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Sovereign Grace
Missionary Baptist Church 1217 Dillon Dr. (Wake Village) Texarkana, Texas 75501 January 16, 2005 Elder Randy Johnson, Pastor Bro. Ronnie Henderson, Song Director Pastor E-Mail: sgmbcpastor@countrybaptist.org Web Site: www.countrybaptist.org/sgmbc |
| Please Pray For:
Virgil and Alice Hoskins & His Daughter Debbie Wenske & Great Grandson Coty, Ronnie & Sarah Henderson, Wendell & Hazel Henderson, Joe Henderson, Randy Henderson, Eddie & Lorain Murray, Larry & Linda Mollette, Donna Johnson, Vinson Hoskins, Rosa Graves, Danny Hammond, Bobby & Vickie Thompson and Family, Mrs. Thompson, Raymond Hammond, Fay Johnson, Brad Hensley, Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Mansfield, Ohio, Bro. Curtis & Sister Janet Pugh, Zee Mink and Family, Her son Bryan Armstrong and Sister – in - law Sondra Thornsberry, Bro. Kelly Hinson, Dianna Willis, Mrs. Grace and Daughter Barbara, Larry Mollette II, Danny & Nita Mollette (about moving here and getting a job), Charles & Debra Burton and Family, Tammie Hairston, Howard Flescher, And All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East. |
| A Thought For The
Week: "ABSOLUTE PREDESTINATION" Many love to walk in a very careless, unwise profession. So long as
they can hold out in the performance of outward duties, they are very
regardless of the greatest evangelical privileges, - of those things
which are the marrow of divine promises, - all real endeavours of a
vital communion with Christ. Such are spiritual peace, refreshing
consolations, ineffable joys, and the blessed composure of assurance.
Without some taste and experience of these things, profession is
heartless, lifeless, useless; and religion itself a dead carcass without
an animating soul. The peace which some enjoy is a mere stupidity. They
judge not these things to be real which are the substance of Christ's
present reward; and a renunciation whereof would deprive the church of
its principal supportments and encouragements in all its sufferings. It
is a great evidence of the power of unbelief, when we can satisfy
ourselves without an experience in our own hearts of the great things,
in this kind of joy, peace, consolation, assurance, that are promised in
the Gospel. For how can it be supposed that we do indeed believe the
promises of things future, - namely, of heaven, immortality, and glory,
the faith whereof is the foundation of all religion, - when we do not
believe the promises of the present reward in these spiritual
privileges? And how shall we be thought to believe them, when we do not
endeavour after an experience of the things themselves in our own souls,
but are even contented without them? But herein men deceive themselves.
They would very desirously have evangelical joy, peace, and assurance,
to countenance them in their evil frames and careless walking And some
have attempted to reconcile these things, unto the ruin of their souls.
But it will not be. Without the diligent exercise of the grace of
obedience, we shall never enjoy the grace of consolation. |
| News for the week: ...Arraignment has been delayed until next week for four Christians
accused of hate crimes for urging homosexuals to repent at last
October's "Outfest" in Philadelphia. Their attorney, Brian Fahling of
the Center for Law & Policy, says the city "views the biblical message
of sin and repentance as hate speech." Fahling says that while some
question his clients' wisdom in loudly proclaiming the gospel at a
homosexual festival, they had a constitutional right to do so and should
not be punished for it. Defendant Michael Marcavage says, "In America
today, Christianity is being criminalized -- whether it be the Ten
Commandments plaques or monuments in public places. Now it is just
speaking the gospel in the public square that is a crime." Fahling says
the charges of ethnic intimidation, criminal conspiracy, and inciting to
riot carry penalties of up to 47 years in prison. (See earlier article)
[AP] |
| Given to Prayer: by C. H. Spurgeon "But I give myself unto prayer." --Psalm 109:4 Lying tongues were busy against the reputation of David, but he did not defend himself; he moved the case into a higher court, and pleaded before the great King Himself. Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred. The Psalmist prayed in no cold-hearted manner, he gave himself to the exercise--threw his whole soul and heart into it--straining every sinew and muscle, as Jacob did when wrestling with the angel. Thus, and thus only, shall any of us speed at the throne of grace. As a shadow has no power because there is no substance in it, even so that supplication, in which a man's proper self is not thoroughly present in agonizing earnestness and vehement desire, is utterly ineffectual, for it lacks that which would give it force. "Fervent prayer," says an old divine, "like a cannon planted at the gates of heaven, makes them fly open." The common fault with the most of us is our readiness to yield to distractions. Our thoughts go roving hither and thither, and we make little progress towards our desired end. Like quicksilver our mind will not hold together, but rolls off this way and that. How great an evil this is! It injures us, and what is worse, it insults our God. What should we think of a petitioner, if, while having an audience with a prince, he should be playing with a feather or catching a fly? Continuance and perseverance are intended in the expression of our text. David did not cry once, and then relapse into silence; his holy clamour was continued till it brought down the blessing. Prayer must not be our chance work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation. As artists give themselves to their models, and poets to their classical pursuits, so must we addict ourselves to prayer. We must be immersed in prayer as in our element, and so pray without ceasing. Lord, teach us so to pray that we may be more and more prevalent in supplication. |
| Something to feed on:
It pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell. Col. 1:19 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:35 God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which
is to come. Eph. 1:21 By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.
Col. 1:16 Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both
of the dead and living. Rom. 14:9 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. Col. 2:10 Of his fulness have all we received. John 1:16 |