The Visitor » The Visitor – October 19, 2008

Here and There
by Wes Price

Prayer In Time Of War

Virtually every day, we are reminded when we turn on the television or pick up the newspaper that there is a war going on in Iraq. These are difficult times, and we all feel the urgent need to spend more time with God in prayer. We pray for the safety of our troops. We pray for a quick end to the conflict. But beyond that, what should we pray for?
In 2003, Ron Hutchcraft sent out an email entitled, “10 Ways to Pray in Times Like These.” Here are 7 of his points:

1. “Lord, do something that will show people Your glory over all the
earth.

This is a moment for God to do something that no diplomat, no world leader, no army could possibly do – so all will know that “the Lord He is God.”

2. “Lord, use these anxious and uncertain times to bring many to Christ.”

God can use this fearful time to reach the hearts of many in Iraq, in
America, across the Middle East, among the young men and women of the military.

3. “Lord, guide our leaders to the instruments of Your will on earth.

“I urge… that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

4. “Lord, protect the innocent.

5. “Pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27).

Jesus has charged us to represent even our enemies before His Thone
of Grace.

6. “Lord, help Your people model peace in these troubled times, pointing to the people around them to Jesus at a time when hearts are soft.”

This uncertain time is a life-saving moment, when those who belong to Jesus have an unusual window to introduce him to those who don’t. But the window may not be open for long.

7. “Lord, bring peace out of all that’s happening.”

God has told us that the result He desires in answer to our prayers for our leaders is a climate where peace and righteousness can flourish
(1 Timothy 2:2)

– Ron Hutchcraft
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ARE YOU SERIOUS?
How many times have you heard that? It can apply to any situation. In this case, let’s talk about Bible classes.
Do you actually expect me to come to Bible class? Why would you think I would want to? What difference would it make in my life? Let’s get serious!
Agreed. Let’s get serious. You are expected to attend Bible class because the Bible is being taught in these classes. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, Rom. 10:17. So, it will increase your faith. We could all do with more faith. No person has learned it all yet.
You are expected to attend Bible class because it will provide you a fellowship you will not experience any place else. When you sit passively in an auditorium and listen to the preacher you do not communicate with those around you. In a Bible class there is an interchange of ideas, an opportunity for you to speak up, ask questions, make comments. People visit before and after class and become better acquainted. Many times lifetime friendships have begun in a Bible class.
You are expected to attend Bible class because it is a great opportunity for you to be an example to others who really need to be in Bible class. Your absence may cause other family members to also be absent. Children and grandchildren may be denied the benefits of being in Bible class because of your poor example of staying away from Bible class. Let your light shine.
You need to be in Bible class because it is an opportunity to let the elders know you are willing to cooperate with them in an effort to make the church stronger.
Lewis G. Hale

Prayer List
Dorothy Mooney-Charlton Methodist – will have surgery Thursday, Oct. 23.
R. G. Bell – Methodist Central. Is not doing well.
Sandra Jones, Helen’s daughter-in-law, is having heart problems.
Jimmy Mooney had a successful procedure done in the doctor’s office.
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Catherine Coronado, Dorothy Jackson, Ada Couch, Terry Escobar, Ed Horn,Jack & Oleta Armstrong, Grady Theobalt, Larry Reynolds, Doris
Henry, Roger Schrum, Catherine Jayroe, Angie Sabedra, Nancy Spurgeon,
Carmen McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Treva Traylor,Urbanelle Cox, Billie Morgan,Bea Dipprey, Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, Weldon Siler, Holly Lee, Ida Smith, Joe Benedick, Marjorie Moore, Geraldine Hurley, Dr.J & Dorothy Coats
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The Ladies’ & Men’s Bible Classes – Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m.
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VITAL SIGNS: Oct. 12
Bible Study 65
Morning Worship 82
Afternoon Worship 50
Offering $3,183.40
Budget $3,410.46
Wed. Oct. 8 40
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You are invited to see our weekly bulletin on the church’s web site at
jeffersonblvd.org
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What a wonderful way to begin Sunday mornings. Watch “In Search of the Lord’s Way” on Channel 27 at 7:00 a.m. followed by “The Truth In Love” at 7:30 a.m. on Channel 52.

FAMINE IN THE LAND
“’Behold,days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘when I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). When God sent His prophet Amos to Israel, he was speaking to a nation immersed in idolatry. While Amos spoke God’s truth to them, the Israelites preferred the message of the false prophets, who spoke to appease the desires of the people, not to please God by being faithful to His word. If they persisted in their rejection of God and His will, the time would come when God would no longer send His prophets to warn them. The time would come when they longed to hear the truth, but wouldn’t be able. A famine of truth leads to the problems of sin.

The New Testament counterpart of this is offered by Paul to Timothy, about some in their day. “For the time will come when they will endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). There would be those following their own desires and would seek out teachers who offered God’s blessings apart from God’s truth. A famine of truth leads to the problems of sin.

Though separated by centuries, this same attitude of heart leads to the same consequences today. In our society, we have rejected the objective truth of Scripture for the subjective desires of the individual. There is a famine of the word today, as people have deceived themselves into thinking whatever they believe is what God believes, and teaches, and condones. Few feel the need to consult Scripture, and having been deceived to believe such an outrageous lie, why should they? They should because their souls are at stake.

Such an attitude makes evangelism difficult at best. It’s hard to convince people of the need for immersion, for example, if they believe in their heart simply believing in Jesus is enough. It’s hard to convince them to abandon a sexually immoral lifestyle, when they believe God wants them to be happy. It’s hard to talk about the reality of hell, when they believe God loves us too much to condemn anyone.

A famine of the word, however, leaves us with the consequences of sin, and as sin only begets more sin (Rom. 6:19), the effects of evil will only get worse. In each person’s life, a window of opportunity can open when one’s desire only bring sorrow and suffering. If we can show the authority of Scripture, we can show what God actually does teach, how one should actually live, what eternity awaits if one ignores or rebels against God’s word.

Do we, as New Testament Christians, believe in the authority of Scripture? Do we know what it teaches? Do we live by its precepts? Or have we succumed to the spirit of the age? Are we suffering from a famine of the word in our personal lives, in the life of the church? A famine of truth leads to the problems of sin. We can’t make a difference in other lives, in the culture we live in, if we don’t allow the word to make a difference in us first. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Col. 3:16).
Robert Johnson