The Reporter     Volume 47 # 38,  --  September 21, 2007

 

Can God Make His Home With You?

 

   Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me” (John 14:23-24).  Most religious people would hope that God would make His home with them. But here, Jesus makes it very clear with whom He and the Father will abide. 

 

   We must love God in order for Him to make his home with us.  Jesus tells us that the greatest command to us is “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). We must love Him more than anyone or anything else including our families, our dearest loved ones, and even our own lives (Luke 14:26).  To what degree do you love the Lord? Whole-hearted love carries with it the idea that all of our decisions are affected by that love. Our every thought and deed are done only after considering the effect that thought or deed will have on the one we love. It makes sense that God would make His home only with those who Love Him and want Him to be with them.

 

   How is it known when one loves another?  Jesus goes on to  say that  if we  love  Him,  we will keep His word (John 14:23). Our love for Him is manifested by our obedience to His will.  So many people claim to have faith in and love for God, yet they prove otherwise with their lives.  Those who refuse to follow the word of God are fooling no one with their pseudo-love for Him. On the Day of Judgment, the Bible will be opened, and each of our lives will be measured by its contents (Revelation 20:12). It will be a sad day for those who follow not after the will of the Father. No doubt some of them will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (Matthew 7:22).  But Jesus will reply, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”  (Matthew 7:23). Some see this statement as harsh & unloving, but if it were not for the great show of love that God made for us in sending Christ to die for us, we would have no chance and no hope. After doing that great thing for us, God merely asks that we keep His commands.  “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

           

   Do you truly love God? Does it show in your actions? Make your heart a suitable home for the Lord by loving Him and obeying His will.  Remember, if it is not the Lord God who lives in your heart there IS someone else abiding within you (John 8:44).

- - - - Darrell Powell

Will You Deny Him?

 

   Peter looked boldly into the eyes of the Lord and said without hesitation, “though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.” To which Jesus replied, “assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” But unwaveringly, Peter clove to his self-confidence and said, “…though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you” (Matthew 26:33-35). 

 

   Soon after this conversation, Judas came with the multitude to betray Jesus.  They took Him away to be placed on trial for the crimes, which He had not committed. He was found guilty and was sentenced to death. And as they began to mock and spit upon Jesus, Peter was following at a distance when he sat to warm himself by a fire. First, a servant girl saw him and said, “this man was also with Him,” to which he replied, “woman, I do not know Him" (Luke 22:56-57). “And after a little while another saw him and said, ‘You also are of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!” (Luke 22:58). Finally, another said, “surely this fellow was also with Him,” but Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying! And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed” (Luke 22:60).  “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). 

 

   No doubt any faithful Christian would hope they could look into Jesus’ eyes and say, “I would never deny you.” The truth is, while He is not physically here on earth, we have chances every day to stand with Him or to deny Him. When given an opportunity to share the gospel, do you declare as did Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16), or do you sound more like Peter and say, “I do not know Him?” Do not be fooled into complacency. With this denial, you crucify Christ again (Hebrews 6:6). 

- - - - Darrell Powell

Do You Even Love Him?

 

   A few days after Peter’s denials of Christ, the risen Lord sat with the disciples and ate breakfast. When they were finished Jesus turned to Peter and asked him, “Do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15). This question He asked twice, both times using a form of the word agape, which describes a complete and selfless love. Peter replied to both questions with a much weaker form of the word “love,” saying, “yes Lord you know that I phileo you.” Undoubtedly this deeply grieved Peter, but he was aware of his weakness, and would not boldly profess his undying love for the Savior. A third time Jesus asked, “Peter, do you phileo me?”  (John 21:17). But this time Jesus asks as if to say, “Peter, do you even like me?”  To which Peter replied, “Lord, you know all things.  You know that I phileo you.” 

 

   Like Peter we are often quick to profess our endless, perfect love for God. And, like Peter, we are quick to deny Him with our actions or words.  We are fortunate, today, that we don’t have to fear death when we profess the name of Christ. But we must fear death if we refuse to obey Him.  Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). You see, Jesus didn’t require that Peter’s love always be perfect, but He did require him to be His friend. 

 

   Are you a friend of Jesus?  Are you cleansed of your sins by the blood of the Lamb? You can answer yes when you’ve done what the Bible says you must do.  It is simple.  Hear the word of God (Romans 10:17). Believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, and that He died for you (John 8:24). Repent of your past sins. (Luke 13:3.) Confess Christ before others (Romans 10:9-10). Be baptized, or fully immersed, in water to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16). Then continue to live in accordance with God’s word for the remainder of your life so that you can receive the reward that has been promised to all who live faithfully (Revelation 2:10). Become Jesus’ friend today!                    

- - - -Darrell Powell

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Baptist Medical Center South: Denver Reynolds. In Need Of Prayers: Mae Beverly, Neomia Collins (facing eye surgery), Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Susan Herring, Wanda Kyser, Jo Ann Moorer, Clay Newton, Deborah Owens, Amanda Phillips, Mary Powell, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Brenda Stallings, Mary Lou Terrell, Josh Thomas, Sylvester Thomas, Earl & Jane Walden, Leroy Waller, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, Mary Lou Phelps and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. The Lord’s Invitation: Meaghan Till responded to our Lord’s invitation. She request-ed the prayers of the church. Please remember her in your personal, private prayers.

 

3. Prayer Request: Kenyan and Kasie Maxwell are going through some difficult times right now and request prayers on their behalf.

 

4. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Michael Howell, Taylor Bodie, Lynn Kervin, Richard Shows, and Todd Till (son of Mable Till). Pray for them often!

 

5. Wedding Announcement: Our wedding day will be a fairy tale a dream without end…Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stallings request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kimberly Ann Hittell to Trenton Adam Garlock son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Garlock on Saturday, the sixth of October two thousand and seven at two o’clock in the afternoon at Southside Baptist Church Greenville, Alabama Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall

 

6. Correction: Congratulation to Johnny and Angie Hobbie on the birth of their daughter, Christine Abigail (Abby). She was born on September 8^th and she weighed six pounds 15 ounces and was nineteen inches long. Proud grandparents are Jimmy and Betty Hobbie and Bill and Shirley McMillian.

 

7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 24^th Deborah Stallings, September 25^th Patsy Nall, and September 26^th Pat O’Connor.

 

8. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning ladies Bible class meets at 10:00 a.m. each Wednesday. The class is studying from the epistles of Romans thought II Thessalonians. All ladies are encouraged to participate.

 

9. Secret Pals: Our ladies are invited to participate in the Secret Pals program for the 2007-2008 year. Forms for participation are on the table in the foyer. The forms need to fill out and returned to Nell Daughtry by September 26^th. The ladies will meet on September 30^th at 2:00 p.m. to reveal this year’s Secret Pals and draw for next year. 

 

10. Area Wide Youth Devotional: There will be a youth devotional for the Montgomery area at the Walnut Street Church of Christ on Sunday October 14^th after the evening service.

 

11. Fifth Sunday Meal: There will be a meal after the morning worship on Sunday September 30^th. Everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy the fellowship. The Dessert committee will clean up after the meal.

 

12.  Carl Sessions Camp Fund: Contributions to the “Carl Sessions Camp Fund” have made it possible for us to provide an opportunity for any child from the Walnut Street Church of Christ that desires to attend Christian camp. The fund is low and needs to be replenished before next camp session. Make checks to Walnut Street Church of Christ and mark them “Carl Session Camp Fund”.

 

13. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) September 24^th-26^th – Regions University’s Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery. (b) September 25^th-29^th – 36^th Heritage Christian University Annual Evangelism Workshop – There’s A Great Day Coming: Welcoming the Lord’s Return (c) October 7^th-9^th – Gospel Meeting – North Lowndes Church of Christ – Speaker Dave Mill – Time Weeknights 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret Munro

 

Celebrated Her Ninetieth Birthday – August 11^th

 

Margaret was honored at the Walnut Street Church of Christ

as she celebrated her ninetieth Birthday surrounded by family, friends and fellow Christians.

 

For more than 10 years she severed faithfully as secretary of the

Walnut Street Church of Christ.

 

She has been an asset to the Walnut Street church.

Her life has blessed many!

 

We love you Margaret!

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)