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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20).
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February 16, 1997
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Going Abroad
by Chuck Bartlett
(The following is a true story of a preacher's
experience in going abroad taking the gospel to the lost.)
For a preacher, there is a sense of joy and excitement
in moving his family to another country to spread the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Obviously, when you make the
decision to go, there is a considerable amount of anticipation
in making all kinds of contacts. After all, being in a
different place means meeting many new people.
There is one success story I want to share with you,
so that you might appreciate the good that can be done
when Christians travel places to sow the seed of the
kingdom.
Not long after my wife and children were all settled
in, a young man appeared at our services. We were running
some ads in a small publication, which gave our times of
services. This person had noticed it and decided to come
out and see what we were all about.
I remember the first time we met. I asked him his
name, but there was a language barrier and I couldn't get
it. It sounded strange and impossible for me (only knowing
English) to repeat. What helped was the fact that he spoke
English fairly well. His comprehension of English was also
good, although it was important for me to remember to not
talk too fast.
I recall the many studies we had. Some were in our
home; other times it was at the meeting place right after
services. Sometimes I would walk away wondering whether
he would ever come back, while other times I would think
we were getting somewhere.
Eventually this young man decided he was ready to
put on Christ in baptism (Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:3-5). I knew that
once he obeyed that he would be a great asset to the
church. He was convicted, full of zeal and was a good
student of the Scriptures. He brought people out to the
meeting and spent time talking to family and friends about
his faith.
It has been a couple of years since this man obeyed.
The good news is he is still faithful and has been doing a
lot of preaching. His desire is to go into full-time work,
Lord willing. Just think of the good that is yet to come, as
he takes the message to others. I am truly grateful for the
support I received from brethren so I could preach Christ.
Brethren, there is no greater joy than to take the
message into all the world (Mk. 16:15). I realize that for
every success story there are many that are not. This
doesn't discourage us, since we rejoice over every soul that
obeys, not to mention the joy in seeing one become a
preacher.
There are needs everywhere. In the country I moved
to, there is a city of approximately three million people and
it doesn't have a faithful church. May we have the desire to
spread the gospel. Whether that means to move, or support
one who wants to go. God, bless the families that go far
away to preach, and those who go into their own backyard,
and the churches that support them.
By the way, the country I moved to was Canada. The
young man that was converted was Gert. Far or near, souls
need saving!
-- Via The Jordan Journal (December 11, 1996)
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BIBLE CLASSES
We are currently studying the book of Joshua
(chapter 13) during our Sunday morning Bible class, and in
Ephesians (chapter 5) for this coming Wednesday evening.
Why not come out to be with us? We would love to
have you.
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``Neither Have I Gone Back''
C. D. Plum
``Neither have I gone back from the commandments of
his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than
my necessary food'' (Job 23:12).
Thus spoke Job in all the earnestness of his soul.
Come what may, he would not go back on God or his word.
Job had been a wealthy man, possessing seven thousand
sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen,
five hundred she-assess, besides a very great household
(Job 1:3). He was also the happy father of seven sons and
three daughters (Job 1:2). Job was a real man -- ``fearing
God and eschewing evil.''
Reverses -- real, genuine reverses -- came into Job's
life. He lost all his substance. He became the poorest among
the poor. But he would not ``backslide.'' He would not go
back on God. Satan told God that Job would go back on him
if he afflicted him personally...God permitted Job to be
smitten with grievous ``boils'' from head to foot (Job 2:7).
Even Job's wife -- ungrateful soul -- wanted him to curse
God and die (Job 2:9). But he would not do it. What a man!
What a man! During the time Job was sore troubled over his
loss he ``worshipped'' God (Job 1:20). During this time he
said, ``The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord'' (Job 1:21). During his
personal affliction, Job said: ``What? Shall we receive good
at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all
this did not Job sin with his lips'' (Job 2:10).
This occurrence in Job's life should forever convince
us that there are absolutely no ``justifiable grounds'' for
backsliding. Happy and good is that servant of God who will
serve God faithfully whether the wind is favorable or
contrary. When you get blue, think of Job! When Satan has
you almost convinced that you should give up, remember
Job, and hold on.
-- Via Gospel Advocate, 1935
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Have You ``Heard'' the Daffodils?
by Tom Edwards
I read of person who had once posted a sign that
said ``God is dead.'' In the next scene, a small plant had
begun to grow. In the following scene, it increased its
growth; and in the final scene, this beautiful plant with its
lovely greenery had covered part of the sign; and all that
now could be read on it was ``God is.''
How ironic this was; yet there are other ways, too, in
which creation itself indicates to us of the Lord's reality
(Rom. 1:19,20). Plants, animals, human beings, water
creatures, birds of the air, stars, planets, rivers, and
oceans -- just to name a few -- these all attest to the
joyous truth that God is!
So have you been ``hearing'' what they have to
``say''? Their very existence demands a ``first cause'' that is
eternal in nature; that is, the initial ultimate source from
which all life and non-life entities have come, and that
``First Cause'' is God Himself (Jn. 1:1-3).
In addition, the intricate designs, the harmonious
interworking of parts and counterparts, and the numerous
individual components that are specifically vital to the
existence of that life form also ``shouts forth'' the need for
a Designer; and not only that, but also the need for a
Designer who possesses great intelligence. Again, we joyfully
declare that that Designer is the Almighty God (Gen. 1,2).
As David writes, ``The heavens are telling of the glory
of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His
hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night
reveals knowledge'' (Psa. 19:1,2).
Even the ``rains from heaven and the fruitful
seasons,'' which satisfy hearts ``with food and gladness,''
Paul refers to as being that which is coupled with the
Lord's goodness, and is also a ``witness'' of God (Acts
14:17).
God is! Just look at that small phrase: ``God is!''
Doesn't it really seem highly bizarre that I can even write a
phrase that declares the existence of God, and then to have
someone come along and say that ``God is not''?
When Descartes said so long ago, ``I think, therefore I
am,'' he found a way of philosophically proving his own
existence.
And in a sense, I am God's thought -- just as you
also are. He created man in His own image (Gen. 1:26). This
was part of His plan, His purpose, His thought; and the
same is true for the entire universe, which He has spoken
into existence; it, too, was part of His pre-ordained plan or
thought.
Can I not then say, ``I am -- this `thought' called
`man' conceived in the mind of the Lord -- therefore, God
is''? To Whom else could such a wonder as creation be
attributed than to the eternal, all-wise God and Maker of
heaven and earth! As David wrote, ``I will give thanks to
Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are
Thy works, and my soul knows it very well'' (Psa. 139:14).
Read the entire context for emphasis (Psa. 139:13-16). It's a
beautiful passage that speaks of God's great work in the
forming of man while yet unborn.
Yes, even the little Daffodils have something to ``say''
about the reality of God. Have you ``heard'' them lately?
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Live nearby and need a ride to church? Feel free to
call the phone listed below.
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Food for Thought
The real measure of a man's character is what he
would do if he knew he would never be caught.
Although God created man without man's help, God will
not save man without man's consent.
It is pretty hard to convince anyone of your interest
in the church by being absent from services.
The worst thing that happens to a man may be the
best thing that ever happens to him if he doesn't let it get
the best of him.
Too often the only Christian race we see today is a
race for the door when ``Amen'' is said.
-- adapted from The Old Path II, January 12, 1997
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NEWS & NOTES
June Music, Ron's mother, has been seriously ill in the
local hospital since the Thursday before last and is in much
need of our prayers. She has been sickly for some time
now, residing in a convalescent home for about 2 years, and
has been frequently afflicted with pneumonia -- this recent
spell has now lasted about a month and a half.
Bobbie Beasley is recuperating well from her heart
attack and surgery, but she was a little under the weather
a few days ago with a cold. Walking now about a half a
mile a day, she plans to gradually increase this. In a few
short weeks, Bobbie should be able to resume her normal
activities. Though her recent ordeal was painful, she speaks
of it as having been a ``real attention getter'' and ``a
positive experience'' that has made her realize even more
seriously the brevity of life and the need for the right
values and priorities in one's life.
Carol and Stephanie Music have had to miss some
services recently due to sickness, though Stephanie is now
back with us. We hope that Carol will soon be feeling better
also.
We are glad for those who are visiting with us this
day and hope to see you again and often! Thank you for
being with us!
For a free Bible course, write or call. We would be
happy to accommodate you.
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Psalm 46:1-3
``God is our refuge and strength, a very present help
in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth
should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart
of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the
mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.''
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Tri-State
CHURCH OF CHRIST
713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101
Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class
10:50 A.M. Worship
6:30 P.M. Worship
Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742
e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net
Gospel Observer Homepage: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go
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