Northeast Family Update

“Above all, love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8)

 

January 23, 2005

We Love Ruts

We are people of the rut. We love ruts. I know we claim, shout and stomp to say we hate ruts but it is not true. Ruts are comfortable. They are easy and take no real effort. Ruts allow us not to think, plan, or take action. We can just go along, same ol’, same ol’.

If you already disagree with this article consider the following:

Do you like to park in the same place every day?

Do you ordinarily sit in the same place Sunday after Sunday?

Does it bother you if the order of service is changed?

Does it bother you to sing a song you don't know?

Do you give the same $$ that you have always given?

Do you serve in the same way as always?

I think if we are honest we must admit that we like ruts. There are some ruts that are good things.

Not forsaking the assembly.

Laying by in store every first day of the week.

Praying daily.

Daily Bible reading.

Taking the Lord's Supper weekly.

Etc...

As we begin a new year let's all take a good look at the ruts in our lives. Take a look to see if our ruts are worth keeping around another year. There may be some new ruts that we need to begin. There may be some old ruts that need to be changed. Before we settle in for another year take a look at the ruts that we love so dear.

Tom Bailey                                                                                    

Wednesday Bible Class

“Golden Rules”

@ 7:00 P.M.

Make plans to attend

Sunday Evening Sermon Series

Thessalonians

 

Textual Insight

7 ¶ The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

8 ¶ The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined.

9 ¶ He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.

 -God (Proverbs 10:7-9)

 

Absence and Alarm

There is a correlation, you know. When a Christian is absent from the worshiping assembly, there is cause for alarm.

"Why? Whose business is it?" says the absentee. "If I want to miss, let me be — what does it hurt anyway?'"

Glad you asked the question — it hurts a lot! It hurts you, first. Fellowship of the saints in the presence of Christ is a stirring experience. Sharing exhilarating emotions with those who love the Lord as together you sing, pray, teach, commune and give is an uplifting exercise. What better could you do? The Bible states to absent yourself only if there is a matter to be straightened out with you and your brother, doesn't it? The assembly certainly takes priority over the ordinary life.

Secondly, you hurt those closest to you. Helpmate or children quit because you do. Your lack of zeal and interest telegraphs to them, "CHURCH IS NOT IMPORTANT." They love you — you are the big one in their life. You thus take from the Lord instead of to Him, those you love most.

Thirdly, the relationship between absence and alarm is further heightened by the fact that the surest path to backsliding is absenteeism. There is more to being a Christian than attending services, but the attendance can never be minimized. It is a vital part of our duty.

Nothing is equal to the church of the Lord — to leave is to go downhill. Nothing is dearer than the duty to REMEMBER ME. Jesus demands it. Absence lets you remember self. Why would no one be alarmed when even one member is absent? He is selling short his opportunity — he's disobeying his Lord. Be certain about your attendance. When one is absent willfully, he is going the wrong way! Turn around, brother, come home.

Jim Bill McInteer

 

 

Ladies ThursdayBible Class

Each Thursday

@ 9:30 A.M.

“Esther”

 

********

  Upcoming Events

26th Annual

Area - Wide Singing

 

Saturday, February 5th

 

6:00 - 9:00 P.M.

 

Elm & Hudson

Church of Christ

Altus, OK

 

Christian Plan of Salvation

 

Hear the Gospel - Rom. 10:17; Jn 6:45

 

Believe in Jesus - Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24

 

Repent - Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3

 

Confess Jesus as Lord - Ro. 10:9-10; Mt. 10:32

 

Be Baptized - Mk. 16:15-16; 1 Pt. 3:21

 

Lord Adds To Church - Acts 2:47

 

Live Faithful - Gal. 5:16-26; Rev. 2:10

 

The Northeast Family Update is published weekly by the Lord’s church in Sentinel, Oklahoma under the oversight of its Elders.

 

If you wish to be taken off our e-mail list please send a reply to [email protected].

 

If you wish to be added to our e-mail list please send a request to [email protected].

 

Our Elders: Junior Blanton (674-3987), Otis Martin (393-4936)

                                    Leland Womack (666-2243)

 

 

Our Deacons: Curtis Chandler (393-2167), Tommy Hagen (393-4542),

Ron Morris (486-3574), Bud Robinson, (393-4560),

Jackie Todd, (393-4383), Robert Whinery (674-3463),

 

 Our Minister: John E. Werhan (393-4898 office) (393-2264 home)

 

 Our Address:

Northeast church of Christ

1111 E. N. Boundary

P.O. Box 357

Sentinel, OK 73664

[email protected]

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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