January 1^st 2023

10:00 am --------------------------The Lord Will Pass Through and Passover – Exodus 12

Wednesday: 7:00 pm -------------------He Whom Thou Lovest is Sick – John 11:3

A New Year Blessing

I can think of no better prayer to give nor greater blessing to declare unto you for this new year, than that which the Lord commands His preachers to say to His people: “On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they put my Name upon the children of Israel; and I WILL BLESS THEM.” – Numbers 6:23-27

The Importance of Worship

When the church of the Lord Jesus Christ meets, it is not the trifles of this world that should occupy her attention; she has much weightier matters to consider. The Scriptures say in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything. There is a time for political concerns; there is a time for social action; there is a time for education and recreation. But the gatherings of the church of the Lord Jesus are a time specifically dedicated to the worship of Jesus Christ! His praise, His word, His purpose, and His work is our theme. These times must be jealously guarded against any intrusion of mundane matters. Satan, the archenemy of our Lord, will take every opportunity to divert our attention from our blessed Lord. His most effective tactic is to introduce important worldly matters into the worship services of the church. As important as these matters may be, they cannot compare with the heavenly, eternal matters of Jesus Christ and His blood and righteousness. May our gatherings, as well as our minds, be kept pure and sincere toward Our Lord Jesus Christ. – Joe Terrell, Pastor, Rocky Valley, Iowa

"...And Lose His Own Soul " -- Mark 8:36

No man can describe the loss of the soul as he should. No man can paint this dreadful picture in true colors. You and I will never fully understand what it means to lose one's soul until we pass through the valley of death and wake up in eternity. Then, and not until then, shall we know the value of the soul.

The value of all things will change greatly in that day. The hour is coming when money, bank notes, and bonds will be worth no more than waste paper. The day is coming when our diamonds, silver, and gold will be as dust in the streets. The day will dawn when houses and lands will be as worthless as a child's worn out toy. In that day the fame, honor, and glory of this world will be worth no more than faded flowers and withered grass.

In that day a man will be willing to trade all that he knows and can imagine for the privilege of hearing one gospel sermon, one hour of prayer, or one verse of scripture. In that day a man will be willing to trade all the world for one grain of faith. He will curse the day he was born! Oh, in that day of God's wrath, what will a man give in exchange for his SOUL?

-- Scott Richardson

True Humility