EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSIONS (EEM) is hosting a benefit event in Round Rock on Saturday evening, March 7th at 7:00 PM. More information and a sign-up list is posted on the Mission bulletin board. If several members desire to attend, a car pool is possible.
WELCOME, NEW MEMBER! Last Sunday, February 23rd, Jason Guzman placed membership with us at Highland Lakes. Jason has been visiting with us for quite a while and we are so happy that he has decided to be with us as we worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ together, and fellowship with each other. Please add his information to your directory. It is available from the church office or the bulletin.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
NIGERIAN SALVATION STORY
Nigerian preacher Mike Udam shared a story of the power of God’s Word to save. Let us be reminded to pray that the Lord’s word will be spread everywhere and influence the lost to be saved. For the elders, Ken D
THE POWER OF THE WORD TO SAVE. Tom Onah and Emeka Okenwa, both evangelists and members of Ogoja WBS team met a pastor of a denomination who is leading a “church” near their area. They engaged him in a Bible study for a period of a month and then brought him to meet with me in the early part of November last year. I added my own voice and made him partake in all our programs. After listening to the lectures during our last Lectureship in November, the couples retreat in December and the Leadership seminar in January where Chad Wagner spoke about Growing the church through Sound Doctrine, he quietly whispered to me that he has seen the truth. His only worry was the need to be baptized “again” after having two earlier “baptisms”.
We kept on discussing and I gave him support to attend the WBS Great Workshop in Abuja as the Director. At the end of the workshop, he was convinced that he need to be properly baptized into Christ now understanding 1Cor 12:13. Three days after the Great Workshop, I saw him and the duo of Emeka Okenwa and Tom Onah in my house. He broke the news to me that he is ready to start the journey with Christ. That single decision meant he is willing to forgo the leadership of his denomination and the entire juicy package associated with it to embrace Christ and be added to his body the church. We took his confession and he was baptized into Christ. Keep him in your prayers and may the good Lord strengthen him to run the race till the end in Jesus Name. His name has been changed from Pastor Joseph Ekpo to Bro Joseph Ekpo. He is now our brother.
There is an urban legend about a group of famous scientists who stopped for lunch at a small-town diner. Seated at the table were six of the greatest thinkers of our day. Their average IQ was in the 160s. They noticed that their salt and pepper shakers had been reversed. One with the S on top was filled with pepper. The other with the P on top was filled with salt. So, they concocted an elaborate plan to switch the contents without spilling them. It involved a napkin, a straw and a saucer. Proud of their solution, they presented it to the waitress. ―That is an interesting scheme, she said. ―Of course, we could do this. Whereupon she simply unscrewed both shakers and switched the tops.
The Bible asks an important question: “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20b). To a Being as wise as our Lord, we must seem like little children to Him. We develop our theories and axioms and syllogisms, but to Him it‘s just child‘s play. So, the truly wise one is the one who accepts God, and His Word, by faith.
This almost humorous story should not turn us against education! Education is a very important part of making us humans functional, to understand facts of the natural world that God has created. But, our education should not make us stagnant to the point where we can‘t see and find solutions to simple, everyday occurrences or live our lives in a foolish way. Education, secular and spiritual, must be firmly grounded in the principles that our Creator established. God says in Hosea 4:6 “— my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge”. Know His word and understand its application in and to everyday life!
• “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil is a very true thought expressed by C.S. Lewis. • Even ancient philosopher, like the Greek Aristotle, expressed it like this: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” We need to use our rational mind and engage our emotional heart for best results. God tells us that His laws must penetrate into the heart, the emotional center for proper application. Upon the subject of education … “I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.” — Abraham Lincoln • “Education is one of the most powerful things in life. It allows us to find the meaning behind everything and helps improve lives in a massive way.” — Quote • “Education gives us an understanding of the world around us and offers us an opportunity to use that knowledge wisely”. — Quote • ―My parents encouraged thought. You’ll get through life better if you learn how to think’.– Holly Near • “The person who asks questions is more helpful than the person who offers advice”. — James Clear
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! You’re part of the Great Commission and part of my missionary journey. You’ve blessed me beyond measure! Without your help I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. Because of your constant support, we are able to bring hope to the hopeless. I can’t express my thankfulness enough! Thank you for being a part of my Christian walk and faith.
I love y’all! AIMing in Christ, Kaylee Hankins
THE FOOD PANTRY
will NOT be open on Tuesday, February 25th!
EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSIONS
(EEM) is hosting a benefit event in Round Rock on Saturday evening, March 7th at 7:00 PM. More information and a sign-up list is posted on the Mission bulletin board. If several members desire to attend, a car pool is possible.
THE FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP MEAL
Is. . . today, at noon
Hosts and hostesses: Gary Crabtree, Myron & Janet Fietz, Don & Paula Welch, Joe & Teri Winnett.
HELPING HANDS PANTRY
Needs – Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo
Thanks for your support of this ministry!
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
NIGERIA – THE GREAT WORKSHOP Part 2
We share with you some of the matters from the exciting event for the Lord’s church in Nigeria when hundreds of gospel preachers came together to be better equipped to serve our God. Continue to pray for our good Nigerian brethren whom we gladly support. For the elders, Ken D
REPORT OF THE 2020 WBS GREAT WORKSHOP, Part 2
The workshop featured 7 keynote presentations around the theme of “fixing the missing link” had over 600 participants in attendance, 5 observers from denominations who are studying very close with us and 22 out of 36 states had their preachers in attendance. From the keynotes presented and the open forum panel discussion, we arrived at the following conclusions:
1. The evangelist must work on his lifestyle and that of his family, if his evangelism will make meaning to the community in which he is preaching.
2. Urban city congregations need to seriously cooperate with each other in areas of mass media evangelism.
3. The autonomy of each congregation must be respected and strictly adhered to so that the pattern of the New Testament church must be maintained.
4. Rich and influential brethren from urban congregation should seriously think about congregations in their home towns and villages and invest there in terms of capacity building and human empowerment of the minister of the congregation.
5. The seed of planning must be sown in all congregations in Africa. Congregation must draw plans to work in line with the growth desires of the Master who owns the church.
6. Servant leadership model must be entrenched in every congregation of the Lord with Jesus Christ as the overall boss.
7. Preachers should spend time to study deeply about God and His kingdom to be able to teach those he is leading.
Surely you mean ―the patience of Job? Or, perhaps you meant to write ―the patience of God? You can’t possibly mean ―the patience of Satan!? And even though it sounds a bit absurd, that is exactly what I meant to write. And better yet, is the need for us to understand the working of Satan in our lives.
Some time ago, this author and his wife Cathy were in Illinois celebrating her parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. One of the activities they enjoy whenever the family gets together is the time of worship with the church there. It was during a visit with one of the brothers there that we spoke of the frustrations and discouragements that come our way as children of God. The author repeated to him a thought that had been shared with him several years ago by a local preacher that frustration and discouragement are tools of Satan. There was agreement with the statement, and then he responded with the following, ―And Satan is very patient.
The author allowed that thought to captivate him for several days: we are quick to point out the patience of Job and the patience of God, but we fail to recognize that the work of Satan may very well be in a field all its own. And we know that “…the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We don’t picture a lion giving up after one failed attempt. Maybe you have never watched a lion size up its prey before attacking, but no doubt you have watched a cat in its preparations to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. There is no rush. Just a very calculated wait before pouncing on the unsuspecting victim!
Maybe we don’t see Satan in that way, but perhaps it is time for us to re-think the working of our greatest enemy. No doubt Satan waited patiently before Eve (and Adam) succumbed to the temptation of the fruit in the garden. And as he waited then, he does so now with us, “seeking someone to devour.” And unfortunately, his success rate seems to be climbing! Solomon characterizes the one falling into the temptation of adultery “as an ox goes to the slaughter” (Proverbs 7:22). Is it possible that we have allowed ourselves to be so caught up in the pleasures of the world that we have become like that ox to the slaughter?
The apostle Paul warned Timothy to teach with gentleness so that God may grant repentance, so that “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26). He told the Ephesians to put on the full armor of God against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Christian, it is time to awaken from our slumber before it is everlastingly too late! Yes, the Lord is patient, but so is Satan! Who is winning the battle for your soul? – Paul Mowrer, Monticello church of Christ, Monticello, AR
WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL On Thursday’s World Bible School workday 1538 lessons were processed and mailed to their destination. Thanks to everyone who helped!
FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP Fellowship Meal. . . Sunday, Feb. 23, at noon Hosts and hostesses: Gary Crabtree, Myron & Janet Fietz, Don & Paula Welch, Joe & Teri Winnett.
THE FOOD PANTRY will NOT be open on Tuesday, February 25th!
SOUP FELLOWSHIP Our next Soup Luncheon is on Wednesday, February 19th, at 11:30 AM. This is a good time to meet and visit with our guests!
HELPING HANDS PANTRY Needs – Deodorant, shampoo Thanks for your support!
THANK YOU NOTE To our church family, Thank you all for your prayers for our family. God has blessed us with a beautiful granddaughter and all went well. In Christian love, Barry & Judy Womack
EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSIONS (EEM) is hosting a benefit event in Round Rock on Saturday evening, March 7th at 7:00 PM. More information and a sign-up list is posted on the Mission bulletin board. If several members desire to attend, a car pool is possible.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
NIGERIA – THE GREAT WORKSHOP REPORT
We share with you an exciting event for the Lord’s church in Nigeria when hundreds of gospel preachers came together to be better equipped to serve our God. Continue to pray for our Nigerian brethren whom we gladly support. For the elders, Ken D
REPORT OF THE 2020 WBS GREAT WORKSHOP, Part 1 The WBS Great workshop is a spiritual workshop that gathers over 600 preachers and World Bible School follow-up workers for capacity building in one location for a period of four days. This workshop has been held for the past 30 years in different locations in the country especially in the southern part of Nigeria. I have been directing the workshop since 2015 and to the glory of God, the 2020 Great Workshop was held in Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria. The workshop featured 7 keynote presentations around the theme of “fixing the missing link” had over 600 participants in attendance, 5 observers from denominations who are studying very close with us and 22 out of 36 states had their preachers in attendance.
The World Bible School office in Texas honoured four outstanding evangelists in Nigeria whom they noted have contributed significantly to the growth of the church through the coordination of World Bible School programs across the length and breadth of Nigeria. These men include Dr. Monday John Akpakpan, Sylvester Imogoh, Dr. P. S. Egure and Makinde Olufemi.
During the workshop, 4 hours was devoted to evangelism and open air preaching which was done by Moses Obakemi moderating and Osita Onuora preaching. The Nigerian Gospel chariot was at hand to serve the purpose. Tracts from the host congregation and from Sylvester Imogoh Tract ministry were shared all over the place during evangelism. A team of WBS follow up workers stormed a school and enrolled over 500 students into World Bible School for correspondence course. The president of Africa Christian Schools Foundation and visiting missionary to Nigeria, Chad Wagner, participated in the workshop. The next year’s Great workshop is scheduled to hold in Lagos, Lord willing. The deputy majority Leader of the House of Representatives ofNigeria, Rt. Hon. Peter Akpatason gave a goodwill message to participants where he clearly gave a testimony of the power of God upon his life. Dr. Solomon Owude – a medical practitioner took out time to give a health talk to participants especially about men’s health. Each participant was given a copy of the workshop book that contained past editions in one volume. It ended well as all participants got home safely. God bless you. Mike Udam, Workshop Director
The commands of God are wonderful. They guide our lives and bring healing to our souls. People, however, sometimes have the bad habit of making these commands a little less enjoyable than they should be. Once the disciples were following Jesus on the Sabbath. Which is a good thing. And the Sabbath is a good thing – God commanding a day out of the week to rest is an act of love. Who wants to see a bunch of burnt-out believers? Not God. Wonderful command. However, I suspect it didn’t feel that way when some Pharisees shouted out something like ―Hey Jesus, you better go find some better disciples. These guys don’t know how to follow the rules‖ (My paraphrase – see Matthew 12:2). What was their crime? The hungry disciples were picking some grain and eating it as they walked behind the Savior.
I guess if you take an extreme view of Exodus 34:21, the Pharisees are technically right. It does say rest even during harvest on the Sabbath and I guess technically the disciples are harvesting. Technically. For that they are instantly condemned by people who were in the habit of instantly condemning. But, as Jesus points out, technically David wasn’t supposed to eat the consecrated bread. When David and his men were running for their lives from Saul all there was to eat was holy bread – which “was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests” (Matthew 12:4). They were not condemned by God for this. Apparently God believes that when someone is running for their life a little extra mercy is called for. He clearly also understands that when you’re following Jesus through fields and no one invites you in for something to eat you’re going to be really hungry, and mercy instead of condemnation should rule the day.
Do you know what the Pharisees should have done if the actions of the disciples were bothering them that much? They should have invited them for supper! That would be much tastier than raw grain. But, they didn’t, because they did not understand what these words mean: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7). Do we? A stranger walks into church and hasn’t got our dress code memo. The young man is wearing a T-Shirt and ripped jeans. Who wants anything to do with that guy? He doesn’t know how to follow our rules! Someone struggling to untangle herself from the world says something inappropriate by accident. We write her off for that, right? Lost cause, even though she quickly said a sincere ―sorry‖ afterward. Might I suggest the commands of God were given to actually help people? That’s the point – to help people for this life and the next! If we don’t realize that there are times for mercy we’re going to end up doing the same thing the Pharisees did: turn a command that was meant for our good into a heavy burden. People trying to act like the Savior won’t do that. His burden is light. – Doug Wells, Camden Avenue church of Christ, Parkersburg, VA
VISITING FOR THE MASTER IN 2020 It is time to reorganize our visitation program for the New Year. Members were invited to add their names to the sign-up sheet on the table at the rear of the auditorium. This program has served our congregation well since 2007. The reorganization meeting will be held this evening after our worship hour. If you still have questions, see Cary Miller for additional information.
EATING OUT TOGETHER . . . …on Thursday, February 13th, at ―Mama’s in Burnett at about 5:30 pm. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the back of the auditorium.
SOUP FELLOWSHIP Our next Soup Luncheon is on Wednesday, February 19th, at 11:30 AM. This is a good time to meet and visit with our guests!
WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL WORKDAY On Thursday, February 13th, we will have the next World Bible School workday. From about 9 AM to noon. Come and enjoy the fellowship and this good work!
REMEMBER OUR SPANISH WORK Salvador SanTillan is ready every Sunday morning to teach a Bible class in Spanish. This is a worthy endeavor. Do you have friends who would benefit from this Spanish Bible study? Let them know about it by giving them a warm, personal invitation. Those who already come, make them feel welcome and at home in our fellowship.
PRAYER REQUESTS Please let the secretary (Helga) know, either by a written note or an e-mail message , if you would like to have your prayer requests published in the PRAYER REQUEST list in the bulletin. Also remember to cut out that list ever so often for your own special prayer time.
A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION Dear God, You have commanded us in Romans 13:1, Titus 3:1 and 1 Pet. 2:13, and other places, to submit to the governing authorities. And we want to do this, it is Your will. But as we look around us, we see that those authorities do so many things that are not subject to Your will and laws. We see them rebel against You and so we feel uneasy. But You have also commanded us to pray, in 1 Timothy 2:2, for those in authority that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness. So this we will do, because You have assured us in James 5:16 that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Therefore we pray that there will be an awakening in those who are our authorities toward Your laws, Your will, which is the best for mankind. As You have blessed us with a form of government that gives us the right to vote for what is right in Your eyes and according to Your will, we will do our best to be informed and prayerfully consider and decide to do what is right in our civic duty. May God bless our efforts in all we do! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
Gospel Chariot Fourth Quarter Update 2019
Gospel Chariot Fourth Quarter Update 2019. Please keep in your prayers all our brethren throughout Africa who are sharing the Gospel and helping the lost find their Savior thru the efforts of the Gospel Chariot. For the elders, Ken D
Hi Everyone. Hope this finds you doing well. This is the West African Fourth Quarter update and it’s a little late due to me being on the road in Africa. West Africa is on fire for The Lord and the new big gospel chariot is up and running in Liberia and over a hundred souls have been baptized into Christ. We still need to get a baptistery built in like the other chariots and will try do that as soon as possible. The exciting news is we are now starting to raise funds for a new big gospel chariot that will be based out of French speaking Benin that will focus on all the French speaking countries around Ghana. We now have more chariots in West Africa than any other region due to us wanting to be intentional in reaching Muslim populated countries. Please pray for this bold move as Africans take Africa for Jesus.
That said, we have flown a number of Key African leaders down to South Africa for a 4 day intensive 4 fields discipleship seminar where we will learn how to start cells churches in Muslim populated countries where we can’t go in with gospel chariots. We will also do that training in Uganda. Please pray for these efforts as God guides us. To Him be the Glory.
Biodun Owolabi reported the following from Nigeria on the 23rd of October: The Nigeria Gospel Chariot traversed the length and breath of South Eastern Nigeria from 1st August till the first week of October, 2019. Between August 1st and 31st, the chariot visited 33 communities and four zones in Enugu State: Enugu, Nsukka, Eha- Amufu and Agwu. Nine souls were converted and thousands enrolled for the WBS correspondence course.
The chariot then moved on to Abia and Imo states from September 1 to October 3, 2019. The chariot worked for a couple of days at Mbala Isuochi in Abia state before moving to Imo State. The chariot visited 15 communities in Imo State where hundreds of people were enthusiastic about hearing the truth of God’s word. Five souls were converted and several prospects enrolled for WBS course.
Continue to pray for the chariot and the crew as they continue to take the saving gospel of Christ across Nigeria amidst challenges of difficult terrain, bad roads and other challenges that are peculiarly Nigerian. To God be the Glory. In Him. Love, Brother George Funk
1 Corinthians 1:18-19: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: „I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.‟”
Something to Smile About
• All my life I thought air was free…until I bought a bag of chips.
• Never laugh at your spouse’s choices….YOU are one of them.
• Oh! I offend you with my opinion? You should hear the ones I keep to myself!
• Okay, so you are 10 years old, you have a laptop, iPod, Facebook and a blackberry….When I was 10, I only had one thing to play with….it was called “OUTSIDE.”
• People write congrats because they can’t spell congrajlashins.
Think About It
“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.” — Henry Ward Beecher
“There is as much difference between the counsel that a friend gives, and that a man gives himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend and of a flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man’s self.” — Francis Bacon
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” — Helen Keller
“The strength of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going in that way too.” — Henry Ward Beecher
“Through the dark and stormy night
Faith beholds a feeble light,
Up the blackness streaking;
Knowing God’s own time is best,
In a patient hope I rest
For the full day-breaking!”
— John Greenleaf Whittier
