Mid-Missouri Church of God » The Ozark Letter

The Ozark Letter July-August 2010

Ambrose — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:59:54 +0000

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
July/August, 2010
Volume XIV, Issue 7/8
The Ozark Letter
Lake of the Ozarks

The Ozark Letter July-August, 2010

JULY/AUGUST GREETINGS: “…. those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 41:31)

2010 HOLY DAY CALENDAR
• Sept. 9—Feast of Trumpets (Thursday)
• Sept. 18—Day of Atonement (Saturday)
• Sept. 23-29—Feast of Tabernacles (Thursday-Wednesday)
• Sept. 30—Eighth Day Festival (Thursday)

In the June newsletter I wrote about the visit to Washington D.C. Since that time, PBS has had a debate about the lack of knowledge of Civics that our young people have today. It just is not taught in the public schools. No, our forefathers who conceived the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were not perfect and they had no idea how many people would be trying to follow their ideas. Nor did they have any idea how those ideas would be twisted, turned, and ignored.

I helped a young man who was a senior in high school to get through a history class. He was studying about World War I and World War II. He said that he didn’t like history and couldn’t understand why it was taught. I told
him that history was taught “so that we would not repeat the same mistakes and his generation has an opportunity to make a change.” Adolf Hitler knew who to indoctrinate with his ideas; the young people. We have that same opportunity and we must take that opportunity right now. When I heard our National Anthem and then Taps played at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, I could not hold back the tears. If we don’t emphasize what our nation has gone through to become ‘this nation under God’, it will be lost to them and eventually to us. I know the United States is not perfect and I know that democracy is not perfect; but I would rather live here and have this democracy than to live anywhere else. For those who may have had an opportunity to visit a Third World Country, you know just how wonderful it is to set your feet down on the Good Ole USA. In what other country can you disagree with what your President says and not get shot or put in prison? In what other country can you worship where, how, when you please and not have to worry about a knock on your door from the police. In what other country is the Bible the most popular book, but the least read book. Just some thoughts and our freedoms allow you to agree or disagree with me. Our nation is at a perilous time and needs our daily prayers. Count your many blessings, Name them one by one…………..

“The strength of our nation has been challenged before – at its birth, during the Civil War, in the peril of world wars. It is challenged again today. In our past, Americans have risen to the occasion by confronting the challenge honestly and laying their sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. We must do so again.” This is a quote from No Apology, The Case for American Greatness by Mitt Romney. (Editor’s Note: I am not advocating Mitt Romney’s politics, but he does have a point.)

Wall Street Journal contributor Michael Ledeen has warned that “the world is simmering in the familiar rhetoric and actions of movements and regimes – from Hezbollah and al Qaeda to the Iranian Khomeinists and the Saudi Wahhabis – who swear to destroy us and others like us.” These are evil men and they have made it very clear what they intend to do to us and to our allies. The challenge of our time is not to deny the threat, but to soberly and swiftly pursue the policies that will defeat it.

Think about this….We are all missionaries one way or another, called to make a difference in the place where God has placed us. I was raised in a very small town and my best friend lived several miles from where I lived; therefore, I spent the summer anxiously waiting for the Newton County Bookmobile to come by every month. Books about other people and places filled my summers with excitement. I still frequent the library and it’s very organized and computerized, but you know what I really miss? I miss the old library cards that listed the names of those who had read the book. I could pick up a book and not really be familiar with the author, but if I saw Kathleen’s (fictitious name) name as a reader, I could be fairly certain that it would be a book that I would enjoy. Or if the card was full of names, it indicated a popular book. Today, once in a while, when I check out a book, that old library card is still in the book and it does bring back fond memories. And today, it is not names that I knew as a youngster, but names I am familiar with from the local community. Have you ever thought that if you had to sign your name to a card today, would you be more careful about the books you read?

As some of you know, my husband and I live on a small farm. We have geese and I have to admit that I am not fond of geese; dogs, cats, horses, cows, etc. yes, I like, but geese – they are not the smartest of animals, but they do have enough sense to stay away from the foxes and coyotes. Anyway, I did my best to not have baby geese this spring, but God had a better idea. We did have one gosling and as I watched the adult geese surround that baby every day, I could see that that is how God does us. He surrounds us with His Spirit. He doesn’t promise us that there will not be problems or temptations, but He assures us that He will be there for us. To make a long story short, an owl got the gosling and I do miss it, but maybe God only meant for it to be here a short time.

We are in the process of trying to get Feast of Tabernacle messages from Ray Wooten’s group ‘streamed’ to us via the internet. As an FYI, at the April meeting the MMCG Board Members gave the okay to have Feast of Tabernacle Services at the building at Eldon September 23-September 30. It will be an informal setting and we welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to speak, provide special music, give a Bible study, etc. The main idea is to “keep it simple”; therefore, it may be planned day to day. We will try to have a speaker at least on the First Day and the Eighth Day and the Sabbath that falls in between the first and last day. Daily activities will also be planned day to day. This service is being provided because there are some who cannot attend a FOT at another location, possibly because of health problems, financial problems, or just problems. We welcome anyone who wishes to attend with us. It would help us if we knew about how many plan to attend; therefore, we would appreciate an RSVP by September 20 by email info@mmcg.org or call Bud or Connie Houston at 573-392-6677 or Clarence or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 if you think that you will attend with us and/or if you would like to help in any way. Csh**************************

2010 Women’s Conference
United Christian Ministries will have their 2010 Women’s Conference at Ft. Wayne, IN, 8615 U.S. Hwy 24 West on July 30, 31, Aug 1. There is a registration fee of $65 per person which includes all registration materials, reception, Sabbath lunch and dinner. Hotel Rooms are $75 plus tax for 2 queen beds. Price includes breakfast bar. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Be sure to mention you are with UCM to receive this discounted rate. Reception begins Friday evening at 7:00 PM. Weekend concludes at Noon on Sunday. The theme of the conference this year is “Are You Pitiful or Powerful?” Mr. Ray Wooten will host a Sabbath Bible Study and Fellowship near by for all of the men that would like to make the trip to Ft. Wayne with their wives. The service will begin at 11:00AM at the Southwest Lutheran Church, 5120 Homestead Rd., Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46814. If you have any questions about the conference contact the UCM office by phone at 888-985-9066 or email at ucmfamily@aol.com

CHURCHGOERS LIVE LONGER
(The findings are detailed in the March-April, 2006 issue of the American Board of Family Medicine.)
According to Robert Roy Britt, managing editor of LiveScience at LiveScience.com, one of the things you can do to increase longevity is to go to church. According to a new study among the several factors that contribute to lengthening one’s life expectancy is regular church attendance. Factors that add to the length of one’s life are regular physical exercise (3.0 to 5.1 years), proven therapeutic regimens (2.1 to 3.7 years), and regular church attendance (1.8 to 3.1 years).

This new study is actually a review of existing studies in the three categories mentioned. The study did not, however, reveal why regular religious practice increases one’s life span.

“Religious attendance is not a mode of medical therapy,” said study leader Daniel Hall, a resident in general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an Episcopal priest. “While this study was not intended for use in clinical decision making, these finds tell us that there is something to examine further…. The significance of this finding may prove to be controversial, but at the very least, it shows that further research into the associations between religion and health might have implications for medical practice.”

Hall later speculated in a telephone interview that the social aspect of religion could play a role in the results: “There is something about being knit into the type of community that religious communities embody that has a way of mediating a positive health effect.” He further stated that being involved in religion could “then decrease your level of stress in life or increase your ability to cope with stress.” One other possibility is that, “Being in a religious community helps you make meaning out of your life.”**************************

The following is from the Sabbath Morning Companion
Moral Equivalency?
By Lenny Cacchio

Tod Robberson of the Dallas Morning News made an interesting leap of logic recently that illustrates in part the moral confusion of our times. Writes Mr. Robberson, “In the past three months, Muslims around the world have rampaged against cartoons in a Danish newspaper deemed to be mocking Islam, and an Afghan (sic) faced the death sentence for converting to Christianity. Meanwhile, two popular Christian preachers in the U.S. stoked the flames by labeling Islam as an evil or violent religion.”

Mr. Robberson goes on to characterize both the Christian and Muslim subjects of his opening paragraph as extremists. Not knowing precisely who the two Christians are, let’s take a look at the interesting comparison he attempts to make, leaving out the potential personalities involved.

If I understand the logic correctly, the reasoning goes something like this:
1. One side is rampaging in the streets, burning and pillaging, and rejoicing at the thought of killing the other.
2. The other side says the actions of those in the street are evil.
3. Therefore, both sides are extreme.

Call me extreme too, if you wish, when I call his logic a head-scratcher. If #1 and #2 seem morally equivalent, then our values are indeed in crisis, and we have no basis for making rational moral judgments. Is there a moral equivalency between Muslim extremists and conservative Christians? Indeed, are all extremists and conservatives brothers in different clothing, as one man proclaimed to after the 2004 elections? (“I see no difference between the Taliban and the people who won this last election”).

If Americans become convinced that they are on no firmer moral ground than their Muslim antagonists, then there is no moral rationale, and perhaps no moral will, to protect and preserve American interests and indeed even the American way of life.

I find it difficult to believe that the American people in general would accept such assertions. While I can appreciate any attempt at even-handedness, there does come a time when decent people need to call things as they are. A nation that doubts its values and heritage is a greater danger to itself than a confident one, and so it is with any group or movement, including Christianity.

More to the point, Christians have no obligation to accept upon themselves the label of extremis when they call sin for what it is.
(Lenny Cacchio lives in Lees Summit, Missouri)

MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD
PO Box 92, Eldon, MO 65026/mailing address. Actual physical address is: 602 East North Street. Phone: 573-392-1232 or 573-498-3775; Email: info@mmcg.org Website: www.mmcg.org The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) holds Christian Sabbath services each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at 602 East North Street, Eldon, MO… A Bible Study and song service is scheduled at 10:30am before Sabbath services. Potluck meals after services are planned for the fourth Sabbath of each month. A weekly Bible study is held each Thursday at 6:30pm. It is best to call ahead and confirm times if you are traveling any distance to visit us (see the phone numbers above). Occasionally we will cancel local services to attend en masse elsewhere. Come and enjoy the fellowship! Also, the first Wednesday of each month the ladies meet for a “get together” and you can contact Martha Roberts at 573-496-3203 or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 for location and time if you plan to attend. You can also check the events calendar on the website.

The Ozark Letter June 2010

Ambrose — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:44:43 +0000

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
June, 2010
Volume XIV, Issue 6
The Ozark Letter
Lake of the Ozarks

The Ozark Letter, June 2010

JUNE GREETINGS: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24)

The trip to Washington D.C. was GREAT!!!!! I thank you for your prayers. The one afternoon that it rained, we were inside the Smithsonian and could barely hear the thunder. There were no accidents, no lost youngsters, and though they were tired (and the adults exhausted), I think that everyone had a good time. History, as you and I know it, is not taught in the schools here today; therefore, I hope the young people came home with a reverence for some of what has formed this nation.

There is so much history in Washington D.C. and being at the World War II Memorial on Memorial Day will put more than a big lump in your throat. And the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – when you think of the many unknowns and knowns who died and then think about the liberties that we have and that they gave their lives that we might have those liberties, just having one Memorial Day doesn’t seem like we are doing enough. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the President of Peru placed a wreath with a full Honor Guard present. It was a hot, humid day and the sweat was pouring off me and I was just standing. The Honor Guard was marching and I did not even see a drop of sweat on their foreheads or any looks of discomfort. They definitely are an “honor” to our country. The Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial – so many names, so many families affected…….. I don’t think you could pay me enough money to drive in Washington D.C. (I thought St. Louis and Interstate 70 were bad), but taking a bus, that’s a different story. Our bus driver did not use any ‘choice’ words, but I did see a fist or two waved at him. I was very impressed with all the young people who attended; their reverence and respect shown at the historical monuments. They were pretty rowdy in between visits, but quiet when they needed to be quiet. We went up to the top of the Washington Monument. When you come back down and then look up at the top and realize it has no metal supports; you have to stand in awe. Yes, Washington D.C. does have problems and I am sure that we all continue to pray that our Senators and Representatives remember that they should be representing
our interests and not their retirement. Enough of politics and I really didn’t mean to ‘go there’, but I have never been more disappointed and scared for our leaders and where they are leading our country than at this time. We need to continue to pray for our leaders and nation daily. Psalms 139 tells us that God watches us “all the time”.

Its graduation season and schools are preparing to send a new crop of young minds out into this treacherous world. When I read the following words from the Valedictorian of the Eldon High School, Emily Harbison, it shows hope for the coming generation. She closed her speech with a quote from David Thoreau, who said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams” and “live the life that you have imagined.” Mia Peck, Salutatorian, closed with a quote from Anthony Robbins, who said “success is doing what you want to do, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, and as much as you want.” Our future is in the hands of these young people; they will be the leaders of tomorrow. Jillie Roberts is the graduate from our group and we wish her blessings at whatever she endeavors. She certainly is an inspiration to me – a fine young Christian woman.

Chuck Grimes, age 84 died in his sleep on Sunday, May 9. His Memorial Service was held at MMCG on Sunday, May 23. About 115 people were in attendance. Aletta Grimes, his wife, preceded him in death.

The annual church picnic will be held on June 26th. The picnic will follow directly after services. Location for the picnic has not yet been decided, but we would like to invite everyone who can to come and join us where ever we end up. It will probably be at the local park, here in Eldon or out at Charleen and Clancy’s Lake. If you need more information just give us a call or email at the contact info on the last page of the newsletter.

As an FYI, at the April meeting the MMCG Board Members gave the okay to have Feast of Tabernacle Services at the building at Eldon September 23-September 30. It will be an informal setting and we welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to speak, provide special music, give a Bible study, etc. The main idea is to “keep it simple”; therefore, it may be planned day to day. We will try to have a speaker at least on the First Day and the Eighth Day and the Sabbath that falls in between the first and last day. Daily activities will also be planned day to day. This service is being provided because there are some who cannot attend a FOT at another location, possibly because of health problems, financial problems, or just problems. We welcome anyone who wishes to attend with us. It would help us if we knew about how many plan to attend; therefore, we would appreciate an RSVP by September 20 by email info@mmcg.org or call Bud or Connie Houston at 573-392-6677 or Clarence or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 if you think that you will attend with us and if you would like to help in any way. Remember to count our blessings; name them one by one……………….csh

PSALMS 139: 1-24
A Psalm of Rejoicing over God’s Personal Care.
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind me and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea: Even then shall thy hand lead me, and they right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are they works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in the book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are the thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take they name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thought: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The following is an article from the Eldon Advertiser

Stroke

Miller County Health Center – Jeanine Blankenship, Health Educator

Here we are, it’s Spring and May was National Stroke awareness month. Heart disease and stroke are respectively, the first and third leading causes of death in both the United States and Missouri. Stroke is a medical emergency and knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, calling 9-1-1, and getting to a hospital are crucial to your best outcome after having one.

What exactly is a stroke? It is sometimes called a brain attack. Strokes can be identified in two main types; Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to any part of the brain, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. It is usually caused by a blood clot or fatty deposits. Within a few minutes brain cells begin to die. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or inability to see one side of the visual field. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding within the brain and bleeding between the inner and outer layers of the tissue covering the brain.

Another type of stroke is a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. A TIA is a warning that a person is at risk for a more serious stroke. Usually with a TIA, the symptoms go away within an hour. However, when symptoms begin, there is no way to be able to tell if it will be a mini-stroke or a more serious stroke because the symptoms are the same. Any sudden symptom of a stroke signals an emergency! Anyone who may think they could be having a stroke should not wait to see if symptoms go away. What are the symptoms you might ask? There are three questions that help identify signs of a stroke. If a person has difficulty with responding to the following instructions, they could be experiencing signs of a stroke.

• Ask the person to smile. (Can he/she move both sides of their face evenly?)
• Ask them to close their eyes and raise both arms. (Do they understand the instruction and are they able to raise both arms easily and at the same height?)
• Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. (Do they understand your question, and can they answer so that you can understand their speech?)

Here are some other signs of a stroke. There are five signs and symptoms to look for with a stroke.
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg especially on one side.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Severe headache with no known cause.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or lack of balance.

Each year, stroke accounts for more than 3,000 deaths in Missouri! This makes stroke the third leading cause of death in the state. Stroke is also a leading cause of adult disability. If you think you or someone you know might be having or showing the symptoms of a stroke, you must think FAST! Here is a quick way to check off a list of possibilities:

FAST
• Face numbness or weakness
• Arm numbness or weakness
• Speech slurred
• Time to call 9-1-1

Here are some steps you might keep in mind for helping to prevent a possible stroke. There are alarming statistics concerning the occurrence of a second stroke in patients who have survived a first. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association estimates nearly a third of the strokes which occur every year are actually secondary strokes. Statistics may indicate that many of these are within five years of the first.

There are actions that you can take to reduce the chances of a reoccurrence.
1. Monitor you blood pressure
2. Cut down on the salt and fat intake in your regular diet.
3. Consult your doctor regarding antithrombotic medications (these prevent the blood from clotting.)
4. Consider aspirin therapy (also to be discussed with your physician).
5. See if you have arterial fibrillation. (This is an irregular heartbeat.)

MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD
PO Box 92, Eldon, MO 65026/mailing address. Actual physical address is: 602 East North Street. Phone: 573-392-1232 or 573-498-3775; Email: info@mmcg.org Website: www.mmcg.org The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) holds Christian Sabbath services each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at 602 East North Street, Eldon, MO… A Bible Study and song service is scheduled at 10:30am before Sabbath services. Potluck meals after services are planned for the fourth Sabbath of each month. A weekly Bible study is held each Thursday at 6:30pm. It is best to call ahead and confirm times if you are
traveling any distance to visit us (see the phone numbers above). Occasionally we will cancel local services to attend en masse elsewhere. Come and enjoy the fellowship! Also, the first Wednesday of each month the ladies meet for a “get together” and you can contact Martha Roberts at 573-496-3203 or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 for location and time if you plan to attend. You can also check the events calendar on the website.

The Ozark Letter March 2010

Ambrose — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:26:08 +0000

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
March, 2010
Volume XIV, Issue 3
The Ozark Letter
Lake of the Ozarks

The Ozark Letter – March, 2010 <<<<

MARCH GREETINGS: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body.” Matt 26:26 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matt 26:28,29 “…assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-57

February 27, 2010 was the Super Sabbath. We were blessed with good weather, good speakers, good fellowship, and good food. About 80 people attended. We thank all of you who helped to make it a wonderful success and blessings to all!

I don’t know about you, but I am sooooooo looking forward to March and spring. I hope that in the next newsletter I am talking about the dogwood and redbud trees blooming and maybe even the tulips. I mentioned in an earlier newsletter that the horses had really heavy winter coats and got them earlier than usual and I wondered if that meant a cold winter. Well, now they are shedding those winter coats; therefore, I think that is an indication of spring.

The little squirrel that I watched earlier this year building her nest is proving to be a real challenge to me. She keeps getting into the barrel where I keep the sunflower seed.

On a personal note, I apologize for being late with the newsletter. My husband had three-way by-pass surgery on Wednesday, February 24. We thank everyone for their prayers, support and cards.

This is the month that most of us will be observing Passover. The destiny of those who share the body and blood of Jesus on Passover evening share an eternal destiny that, to our weak and feeble minds, is incomprehensible. It is important to take the Passover symbols because our eternal lives are at stake. Every one who takes part in the Passover ceremony has eternal life guaranteed by the promise of Jesus. Can we ask for any higher assurance?

If you have already responded to the inquiry about receiving the Ozark Letter, thank you, and it is not necessary to respond again. I just don’t want to remove anyone from the list who does want to receive the Ozark Letter. In a previous newsletter, you were given the option of how you would like to receive this newsletter …i.e., email, snail mail, etc. Or you may opt to not receive this newsletter at all – you must make a positive reply to continue receiving this newsletter – the exception is those living in Canada or foreign countries. I will assume that they do want to stay on the mailing list, but should you want to get the newsletter via email, you will need to make a response. Thank you for your participation in this matter and I am always looking for articles to put in the newsletter. You may mail us back the top portion of the next page with your response or you may contact us by email at mmcg.org@gmail.com with your response. Csh

_________________________________________________

2010 HOLY DAY CALENDAR
March 29—Passover (Lord’s Supper observed the evening before, March 28 Sunday, after sundown)
March 29—Night to Be Much Remembered (Monday)
March 30 – April 5—Days of Unleavened Bread (Tuesday-Monday)
May 23—Pentecost (Sunday)
Sept. 9—Feast of Trumpets (Thursday)
Sept. 18—Day of Atonement (Saturday)
Sept. 23-29—Feast of Tabernacles (Thursday-Wednesday)
Sept. 30—Eighth Day Festival (Thursday)

__________________________________________________

DANIEL’S GLOVES
The following was taken from the Internet. I had an “experience” at a Wal-Mart just recently and I did not respond as this suggests. I don’t know that I will have another opportunity, but I pray that I do have another opportunity and that I do the “right thing”. (editor’s comments)

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying a well-worn sign that read, ‘I will work for food.’ My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: ‘Don’t go back to the office until you’ve at least driven once more around the square.’

Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square’s third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town’s newest visitor.

‘Looking for the pastor?’ I asked.

“Not really,” he replied, “just resting.”

“Have you eaten today?”

“Oh, I ate something early this morning.”

“Would you like to have lunch with me?”

“Do you have some work I could do for you?”

“No work,” I replied “I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.”

“Sure,” he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. “Where you headed?”

“St. Louis”

“Where you from?”

“Oh, all over; mostly Florida..”

“How long you been walking?”

“Fourteen years,” came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, ‘Jesus is The Never Ending Story.’

Then Daniel’s story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He’d made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences…Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona… He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.

“Nothing’s been the same since,” he said, “I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.”

“Ever think of stopping?” I asked.

“Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me, but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That’s what’s in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.”

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: “What’s it like?”

“What?”

“To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?”

“Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn’t make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people’s concepts of other folks like me….”

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, “Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I’ve prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.”

I felt as if we were on holy ground. “Could you use another Bible?” I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite….”I’ve read through it 14 times,” he said.
“I’m not sure we’ve got one of those, but let’s stop by our church and see”. I was able to find my new friend a Bible that

would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

“Where are you headed from here:” I asked.

“Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.”

“Are you hoping to hire on there for a while?”

“No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that’s where I’m going next.”

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we’d met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

“Would you sign my autograph book?” he asked…”I like to keep messages from folks I meet.”

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you,” declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.”

“Thanks, man” he said. “I know we just met and we’re really just strangers, but I love you.”

“I know,” I said, “I love you, too. The Lord is good!”

“Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?” I asked.

“A long time,” he replied.

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed…He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, “See you in the New Jerusalem.”

“I’ll be there!” was my reply.

He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, “When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”

“You bet,” I shouted back, “God bless.”

“God bless.” And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them……a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: “If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”

Today, his gloves lay on my desk in my office….They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. “See you in the New Jerusalem,” he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will……..

“I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”

______________________________________________

The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Jesus encouraged His followers to pray to God with sincerity and not for show. He gave them a simple outline of a prayer that has become known as the “Lord’s Prayer”. He did not intend that we only use this prayer when we pray, but that we would include some of the things in this prayer in our own prayers. This prayer shows reverence to God, dependency on God for our needs, desire for God’s Kingdom to come, thankfulness, an awareness of our sins, a desire to be forgiven and to forgive others, and trust in God to lead us.

______________________________________________

MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD

PO Box 92, Eldon, MO 65026/mailing address. Actual physical address is: 602 East North Street. Phone: 573-392-1232 or 573-498-3775; Email: info@mmcg.org Website: www.mmcg.org The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) holds Christian Sabbath services each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at 602 East North Street, Eldon, MO… A Bible Study and song service is scheduled at 10:30am before Sabbath services. Potluck meals after services are planned for the fourth Sabbath of each month. A weekly Bible study is held each Thursday at 6:30pm. It is best to call ahead and confirm times if you are traveling any distance to visit us (see the phone numbers above). Occasionally we will cancel local services to attend en masse elsewhere. Come and enjoy the fellowship! Also, the first Wednesday of each month the ladies meet for a “get together” and you can contact Martha Roberts at 573-496-3203 or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 for location and time if you plan to attend. You can also check the events calendar on the website.

The Ozark Letter February 2010

MMCG.ORG — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:44:34 +0000

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
February, 2010
Volume XIV, Issue 2
The Ozark Newsletter
Lake of the Ozarks

Ozark Newsletter February, 2010

FEBRUARY GREETINGS: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

By now, you are aware that due to hazardous weather conditions, the Super Sabbath scheduled for January 9th was canceled. It has been rescheduled for February 27th. We will follow the same time/format that was in the flyer that came with your January, 2010 Ozark Letter. Perhaps with a later date, the weather will be much better. Special Notice – We will be accepting donations of Gospel literature to help spread the Good News to all the World – So please bring something to share.

For the first time in a long time, we have experienced ‘winter’, but not as severe as some of our readers. We had about 6 inches of snow and the coldest temperature that I saw was -12. If you have already responded to the inquiry about receiving the Ozark Letter, thank you, and it is not necessary to respond again. I just don’t want to remove anyone from the list who does want to receive the Ozark Letter. In a previous newsletter, you were given the option of how you would like to receive this newsletter …i.e., email, snail mail, etc. Or you may opt to not receive this newsletter at all – you must make a positive reply to continue receiving this newsletter – the exception is those living in Canada or foreign countries. I will assume that they do want to stay on the mailing list, but should you want to get the newsletter via email, you will need to make a response. Thank you for your participation in this matter and I am always looking for articles to put in the newsletter. You may mail us back the top portion of the next page with your response or you may contact us by email at info@mmcg.org with your response.

2009 HOLY DAY CALENDAR

March 29—Passover (Lord’s Supper observed the evening before, March 28 Sunday, after sundown)
March 29—Night to Be Much Remembered (Monday)
March 30 – April 5—Days of Unleavened Bread (Tuesday-Monday)
May 23—Pentecost (Sunday)
Sept. 9—Feast of Trumpets (Thursday)
Sept. 18—Day of Atonement (Sunday)
Sept. 23-29—Feast of Tabernacles (Thursday-Wednesday)
Sept. 30—Eighth Day Festival (Thursday)

TEACHING AND PREACHING
Taken from Servants’ News – July-August, 2009 by Roj Beaumont
Sent by Arlo Gisselman, Blue Springs, MO.

Teaching and preaching are 2 different words. Matthew relates that Jesus departed to preach and teach. Since two different words were used to identify what Jesus did, we might reasonably conclude that he did two different things. But in what ways are they different? What did Christ, Paul or the apostles teach and what did they preach, and to whom? The vast majority of times when the words teaching or teach occur in the New Testament they are translated from the same Greek word; didasko (Strong’s #1321). In Thayer’s explanation of the word it says: ‘to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses.’ Didactic means to instruct, but the definition of a discourse is to talk, converse, hold forth in speech or writing.

So teaching is more of a two-way process involving interaction with others. The question-answer process acted out in schools is a typical example of this. Pupils have interaction with a teacher often asking questions when information is not clear or it needs reiteration. The final instructions Jesus gave to his followers, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them…”(Matt 28:19) is to teach not preach. “For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food” (Heb 5:12). So it appears we are to develop the ability to teach others. Since congregations are generally only “preached” to or at, this is going to be a difficult assignment because people learn by example. “But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but to be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient” (2Tim 2:24).

But what about preaching? In the New Testament preaching is generally translated equally from two Greek words, kerusso (Strong’s #2784, 62 times) and euaggelizo (Strong’s #2097, 54 times). Thayer’s Lexicon explains the word kerusso as, ‘to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority, which must be listened to and obeyed.’ The suggestion here is, be quiet and listen because I have something to say to you. In Thayer’s it adds, ‘to proclaim openly, especially used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian leaders.’ This is significantly different from teaching. What about euaggeslizo, ‘…in the New Testament used esp. of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation.’ (Thayer’s)

There are scriptures that include both words, teach and preach. In Matt 4:23 and Matt 9:35 we find on both occasions that Jesus was teaching in the synagogues and preaching the Gospel. Later the two words are used in Acts 28:31 where it relates how Paul spent 2 years in his rented home in Rome preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus the Christ. “Whom we preach (Christ), warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Col 1:28)”.

It must be noticed however other things on occasions are preached in the New Testament; the resurrection (Acts 4:2), Christ/Jesus (Acts 8:5, 35), Christ is the Son of God (Acts 9:20), and the remission/forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38, Luke 24:47).

Teach Fellow Believers, Do Not Preach to Them

Having looked at all the scriptures that include the words teach and preach and their derivatives, a very clear pattern shows up. On only one occasion can I find disciples or believers preached to and that is in Acts 20:7. This is the occasion that Paul ‘preached’ in Troas until dawn, and as stated in the NLT “…since he was leaving the next day.” Actually here the word ‘preached’ is neither from the Greek word kerusso or euaggelizo. Of the 60 times the word for “preached” occurs in the New Testament it is translated on this one occasion only from the Greek word dialegomai (Strong’s #1256). Here Strong’s adds; ‘i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation)’. In Thayer’s Lexicon it adds; ‘to converse, discourse with one, argue discuss’, adding ‘drawing arguments from the Scriptures.’ So on the one occasion Paul is recorded as preaching to his fellow believers (in the KJV), he didn’t! He is, in fact, involved in discussion! Indeed, most other translations say “spoke”, “talked”, “discoursed” or something similar. This Greek word; dialegomai is where we get the word dialogue. Looking up the definition of this word in the Oxford Dictionary it says, ‘Conversation…between two or more persons.’ In order to follow Christ we must imitate Paul (1Cor 11:1).

Paul’s habit was “reasoning with them out of the scriptures” (in the synagogue) (Acts 7:2)
Paul every Sabbath “reasoned…..and persuaded….”(Acts 18:4)
Paul “….entered into the synagogue and reasoned with….” (Acts 18:19)
Paul, for three months, was disputing and persuading the things….” (Acts 19:8)

Reasoning and disputing again comes from Greek word dialegomai. Paul did not preach to them, but discussed with them most probably ‘drawing arguments from the Scriptures’.

Gospel Preached to Unbelievers

A large proportion of the times that preaching occurs there is the mention of the Gospel; examples include Acts 9:10 and Matthew 10:7. It would have been difficult holding a dialogue or two-way conversation in teaching the Gentiles since they would not have a basis on which to discuss much, as regards Christianity. The interaction with the Jews was different. So what was Christ’s example? It was Christ’s habit to go to the synagogue and meet others on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16), but what did he do there? There are ten occasions where it records he taught there, one where he read and only two occasions he preached. But what happened with the apostles and how often did they preach? They certainly preached among the Gentiles (Gal 2:2), but what about when they were in the synagogues? It was a place of verbal interaction, not one of an ordered and regular format. There are however two recorded examples of Paul preaching in the synagogue; Acts 9:20 and Acts 13:5.

But what about the meetings of Christians in the New Testament? There appears to be little to go on here except in 1 Corinthians 14:23-40. Orderly involvement could be the words to summarize what Paul advocated when he wrote to the Corinthians about their meetings. It would appear teaching applies mainly to the converted while preaching is to the unconverted. In the churches today, the vast majority of those attending each week are believers; therefore, it would seem to be inappropriate and unnecessary to preach (proclaim) to them week after week. Particularly when one considers that to preach is from the two Greek words; euaggelizo from which we get “evangelize” and the other, kerusso, which is to proclaim ‘always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority, which must be listened to and obeyed.’ As the congregations are effectively being taught to just listen and never to participate in discussions on religious matters, they will be relatively ineffective discussing ‘religion’ particularly with those outside the environment of the church, among friends and family. However, after services in many places I have found it rare that fellowship is about the sermon or in fact religious matters in general, which it appears it should be: “….call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable, and shall honor him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words (Isa 58:13).”

Discussion Helps Us Remember a Teaching

Discussion in a service definitely encourages ‘debate’ after the formal service has finished. When no interaction occurs within a service this seems rare, it is as though the end of a service is the finish, what is said is a done thing and not open to debate or discussion. From my experience people rapidly forget even the topic of the sermon let alone the content of it. Discussion and interaction cements the information in the memory, it makes you think rather than just listen and maybe doze or dream of other things.

Did Paul, as he went from church to church, ever give a formal, kerusso? No, he taught them, didasko. “….He will remind you of what I teach…in all the churches wherever I go.’ (1Cor 4:17, NLT). As already stressed previously, teaching involves interaction, preaching doesn’t. The services are, certainly from my experience, notable in their complete absence of any interactive contribution from the congregation. But does it matter? Is it important? “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1Cor 11:1). Or as other translations put it: ‘Imitate me….’ This obviously applies to both the ‘ministry’ and the congregations. Both Christ and Paul regularly attended the synagogue on the Sabbath. (Luke 4:16, Acts 7:2). So we today need to go to an equivalent place to meet fellow believers. Since the synagogue at the time of the New Testament was merely a meeting place, (not a ‘church building’) we need to go somewhere where we can meet fellow believers whether it is at a ‘church-meeting’ or someone’s house. Based on the information we have in the New Testament what do we find Jesus and Paul doing in the Synagogue? In reiteration:

Jesus is recorded as reading on one occasion, twice preaching, yet ten times teaching. (Five times as much teaching as preaching?)

As for Paul, his habit was to reason from the scriptures while there on the Sabbath (Acts 17:2).
Every Sabbath reason and persuade (Acts 18:4).
Three months disputing and persuading on the Sabbath in the synagogue (Acts 19:8).

Yet in only two recorded examples do I find Paul preaching there, Acts 9:20 and Acts 13:5. so when they met others on the Sabbath preaching occurs on occasions but definitely not every week. If ‘we’ preach or sit listening to preaching regularly we are not imitating or following Christ or Paul. If we are involved where teaching, being taught or discussing the scriptures occurs most or even some weeks, then we are imitating or following Paul and of course Christ. Preaching is a oneway process while teaching is a two-way process.

All Believers Need to Be Ready for Some Teaching

Should all Christians endeavor to be faithful? If so, then this verse is relevant: “And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well (2Tim 2:2, NAB).
Yes; we are all to develop into faithful people. Therefore, we also need the know-how, the practice and then the learned ability to become effective teachers. This is not in any way in conflict with James 3:1: “…let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” There is a difference between someone in a capacity of teaching, in the case of giving an active discourse in front of an assembled group (Apollos, Acts 18:26), and that of being approached by one or more and asked why we believe or do things as we do.

Many will also hold the view that with a ‘free for all’ people will end up believing different things and this will result in ‘anarchy’. But it says in John 16:13: “However, when the Spirit of Truth has come, it will guide you into all truth.” The assumption I make, however, is that the believers present will possess God’s Spirit. Note the word ‘guide’; it is not ramming anything down ones throat. “…and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…”(1Pet 3:15).

Meekness and fear is important to stress in this context. 1Corinthians 14:30 is a scripture that appears to be ignored by most. However, if this was applied then God’s Spirit would be allowed the opportunity to correct abuses and inaccuracies that I am sure we are aware happen all the time. “If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent. In this way, all who prophesy (or teach) will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. Remember that people who prophesy (or teach) are in control of their spirit and can wait their turn. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches (1 Cor 14:30-33). John’s Gospel account (KJV) does not even include the word ‘preach’ or its derivatives: preached, preaching or preacher. The same however cannot be said for the word ‘teach’. It occurs three times referring to the teaching of Gentiles, Jews and believers. The word ‘taught’ occurs eight times usually referring to Christ as having taught in the temple or synagogue.

‘Teacher’ occurs on one occasion: “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher (Not preacher!) come from God” (John 3:2). Some have quoted Paul when he tells Timothy ‘Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine’ (2Tim 4:2); to say that here he is instructing Timothy to preach to the brethren. But does it say that? In context we read in the New Living Translation, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not.” Note that these are separate sentences from what follows: “Patiently correct and encourage your people with good teaching.” So we have the first part to preach persistently, the assumption that most appear to have is that it is to the brethren. The second part is to teach, but here in context it is to ‘your people’, in other words the brethren. Some may say the whole context of chapter 4 is that of instructing Timothy on how to minster to the brethren. This is not the case, since in v5 Paul instructs Timothy to ‘Work at bringing others to Christ’”. NLT Or ‘…do the work of an evangelist.’ KJV. You do not do that with brethren.

Summary

So what do I conclude after studying teaching and preaching?

All believers need to develop the ability to teach others, but not to preach to them. Probably a much larger proportion of people are converted due to their interaction with friends and relatives than the ‘written word’ or mass media. Probably more success in ‘converting’ people would be incurred if some of our energy was directed to this end; that of teaching rather than preaching.
Teaching is a two way process, so there is the obvious need for us to be actively encouraged to talk about our beliefs. (Hence ‘interaction’ is essential.) Since this definitely was not an activity that was at all encouraged in the past we therefore ‘all’ need this practice. Practice as they say, makes perfect.
Preaching the Gospel (Gal 4:14) or ‘Christ’ Acts 8:5,35) is the active intention of people who are ‘called’ to such an activity “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Rom 10:15). This should be directed to nonbelievers in particular.

The Ozark Letter – December/January 2010

Terry — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:49:48 +0000

Newsletter for January, 2010

Super Sabbath 2010 – January 9th, 2010

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
January, 2010
Volume XIV, Issue 1
The Ozark Newsletter
Lake of the Ozarks

JANUARY GREETINGS: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

The first day of winter is December 21 and I hope that our rain amounts are not an indicator of snow accumulation. One day in November we had 4.5 inches of rain. I am not complaining, just making a comment. PBS has been showing a documentary about ‘Surviving the Dust Bowl’. For ten years, beginning in 1930, dust storms ravaged the parched and over-plowed southern plains, turning bountiful wheat fields into desert. Can you imagine 27 days of wind, day and night? Many people died from pneumonia brought on by the dust. Desperate times and desperate people.

As I sit here typing this newsletter, I am watching a red squirrel busy getting her nest ready for the winter. She (I think it is a female, probably carrying babies, as she is very fat and round) has made numerous trips up and down the tree to retrieve leaves for her nest. All of the trees in our yard are nut trees, hickory, pecan, or walnut and there is not a single nut in the yard right now. An indication of a severe winter? Could be…….

We will not be having a potluck on the 4th Sabbath in December since many may be planning to be out of town. Instead we invite all to remember the Super Sabbath on January 9th, 2010. There will be a Bible study at 10:30am and services will begin at 11:30am with a potluck to follow. The afternoon will be filled with singing, readings, and whatever talent you might provide. Please refer to the enclosed flyer for more information. Also our special speaker for that day is going to be ‘Wes McWilliams’ and he has asked that we make a special announcement about Camp Fairhaven from Pass It On Ministries. Camp Fairhaven was recently blessed with the opportunity of purchasing a 40ft. by 80ft. metal building for $2000 from a school in Nebraska that was closing. Twelve men took the building down, and it was transported to Camp Fairhaven in Missouri. All the men donated their time, including the trucker, and those loading and unloading. The building will be used for a meeting hall at Camp Fairhaven. We are ready to reconstruct the building. The estimated cost to reconstruct is $20,000 for concrete, insulation, electrical and plumbing. We want to begin work as soon as possible and your donations would be greatly appreciated and are needed for this project. Please give as the Lord would direct. Thank You. Send donations to Pass It On Ministry - Mail to: Kevin Thoene – 801 Ambois – Creve Coeur, Mo. – 63142

The following was in the previous newsletter and is an inquiry about how you would like to receive this newsletter …i.e., email, snail mail, etc. Or you may opt to not receive this newsletter at all – you must make a positive reply to continue receiving this newsletter – the exception is those living in Canada or foreign countries. I will assume that they do want to stay on the mailing list, but should you want to get the newsletter via email, you will need to make a response. Thank you for your participation in this matter and I am always looking for articles to put in the newsletter. You may mail us back the top portion of the next page with your response or you may contact us by email at mmcg.org@gmail.com with your response.

Csh****************************************************************

The following is from the ACTS Magazine, February 2009

YOKED TOGETHER WITH JESUS

By Sharon Dean

What does Jesus want us to understand from these verses when He invites us to take His Yoke upon us?

A yoke is defined as a wooden bar or frame by which two oxen can be joined together at the heads or necks for working together. Many passages in the Bible associate the word “yoke” with bondage (Galatians 5:1) or as a symbol of oppression or slavery (2 Chronicles 10:4). It seems paradoxical that Jesus offers rest by taking on a yoke.

So, what are the benefits of taking His yoke?

Relationship

When we take on His yoke, we are being yoked together with Jesus. This creates a close connection with Him and binds us together. He walks alongside of us to help us in a close working relationship with Jesus.

Jesus invites all “who labor and are heavy laden” to come to Him. Jesus is speaking to all people who are burdened with the daily pressures of normal life. Some of you may be physically exhausted from carrying burdens of sickness, grief, disappointment or loss. He invites you to come to Him and find rest. You have the free will to choose to take His yoke.

When two animals are yoked together, they will work as one animal. They have no choice but to go the same way. They must keep in step with each other and move together in harmony. Jesus said His yoke is easy. It is lined with His love and mercy. This makes the yoke fit perfectly and comfortably. His yoke is tailor-made for each individual’s needs, strengths, and capabilities. This enables us to carry the load more easily.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.”

Jesus shares our burdens. A burden is anything that troubles us. We are instructed to cast our cares on Him (1Peter 5:7). He gives us strength to carry out the daily activities of our life. Philippians 4:13 says,

Knowledge and Wisdom

Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him paying particular attention to the fact that He is “gentle and humble in heart.”

When Jesus lived on the earth, He gave us an example of how to live a victorious life. Jesus lived a pure and holy life. He had compassion for the poor and weak. He touched and healed the outcasts. He lifted up the downtrodden.

We learn about Him by daily reading His Word, the Bible, and applying His life principles in our lives under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 119: 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” We can find instructions about how to lead a successful life. In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

When we study the Bible, we learn that Jesus requires obedience. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “…what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord….” In 1John 5:3, we learn that “His commandments are not burdensome.”

Rest

When we choose to be yoked together with Jesus, it is a sign of submission and surrender to His authority. When a yoke is attached to plow or carriage, the drive has control over the yoked oxen. When the oxen learn to heed the will and leading of the driver, less pressure on the reins is needed.

Sin or self will no longer control us. It is when we let ourselves take control and resist the leading of Jesus that we get into difficulty.

When we surrender to His leading, He gives us peace and secures our rest.

Purpose

A yoke is a symbol of service or discipleship. Jesus has a work or a purpose for each of us. James 1:22 tells us to be “doers of the Word.” Colossians 3:23, 24 states, “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not to me, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thought of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

When the power comes from Jesus, directing our lives, the labor becomes easier and produces a greater quantity and quality of results.

A famous study was done on two horses. The first one could pull 10,000 pounds on a sled. The second could pull 14,000 pounds. What do you think they could pull when yoked together pulling in the same directiohjn? The answer is 49,000 pounds. Remember this: the sum is greater than a combination of the parts.

Consider being yoked together with Jesus. The rewards are great.

Sharon Dean is a member of the Springfield Church of God I(7^th Day) in Springfield, Missouri. All Bible references are quoted in the New King James Version.

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MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD

The Ozark Letter – November 2009

MMCG.ORG — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:21:42 +0000

Download Newsletter PDF Click HERE.

NOVEMBER GREETINGS: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
November, 2009
Volume XIII, Issue 11
The Ozark Newsletter
Lake of the Ozarks

Wherever you were, we hope that you had a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. United Christian Ministries, led by Ray Wooten, sponsored a site in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Inspiring messages and special music were provided every day. We saw many old friends and made many new friends. There were many opportunities to witness and for fellowship. About 100 people were in attendance each day and we were blessed with several babies and young people.

In this area, we have had a verrrrry wet autumn, but the fall colors have been spectacular. Unfortunately, the color happened about a week after the Feast of Tabernacles; therefore, those in attendance from other areas were not witness to these beautiful colors, but I hope that the color in your area was just as spectacular

Veterans Day is November 11 and that is a day that we humbly pay honor to those who daily put their lives on the line in U.S. military service to preserve our God-given freedoms. Yes, we should honor God first, as Creator and Provider of all good things and if we don’t, all our defenses will ultimately fail against the evil forces from without and within. Each Christian should daily don the whole armor of God that we may stand against the wiles of the devil and the rulers of the darkness of this age. (Eph. 6:10-17)

U.S. Thanksgiving Day – November 26. Where will you be on Thursday, November 26? Driving to Grandma’s house, or heading to a fine restaurant for that special holiday dinner, or maybe the family will be gathered around your own table? Wherever you go and however you choose to celebrate the occasion, let’s all thank God for our many blessings, and may HE grant us safe travel and a pleasant day.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar — Super Sabbath will be January 9th. There will be a Bible study at 10:30am and services will begin at 11:30am with a potluck to follow. The afternoon will be filled with singing, readings, whatever talent you might provide. More information will follow at a later time.

We will not be having a potluck on the 4th Sabbath in November, since many may be planning to be out of town following the Thanksgiving holiday. Instead, we will be having a church family Thanksgiving Potluck on the 1st Sabbath in December (Dec 4, 2009). We invite any and all who would like to come and share a Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving with us, for shouldn’t we be giving thanks all the time anyway! Please contact Martha Roberts at 573-291-9937 or Ruth Weinmeister at 573-392-0915 if you need more information.

The following is an inquiry about how you would like to receive this newsletter …i.e., email, snail mail, etc. Or you may opt to not receive this newsletter at all – you must make a positive reply to continue receiving this newsletter – the exception is those living in Canada or foreign countries. I will assume that they do want to stay on the mailing list, but should you want to get the newsletter via email, you will need to make a response. Thank you for your participation in this matter and I am always looking for articles to put in the newsletter. You may mail us back the top portion of the next page with your response or you may contact us by email at info@mmcg.org with your response.
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The following was taken from the Internet:
GospeLines Ministries®
Daily Devotional for Monday, September 21, 2009
“Did You Ever Feel Like Jonah?”
“But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty-thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:11 – NIV)

In our town there has always been a man with long hair, appears unkempt, sits on the side of the curb quite often in different spots throughout the day wearing his green army jacket, seems to keep to himself, yet has that far away look in his eyes that says that he could possibly be a few fries short of a happy meal, or simply emotionally conquered by events of the past. I have often wondered if he is homeless and prayed for him. I have often driven by with the kids in the car and felt the tug in my spirit to hand him a sandwich or a heavy winter coat. I never did. Another time, while driving past last summer, I noted that he had a haircut and a shave. He cleaned up nice, he did. I thought about stopping and asking him to church with us one Sunday. But, I never did. Winter is coming once again, and I wonder about the homeless man that I’ve observed from a distance.

My husband came home a while back and shared that a man who lived in a tent on the edge of town had died. (My heart sank, was this my homeless man?) I could see the sadness in my husband’s eyes. He and a man he works with used to take turns buying the homeless man a sandwich and a hot cup of joe at a local diner by the railroad tracks here in town, they brought him a thermal blanket, and gave him a winter coat. I sat, tears streaming down my face, in admiration for the men who helped… and in remorse before God, for not doing as His Holy Spirit had lead me. It was too late. There was no excuse. I blew it and I knew it. To this day, I still wonder if someone ever shared the free gift salvation with that homeless man. I will not get another chance to help or to share the love of Christ with him. I just cringe thinking about what God is going to say to me come Judgment Day because of it. There is nothing I can say in my defense.

Much to my surprise, I passed ‘my’ homeless man that I thought had died. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I immediately took the next turn to go back to find him. I had another chance – and I wasn’t going to blow it this time! Impatiently, I stopped at a cross walk waiting for folks to cross. I saw a big city bus pull up to the curb at the end of the green, blocking my view of the man. The bus pulled away, I searched frantically. He was gone. He must have gotten on the bus, or walked away. I missed my chance, but I knew there was hope! I prayed for God to bring someone to share the saving sacrifice of Jesus with this man.

Did you ever hear the expression, “You can run but, you can’t hide?” All I have to say is thank God for that big ole’ fish that He sent to swallow Jonah for those 3 days and nights! God did what it took to get Jonah where He wanted him to be. What a great example God gave us with Jonah! I thank God that I had a second chance with ‘my’ homeless man… but now, I can’t help but wonder about the man who used to live in the tent. Did he know Jesus?

God’s Word is for everyone, there are no exceptions. Those who are called to serve God are to carry out His works and preach God’s message and His truth to everyone – no matter how unpopular or hard it may be. If we, as Christians, simply proclaim what we know about Jesus… I bet we’d be surprised at just how many are willing to listen! *********************************************************************

Unlikely Justice
by Whaid Guscott Rose, General Conference President

“Lo! Freedom weeps,/Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.” Josiah Holland’s quote would have resonated with the prophet Habakkuk. His plea for justice came during the final days of the Assyrian Empire and the beginning of Babylon’s domination (seventh century BC).

The object of Habakkuk’s concern, however, wasn’t the surrounding enemy nations but Judah itself (1:204). Those were dark days: Justice had disappeared, evil was rampant, and violence went unchecked.

Habakkuk’s prayer for divine intervention was met with a surprising answer: God would send the Chaldeans to judge Judah (vv.5-11) – no solution to the prophet’s dilemma. Judah was God’s covenant people; Lord, cleanse their sin and restore their righteousness. To use the Chaldeans to judge a nation more righteous than they added insult to injury. After all, wasn’t God on Judah’s side?
Most of this prophecy is dialogue, even argument, between the prophet and his God. The exchange soon shifts from how God dealt with injustice to God’s character in light of His covenant with His people. This is a real theological conundrum.

The argument reached its zenith when Habakkuk climbed the city’s watchtower in protest (2:1). I’ll come down when God has a satisfactory answer, he may have thought. And what was God’s answer? “The just shall live by his faith” (2:4 NKJV). This statement, twice quoted by Paul (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11), not only informed Habakkuk’s thinking but also has been used by the Holy Spirit to spark movements that significantly reshaped the church in history.

Beyond inspiring the doctrine of justification by faith, Habakkuk 2:4’s application is that God is sovereign, which, rather than His temporal blessings, should be the true motivation of worship:
Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! (3:17-19, The Message**).

The tendency to serve God for material benefit has a reverse effect: We may be inclined to view such blessings as evidence of “favored-nation status” and guarantee of national security. That’s why modern Christians, especially in America, have much to learn from Habakkuk’s experience. These are dark days for our nation – “Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne” (James Russell Lowell). Enemies flex their nuclear muscles; terrorism looms. Is God on our side? Would He allow nations less righteous to judge the U.S. for its sins?

God’s answer is no different than it was for this seventh century prophet. He is sovereign and will do what honors His cause. Meanwhile, we live by faith, trusting Him amid national and world conflicts. What ultimately happens is God’s business because history is “His story.” Instead of “Is God on America’s side?” the vital question is “Whose side is America on?”

In answering the question “Where was God on September 11?” Anne Graham Lotz suggests that God was where secular culture put Him: out of our schools, out of our government, out of our business and system of values. God quietly backed away, removing His hand of protection.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” A little godly fear and trembling might be in order these days, in the nation and in the church.

The Ozark Letter – September 2009

MMCG.ORG — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:17:54 +0000

Download Newsletter PDF Click HERE.

September Greetings: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
September, 2009
Volume XIII, Issue 9
The Ozark Newsletter
Lake of the Ozarks

2009 HOLY DAY CALENDAR
Sept. 19—Feast of Trumpets (Saturday)
Sept. 28—Day of Atonement (Monday)
Oct. 3-9—Feast of Tabernacles (Saturday-Friday)
Oct. 10—Eighth Day Festival (Saturday)

Just a reminder that MMCG will not be hosting a Feast of Tabernacles in 2009, but will be supporting Ray Wooten and his United Christian Ministries who will have a Feast of Tabernacles at Lake Ozark at the Resort at Port Arrowhead. Contact the UCM office with any questions at 1-888-985-9066 or send an email to ucmfamily@aol.com and their website is www.4ucm.org. There will be a welcome reception in the Missouri Room at the Port Arrowhead Resort located at the Lake of the Ozarks, on Friday evening October 2nd at 7pm. Services will begin each day at 10:30am and last about an hour and a half. Daily Bible studies and seminars will begin at 9am. Details for times and locations of these presentations will be made available at the Feast.

MMCG will observe the Feast of Trumpets on Saturday, September 19th. There will be a Bible study at 10:30am and the message at 11:30am with a potluck to follow. We normally have a potluck on the fourth Sabbath of each month, but due to having a potluck on Feast of Trumpets, there will not be a potluck on the fourth Sabbath in September. We do plan to have a booth at the Eldon Turkey Festival, which will be on September 26th. Bible study and services will be at the regular time on the 26th and at our regular location.

MMCG will also have a service on Monday, September 28 to observe the Day of Atonement. At the publishing of this newsletter, the time had not been determined. *****************************************

The Trip Home
(Author Unknown – sent via email by Sam & Faye Stamper)
A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: “Fasten Your Seat Belts.”
Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”
As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice on the intercom said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.”
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, “As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
“Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.
“Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.” The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.
The child replied, “Cause my Daddy’s the pilot, and he’s taking me home.”

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.
Let us remember: Our Father is the pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don’t worry!
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(The following article is from CHURCHLIGHT, July/September 2006)
Forgiving Each Other
By David Hines
A father in Spain and his teenage son’s relationship had become somewhat strained and the son ran away from home. The father went on a journey to reconcile with his son so he went searching for him. Finally, he got to Madrid and as a last desperate effort he put an ad in the local newspaper. The ad read, “Dear Paco, Meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. I love you, Your Father.” The next day at noon in front of the newspaper office 800 Paco’s showed up all seeking forgiveness from their fathers.

It shows sometimes how our relationship can become strained with our Heavenly Father. Because of our rebelliousness or a sin that we have, sometimes we are quick to receive the forgiveness that God gives us but not so quick to forgive others. God’s forgiveness and mercy is important and we should respond in like kind.

To show the loving-kindness that God has for us, consider Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” In most cases, the attitude generally is “I forgive you, but I will never forget it.” Unfortunately, that is man’s carnal nature and we don’t let go.

There is a story about the two Irishmen that are fighting and had a feud going on for several years. Finally, one of them is at death’s door and so the pastor says to one of them, you need to forgive and put this aside. Then they sort of reconcile and just as one was getting ready to leave, the other says, “but if you are alive tomorrow, the feud’s on.” At times, it becomes difficult for mankind to let go of these types of things and, of course, what kind of example are we giving our children when we have this same attitude? Certainly God gives us a great attitude to copy.

Jesus shows the importance of forgiveness in Matthew 6:14, 15, “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” This is part of the Sermon on the Mount; Jesus was certainly bringing out the importance of forgiveness. This is one of the things that are the basics of Christianity, but sometimes we take it for granted and need to work a little harder at it to apply it to our lives.

In Matthew 18:21, 22, Jesus was talking to Peter, “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” During that historical period, the rabbis thought that if a man sinned against you, you could forgive him and if he did it again, you could forgive him another time and if he did it again you could even forgive him a third time, but a fourth time…no way! Peter says up to seven times and when you think about that he is doing twice that and for good measure adds another one. What is Jesus’ response? Jesus said up to 70×7. We don’t need to get out our ledger books and keep a record of the sins that people have against us. When people get to 491, we don’t say they are over the limit and we can’t forgive them anymore. It shows the complete forgiveness that Jesus is talking about. We know, too, that people need to have a repentant attitude. God forgives us when we repent and we have to see that in other peoples’ attitude as well.

In the parable of Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus goes into this great illustration here. He is the greatest teacher that ever lived and when He gives a parable, He teaches a lesson.

Verse 24 mentions that the slave owed the king 10,000 talents, which could be about $10 million dollars in silver content, but worth much more in buying power. It was an amount that couldn’t possibly be paid back. Of course, Jesus being the great teacher, probably gives a hyperbole when He uses this to exaggerate His point. This man couldn’t pay this amount back, no matter what. Later in verse 27, the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

In verse 28, that same slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, “Pay back what you owe.” A denarii was equal to one day’s wage. Think about the great debt that was forgiven him. In that day and age they had debtor’s prisons and if people couldn’t pay they would be in prison for the rest of their lives. The teaching of Jesus shows complete and total forgiveness.

In Luke 7:36-47, it sets the stage of a woman who was a sinner, probably a harlot and a Pharisee. The Pharisees were very self-righteous and after all they were the separated ones and would not think of having someone like this in their house. Jesus tries to remind them and again we have to understand the culture of the day. They were walking on hard paths, dusty and dirty roads with sandals, held down by rope. Their feet were dirty and sweaty and when they went to someone’s’ house, a slave would come to wash their feet. Jesus reminded the Pharisees they did not even wash His feet and did not greet with a holy kiss.

This was typical of their culture, but the Pharisee thought that he was too good. Jesus told him that this woman did all those things. He makes a good point, like the money lender that had a debtor he was forgiven little, but he was forgiven much. Both illustrations drive home a good point.

In regard to Christian love, we can’t really love others without forgiveness, because we have that barrier in our heart when we do that. Sometimes we do it out of self-righteousness that we forgive others. We have to be very careful that we do not offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, to remember that forgiveness is not about us – it is about our brothers and sisters.

Matthew 5: 23,24 gives the proper order to deal with these matters, “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. It doesn’t say that your brother sinned, it says your brother has something against you. So if he has something against you for some reason, the first thing to do is to leave your offering there and go and be reconciled to your brother.

Matthew 7:12 states, “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” If we want to be loved by our neighbor, we love our neighbor and if we want to be treated well, we treat other people likewise.

We are all sinners and we try not to sin, but that doesn’t mean we are not going to sin. We have to recognize and confess sin and He forgives us. We are forgiven sinners, but sinners nonetheless. There are no perfect people among us and we can become very prideful..

Romans 12 reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. So if we put in God’s Word and all the good things, we transform our mind. We can renew and we can change. We don’t have to conform to this world.

Paul says in Ephesians 4 to have humility, gentleness, with patience, forbearance to one another in love, diligent to preserve the unity of Spirit in bond of peace. Strife is constantly there if we don’t. We know God forgives us, but we also have to forgive others and if God does forgive us, who are we to not forgive others. That can become a prideful attitude.

Another admonition is to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, and clamor. Evidently the church in Ephesus really had these problems and had to put all this aside and be kind to one another, tender hearted. It is as two ships that represented the Christian and were shooting at each other. We shoot at each other instead of shooting at the enemy. Satan is the enemy. We do not give the devil an opportunity. (1 Peter 5:8) The devil is out there and he would love to divide and conquer, whether it be brethren in the church, spouses, parents and children, and then lack of forgiveness surfaces..

Jesus reminds the Pharisees in John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.”

It shows how prideful they became and even if they were Abraham’s offspring, Jesus says you are of your father the devil. Satan is the one that got Adam and Eve caught up in the first lie. Satan stated that if you eat of that forbidden fruit you will be like God and never die. Again it shows how deceitful Satan can be and Jesus says he is a liar and the father of lies and will take any opportunity he can to attack God’s people.

We have to put aside our carnal nature and we have to accept God’s Word and have that transformation. Remembering again, the world’s attitude is “I don’t get mad, I get even” or vice versa. Of course, who gets hurt with an attitude like this? It is the one that refuses to forgive. Let us follow the Bible’s wise counsel and forgive others as God forgave us and thereby not give Satan an opportunity to get his foot in the door.**************************************************

MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD
PO Box 92, Eldon, MO 65026/mailing address. Actual physical address is: 602 East North Street. Phone: 573-392-1232 or 573-498-3775; Email: info@mmcg.org Website: www.mmcg.org The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) holds Christian Sabbath services each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at 602 East North Street, Eldon, MO… A Bible Study and song service is scheduled at 10:30am before Sabbath services. Potluck meals after services are planned for the fourth Sabbath of each month. A weekly Bible study is held each Thursday at 6:30pm. It is best to call ahead and confirm times if you are traveling any distance to visit us (see the phone numbers above). Occasionally we will cancel local services to attend en masse elsewhere. Come and enjoy the fellowship! Also, the first Wednesday of each month the ladies meet for a “get together” and you can contact Martha Roberts at 573-496-3202 or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 for location and time if you plan to attend. You can also check the events calendar on the website.