What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 5 / No. 21”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. V - No. 21 / March 26, 2023
"BY THESE"
2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Revelation 2:10 “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
JUST A FEW OF MANY!
—George Leath
DEEP BLUE
As a child of about 9 years, I remember swinging in the back yard. I was pumping those chains as hard as I could, seeing how high I could go. I was trying to get my toes deep into the blue.
What was it, I thought, of the blue? Is it hot, or is it cold? How far away is it? Where does it go at night? Why are there no stars? I had so many questions to which I had no answer.
I was playing alone which was unusual as there were always siblings enough and a variety of neighborhood kids, so you would rarely be by yourself for long. So, there I was, just me, my swing, and my thoughts. Wrong! I was not alone as I had supposed. I heard a sound first, then he came around the corner and across the back yard. It was the Whistler. I had no fear of him. I was quite at ease and comfortable around him. The whistler was my dad. Whistling, well that’s what he did. His own special tunes always perfectly pitched, soft and relaxing.
I posed various questions about my thoughts to my dad, and he answered all he could. Question, then answer, then another question, and at some point, I realized he may be stumped. This too was unusual because other than a beloved teacher, or the local weatherman, my dad was the most impressive and informed person that I knew. Remember, I was 9.
As we concluded our talk, probably what seemed like an interrogation to my dad, I really wanted to know what was past as far as you could go. He did not know the answer in great detail but told me that out there beyond as far as we could go was where God lived. Really, I thought. I had never heard him speak of God. We did not go to church anywhere. My parents, though good as they were, they were not spiritual.
The conversation ended and the Whistler went on his way. He had things to do. He stayed busy; I knew that because I had been watching him all my life. We both went about our normal routines: school, work, etc. – Just like always.
That Fall, my dad was stricken with illness, very sick. Very surprised was I, because my dad had never been sick. To me, he was invincible. My Dad’s hospitalization was very beneficial to him both physically and spiritually. He improved physically, though he was plagued by illness for the remainder of his life, this did open the door of opportunity for a preacher of the gospel to befriend him. My Dad and Mom both learned of Jesus Christ and God’s plan to redeem man from sin. They both submitted to baptism as Acts 2:38 directs, for the forgiveness of sin. This began their Christian walk; new persons being influenced by God’s teaching in his word.
I continued to watch my dad learn of God, then modify his behavior and actions accordingly. I watched him grow-up mature as a child of God, as Eph. 4:13-16 teaches. My entire family obeyed the Gospel, as well as some extended family. My dad enjoyed many years in God’s service, trying to influence people with kindness and good deeds.
The Whistler is gone now, been gone for a while. He died holding on to the hope that he had in Jesus. He longed for the change that would take place! 1 Cor. 15:52 ”...and we will be changed” He was a changed man and was ready for his corruptible body to be transformed into a new incorruptible body.
I have often pondered my dad’s deep blue moment. The moment he realized he did not have the answers but must attribute the unknown things to God. Rom. 1:20 describes this as “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” God is the answer to many of our life struggles, and the deepest needs of our souls. Isa. 55:3 says it like this, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you – The sure mercies of David.”
I wish for all a deep blue moment. A moment where you consider what is beyond the azure blue in a place concealed from human sight. Have you lately considered a dwelling place with God made up of many mansions, Jn. 14:1-3. I hope that your deep blue moment is sobering and one of tremendous clarity. Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop Resisting… —Blind Bartimaeus 23
***SENTENCE SERMONS***
If what you're working for really matters, you'll give it all you've got.
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In company, guard you tongue; in solitude, your heart.
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Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.
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This is true greatness: to serve unnoticed and to work unseen.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
