____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ February 16, 1997 ____________________________________________________ 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) ___________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________ ``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 ___________________________________________ INTERNET USERS: Come visit The Gospel Observer Home Page at the following web site address: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ___________________________________________ 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? ___________________________________________ Live nearby and need a ride to church? Feel free to call the phone listed below. ___________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________ 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.'' ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________