM.
• Remember, you give your mission offering in envelopes for the next two Sundays. LM is Lottie Moon, GRACE is Guatemala, and the Gideon International envelops are marked. Pick up your envelops in the foyer.
• We have three books by Ronnie Rogers, REFLECTIONS OF A DISENCANTED CALVINIST. Read this book and then chapter 2 in Platt’s book Radical. You don’t need to read anymore than chapter 2. You will see very clearly what we have been talking about. The books are $10 and you have to see Mandy. They will not be in the foyer. Calvinist believe that salvation is monergistic–regeneration comes before faith. Salvation is God alone and man has no part in it. Calvinist are good at double talk but read chapter two and the story of the old preacher who took his students to the cemetery.
• I have not talked to a soul that did not get inspired by the service Sunday. The video was good but the singing was better.

The key to being a good leader in church is to be a good follower. In the kingdom of God, you can’t lead until you learn to follow. The disciples ultimately became good leaders but before they lead, they learned the discipline of following. There are no shortcuts. You cannot skip the course on following and jump into leading: it will not work. You must learn to be faithful to all the services of worship and supportive of all church ministries. When you refuse to be supportive of others, chances are, others are not going to be supportive of you.  It is the Law of Leadership and I did not invent it.

 PRAY FOR TEACHER’S DAY

No To Satan and Yes To Suffering

SCRIPTURE

Get away from Me, Satan. I will not serve you.

~Matthew 4:10, The VOICE

QUOTE

Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.

~C. S. Lewis

Although the temptations of Christ were three-fold: physical appetite, pleasure and power, the basic temptation was to avoid suffering. Jesus was hungry so the devil suggested turning stone into bread: why should the Son of God suffer from hunger. Why should He suffer at all and why should He serve? It was well within the grasp of Jesus to be an earthy king. The devil was tempting Jesus to shun the cross and the suffering that is attached. I really like the way Jesus answers the diabolical one…Get away from Me, Satan. I will not serve you. I like it, “Get our of My face, you are such a disgrace and My Father’s will I do embrace.” {JEV}

Are you shunning your cross?

• Huge turn out for AWANA…50 Sparks….10 Puggles….9 Cubbies…9 bus riders. We had between 90 and 100 in AWANA alone. We need a bus driver by next Wednesday night. I enjoy doing it but I can’t do two things at once. Youth were also up: Joe David had about 50. Everyone was up except my group. It will take a revival to get my group to show up.
• Golden Girls this Saturday morning at 9:00 at Cracker Barrel.
• I’m not sure about today’s schedule: I may have to go back to dentist and if my jaw goes to hurting, I may go home and go to bed. I will be at the office if I feel up to it. I doubt seriously that I will be able to do any hospital visitation today. Bill Wilborn is not doing well.
• Clara will possibly be coming home Friday.
• Today is our Day of Prayer for those having trials: If you don’t have names, I will share some of mine. Most of them are battling physical problems…Kenny Holladay, Larry Garner, Barney Sessums, Dee Eady, Bill Wilborn, Clara Miller, Angie Blackburn, Martha Newby, Steve Tanner and Jackie Steele.

Prayer For The Sick

Father we lift up our friends who are suffering. You have instructed us to call on our church leaders and ask for prayer when there is sickness. We gather in spirit today to intercede for those who are battling physical issues. Your word promises that the prayer of faith can raise them up and even bring them into right relationship with you. We prayer for everyone on our list: may You give them peace and courage; may you forgive their sins; may each and everyone of them look to You today as their Savior and Physician. Knowing that we will not dwell permanently in these bodies of clay, we exalt the spiritual needs above the physical. Father grant each what You deem needed most. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Senior Adult Ladies Prayer

“Dear Lord: The last four or five years have been very tough. You have taken my favorite actor – Paul Newman; my favorite actress – Elizabeth Taylor; my favorite singer – Andy Williams, my favorite author -Tom Clancy, and now my favorite comedian – Robin Williams. I just wanted you to know that my favorite politicians are Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and I have a special place in my heart for Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton….Amen”     

Victorious Faith

SCRIPTURE

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

~I Peter 5:6-7, NLT

QUOTE

Daily living by faith in Christ is what makes the difference between the sickly and the healthy Christian, between the defeated and the victorious saint.

~A.W. Pink

We cannot expect to walk in victory unless we know what we believe and why we believe it. The key to doctrinal soundness is a daily study in God’s word. Everything begins with knowing God… He is mighty {Sovereign}. God is in control: He either makes it happen or allows it to happen but nothing just happens. God is loving and kind. He is the God of GRACE who cares about you personally. God is righteous. He always does the right thing and at the right time.  As His child, you may suffer for awhile but you will be restored and your last state will be infinitely greater than the first. There are four things to keep in mind when we suffer:

1. We must remember that Christ suffered and in a way we will never have to suffer. He suffered the guilt of all the sin of the world. We will never know how much it cost to feel our sins upon the cross but He knows; He bore the weight of them all.
2. We must remember that there are others around us who are suffering. Whatever you are going through, you are not alone. A.B. Simpson said, “I never had a trial, that God did not point me to some poor pilgrim who was going through the same thing and needed some encouragement.” Suffering has a tendency to introvert us but if we can stop thinking of ourselves and look around, we will see someone who needs our help. If we are not careful, grief will make us its prisoner and eventually, we grieve over our grief.
3. We must remember that our suffering is temporal…Sorrow may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.
4. We must remember this: [1] We suffer but our suffering is nothing compared to Christ suffering; [2] It is nothing compared to what we deserve; [3] It is nothing compared to our reward {2 Corinthians 4:17…The short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here.}

Ten Clichés Not To Use When a Friend is Suffering

1. Suck it up…be a man!

2. Who said life was fair?Just grin and bear it!

3. Life is not a bed of roses!

4. It get’s darkest just before dawn!

5. Roll with the punches and don’t let them see you sweat!

6. Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit!

7. Get a grip…grow some skin!

8. Don’t worry, it will all work out in the end!

9. Let go and let God!

10. God bless you!

What is wrong with using Clichés when a fellow believer is hurting?

1. Clichés are trite, banal, meaningless over time, not original and usually not from the heart.
2. Clichés are cheap. Words are easy but the suffering brother/sister may not need words. He or she may need an ear, someone to listen. They may need intervention: someone who is willing to spend time and money to help them.
3. Clichés are hypocritical. They may sound spiritual but they are quick and easy ways for us to distance ourselves from the person and their problem.

• If Luther Roberts was still on this earth and was able, he would pull every single tomato plant I have up. I sat out over 50 and half of them died. We have been getting pitiful looking tomatoes all summer and none bigger than an apple, more like a tangerine. Gary Garner has been bringing us tomatoes that 3-4 inches thick. I wouldn’t dare tell Luther but they are bigger than the ones he use to grow and Gary’s cantaloupes are also delicious. Thank God for Gary!
• It’s been a difficult three days but I am feeling much better. I have a ton of things to do and have not be able to do them. It really makes me think about those who are shut-in. Being able to work is a great blessing. The grand children are waiting for me to build them a tree house but it may be a while before I can climb.
• No Deacons meeting today.

Festival Of Hope with Franklin Graham, Pittsburg last night!

Gospel Wrapping