Sometimes smaller churches make the mistake of thinking that they cannot do much for the cause of Christ. We assume that limited numbers and limited resources means we can only have limited results. This is not true! Allow me to share with you the opening lines of a recent letter from Doug Wheeler who has just returned from his annual trip to Nigeria . . . “Dear brethren, I want to thank you for your support and the great interest you have in Nigerian evangelism! I must say that you are one of the leading congregations in INFLUENCE for Christ and His church in Nigeria, BECAUSE of your WBS (World Bible School) program you have going on in Nigeria through Sylvester Imogoh . . . How does that make you feel? You ought to feel honored and blessed that Christ is doing such a significant work through us! As a small child I loved to throw a pebble into a pond and watch the ripples move out over the entire surface. I was fascinated that something so small could affect something so large. Who would have ever thought that the little ole Highland Lakes church of Christ would be one of the leading churches in the world to have an influence on the entire nation of Nigeria? Brethren . . . let’s keep the ripples going . . . it’s having a great impact for the Lord! — Joe
Out of love for one another…….
We are currently allowing mask use to be optional during the Sunday morning Bible Study and worship assembly and Wednesday evening Bible study. We recommend that those who are unvaccinated or have personal health concerns to continue to wear a mask. We thank you for your consideration of and care for others. Masks are available if you need one.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)
Scripture of the Week
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy , to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.” ~~ Romans 12:1-2
Something to Smile About
Governmental Talent
Curtis and Leroy saw an ad in the newspaper and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, ―Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.‖ Curtis and Leroy replied, ―Well, then just give us our money back.‖
The farmer said, ―Can’t do that. I went and spent it already .‖They said, ―Okay then, just bring us the dead mule.‖ The farmer asked, ―What in the world ya’ll gonna do with a dead mule?‖ Curtis said, ―We gonna raffle him off ‖The farmer said, ―You can’t raffle off a dead mule!‖ Leroy said, ―We shore can! Heck, we don’t hafta tell nobody he’s dead!‖
A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis and Leroy at the grocery store and asked, ―What’d you fellers ever do with that dead mule?‖ They said, ―We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do.‖
Leroy said, ―Shucks, we sold 1000 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $1998.00.‖ The farmer said, ―My goodness, didn’t anyone complain?‖ Curtis said, ―Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dollars back.‖ Curtis and Leroy now work for the government.Think About It
Museum Bibles
The Bible is not a museum piece to be admired at a distance and dusted now and again. It is a treasure to be polished. It is a tool to be used. It is a light to be shined. It is a mirror to be viewed. It is a sword to be sharpened. It is a food to be digested. The poet worded it this way: “These has God married, and no man shall part, dust on the Bible, and drought in the heart.”
It is best to have a specific time each day. Many find it easier to study in the morning (Psalm 88:13; Mark 1:35). God’s mercies “are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). Some like to study on their lunch hour (Psalm 55:17; Acts 10:9). Others are night owls who focus best at night while it is quiet (Psalm 119: 148). Experiment with different times to see what works best for you. The most important thing is not to own a ―museum Bible.
– Dwight Fuqua Findlay church of Christ Sparta, TN
