Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Proverbs 25:4-5
Pray for one Another
In 1 Thessalonians 5:25 the apostle makes a simple, yet all-important, request; “Brethren, pray for us.” There is no more important area of the believer’s life than prayer. We dare not set one duty against another but, in what way can one better serve another than to diligently, sincerely, and lovingly intercede for one another before the throne of grace?
Samuel considered it a sin NOT to pray for his friends. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:23).
I know that public prayer is an important part of our worship; but the prayer and intercession I encourage here is that personal, secret, and Spirit-led prayer which springs from genuine love and concern for one another. From the pastor to the youngest member, let us love one another with a fervent love and pray for one another every day.
Pastor Henry T. Mahan (1983 Bulletin)
The Window
“A window shalt thou make to the ark” (Genesis 6:16).
The ark which Noah built had one window; one source of light; one way to view the world outside. The Word of God is the window. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light”( Psa.119:130). “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path” (119:105) The world is in darkness, dimness and anguish of spirit because they do not read, hear, regard, nor understand God’s Word. But God’s children; children of light, walk in the light of His Word. And that Word shows us Christ the light.
Christ is that window. “I am the light of the world.” Only in light of Christ do we see Who God is, what man is, and the Truth of salvation in Christ, like in that ark. If Noah and family looked out that one window, all they saw was a perishing world. In light of God’s Word we see the world as perishing. From the words of Christ Himself we see this world as perishing and our whole life is in Him, by Him, because of Him. Keep close to the window and you will not be in darkness as others. Pastor Paul E. Mahan
This world’s religion teaches that salvation is obtained by man's response to God’s offer. It insists that walking an aisle, giving the preacher one’s hand, repeating the sinner's prayer, and by being baptized, God’s justice is now satisfied. But doesn’t this delusion do nothing more but scream, works, works, works? Who gets the glory in such a so-called salvation, man or God? According to the Scriptures, when a sinner is called out of spiritual darkness, he then counts all former confidences as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord (Philippians 3:8), he now worships God in the Spirit, rejoices in Christ Jesus, has no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3) and joyfully confesses, Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Pastor Marvin Stalnaker
“YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM” (Colossians 2:10)
The believer’s standing in Christ does not fluctuate with his feelings, not even the increase or decrease of his faith or understanding or anything else. He stands complete in Christ. God would never trust any of His children to stand before Him at any time in their own selves – that is, in their merits or certain good frames of mind. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are yet dust. Therefore, He has on purpose provided for them this perfect standing in Christ Jesus. “Ye are complete in Him,” the Holy Ghost said, in another place, “Ye are perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). The very nature of our God requires us to be perfect and complete before Him at all times. He, out of necessity, therefore provided all this for His children: a perfection, a completeness, which can never be diminished. It is as unchanging as God Himself (Heb. 6:17; 13:8).
Pastor Bruce Crabtree
The Bible
This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be godly. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.