The Reporter   
 Volume 52 # 6,  --  February 6, 2012

 

Just A Well Dug In The Ground?

 

   Good water to drink and use is a great blessing from God. Many in our world still depend on a well dug in the ground, near their house for water. “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25) The only cold of cool water that some will ever have is that water right from the well. Some of you grew up with a well in the yard and a dipper there at the well where people could draw and drink fresh, cool water directly from the well.  In the Bible we read such great expressions as “the fountain of living waters.” O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17:13) The Bible even has the expression, “the wells of salvation.” “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3) Underground water is often found by Dowsing. Dowsing is when a person uses some instrument which allows him to obtain information in a manner that is beyond the scope and power of the standard human physical senses. Dowsing is sometimes done with a pendulum, rod or other instrument. Dowsing is often used in the search for hidden things like water or metals. The two common terms used for this kind of “Dowsing” is “Divining for water” or “Witching for water.” 

 

   A small stick that is “Y” shaped is held in a person’s hands in a particular way and it moves downward when it was over the water supply. In years past in rural communities, digging a well, like digging a grave was a community affair. A number of men young men and boys would be involved in the work and other older men might just enjoy the time to socialize a little or to give advice concerning how to do the work. Wells of water are mention around 40 times in our King James Bible. The exact expression “Well of Water” is found in 14 verses in the King James Version of the Bible. Drawing water is found in 5 verses and digging a well is found in 7 verses. Just a well dug in the ground? No! That well provides one of the necessary substances of life and wells also proved many spiritual, life lessons. 

 

   Just a well dug in the Ground? No! Moses sat down there after he made his choice for God. The story of Moses' childhood comes from the Book of Exodus. The Pharaoh of Egypt had decreed that all the Hebrew boy babies were to be drowned at birth. Moses' mother and father hid him for 3 months and then placed their baby in a basket in the Nile River reeds. The baby cried and was rescued by one of the Pharaoh's daughters who kept the baby. Moses' sister Miriam was watching when the daughter of the Pharaoh took the baby. She suggested getting a Hebrew nurse for the infant. Moses grew up in the palace as an adopted son of the Pharaoh's daughter, but he had his own mother as his nurse. He was taught that he was a Hebrew and he was taught about God and His ways. Moses was visiting his brethren and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses must now make a choice. He defended the Hebrew and in so doing he struck the Egyptian and killed him. He had made his choice, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26) The Bible says, “Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.” (Exodus 2:15) Moses was not just sitting by a well dug in the ground; he was sitting there as a man who had made his choice to be faithful to God, whatever it required to do so. Let us, like Moses, make our strong choice to serve God also. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Just a well dug in the Ground? No! Moses sat down there after he made his choice for God.

 

   Just a well dug in the ground? No! It is God’s illustration of how a man should be faithful to his wife. In Proverbs 5:15 we read, “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.” God is here telling a man to be satisfied with thy own wife and the wife is to respect her husband and meet his needs. Listen, God loves you and He wants your family to be strong. The strange woman may use sweet speech and alluring means to attract you, but do not deceived by her. You must seriously consider the end of the decision to look to a strange woman. “But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.” (Proverbs 5:4-5) There could not be any strong teaching than Solomon’s simple statement, “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” (Proverbs 5:18) Just a well dug in the ground? No! It is God’s illustration of how a man should be faithful to his wife.

 

   Just a well dug in the ground? No! Jesus sat down there and gave forgiveness to a sinful woman. “Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:5-6) While sitting at the well Jesus met a sinful woman. Her life was broken and marred. Jesus wanted to give her living water but she was only thinking about the water in Jacob’s well and how deep it was. (John 4:10-11) It was about seventy-five feet deep and about nine feet in diameter. Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) The woman was perishing and she needed living water; she needed and received forgiveness. She was so affected by Jesus and His words that she received His forgiveness. You might have messed up in your life, but I am happy to tell you that Jesus is still offering living water. You can be forgiven. Just a well dug in the ground? No! Jesus sat down there and gave forgiveness to a sinful woman and He will give forgiveness to you.

 

   David remembered and longed for water from the well of Bethlehem. Three brave men hazarded their lives to bring him that water. David was so touched by their bravery that he did not drink the water but poured it out as a sacrifice to the Lord. (1 Chronicles 11:17-18) We all need to build good memories of things God has done for us and for our family. To become a Christian hear the word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of sins (2 Peter 3:9), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Come to Jesus today if you are in need of His forgiveness! Let us be like Isaac, the man in the Bible more connected with wells than any other. He would dig as many wells as necessary to be able to live in peace. (Genesis 26) Let us do the same.

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: William Pierce, Georgiana Hospital: Dale Bozeman (father of Cindy Thomas, Gary & Tony Bozeman). In Need Of Prayer: Lou Acreman,  Randall Alexander, Dee Barker, Jerry Barr, Teresa Boutwell, Brenda Burkett, Mellisa Coggins, Bonnie Croley, Sandra Cumbie, Marie Curlee, Marie Finch, Ron Fisher, Barry Gross, Bryan Harville, Linda Harville, Billy Heartsill, Davis Hester, Sarah Jean Hoffman, David Jones, Leona Jones, Felice Kendrick, Patrica Kennemore, Digger Kimbro, Alice Little, Larry Lucas, Christie McCullough family, Annie McKee, Taylor Merry, Charlotte Miller, Jeff Miller, Billy Joe Nelson, Doug Norris, Barbara Parker, Tina Pouncey, Henry Powell, Jack Queener, Joan Radcliff, John Reynolds, Olivia Reynolds (surgery February 8th), Peggy Rice (grandmother of Darrell Powell), Jimmy Riley, Billy Rodger, Katie Sanders, Nathan Simmons, Kenneth Smith, Lily Smith (after being in hospital), Rodger Soles,  Eleanor Stabler (surgery), Sarah Stidham, Mary Lou Terrell, Frank Thomas, Corrine Till (after being in hospital) , Leisha Till, Charlotte Todd, Carl Walker, Leroy Waller, Jim Watts and John Watts. Crowne Health Care: Helen Autrey, Dorothy Buck, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Betty Findley, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, Glenn Phillips, and Annie Ruth Tetter. 

 

2. Sympathy Expressed: Our sympathy is expressed to Lomax Owens and his family in the death of his sister, Juanita Turner.

 

3. Citizen of the Year: Congratulation Tim Croley! Tim was awarded the Jaycee’s Citizen of the Year award. The “John D. Murphy Person of the Year Award” was established in memory of John Murphy to honor individuals who volunteer their time to help in the community.

 

4. Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are invited to attend the Ladies Bible Class, Wednesday morning at 10:00. The class is studying the book of I Samuel.

 

5. Attention Van Drivers: If you drive our church vans or think you might drive the vans please give Deborah a copy of your driver’s license. This is for our insurance. It is important that this be taken care of NOW!

 

6. Anniversary: Celebrating an anniversary this week is: February 7th Ricky and Terri Lynn Bagents.

 

7. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week are: February 6th Adam Garlock, February 7th Terri Lynn Bagents, and February 8th Chris Bagents and Mary Lou Terrell.

 

8. Contribution Letters: The contribution verification letters for 2011 are on the Welcome Center. If there are any question contact Deborah Stallings.

 

9.  Ride for Jessie Mae Powell: We are looking for someone with a car or very low van that would be willing to pick up Jessie Mae Powell for church services. It you can help please contact Charles Box.

 

10. Thank You Note: Dear Church Family, Thank you for the visits, prayers, and cards after Sarah’s surgery. She has enjoyed playing with the balloon and bear that she received. We hope to be able to return to church very soon. Please continue to pray for Sarah as she recovers from pneumonia in her left lung. We are blessed to have a wonderful church family. In Christian Love, Steve, Donna & Sarah Hoffman

 

11. 2012 Budget: Our Elders have set our budget for 2012 as $348,355.96. The weekly budget is $6,699.16. Give as God has prospered you. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

 

12. Youth Activities: Crowne Health Care – Every Saturday morning at 10 am, we have a class at the Nursing Home. If you would be willing to host a devotional for the teens or any other youth event, sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board next to the resource room.

 

13. Area Events: (a) February 5th – 10th – The 76th Annual Bible Lectureship – Freed-Hardeman University and (b) March 5th – 8th – 68th Annual Bible Lectureship – Faulkner University – Theme: “Studies in the Book of Hebrews.”

 

We Are Wanted

 

  Many people are looking for acceptance. They want nothing more than to feel wanted and loved. This desire can become so intense that some go looking to fulfill it in places that will only give them hurt and turmoil. Look at how many children fall into the trap of meeting online predators? How many people run away from home, never to be heard from again? You know who is more than willing to fill that need?  Satan. He is seeking someone, anyone, to devour. (I Pet 5:8-9)  He is hungry.

 

   Do we make ourselves available to him? Do we lay our souls upon his table? Satan will gladly accept us, but only to hurt us for an eternity. If all we want is acceptance, he will gladly take us.

 

   If we want true love and acceptance, then we should never make ourselves available for just anybody. The Bible says the following about love: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers…Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 Jn 3:16, 18) “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world, so that we might live through him.” (1 Jn 4:9)

 

   Even though we were disgusting, rotten sinners, Jesus loved us enough to die anyway. (Jn 3:16-17; Rom 5:8) Satan will never do that. Drug dealers will never do that.  Rock bands, movie stars, and Facebook acquaintances will never have the love for us that Jesus has. Jesus promises us rest, if we will just come and learn from Him. (Mt 11:28-29)

 

   Every individual on the face of this earth is wanted – believe it or not.  Satan wants us. God wants us. If you want eternal pain, suffering, and torment, go ahead and run to Satan. (Rev 21:8; Mt 25:46) Allow him to feast on your soul. But if you want to be accepted out of love and to be a part of something grand, run to the Lord. The life Satan offers will never touch the joy that will await us if we are found in Jesus. (Rev. 21:4) Peter expressed the guarantee of this offer well when he penned the following, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pet 5:10-11)           - - - - Adapted from: James Jones

 

Why is talk cheap? Because the supply exceeds the demand!

 

Service Time:

Sunday

Morning:                                          Evening:

    Bible Study 9:30                             Worship 6:00

    Worship 10:30                               

Wednesday:

Bible Study 7:00 pm

 

Here To Serve:

Elders:                                              Deacons:

    Mike Bagents                                  Tony Bozeman

    Jerry Barr                                       Bruce Cauthen   

    Bobby Terrell                                  Jason Holladay 

    Thomas Till                                     Dennis Lowery   

Minister:                                             Stuart Taylor     

    Charles Box                                    Jim Till

Youth Minister

    Darrell Powell

 

 Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)