The Reporter     Volume 47 # 24,  --  June 15, 2007

 

God Is Our Heavenly Father

 

   Today (June 17, 2007) earthly fathers are being honored in our country. Every day God should be honored as our heavenly Father. In giving the "model" prayer Jesus said, "in this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." (Matthew 6:9) God is called Father by Jesus no fewer than one-hundred and sixty times. What a beautiful expression - "Our Father in Heaven."

 

   God has the heart of a father: "As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:13) God pities His children and will do far more for them than any earthly father ever could or would. God's mercy shines when He is seen as a Father with His children whom He pities.

 

   God has the house of a father: "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) Christians have an abiding place or a mansion in the "Father's House." The blessings awaiting in the Father's House are beyond our ability to grasp, but through the eye of faith we see!

 

   God has the love of a father: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish  but  have  everlasting  life."  (John  3:16)  The love of God for sinners caused the greatest gift ever given; God's Son was sacrificed to save us from our sins. God's love touches every moment of our life.  His love is that of our Father in Heaven.

 

   God has the tenderness of a father: "Indeed we count them blessed who endure.  You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:11) God is pictured as full of pity and tender mercies. "Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Day-spring from on high has visited us." (Luke 1:78) God, our heavenly Father, tenderly guides us toward heaven.

 

   Because God is Father and has great love for mankind He has provided forgiveness of sins through Christ's death. "In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) Thank God that salvation can be ours!

 

   God is your Father if you are His child through humble obedience to the gospel. (Hebrews 5:8-9, Mark 16:16) God has the heart of a Father, the house of a Father, the love of a Father and the tenderness of a Father. Can you truthfully say, "Our Father in Heaven"?

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Jackson Hospital: Mary Lou Terrell, Baptist South Hospital: Mable Harrell (grandmother of Dustin Harrell). In Need Of Prayers: Linda Bender, Lorene Beverly, Mae Beverly (grandmother of Tyler Ray), Janice Box (knee surgery June 19^th), Peri Chapman, Marie Curlee, Roy Goodwin, Berniece Gorum, Montine Hardin, Latrelle Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, Mary Jo Hoffman (mother of Steve Hoffman), Jerry Johnson, Darrell Jones, Wanda Kyser, Mary Lawrence, Percy Newton (father of Todd Newton), Steve Osborne, Barbara Parker, Glenn Phillips, Mary Powell, Jack Queener, Shirley Schofield, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Vickie Starky (daughter of Elease Brown), Doris Taylor, Mary Williams and Melissa Woodruff. Crowne Health Care: Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, and Jean Hayes.

 

2. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Jason Godwin, Michael Howell, Kimberly Williams, Taylor Bodie, Lynn Kervin and Paul Findley. Pray for them often!

 

3. Mail For Jason Godwin: If you are planning on sending anything to Jason Godwin, only send him e-mail for a while  (jason.e.godwin@us.army.

mil).

 

4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: June 17^th Dennis Lowery, June 18^th Kelsey Woodard, June 20^th Lacey Barr and Janelle Capps, and June 21^st Ruth Davis, Alice Padgett and Bobby Terrell.

 

5. Graduation Invitation: The Elders of the Forest Hill Church of Christ and Faculty of the Memphis School of Preaching, Memphis, Tennessee join Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Liddell in requesting the pleasure of your presence at the Commencement Exercises and Reception in honor of the Graduates on Sunday, the seventeenth of June two thousand and seven. Reception: 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Forest Hill Church of Christ. Graduation: 6:00 p.m. at the Forest Hill Church of Christ, 3950 Forest Hill Irene Road. (The Walnut Street Church supports Chance Hicks who will be graduating.)

 

6. Wedding Invitation: Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Preston Stabler Request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Rachel Elisabeth to Lester Wayne Clements, II, son of Karla Ann Clements and the late Lester Wayne Clements on Saturday, the seventh of July two thousand and seven at two o’clock – Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama.

 

7. Fish Fry And Fellowship: The Walnut Street Church of Christ will have a fish fry and fellowship on June 23^rd beginning at 6:00 p.m. Fish and fries will be provided. Please bring deserts, drinks and fixings. 

 

8.  Agape Coin Cans: By now your Agape Coin Cans should be almost full. They will be collected on June 24^th. This is a simple and wonderful way to touch many lives. So, do what you can to help!

 

9. Backwoods Christian Camp: Our week at Backwoods will be July 8-13. Camp fees will be paid from the Carl Sessions Camp Fund for all Walnut Street youths that participate. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Get them filled out and back to Darrell right away! You can also print a copy of the form from our website at

 http://walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org/backwoods/backwoods_christian_camp_2007.htm.

 

10. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) June 17^th-20^th – Luverne Church of Christ – Vacation Bible School – ages 2 through 12 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (b) June 20^th-22^nd – Davenport Church of Christ – Vacation Bible School – Time 7:00 p.m. – Classes for all ages. (c) July 8^th-13^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – Sixth Session – Directors Charles Box & Terry Claunch – 4^th grade through College. (d) July 8^th-11^th – Homecoming & Gospel Meeting – McDonald Street Church of Christ, Crestview – Speaker MacArthur Cooper – Sunday 10:00 a.m. Bible Class, 11:15 a.m. Worship,2:20 p.m. Singing, 3:00 p.m. Service and weeknights 7:30 p.m. (e) September 24^th – 26^th – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.

 

THE BAD NEWS AND THE GOOD NEWS

 

      THE BAD NEWS IS; WE ALL SIN. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23.)

 

      THE GOOD NEWS IS; WE ALL CAN BE FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS. "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38.)

 

      THE BAD NEWS IS; THE WORLD IS A WICKED PLACE TO LIVE. "I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible." (Isaiah 13:11.)

 

      THE GOOD NEWS IS; THE CHRISTIANS GET TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15.)

 

      THE BAD NEWS IS; WE WILL ALL DIE. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Herbrews 9:27.)

 

      THE GOOD NEWS IS; WHEN WE DIE WE CAN LIVE FOREVER. "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46.)

 

      THE BAD NEWS IS; HELL IS REAL. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28.)

 

      THE GOOD NEWS IS; HEAVEN IS REAL. "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Revelation 21:2-3.)

    

        - - - JOSH WEBSTER

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)