Charles Counts is home, having gout and a rash.
Ruby Slone will receive another shot for her back on Feb. 14
Danie Baker continues to have severe allergies and dental problem.
Florene Griffin is recovering from surgery. She is in Encompass Rehab in Plano.
Monte Randolph is taking radiation and chemo treatments.
Angel Johnson’s surgery is scheduled for Feb. 20.
Cathy Painter (Wolfe City) is recovering from a kidney transplant.
Kathy Hill is undergoing chemo treatments again.
Brenda Williams is off her heart monitor now & doing good.
Robert Courtney has been diagnosed with cancer. He has decided not to undergo any treatments.
Robert Fields had a stroke.
Alex Miller (Carla’s nephew) is struggling with some spiritual issues & decisions to make.
Barry Del Monte (relative of Robert Embry) has stage 4 liver cancer.
Rebecca Van Deren (Carmen’s sister-in-law & Josh Van Deren’s mother) is having diabetes complications & will have an MRI done on Monday.
Don Hickerson (arterial problems), Don Baker (back problems) , Tabitha Griffin (cancer), Billie Bradford (Kathy Hill’s sister), Betty Clark (Paula’s sister), Les Hamel (weekly transfusions, stress) Gary Hickerson (disks fused), and Beryl Miller (macular degeneration).
Serving in the military: Tyler Davies, Josh Van Deren, Kirklynn Hance and Kirk Johnson in US. Cody Blomstedt is in Korea.
Men’s Business Meeting will be held tonight after evening Worship. All men are invited and encouraged to attend.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16 (KJV)
Pantry Item: paper towels or any other non-perishable item
Men Serving Next Week February 17, 2019
Morning Prayers Robert Embry, Don Baker
Evening Prayers Walter McMillen, Don Harrington
Scripture Don Harrington
Daniel’s Culture War
Josh Blackmer
We are alarmed at how quickly our culture has been rejecting Biblical principles. It is something that is seemingly increasing in speed and frequency, but what would you do if we lost it all? What would you do if we lost every right and every ability to call on the name of the Lord or to worship Him in any way? Let’s look at a few young men that lost that, and more, and see what we can learn.
It was a dark day for Judah. The Babylonian Empire had taken control of the city of Jerusalem and was shipping off people to serve as slaves in far off lands. Among them were four young men - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These four young men were made eunuchs, had their names changed, and were taught a new language and new philosophies of Babylon. Now the stage is set for a culture war.
An issue arose over food. Knowing the dietary laws of the Jews, the Babylonians still commanded them to eat from the king’s table. These four young men, who had to endure all that happened to them, took a stand. “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank...” (Dan. 1:8). The key part of this passage is “Daniel made up his mind.” In the NKJV it reads, “purposed in his heart.” The idea is the same. They drew a line, even though it was counter to popular culture, and thus began the culture war.
Dan. 1:8 KJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
This idea, a purposed heart, characterizes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah for the rest of the book of Daniel. Many of us remember the battle fought over worshiping the golden idol. Hananiah, Mishal and Azariah said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18). That is culture war. That is drawing a very distinct line.
So, what do we take from this? Popular culture and society could one day take it all away from us. I pray for my children and my children’s children that it never happens. However, if it does, are we going to be ready to draw those kinds of lines? Are we making a distinction in our homes now between what is worldly and what is Godly? Are we exemplifying Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah type courage in our homes and with our families now? We need to “purpose in our hearts” now, so that when we face the same culture war, we will be ready.
Dan. 3:16-18 KJV – 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
The Christian and Civil Government
by Glen Elliott
What responsibilities do Christians have toward civil government? In answering this question, two extremes must be avoided. The first extreme is that, since Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, Christians are free to disregard the laws of the land. The second extreme is that Christians must obey the laws of the land even if they contradict the laws of God. Between the two extremes is the Biblical view of our responsibility toward civil government.
Christians are obligated to obey governing authorities. (Rm. 13:1)KJV Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Paul goes on to explain that governing authorities exist and are established by God. Resisting authority amounts to resisting God Himself. Remember, the over-arching purpose of government is for the punishment of evil-doers and the praise of those who do what is right.
(Rm. 13:1-7)KJV
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
When a particular government no longer carries this God-given purpose, God will remove it in His own time.
These principles are reinforced in Paul’s letter to Titus, where he says, “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men (3:1-2). Obedience is not motivated by fear of the government, but by respect for God. If we disagree with the law, we not free to disobey it unless the law violates God’s word (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). As we have already said, our responsibility to obey governing authorities extends even to governments which may be corrupt or evil. Early Christians lived in the midst of the decadent, corrupt Roman Empire. But, Jesus did not lead an insurrection against Rome. Why not? Because His purpose was to preach the gospel and save souls. Christianity did change the world; but it did so one soul at a time.
Christians are obligated to obey governing authorities so long as such obedience does not violate the principles taught in the New Testament.
Answer to last weeks question! Isaiah - (Isaiah 1:1)
Trivia Question
What king had the apostle James executed with a sword and Peter arrested?
Answer and scripture reference next week.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
When a particular government no longer carries this God-given purpose, God will remove it in His own time.
These principles are reinforced in Paul’s letter to Titus, where he says, “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men (3:1-2). Obedience is not motivated by fear of the government, but by respect for God. If we disagree with the law, we not free to disobey it unless the law violates God’s word (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). As we have already said, our responsibility to obey governing authorities extends even to governments which may be corrupt or evil. Early Christians lived in the midst of the decadent, corrupt Roman Empire. But, Jesus did not lead an insurrection against Rome. Why not? Because His purpose was to preach the gospel and save souls. Christianity did change the world; but it did so one soul at a time.
Christians are obligated to obey governing authorities so long as such obedience does not violate the principles taught in the New Testament.
Answer to last weeks question! Isaiah - (Isaiah 1:1)
Trivia Question
What king had the apostle James executed with a sword and Peter arrested?
Answer and scripture reference next week.