THE EVANGEL

April 2018

From The Pastor,

              I just finished booking condos for our family vacation.  I used a company I have used a number of times before.  After jumping through the usual hoops with contracts, deposits, credit cards and the like, there was a new twist.  A new page popped up on my computer screen with bright banners and a message that read, “CHECK THIS OUT.”  I clicked on the banner, after all I was sure that I had won something. (SURE !!) Instead I was offered vacation insurance for the meager sum of $237.46. In small print at the bottom on the page was a place to click, “No Thanks.” I did so to immediately be informed that was not the best decision.  After a second decline, I was then hit with another much needed offer of $3000 worth of damage insurance for an extra $99.  Again, I declined the offer, twice.  Then came the page to confirm my choices, but not without one more inquiry.  “Are You Sure You Want To Continue Without These Coverages?”  I am almost there I thought.  One more click and on to the confirmation page.  Sure enough - Success!! 

The pages printed, and as I reviewed the confirmations on the bottom of the second page I found this, “Get Peace Of Mind - Don’t Miss Out - Add Trip Protection!” By this time I am wondering if someone is trying to tell me something.  Still being the frugal (Another word for stingy) guy that I am I declined.

All of this commotion over a couple of vacation rentals got me to thinking.  I got saved in less time than it took to secure these rooms.  In the process I got unlimited Trip Protection and Damage Insurance.  Don’t laugh.  One day I am going to heaven and every detail has been covered by the owner.  He even paid for the ticket.  It is all in the hands of Jesus.

Sometimes I get asked, “Is salvation really as simple as you make it sound?”  The answer is - YES.  Unlike the application for the rentals I talked about, you don’t have to give pages of personal information, God already knows all about you.  You simply have to answer a few questions.

“Do you want to go to heaven?”  If the answer is, "Yes," then you must be saved.

"Do you know that you are guilty of committing sin?" If you think you might be, you are right.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“Do you know that the sins you have committed have to be paid for?” If you are not sure let the Word of God show you the answer. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“Do you believe that Jesus, God’s Son died on the cross to pay your sin debt?” If not again let God’s Word speak to you, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead after three days?”  If you are not certain listen once more to God’s Word. “... Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen:…” (Luke 24:5-6)

There is only one question remaining. “Will you confess your absolute trust in Jesus to have paid your sin debt and to have been raised from the dead to prove his victory over sin and death?” If the answer is yes, then you not only can, but will be saved.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

An honest prayer, telling God about your desire and trust in Christ is all it takes.  The moment you make this decision, your confirmation for heaven is written in the Book of Life.  The ledger for your sin debt is marked “Paid In Full.”    

Bro. Danny

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Easter Service

April 1st - 10:45 a.m.

Everyone Welcome!!

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 APRIL CALENDAR

1 - EASTER

      2 - 6 School Spring Break

         (Catoosa County)

        3 - Care Ministry - 6:30 p.m.

       8 - Deacons’ Meeting 7:15 p.m

         12 - Children’s Workers Mtg. 7:00 p.m.

    15 - Brotherhood Breakfast 8:30 a.m.

         18 - SPRING FLING 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

        25 - ADMIN. ASSISTANTS’ DAY

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Men’s Retreat At

Amicalola Falls

 

Friday & Saturday

May 18 & 19, 2017 

$80

GET ON THE LIST. SPACE IS LIMITED.

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Welcome New Members

Ella Giles

Tina Uversaw

Kyler Roebuck

Lucy Dickson

Glenda Dickson

Skip Johnson

Cathy Johnson

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Studying God’s Word

 

              Dr. John Phillips gives the following advice to anyone who is beginning to study the Word of God.  This is not all his advice, but it is certainly a good place to start.

              There are some rules which should be remembered in studying God’s Word.  It is a little like wiring a house.  The wires should have different colors, red, black, white, and green. The simple rule is that you connect red to red, black to black, white to white, and green to green. 

Bible interpretation also has its rules.  There are three main lines of truth which run through the Scriptures: Salvation Truth, Church Truth, and Kingdom Truth.  We must distinguish the one from the other, keeping them separate in our thinking, bringing them together only in their proper place and for appropriate purposes.  To mix them results in confusion.

Salvation Truth runs all through the Bible.  Church Truth is found only in the New Testament.  Kingdom Truth also runs throughout the Bible.  

He also gives us what he calls the Golden Rule of Bible interpretation.  If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other  sense.  Remember God says what he means and means what he says.

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BIRTHDAYS

1 - Kenneth Oliver

    Marcy Leduc

    2 - Susan Payne

     3 - Frances Atkins

        Jerry Garrison  

       5 - Karen Allen

         Aidan Holder

          Lacey Brown

         6 - Jean Swafford

          9 - Sabrina Kirk

            Barbara Quinn

         Sara Sloan

         Curtis Gravely

        10 - Talisha Akins

         Casey Wilson

        11 - Toby Simpson

         Holly Lamons

        12 - Sharon Armour

         Betty Jo Smith

        13 - Jemison Lacy

         Doug Swanson

               Joleen Randolph

  14 - Ann Brewer

        16 - Ashley News

         Lewis Crumley

        17 - Lyn Rhea

        Kevin Lawler

        18 - Eva Watson

        19 - Sallie Boyd

         Mike Hardinger

           Summer Garrison

         Jesalyn Sisemore

  20 - Todd Crabtree

  21 - Don Sims

         Emily Giles

  23 - Michael Eaker

         Kevin England

         Gloria Cox

         Judi Schaich

         Jamie Humberd

         Jenna Humberd

  24 - Barbara Byers

        25 - Mark Hullender

         Diane Ownbey

        26 - Mark Gray

        27 - Bobby Brown

         Kassie Gibson

         Jessica McGhee

        28 - Kristy Headrick

        29 - Blake Neal

         Danny Hickey

        30 - Christy Plemons

         Evan Smith

         Casey Brown

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ANNIVERSARIES

 

 9 -  Stephen & Patricia Cantrell

14 -  Jody & Jennifer Roach

  16 -  Eddie & Vicki Capehart

   17 -  Robert & Jenni Nabors

      Michael & Emily Giles

 19 -  Jimmy & Shelly Perry

   22 -  Dale & Regina Adams

      Eddie & Patti Sipe

   25 -  Johnny & Mary Massengale

       26 -  Danny & Jennifer Sanderson

     27 -  Jerry & Carol Born