Be Kind To Others

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you: (Eph. 4:32).

No part of the gospel is to be sacrificed for peace. No part of the revealed word of God is to be denied to keep others happy. This would certainly not be for anyone's good. But in the matter of per­sonality, temperament, things indifferent, food and drink, days and customs, we should be willing to sac­rifice our rights and convictions to make others comfortable and happy, while seeking to instruct them in the word. Our Lord was patient with the VERY HUMAN disciples while they were "growing up." We babes should be as kind to others (Eph. 4:32). Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1993)

The Grace of God, the Word of God, and the Gospel of God

1 Peter 1:23-25

In these few verses of Scripture, the Holy Spirit distinctly teaches us three things which we need to lay to our hearts, three things which need to be understood and remembered by all who seek to do good to the souls of men.

1. The new birth is the work of God alone. Sinners have life only by the gift and operation of God’s sovereign, irresistible grace and power. The new birth is not an offer from God, but the operation of God.

2. The instrument by which God performs this sovereign operation of grace is the Word of God. God does not save sinners apart from the means he has ordained. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” “Of his own will begat he us with the Word of truth.”

3. The Word of God is preached only when the gospel of Christ is preached. All true biblical preaching is gospel preaching. Christ crucified is “all the counsel of God.” The solitary message of Holy Scripture is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Don Fortner (1950-2020)

I thank God for the Blood of Atonement for without it I would have no hope. Hebrews9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”(no cancelling of debt).

Without the blood of Christ being shed for my sins, there would be no cancellation of my sin dept. “There is a Fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, where sinners plunge beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains…” Pastor John Chapman

All Things Are Of God

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever”. Amen. (Rom. 11:36).

While sitting at my desk the other morning I heard a loud noise, so I got up and went to investigate. When I looked out a window into our parking lot I saw a small little bird lying on the ground; it must have hit the window. This scripture verse came into my mind, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father” (Matt. 10:29). The Lord Jesus Christ is the first cause and last end of all things, not only for little sparrows but for all things in creation, providence and salvation (Rom. 11:36).

I went back to my desk and resumed my work. A little while later I went to check on the little bird. What I found surprised me, there was nothing left but a pile of feathers. A hawk or some other bird of prey came and ate the little bird. Then again this scripture verse came to my mind, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matt. 6:26). The bird of prey enjoyed a nice warm breakfast that morning by the sovereign providence of God.

Let us learn the lesson here to always trust the Lord at all times to provide for us (Gen. 22:14). The Lord Jesus Christ has promised to provide for us all things in salvation, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30).