November 22^nd 2020

10:00 am -------------------------------------------------Message by Roland Browning

FThe following article was in our bulletin just 4 months ago but bears repeating over and over; especially in the midst of all this fear.

Too Many And Too Much– By Henry Mahan

We have entirely too many fears for a people to whom the Lord has said: “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”-(Isa.41:10.

We have far too many doubts and fears concerning God’s mercy, love, and grace for a people to whom the Lord has said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out . . . I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish: John 6:37;10:28.

We spend entirely too much time grumbling and complaining about our trials and troubles for a people to whom the Lord has said, “In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We have entirely too much attachment to this world and to this present life for a people who are looking for a city whose Builder and Maker is God (Hebrews 11:8-10).

We have far too much anxiety, care, and fear, far too much concern for the earthly, material things for a people to whom the Lord has said, “Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32)

Thank God For This Virus

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Does the apostle (Word of God) really mean that? . . . In everything give thanks? Yes He does. In everything. Doesn’t Romans 8:28 tell us that all things work together for the good of God’s people? All things! No matter how they may appear to the naked eye, all things are for our good and we are to give thanks for them. Our problem is we are blinded by the flesh, crippled by unbelief, and too captive to time and this material world. If we could just see things as they are . . . by faith, from God’s Word; if we could just walk by faith and not by sight. If we could just listen to our Lord and trust our Heavenly Father we would have such peace, joy and comfort. In time He will show us clearly how all things did indeed work for our good and we will thank Him from the bottom of our hearts and top of our lungs.

When my dad was getting physically feeble, the thing we feared most was him falling and breaking a hip or something. Usually when that happens, an old person goes down quickly. Well, it happened. My dear dad fell and broke his hip and those days were some of the worst days ever. Well the worst turned out to be best. Twenty one days later my dad was with the Lord in glory. I now thank God for breaking my father’s hip. And so we are told . . . in everything give thanks.

Thank God for this virus. It is for His glory and the good of His people. The Lord has given this present virus to several brethren in this congregation and others. Every one of them can now thank God that He gave it. Every one of them can testify to this world and to God’s people that: 1. The Lord gave it and the Lord took it away. 2. His grace was sufficient through it all. 3. It was a light affliction and soon passed. 4. No believer needs to fear it. Thank God for it.. . In everything give thanks.

Brothers and sisters, our God reigns, our God does all things, and our God does all things well. We have nothing to fear but everything to be thankful for. In everything give thanks.

The Providence of God

As a wise, skilled pharmacist mixes medicine, so our heavenly Father wisely mixes exactly the right measure of bitter things and sweet, to do us good. Too much joy would intoxicate us. Too much misery would drive us to despair. Too much sorrow would crush us. Too much suffering would break our spirits. Too much pleasure would ruin us. Too much defeat would discourage us. Too much success would puff us up. Too much failure would keep us from doing anything. Too much criticism would harden us. Too much praise would make us proud. Our great God knows exactly what we need. By His grace, if we are His, we will bow to His Providence, accept it, and give thanks for it. God’s Providence is always executed in the “wisest manner” possible. We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God. We bow to His will, which is evident in His works of Providence, and say, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”