We are so glad to have our pastor and family back this wonderful morning. Due to family gatherings, they were in Wichita, Kan., for two weeks. We also want to send love and prayers to Brother Jon Cartwright who has had a stay in the hospital. We miss you and Sandra. Come back soon.
Sometimes it seems we just get derailed and go so many different ways we feel like a train wreck. But thanks to God, we are now back on track.
Before I get any further, I want to give a big Thank You to Sister Louiene Gardner. She took it upon herself to make some beautiful fans with pictures and other information about the Cove. Not only did she bring them to the church, but she went to Jesse James Days in Pineville and gave them to those who visited her booth. God surely blesses his own when they give from the heart of time and money.
Now we will get on to another dear couple who celebrated an anniversary. Don and Nan Parish have been married for 38 blessed years. Pray they will have many more!
We were so glad that Brother Dale Honeycutt sang a beautiful song this Lord's Day. He is always such a joy. After songs of worship, Pastor presented a great message about the way we should, or should I say MUST, live our lives in order to gain eternal life with our Lord. He began with Psalms 1:1-3. Many of you have heard this portion of scripture, but just to refresh our minds Pastor Bob read and spoke of the fact that "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Why do you think God would tell us to stay away from those who display these types of faults? I can tell you that when you are in the company of those people, they will drag you down and cause temptation to enter into you heart. So why not just be among those who are spoken of in the 2nd verse.
They are good men; they meditate day and night upon the Word of God. They find no time to cause discord among the Brothers and Sisters in the family of God. When we follow these instructions, we will prosper. Matthew 5:8 assures us again that "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." How awesome is that?
As we are told in John 3:1-3, "Ye must be born again." Read the 8th chapter of Romans and you will learn more about how being free of your sins will give you a life without condemnation, if only we walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. It is so easy to give your heart to the Lord, but there are some instructions that we need in order to stay on the right path. It might seem like a real hard change to lay aside things that might separate us from God, but -- believe me -- when you love the Lord, He just lifts those things out and replaces them with so much love and joy that you feel like a new creature.
2 Corinthians 5:17 confirms what you have just read. It states that we have a new life and old things have passed away. I challenge you to try it! Jesus will meet you and give you a desire to be among the children of God and learn of this way of life.
There is a scripture that I have spoken of many times since I came to know the Lord. It says that if we put our hand to the plow and look back at that old life, we are not worthy for the Kingdom of God. We are always working for new heights in our spiritual life; moving forward is the standard that we must set. Being saved, then taking the next step - to be baptized - is the best choice you will ever make.
In closing, Pastor read from Romans 13, which warns that we should live a life of honesty, not allowing ourselves to be full of strife and envy. We are to not only look after our own, but to reach out to those in need. Please take these words seriously and think about the changes you need to make your life full of joy and happiness. Work toward the prize which is eternal life with Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Come visit us. We will give you a loving hand to hold, and Pastor will teach you the ways of the Lord. Our prayer is always "God Bless You."
Religion on 08/25/2016