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God's
Precious Word
Mankind has truly been blessed by God with
the gift of God's precious word, the Bible. Our appreciation for God and His
Scripture should be expressed as we daily study His word. The people of
It matters not how smart a man may become he
is still ignorant if he does not know and obey the word of God. We never
outgrow our need for God and His revelation. What a mistake people make by not
knowing the Scriptures or the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)
The Bible is the world's greatest book.
The Bible is not just another book. The Bible is God's truth. (John 17:17) The
Bible is the timeliest and most useful book ever penned. It tells man how to
live on earth and how to go to heaven when he dies.
Many have been opposed to the Bible. The foes
of the precious word of God have come and gone but the Bible still remains the
best seller from year to year. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but
My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew
24:35)
The Bible is given by inspiration of God.
The very words of the Bible were given by God. We can read and believe the
Bible without having to fear that any part of it is untrue or uninspired.
Peter said, "...holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) God empowered holy men to write this book we know as the
Bible.
Paul taught the same truth about the inspired scriptures. He said,
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The apostles and prophets delivered
the message that they had received from God. Do not doubt God's word. Believe,
love and obey His truth.
The Bible is complete without addition,
subtraction or substitution. Many add to and take away from God's word.
God warned against such tampering with His truth. Through the apostle John He
said, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of
this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that
are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book
of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the
holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation
22:18-19)
By inspiration Paul gave warnings against
changing God's precious word. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel to you than what we have
preached to you, let him be accursed..." (Galatians 1:8-9) Dealing with
the word of God is a serious matter because heaven and hell
are involved. A false gospel leads to
condemnation instead of salvation!
The Bible is God's salvation message that
reveals the Savior. The Gospel has the power to save all that will believe and
obey it. Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and
also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16) If one is to be made free from sin, he
must know the truth because it is the truth that makes you free. (John 8:32)
Not only will the truth save a soul, but it
will keep him in the pathway of righteousness. This great truth is taught in
the powerful 19th Psalm. The Psalmist said, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is
sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing
the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The
fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much
fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great
reward." (Psalm 19:7-11)
The teachings of the Bible must be
obeyed because they are the commandments of God. John wrote, "Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may
enter through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14) The Bible is a
book for all purposes. It provides comfort for one that is in sorrow; it
provides encouragement for one that is in despair; it provides strength for
one that is weak and gives hope to the one that is lost. The Bible can meet our
every need. God's precious word also has an answer to all our religious
questions.
The Scriptures tell us how to live and how to
die. They show us where man came from, his purpose for being here, and where he
is going when he dies. The Bible is man's roadmap from earth to heaven. It is
this same word that will judge us in the last day. (John 12:48) We should
believe the word of God and make it our daily companion. We must allow God’s
word to govern our daily lives.
The Bible tells us how to be saved. Salvation is
only in Christ. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9)
Salvation comes only to those that believe in
Jesus. If you are to be saved you must believe that Jesus is the
Son of God and that He became your sin offering. Jesus claimed to be the Son of
God; the only religious authority of God on earth. (Matthew 28:18) He said,
"I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but
by me." (John 14:6) Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews
11:6)
Those who are saved must repent
of all sins. The scriptures teach that repentance is necessary for salvation.
(Acts
Those who are saved must confess
the precious name of Christ. People that believe in Jesus and have repented of
their sins will be asked to confess publicly the name of Christ. (Romans
10:9-10) Then, with this accomplished, a person is ready to be baptized into
Christ.
Those who are saved must be baptized.
In Bible examples of conversion, the New Testament
plainly states that people were baptized. Paul was told to be baptized and wash
away his sins. (Acts
- -
- - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: Health South
Rehab Gadsden: Charles Box, Sr. In Need Of Prayers: Jerry Barr, Jan
Blackwell (Elder Chestnut Drive Church of Christ, Atlanta, Georgia), Shirley Boutwell, Dannie Box, Ida “Jean” Brazell,
Dorothy Buck, Shirley Curry, Bobby Fullington, Judy Green, Roy Goodwin, Billy Heartsill, Jeff Hughes, Mary Lawrence, Gentry McCeary, Mable McClain (mother of
Linda Adams), Renny McNaughton,
Roland Mitchell, Reba Miller, Cynthia
Olive, Elizabeth Perdue, Betty Pitts (aunt of Jeff Thomas), Mary Powell, Zachary
Reynolds, Don Shirley, Sean Smith (son of Anna Lewis), Sarah Stidham, Leroy Tindal, Ted Tindal, Richard
Watts, Mary Williams and Kim Willett. Crowne
Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gene Buck, Gladys Childs, Kathy
Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue, Corrine
Till. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility:
Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.
2. Please Pray For: Pray
for Ben Newton, Jason Godwin and Dennis Phillips Jr. (Capt. Dennis Phillips,
MNCI/IAG J-4, APO AE 09342) as they serve in
3. Sympathy Expressed:
Our love and sympathy is expressed to: (a)
the family of Winston “Wink” Fussell and (b) the family of Ruth Faust. She is
the step grandmother of Kimberly Garlock.
4. Birthdays: Celebrating
a birthday this week is: October 18th Paige Barr.
5. Area-Wide Devotional: There
will be an Area-Wide Devotional at Walnut Street Church of Christ after the
evening service Sunday, October 12th. The ladies are asked to
provide finger foods for the devotional.
6. Baby Showers: (a) A baby
shower is plan for Ashley Holladay on October 19th after evening
service. Everyone is invited to stay and bring finger foods. Ashley is to have
a boy. (b) A luncheon/baby shower is
plan for Darrell and Jamie Powell on November 2nd after the morning
worship service. Everyone is invited to stay and enjoy a meal and fellowship
with Darrell and Jamie. Remember they are having a boy.
6. A Trunk of Treats:
October 31st there will be a Trunk of Treats Party at the home of
Stacey & Patricia Harrell. If you plan to set-up for treats be there at
7. Fall Festival: The
Fall Festival will be on November 1st at the home of Stacey and
Patricia Harrell at
8. Congratulation:
Congratulations to Paige Barr who received the WSFA Class Act Award this
week.
9. Welcome Jeff and Meghan Stacy:
We give a big
11. Put These Dates On Your
Calendar: (a) October 12th-14th
– Gospel Meeting – North Lowndes Church of Christ – Speaker Charles Box –
Sunday 6:00 PM and Weeknights 7:00 PM (b)
June 28th – July 2, 2009 – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street
Church of Christ. (c) July 12th – 17, 2009 –
Backwoods Christian
Are You A Soldier?
Before I enter
into the matter of this article, I must take this opportunity to thank all who
have helped Meghan and me in so many ways since we have arrived. Your kindness
has had a great impact upon us and we feel indebted to you for it. Also, I want
to use this opportunity to tell you all about a few events. This Sunday
evening, October 12th, after the evening worship service, we will be
hosting an Area-Wide Youth Devotional. We are looking forward to this event. By
way of a reminder, we ask the ladies to bring finger foods for refreshments to
be eaten after the devotional period. Also, on October 31st, we will
be having a Trunk of Treats activity. The following day, November 1st,
we are invited to attend the Fall Festival at the Harrell’s residence. If you
have any questions about these events, please see me (Jeff Stacy).
Are
you a soldier? In asking this question, there are a couple of different
ways it can be understood. Perhaps when you think of being a soldier, first you
think of the brave men in camouflage fatigues who are oversees protecting our freedoms and the freedoms of others. Maybe you
immediately thought of your life as a servant of Christ. When asking this
question, my question could have better been penned, “Are you a solider of
Christ?” However, there are many similarities between a Christian soldier and a
soldier of an army of this world. Both
have a life of duty filled with hardships.
2 Timothy
- - - - Jeff Stacy
Make the
world kinder, one person at a time, beginning with you.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)