Radio WXCC 96.5 fm (internet wxccfm.com) 8:30 A.M.
Radio WPKE 98.1 fm; SuddenLink TV (channel 9) 10:30 A.M.
Bible Study 10:30 A.M.
Morning Service 11:15 A.M.
Wednesday Worship Cancelled 7:00 P.M.
Thursday Service 7:00 P.M.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psalm 37:27-29
Our midweek service will be on Thursday with Pastor Marvin Stalnaker.
Christ, Our First Love
Man’s AFFECTIONS may be stirred by what he sees, man’s INTELLIGENCE may be informed by what he hears, and man’s CONSCIENCE may be convicted by what he feels; but to know Christ in a saving relationship, God must give him a NEW HEART.
Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus is a heart work, whereby we are brought not only to believe God and to trust Christ, but to genuinely LOVE HIM – to love Him for Himself and to love Him above all others.
It is not that the believer has no struggle with the flesh and the world, he does. But he has a FIRST LOVE – Christ! Those which would vie for his affection and attention must settle for a lesser place, for Christ has won his heart. Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin 1985)
Prayer
Along with the instruction that our Lord gave to the disciples when He taught them to pray, the scriptures give us five things specifically to pray for:
1). “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” (Psalm 122:6). May peace be within us and peace be among us.
2). “P ray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). As God had mercy on us, may He have mercy on them, for Christ’s sake.
3). “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Along with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift that a sinful man can receive on this earth is the gift of faith to believe on Christ. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life…” (John 3:36). “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). But “how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Rom. 10:14,15).
4). “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Until we are rid of our sinful flesh, we will constantly be tempted by our sinful flesh. May God keep us from being given over to the will of it.
5). “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). May the gospel go forth from this place in the liberty of the Spirit, and may Christ forever be glorified!
Pastor Gabe Stalnaker
THE MARVEL OF SOVEREIGN LOVE
“She went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope” (Hosea 2:13-15).
This is a marvelous love story of Hosea (Saviour) and his rebellious wife, Gomer (failure). God told Hosea to go marry this woman, a harlot (Hosea 1:3) and provide for her (Hosea 2:8). Hosea, God's faithful prophet did as he was instructed. Gomer began to walk after the sinful ways of her heritage, leaving Hosea for others (Hosea 2:5). Soon her wicked ways overcame her, she was reduced to poverty and shame and was sold as a common slave on the auction block (Hosea. 3:1-3). When Gomer began to seek after her lovers and forget the goodness of Hosea, God instructed His prophet to love her, allure her, bring her, and speak comfortably to her (Hosea 2:13-15). One naturally would have thought to divorce her, condemn and find another wife. Hosea, faithful to his covenant with her, found her, bought her and received her back into his home. All of this is a glorious picture of God's saving, redeeming and sovereign grace to guilty sinners. Notice these few thoughts!
1).The marvel of grace,"Therefore, behold, I will allure her." God's thoughts and ways of mercy are infinitely above ours (1 John 2:1; Eph.2:1-4; Rom.5:6-9). We justly should have been immediately and eternally condemned when we sinned against God (Rom. 6:23). But infinite and sovereign mercy intervened through Christ (Rom. 3:24; John 1:17-18). The only reason for grace is found in the goodness of God (Ex. 33:19).
2).The power of Grace,"I will allure her." God has purposed through the preaching of the true gospel to call out His sheep (1 Cor. 1:21). Through the gospel message God the Holy Spirit does "allure" or draw us lovingly, powerfully and irresistibly to Himself (Psalm 110:3; John 6:44-45 Psalm 65:4; Rom.1:16-17).
3).The work of grace,"bring her into the wilderness." Think of it, alone with God. Separated, chosen and made to differ by electing love (2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Cor.4:7). Called out of the bondage and darkness of sin into His marvelous light (Col. 1:12-13; 2 Cor. 4:6). Made a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); by Almighty grace, Christ our Righteousness exalted and enthroned in our heart (Phil. 2:5-11, 1 Cor.1:30).
4).The comfort of grace,"speak comfortably unto her." What greater comfort can there be than to hear of our blessed Lord, Who accomplished all righteousness and redemption for us as our Surety (Heb. 7:22), Mediator (1Tim.2:5), Advocate (1 John 2:1) and Saviour (Heb.9:12).
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