The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psalm 12:6-7

Those who have been saved are those who are “being saved” (I Cor. 1:18; Phil 2:12, 13). Those who have learned of Christ are those who “are learning” of Him (John 6:45; Matt. 11:29). Those who truly know the Lord are those who “desire to know Him” (Phil 3:7-10). Those who have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ are those who continue to cry unto the Lord, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory” (Ex. 33:18). These are the people who say, from the heart, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness” (Psalm17:15).

Pastor Maurice Montgomery

The salvation of the Church doth not spring from any holiness wrought in us, but from the work of CHRIST wrought for us. Not in our brokenness of heart, but in CHRIST'S bruised and broken body on the tree.

Robert Hawker

Perfect Peace

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

Are you happy? Yes! But I am not without times of sorrow and depression. Like any human, I weep over loved ones, friends, sickness, death, and disappointment. But I sorrow not as those who have no hope. CHRIST IS MY HOPE! He loved me, gave Himself for me, and will make ALL THESE THINGS work together for my eternal good.

Are you at rest in your soul? Yes! But I am not free from concern and conviction over my sins and my infirmities. I love Christ but not as I should or as I desire. I am satisfied with Him, His mercy, His grace, and His love; but, I will never be totally satisfied until I wake with His likeness.

Do you have peace? Yes! But that peace with God, peace of conscience, and peace in any situation or condition is not based on my merit, feelings, nor religious duties. CHRIST IS MY PEACE! He said, “In ME ye have peace. In the world ye shall have trouble.”

Any man or woman who claims continual, uninterrupted joy, rest, and peace in this world is either not telling the truth or has no connection with reality! True joy, rest, and peace are things we enjoy in Christ IN THE MIDST of troubles, afflictions, and infirmities.

Paul’s exhortation was “rejoice in the Lord.” When I am conscious of my weakness, failure, and sins, I rejoice in Christ, my righteousness. When I am concerned about food, clothing, and shelter, I rejoice in Christ, my provider. When I am grieved, Christ is my comfort. When I am faced with death, Christ is my life! So, it is not necessary to put on a false face and deceive others. We are still human; but, our peace, rest, and joy is Christ.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1984)

“What shall I cry?" (Isaiah 40:6)

Passing by a building recently that is purported to be the place where a Christian assembly meets we saw the preacher's sermon topic for the following Sunday. He would be preaching about the Da Vinci Code*. I was asked in good humor if that maybe would be my sermon topic. I said then and now repeat: “it has never once occurred to me that I should preach on such a thing.” My commission was given to me years ago and it hasn't changed. “Preach the Word.” Who are these so called ministers who will waste the people's time on such rubbish? Many of them are the same ones who a few years ago got all stirred up about Y2K. Maybe there were some who apologized for lying to the people about that, but I personally have not heard of any. They must have been praying for something like the Da Vinci Code to come along for them to have a new hobby horse to ride. Here it is and here they go! How many books, tapes, etc. will the religious hucksters be able to make and sell?

In the text above we have in the spirit of prophecy the last of God's prophets asking of God his message. What was he told to cry? He was told to cry two truths. First he is to cry of the absolute weakness, and inability of man to restore himself into the image of God. “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.” Second, he is to cry: “Behold your God!” The Lord Jesus Christ is God and Savior to all that behold (look) to Him in faith.

By the grace of God as long as I am in this pulpit when you come here you will hear the old, old story of Jesus and His love in dying for sinners. Pastor David F. Pledger