2009 Archive

Week of 10/28/09

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25: 21, 22.

“Coals of fire” speaks of God’s judgment in other places in scripture but not here.

In the ancient world, your campfire was a precious commodity…for baking, warmth, making pottery, your evening light, and even protection. If your neighbor’s fire went out, you would be obliged as a good neighbor to share coals of fire. Loving your enemies and doing good…even sharing your fire…was one sure way to sustain a relationship or at least make a new one.

Christian, we are facing our future with the answer to eternal life. All of us have seats reserved around our Father’s table for the greatest Reunion of them all. The Kingdom’s work is trusted to us, His family.

Have you shared your “coals of fire”…your most precious commodity lately?

Upcoming events: Oct. 31, Fish Fry from 4-8 pm; and Trunk or Treat from 5-8 pm. Nov. 1, Pastor Clint’s 1st Sunday.

Let the “fire” fall on me!

Clint Woolsey, pastor

Marcia Russell, reporter

Week of 10/07/09

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith.” Hebrew 12:1b,2.

Jesus is the finisher of our Faith. He finishes what He starts. His last words on the cross were, “It is finished.” We need to finish!

How annoying is it to listen to a hymn and sing along until the very end and just before we hear the last note…we lose the radio station, or the power goes out, or the station gets changed on us? We need to finish!

How many of us have watched a movie and someone has the gall to enter the room and change the channel just before we get to see the ending? We hoot and holler’… We say, “Hey…! Turn that back! I was watching that!”

Well, Jesus has not only run this race but finished it for us so that we might win. It’s a fixed race, brother. He’s standing on the finish line waiting for you and me. I hate to spoil the ending for you but you need only to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and not your circumstances. Hoot and Holler’ about that today! Finish the race set before you. You can do it! Look to Jesus!

Congratulations to Rev. Frank McCandless for being recognized for finishing 50 years in ministry.

Congratulations go to Pastor Clint Woolsey for beginning his race in the pastorate.

Sunday services at 9:30 am. and 6:00 pm. Wednesday Youth, Bible Study, and Jesus Club at 7:00 pm.

Clint Woolsey, pastor

Marcia Russell, reporter      

Week of 9/02/09

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jer. 29:11,12  This word to the elders, priests, and prophets who had been exiled to Babylon brought great hope and direction. God was listening to those seeking His will wholeheartedly. Go ahead… Where you are exiled: plant gardens, plan marriages, build homes, eat, and multiply! Do not lose hope and dwindle away in desperation. Work for peace and prosperity where I sent you. This is a lesson about blooming where you are planted. God has not forgotten you. He will come for you and the difference you make where you have been exiled will determine your welfare…peace, prosperity, good works.  Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we are here for a purpose. Go…Be the Light! Go…Be the salt and make a difference!  It is what we were made to do.  Revival is coming soon with evangelist, Brian Bridges, September 20-23 at regular meeting hours each service.

Sunday services at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. Weeknight services at 7:00 pm.

Make plans to attend! Come and see what God has for you!

Marcia Russell, reporter          

Week of 8/19/09

“I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ” Psalm 118: 5-8.

A broad place… That always jumps out at me. The psalmist was distressed, trapped, confined, pressured…ready to blow! There was no room to breathe or even think. Help, Lord! Get me out of here!  What could he do? His circumstances were impossible and the enemy was pressing in on all sides, pushing and pushing… He could not catch his breath!  “I need you, Lord! I’m falling! I can’t breathe!”  In his distress, He called on the Lord and the Lord answered him. Whew! Praise God!  He knew exactly what he needed. He set him in a broad place…a place where he could breathe.   Our ultimate trust can only be placed in the Lord our God. He knows the way. He has the answers. His timing is perfect! Praise God!!

Announcements: 

Wednesday night Church will be dismissed this week (the 19th) to attend the annual Camp Meeting held at Oakland City.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26th at 7 p.m. a men’s quartet, Master’s Voice, will share with us for a love offering.   

Sept. 6th is Family Night at 6 p.m. and our local WCG Fall Retreat is planned for Sept. 17th at 6 p.m. 

Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

BIG NEWS: Revival with evangelist, Brian Bridges, Sept. 20-23. Make plans to attend!

Marcia Russell, reporter         

Week of 8/05/09

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119: 71 “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. I pray for Your merciful kindness to be my comfort.” Psalm 119: 75,76.

Being a parent, I learned long ago that stepping in to keep your child from experiencing the consequence of his action is fatal to the growth of their character…especially if that child blatantly breaks your instructions.  Let’s face it… Those instructions: be back before dark, who are you going with, these are your boundaries, do good to those who spitefully use you, pray for your enemy, study the Word, don’t forget to brush your teeth, don’t punch your brother…correction is my job!  And the list goes on and on…Was it for your good?  Absolutely!  Yet when we hear about God’s corrections... Do we appreciate it?  The psalmist said, “it is good…”; “Your judgments were right…”; “thanks for being faithful to me Father….” The delight of the disciple exists because he has given his life and security over to complete commitment to His instructions, which he values over material wealth and selfish gain.  Surely this disciple has found comfort in the Father’s mercy and kindness.  Surely this disciple has cried, “Abba Father”, and found that his heavenly Daddy was right there waiting to step in and wrap His arms of love around him. 

Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday worship begins at 7:00 p.m. for Jesus Club, Youth, and Prayer meeting.

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter      

Week of 7/21/09

“Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord…” …my shield and portion be… Romans 6:11. Yeah, I added the last part. But do you know that being alive to Christ comes with protection and provision.  I think some would say that being dead to sin is like being dead to fun-filled days in the sun, charting your own course, going as the wind blows you… Sounds romantic and wonderful… But is it? And what penalty is attached to a life without the Father keeping you from the enemy’s traps? I can think of some… Homosexuality… Drug abuse… Pornography… Alcoholism… The traps which destroy marriages, health, and the freedom to be who God equipped you to be. There will be a reckoning one day. Choose life today. Be alive to Christ and dead to sin. Just relax and “be” who God made. Your shield and portion be…

 

Looking forward to the Sunday School picnic on Sunday, Aug. 2nd. Ya’ll come!

Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer meeting, Youth, and Jesus Club at 7:00 p.m.

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter     

Week of 7/08/09

“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. ~so present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness sake.” Romans 6:19.  Paul spoke of obligation. The obligation to obey whichever master holds the reins in your life.  The following story speaks volumes to this subject…

A man and his dog walked to a gas station on the corner of a busy intersection.  The man tied the dog’s leash to the bench in front of the station while he went inside to purchase a drink.  While the man was inside, the dog became frightened and jerked the bench loose. The dog ran out in the street.  Cars were screeching and swerving everywhere…  The dog stopped by a station wagon and the bench crashed into its side. CRASH!!  The dog ran another direction and stopped next to a van…CRASH!!  And a truck…CRASH!! The dog and the bench were everywhere.  The dog’s owner ran out into the street and tried to calm his dog or at least un-tie the bench from his leash. You see, because the dog was leashed to the bench and not his master, he created havoc in everyone’s life when circumstances changed and he became afraid.

What are you bound to, friend? Are you a slave of righteousness? Are you holding you Master’s hand?  Listening to His voice? Seeking His face? Only He knows the way!

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter     

Week of 7/01/09

“He executes justice on the oppressed; He gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.” Psalm 146:7

 

God protects the helpless, the oppressed. He is fair. He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness. He is our Great Deliverer.  Even those who sit in darkness can call out to the Lord and He hears them in their distress.  Ever feel like you live in a prison, friend? Even a trap of your own making? Call out to Him…He is there. He’s just waiting for you to ask Him for strength and the road map out of there. He knows the way!  Traps of our own making are strongholds which cripple our faith walk. Swallowing a bitter pill of resentment… hoping your enemy dies…will only kill you. Forgive your enemy…do good to those who spitefully use you…go about doing good and take notice of your brother’s needs. There is true freedom!

Be peculiar today. Be a blessing!

Come and see!

Marcia Russell. reporter  

Week of 6/10/09

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Covering each other… Our love for our brother cannot atone another’s sins but we have a responsibility to set our neighbor in a broad place and give them enough room to breathe to establish a place where freedom abounds and spiritual growth can actually happen.  Is there a place where Christians (young in the faith) can try, mess up, and experience forgiveness in their Christian walk? …or is perfection expected, even demanded?  In other words, love does not stir up sin! How could you mentor one where freedom does not exist? How did the Good Shepherd do it? Lead, guide, and direct! Forgive, instruct, and discipline. How? Gently…  Choose your battles wisely, dear shepherd.  Remember, one day you’ll be measured by the measure you administered on others.

Y’all Come!

Marcia Russell, reporter     

Week of 6/03/09

“How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 139: 17,18

David was in a place where he wanted to flee the very presence of God. He wanted to take things into his own hands but he knew that the Truth of it… God would always know every move he made…even in secret.  David pronounces, “Slay the wicked…”; “Do I not loathe those who rise up against You?”; “Do I not hate those who hate You?”; I hate them with perfect hatred”; “I count them enemies.” (vs. 19-22)  Wow! You have to hand it to David, he was honest with God. David finally opens himself up to whatever God wants. Finally, he prays for peace on the road of submission, “Search me and try me, and my anxieties; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (vs. 23,24)  Where are you, my friend? Are you a storm cloud with no rain? A fig tree in autumn with no fruit? Who knows the way through the wilderness anyway?

Service Times:

Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

Wednesday Youth, Bible Study, and Jesus Club at 7:00 p.m.

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter

Week of 5/06/09

“Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go!” Neh. 6:15.

As Nehemiah fervently busied himself in his mission of orchestrating the rebuilding of the wall at Jerusalem, he heard of an assassination plot against him. Men were hired to intimidate him…to kill him. He was tempted to retaliate…to do something that would discredit his name.  But Nehemiah stayed his course and finished his assignment right on time…52 days.  “When all the enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of God.”  The walls laid in ruins for nearly a century and a half and were rebuilt in less than two months once God’s man had been galvanized into action. With Nehemiah’s leadership, the people pulled together in the midst of the enemy. Wow!  Isn’t that where we are today, friend? We work to pull together in harmony to build the Kingdom in the midst of the enemy.  Watch out! The enemy’s a’foot…  If you have found yourself in a pile of burned rubble with little direction or faith to believe that your life will ever have meaning again, don’t move. Look up! Help is on the way!  He is faithful and just to take care of you!

Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study, Youth, and Jesus Club at 7:00 p.m.

 

Marcia Russell, reporter

Week of 4/29/09

“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth; and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”  Joshua 23:14

Not one good thing the Lord your God planned for you has failed! What an encouragement!  So what about all those unfulfilled expectations? …the disappointments? …the resignation in your soul about circumstances that just isn’t right! What about that?  I think of Mephibosheth living his whole life crippled and in another’s care. I think about Hagar having the child Sarah wanted only to find herself cast out of the camp, her home, with her boy when the promise was fulfilled. She did what was demanded of her.  What about the injustice suffered at another’s hand? Whether accidental or on purpose, it’s still injustice. It’s still not right!  Well, whoever said this was ever going to be fair? “Faithful is He that called you!” 1 Thess. 5:24. “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in heaven; and they faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.” Psa. 36:5.  The Lord knows you if you are his. He has the plan. He is large and in charge! You can trust Him even if you don’t get your way. Selah.

Don’t miss our Fish Fry this Saturday, May 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Sunday Worship at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. Wednesday night Bible Study, Youth, and Jesus Club at 7:00 pm.

 

Come and See!

Marcia Russell, reporter

Week of 4/22/09

“Then I said to them, you see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates burned with fire. Come let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach. And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also the King’s words that he had spoken to me.” Neh. 2:17, 18.

God had equipped Nehemiah with everything he needed to complete the task assigned to him. Persia’s, King Artaxerxes, released his cup-bearer, Nehemiah, for such a time as this. The time was right, the people were right, and the task was right to restore Jerusalem.  Have you ever found yourself “a reproach?” ...blamed. …criticized. …accused. …distressed. …walls broken down and gates burned with fire?  Oh, friend… Jesus has already suffered your shame and tasted the bitter drink of ridicule. He stood in your place and defends you today.  At Calvary, He took your place and at Pentecost, He sent the comforter to hold you firm in the midst of trials and persecution. Keep the Faith!

Make plans to stop by Saturday, May 2nd, for a Fish Fry from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  Sunday, May 3rd, will be Family Night at 6:00 pm.

Sunday Worship at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. Wednesday Bible Study, Youth, and Jesus Club will be at 7:00 pm.

 

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter 

Week of 4/15/09

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” Job 19:25-26.

As Job sat alone in his circumstance, scraping diseased skin from his boil-covered body with pieces of broken pottery…he longed for a mediator. Who would plead his case? Had he sinned?  His friends were sure of it. Was his wife a support? No, she tore him down and cursed his God. Rewards for the righteous and punishment for the wicked? Was that right? Where did that leave him?  When catastrophe strikes, who do you blame? Job did the only thing he could do. He set his faith in place. He cried out, “I know that my Redeemer lives!”  Often times on the heels of great victory, unexpected suffering arrives on your doorstep. It’s then that we are handed the greatest ministry of all!  If you can praise God while you are suffering… If you can set your hope on things to come… If you can sing hymns while chained in the darkest prison you’ve ever imagined, then God can use your suffering to reach a fallen world.  C’mon, brother… We’re just passing through. The war has been won!

Make plans to stop by for a Fish Fry on Saturday, May 2nd. Sunday Worship: at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study, Youth, and Jesus Club at 7:00 p.m.

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter                

Week of 4/8/09

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:5-6.

As the “way”, He’s the door to the Father. As the “truth”, He’s the revelation of God. And as the “life”, He’s the communication of God to us. Hope springs forth!  Sometimes comprehension is slow as with Thomas. The Lord patiently explains His mission once more to Thomas as the others listen. Clearly, He was claiming to be God. “If you see me, then you have seen the Father.” John 14:9.  What’s the problem? It’s just not what Thomas had planned. Why was He leaving after everything they had done together?  The triumphal entry… Waving the palms… Victory promised over oppression… Heralding the King through the eastern gate of the city… And then, crucifixion…?  Ever been there? I have. Unfulfilled expectations are so hard to deal with because you have to change your mind and accept another’s plan.  …submission. 

 

Sunday worship at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. Wednesday Prayer meeting, Youth, and Jesus Club at 7 pm.

 

Come and See!

Marcia Russell, reporter    

Week of 4/1/09

“Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. So Abigail rose in haste and rode a donkey following David’s messengers, and became his wife.” 1 Sam. 25: 41,42.

 

Here is a happy ending recorded in the Old Testament which could have ended very badly for Abigail’s household.  This is a lesson in humility and submission for all of us who find ourselves in relationships that are very difficult.  Abigail, a woman of wisdom and beauty, was married to Nabal, a fool. They lived in the wilderness of Paran and owned thousands of sheep and goats. They were a prime target for thieves.  David and his men while skirting Saul’s guard who had been dispatched to kill David, stayed a while in the wilderness of Paran. David and his men generously protected Nabal’s flocks and possessions.  When it came to sheep-shearing time when Nabal and his household had plenty, David sent a few men to ask for provisions. Nabal’s men even testified to the care and protection they received from David and his men.  Nabal pretended to not know David and sent his servants away empty-handed. Big mistake!  Nabal’s servants ran to his wife, Abigail, for fear of retaliation. Abigail quickly loaded donkeys with provisions and sent them on to prevent any hostility caused by her husband’s insulting behavior.  She did everything she could to show respect to David when he became angry at the wrong committed against him.  Abigail fell down before David and cried, “On me, my lord, on me let the iniquity be.” vs. 24 Abigail showed David that she desired to make things right. When morning came and Nabal sobered up, Abigail went to him and told him all that had happened. In that moment, the Lord struck Nabal... "his heart died within him.” And you know the rest…

David was protected against his own wrath because Abigail dared to do the right thing. After Nabal’s death, David sent for Abigail and she became his wife. Mercy!  What a splendid example of the biblical truth, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. Pick your battles wisely, my friend, the war has already been won! You can trust God!

 

Come and see!

Marcia Russell, reporter