Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 71:1-3

The Spirit Gives Life to the Message

God’s preachers do not go forth alone into the world to persuade sinners to believe, love, and come to Christ by their own logic, rhetoric, and power of persuasion. The Holy Spirit goes before them and with them to quicken, awaken, and give sinners eyes to see the beauties of Christ, ears to hear Him, and hearts to understand the gospel of grace and love the Redeemer (Ps. 110:3).

The bride has been chosen (2 Thess. 2:13), the servant will endure all things (2 Tim. 2:9-10), the bride will hear the voice of her beloved through the message of the servant (Jn. 10:23-30), and the bride will come (John. 6:37-40). Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1986)

Happy Birthday

Linda Preece Jan. 19

ASKING IN CHRIST’S NAME

“If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

Many have not taken the time to study to understand what is true in this promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. They then complain that they have asked in His name and did not receive that which they asked.

What does it mean to “ask in His name”? It means more than concluding a prayer with the words “in Jesus name”. Some see that like a formula that guarantees being heard. What does it really mean? I’m convinced that it means these two things. (1) To be fully aware as I am praying that it is only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that I am granted a hearing. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). (2) That I must pray as He prayed. “O my Father,….not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). It means to ask as He asked: that God’s will be done. Would we really want the Lord to answer us in any other way than according to His will?

Pastor David Pledger

“O thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come.” (Psalm 65:2). Is there anything more comforting to a believing soul than to know his God will hear his prayer. We are told in this country to express our needs and complaints to our congressmen and representatives in Washington. We write them and send them off but never knowing if they were actually read and considered, or simply received and thrown in the trash. But here we are assumed that our God hears our prayer. His house is a house of prayer and God hears our prayers and answers them according to His wisdom and purpose. Teach me, Lord, to pray. To pray much, pray often, and pray from my heart. ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5: 16). Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Christ Is Our Message

Some years ago I was being considered by a church to be their pastor. They met with me to ask some questions. They asked if I preached on the issues of the day, I replied, I preach Christ; he is my message. They replied; we know that, but do you preach messages against rock and roll, abortion, etc. I replied, our children can quit listening to rock and roll, quit having abortions and still wind up in hell. Our greatest need is not quitting something; our greatest need is Christ; if we have him, we have all we need; wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Now many years later I find Him, even more, to be all I need; He is still my only message.

Pastor John Chapman

BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

What does it mean to be justified? I am sure that there have been many definitions given and I by no means can fully expound all that is involved in sinners being justified before God. However, I am sure that it means to be eternally pardoned from all sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18). It means to be acquitted and vindicated of all charges before the holy justice of God (Jude 24). It means to be made and regarded righteous in God’s sight (Col. 1:21-22).