THE POUND
PROCLAIMER
Volume I
May 2006
Number 7
Sing
to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of
His salvation from day to day. Psalms 96:2
A
VALUE MEAL
BY: Rick Mullins
Years
ago, we often saw on TV the commercial by Christian Children’s Fund promoting
the idea that if everyone gave $ 25 per month many starving children could be
fed. The announcer would say for less than a dollar a day you could really help
a child.
That
same thought or concept can be used in our giving to the church. A small amount
can make a big difference. We may feel like we can’t give an extra $ 25 in the
offering, but have we really considered what we can do to give an extra $ 5 or
$ 10 or more? If we earn more than normal or if we save (not having to spend)
more than normal then we have prospered and should determine how to use some of
that for the Lord’s work.
Here
are a few examples of ways to save as individuals and if given to the church
could make a tremendous difference to the Lord’s work.
In
one month if we did not buy one movie rental, one cinema ticket, a few cups of
coffee or cans of soda, a newspaper or magazine, or chose not to eat out one
time or buy that one thing that we really don’t need or whatever else that
would save just a few dollars, it would make a difference. It might be a small
amount as individuals, but as a collective body it might add up to a couple of
hundred dollars or more.
The
intent of this article is not to tell someone what to purchase or how to spend
their money, but to draw attention to the fact that in a course of a month we
can save money by doing without something or choosing another option. Sometime
this month you can choose to eat a sandwich at home or a value meal. Think
about it!!!
The Editor’s Page
The
composition teacher asked the class to write about an unusual event that
happened during the past week. Little Johnny got up and read his essay.
It
began, “Daddy fell into the well last week ...”
“Oh,
my!” the teacher exclaimed. “Is he all right?”
“He
must be,” said the boy. “He stopped yelling for help yesterday.”
It
may have been a co-worker, a neighbor, or a family member that confided to us
their need for Christ. We rejoiced in the opportunity to teach them and to help
lead them in the path of truth and righteousness. Soon, they began to
understand and shortly afterwards were baptized for the remission of their
sins. We breathed a sigh of relief and felt good at being the instrument
through which God had worked to save a soul.
In
a short while, the precious soul over which we were so happy becomes
discouraged. We can see the sadness in their eyes. We see their lack of
participation in Bible classes and failure to grow in the knowledge of the
Word. We fail to perceive these signs as their cry for help. We believe it is
just a phase new Christians go through. More time passes; we begin to think
that the individual could do better if they would just try. Then more time
passes; they either become minimal Christians or drop out all together. Now, a
soul that had once been so full of life and potential stops yelling for help!
What
can Christians do? We can recognize our responsibility to aid one another in
the Christian life. “Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Again,
Christians are told to “... consider one
another to provoke unto love and good works” (Hebrews
While
it is true that all of us have a personal responsibility to remain faithful to
God, it is equally true that we have a responsibility to look out for one
another. We must never excuse our failure to respond to the cries for help from
babes in Christ by appealing to their personal responsibility.
When
we stop and think about it, older Christians, as well as babes, often need
help. In their life time, they will face trials, temptations, and times of
needing encouragement. Do not stop your ears to their cries.
There
are cries for help all around you! Are you listening?
WHO
ARE WE?! (4)
We
cannot end this discussion without giving some consideration to accountability.
Some might conclude that since the flesh is a strong force for sin, then God
cannot hold weak human beings accountable for their actions. We know that is
not true because the scriptures say, “For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may
receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”
(2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV). On the other hand, must Christians who
strive each day to live righteous lives be filled with doubt and fear that
eternal life might be forfeited? Again, we know that the scriptures say, “For we know that if the tent, which is our
earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens” (2
Corinthians 5:1 ESV).
In my lifetime, this seeming dilemma has given rise
to discussions around the subjects of grace, fellowship, and the continuous
cleansing of Christ’s blood. More often than not, the discussions increased the
perplexities within brethren’s minds. On the one hand, a position was taken
that would allow the unrepentant mind entrance into Heaven and by extension
into local church fellowships. A second position taken was one that advocated a
Christian life free of sin [sinless perfection] i.e. a life that is cognizant
of every sin committed with accompanying repentance of said sin.
God made us intelligent creatures. It isn’t any
wonder that such discussions perplexed the honest heart who struggled with their
own internal ‘war against the flesh’. The honest heart knows that un-repented
of sin will condemn the soul to Hell. The honest heart also knows that the
human mind is limited in knowledge. It simply cannot comprehend everything.
There are things done in ignorance and unless one comes to a knowledge that
will obliterate that ignorance there can be no repentance.
I write this to point out the complexity of the
relationship of the ‘inner man’ and the ‘outer man’. There are areas where we
must rely upon a Loving and Just God. All I or anyone can know of God is what
He has told us in His word. From that Word, we understand there is hope even
for weak sinners like me and you. The same Word gives us a stern warning that a
selfish and sinful life will bring down the wrath of God upon the sinner.
Who are we? We are the crowning achievement of God’s
creation. We are mere humans with all the foibles and imperfections that are
human. We are created in the image of God and given the ability to think and
reason. The ability to rise above the lusts of the flesh is within our ability
with God’s help. We are God’s children and our Father has us by His mighty hand.
We will pull away from time to time. It is destined for us to fight our inner
war. However, our Father is never far off and the hope He gives springs
eternal.
Never forget who you are!
The End
The Last Word
SENTENCE SERMONS
Develop true, sincere character and
your reputation will take care of itself.
Who and what we are, not what or how
much we have, is what makes life worth living.
If you will get on the right road and
go straight, you will not get lost.
Common sense is one of the most
uncommon things around.
A narrow mind with a wide mouth can
cause a lot of confusion and trouble.
Our walk should always be according to
our talk.
You may need false teeth but be sure
that your tongue is always true.
The Word of God will keep you from sin
or sin will keep you from God's Word.
Avenging makes us even with our enemies, but avenging not
makes us superior to them.
FAMILY MATTERS
GOSPEL MEETING:
Our Spring meeting begins today and will run through
Friday, May 19. The time for preparation is over. The day has arrived. It is
now time for the church at Pound to see how well we have prepared. We are glad
that Bob Waldron has joined us for this meeting. Give him your undivided attention
and you will be glad you came each and every night.
There is still time to make one more phone call, one more
visit, or give one more invitation to the meeting. The more effort we put into
it the more we will get out of it.
MEAL LIST:
If you haven’t signed the meal list and would like to
have Bob for a meal, please do so before you leave this morning.
BIBLE STUDIES:
Please remind those you invite to the meeting that we
will answer any Bible questions they have or study any Bible subject they would
like. This is a good opportunity for us to involve our friends, neighbors, and
family in Bible studies.
####################
WHAT MUST
I DO
Hear: Rom
Believe: Heb 11:6
Repent: Lk 13:5; Ac
17:30
Confess: Matt
Be Baptized: Ac
TO BE
SAVED?
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The Pound church web site = www.poundchurchofchrist.org/
The Pound Proclaimer is published monthly by the Pound
All articles by the editor unless
otherwise stated
Editor: Glen Young
Phone: 276-796-5767=Office
276-796-7401=Home
Time of Services
Sunday: Bible Classes—10 am
Assembly—11 am
Assembly—
Wednesday: Bible Classes—
e-mail: gyoung47@ntelos.net
or gyoung47@poundchurchofchrist.org
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