Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. Psalm 39:12-13

Lord willing, Pastor Don Fortner will be with us in the Thursday evening service. He is also scheduled to be in Dingess, WV. on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

O how we need to learn to cast “all” our care upon Christ, not just the ones we consider big ones, but all of them. I have learned over the years that any care is too big for me and the sooner I cast them on Him, the sooner my burden is lifted. Let us never forget, “he careth for you.” I believe He proved His care for us at Calvary when he bore our sins in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24).

Pastor John Chapman

Seeing Him

“He that seeth the Son and believeth on Him hath eternal life” (John 6:40).

Put the emphasis where it belongs – “He that seeth the Son.” Look to Christ, lay hold upon Christ, learn of Christ; in Him and through Him you will be led into all truth. We do not arrive at Christ by getting our doctrines straight; we come to a right understanding of doctrine and theology by seeing Christ.

Someone asked Mr. Spurgeon, “What body of divinity do you recommend?” He replied, “I have never heard of but one body that divinity ever had and that was the body of our Lord Jesus, and the study of that body of divinity will make you systematic theologians of the best kind.”

If you are to understand anything of astronomy, you must begin at the center, the sun. And if you put anything else in the center of your system of teaching and doctrine except the Lord Jesus Christ, you will only fall into more and more error and confusion. A true sight of Christ reveals all that is IN CHRIST; and according to the Word, God was in Christ reconciling the world. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” He that has seen Christ has seen the Father, seen the Spirit, and will, in God’s own time, see all the rest.

Another important thing; a true revelation of Christ will take care of some unpleasant things that we see. I see sin in myself, but I SEE HIM as my righteousness and sin offering! I see trial and sorrows every day, but I SEE HIM caring for me and in His good providence working them all together for my good! I see death and judgment approaching; but I SEE HIM, my Justifier, the resurrection and the life! I see friends and neighbors in darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; but I SEE HIM who is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by Him! I see Satan and the forces of evil seeking the destruction of Christ’s church; but I SEE HIM, who is the conqueror of the prince of this world, and remember His promise, “The gates of hell shall not prevail.”

My friends, if you can see Him, you will find that that one sight will make amends for the dark things you see!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1985)

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1John 3:1).

There is a great deal said in religious circles about the love of God, but few have a real scriptural concept of the truth of God's love as it is manifested in the scriptures. The general idea most people have is, "that God loves everybody without exception and is trying his best to save everybody, but the sinner will not cooperate." The truth of God's character revealed in the word is that God is Holy, Just and His love is always in harmony with His Holy character as a Just God and a Saviour (Isa. 45:21). Those for whom He loves in Christ (Rev.1:5), elected in Christ (John 6:37), redeemed in Christ (Eph.1:7) must be justified in Christ (Rom. 8:28-30) and will be called out of bondage into Light (Col. 1:12-13). Here are some scriptures that describe this true love of God to His covenant people.

1). The love of God is manifested and revealed in Jesus Christ (Rom.8:32-39; Eph. 1:3-6; 2Cor.4:6).

2). The love of God is sovereign and given to whom the Lord pleases (Rom.9:12-16; Eph, 5:25). Outside of Christ, God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).

3). The love of God is eternal and will never be discontinued (Jer. 31:3). God Himself is eternal, therefore His great love must be eternal (Eph. 2:4).

4). The love of God is sacrificial love and will redeem all His people from all their sins (1John 4:10; 3:16; Eph.5:2, 25; Matt.1:21; John 10:15).

5). The love of God is permanent love and will always abide in the believer (John 13:1; Mal.3:6; Heb. 13:8).

6). The love of God is electing love that unconditionally chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (2Thes. 2:13; John 15:15-16;17:2).

7). The love of God is unmerited love, we have never done anything to deserve His favor or mercy (Titus 3:3-7; Rom 5:6-9). The only reason for His love to us is found in Himself, not in us (Deut.7:7-8).

8). The love of God is constraining love and motivates everyone who believes the gospel, to obedience to Him as a willing, loving bond slave of Christ (2Cor. 5:14; Psa. 65:4; 110:3).

9). The love of God is Holy love, God in Christ is both a Just God and Saviour (Isa. 45:20-22). His love is regulated by His holy character (Rom. 5:21).