​A Few Reasons to Thank God...

Despite the worldwide ramifications of the pandemic, the uncertainty surrounding the recent election, and other day-to-day issues, there is a great deal to thank God these days. Below are 5 examples.

1. Our salvation. Romans 8:1 assures us that, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus..." Knowing that we possess an eternal home with God, Christ, and countless saints is our greatest blessing. Since nothing (covid-19 included) can separate us from the love of God - Romans 8:39, we should be especially thankful.

2. Our families. Although many families have been negatively impacted by covid-19, the majority of us still have our families intact and healthy. That is a blessing that is hard to beat!

3. Our church family. Although our Sunday School classes are not meeting, most of our of other services continue. Worshipping and studying with beloved brothers and sisters in Christ is a tremendous blessing.

4. Frontline workers. Thank God for the paramedics, nurses, doctors, personal support workers, and others that continue to put everything on the line to help us and protect our health.

5. The internet. Although not everything on the internet is true or Godly, what would we do without it? We communicate, shop, stay informed, look up information, receive education and much more via the World Wide Web. Many are able to work at home via the internet.

The aforementioned things barely scratch the surface of our blessings. Whatever you do during these trying days, make certain to thank God!

Jesus, always Jesus! 

Dennis

Tribute to Bible Class Teachers  

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and TEACHERS,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-12)
Beatitudes for Bible Class Teachers
   
Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who reveal Jesus and His word to children,
For they will be called, “Teachers of God.”

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who help, hug and hold our children,
For they will be embraced by God forever.

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who endure talkative children and screaming infants,
For God sees their struggles and hears their prayers.

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who laugh and draw and play with children in class,
For they will be forever young in heaven.

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who patiently listen to the queries of children,
For God will one day answer all of their questions.

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who teach our children to sing and pray and give,
For they will sing around God’s throne forever.

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who continually ask God for strength, wisdom and patience,
For He will grant them all three, and much more!

Blessed are the Bible Class teachers -
Who lead our children to accept and obey Jesus Christ,
For they will be with these children in heaven.  

Bible Class teachers are crucial to the spiritual welfare of the church. Even though we have been unable to offer many Bible classes lately, take time to thank your teacher, or that of your child.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

FINAL INSPECTION  
(This adaptation of a well-known poem is dedicated to all veterans, living and dead.)  
   
The soldier stood at attention, facing his God at last,  
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.  
“Step forward now young soldier; how shall I deal with you?  
Although you were a Christian; to Me have you been true?"  
   
The soldier bowed his head and spoke, "Lord, I guess I ain't.  
Those of us that carried guns, rarely looked like saints.  
I've had to fight on Sundays; at times my dress was rough.  
I've aimed my gun at other men; war is mighty tough.  
   
But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep.  
I volunteered for overtime, when bills became too steep.  
I never left a helpless child that shook or cried from fear.  
And sometimes when I held them, I shed unmanly tears.  
   
I know I am unworthy of any house up there;  
Many folks deserve it more, and that is only fair.  
But if you've got a room for me, it needn't be so grand.  
I'll take anything that’s left; but if not I'll understand.”  
   
There was a silence all around the throne, where angels often trod.  
While the soldier waited nervously for the judgment of his God.  
“March straight in, young soldier, you've borne your cross so well.  
Now live in peace on golden streets, you’re forever done with hell.”  
   
************************************************************  
   
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt. 25:21)
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

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A Little-Known Fact About Baptism
   
Many people that attend various religious groups are taught erroneous ideas about baptism. One of the most common errors is that baptism is wholly unconnected with salvation. But what does the Bible say?  
   
Galatians 3:27 states, "For as many of you as were BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have put on Christ." (See also Romans 6:3) The preposition “into” indicates a change of position or relationship. In other words, we get "into Christ" by the act of baptism. (You likely won’t hear THAT stressed in some churches.) Moreover, search your Bible for any other action that will get you or me into Christ.  
   
Is it really that important to get "into Christ"? Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in heavenly places IN CHRIST."  Did you catch that? Paul declared us that every spiritual blessing is found IN CHRIST. (Just try searching the New Testament for spiritual blessings found OUTSIDE of Jesus Christ.)  
   
Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION: old things have passed away; behold, all things have BECOME NEW."  Not only does describe the new life we experience IN CHRIST, what sincere believer would want to pass up the new life and retain the old one?  
   
Paul also declares in 2 Timothy 2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the SALVATION which is IN CHRIST JESUS..."  Paul could not make it any plainer - salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Which means that we must be IN CHRIST in order to be saved.  
   
And in 1 John 5:11 we read, "And this is the testimony, that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is IN HIS SON."  
   
Based on these inspired scriptures, I want to be IN CHRIST! Don’t you? And if we believe God's word, we get into Christ by being baptized. (I find nothing optional about that.)  
   
It is tragic that millions of sincere people are misled concerning the act of baptism. Sincere as they may be, they need to believe the words of Jesus, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

WISE WORDS FROM AN UNDERTAKER     
“…if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matt. 5:23-24  
   
A funeral director in Michigan that was involved in over five thousand funerals was interviewed by a reporter. During the interview, the funeral director was asked if he had learned any notable lessons from his interactions with people dealing with the deaths of loved ones. Among his answers was this, “(I have learned) to resolve conflicts… quicker, because I’ve seen people go off to work who didn’t come home.”  
   
Wise advice. How many times have you or I huffed out of the house in the morning or went to bed with unresolved anger smoldering inside? How often have we put off resolving a conflict by thinking, “I'll take care of it later” or “Let the other person stew awhile.”  
   
But what if we never have the opportunity to make things right? Every day in the U.S. alone hundreds of people leave home, never to return. Hundreds of others go to bed but never awaken. If we truly realized how uncertain this life is, we might never allow anger to fester or a conflict to go unresolved.  
   
The apostle Paul warned, “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil…” (Eph. 4:26-27). He then added, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).  
   
The best time to apologize or resolve a conflict is TODAY, not “When I get around to it”. Restoring a relationship NOW will not only add to our happiness, it may even save us years of regret.  
   
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt. 5:9).  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis
​

One Thing that WD-40 Can’t Do
   
Although not marketed as a cleaner, WD-40 reportedly removes stickers and adhesives from glass, plastic, countertops and containers. It removes chewing gum, tar and syrup from many surfaces. It cleans the tracks in sliding windows or drawers, and removes scuff marks from shoes. It also eliminates sticky build-up on scissors and stubborn grime from barbecue grills. WD-40 removes lipstick from practically anything, Kool-Aid and tomato stains from carpet and fabric, and scum from fiberglass showers. It even pulls hair dye out of towels, and makes piano keys gleam. WD-40 also cleans brass and silver, and keeps them from tarnishing.  
   
As amazing as WD-40 may be as a cleaner, there is one “stain” that it cannot touch - SIN. Neither can any other cleanser formulated by man. Nor can any amount of crying, remorse, good deeds or heartfelt confessions.  
   
There is only one effective and permanent cleanser for sin. “In Him we have redemption through His BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” (Eph. 1:7) In the words of Robert Lowry,  
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow;  
No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
   
Sin is a filthy blight that dooms our souls to hell – Rev. 21:8. Only the blood of Christ can save us. Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).   
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis