July 28

LOOKING FOR A “FEW” COMMITTED CHRISTIANS

The Lord is seeking ones who will commit to His Word, His way, and His will!

  

Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near”

BEWARE OF SNAKES

  

Snakes crossing our path as Kathy and I were walking a trail near Pinetop, AZ. The trail seemed to be safe, until we came upon a blockage to our way.

 

I was reminded of how safe our way may seem to be, as we make our way through this life, we may become complacent, and secure in our self, without even an awareness that Satan is seeking to destroy us, by putting danger that can destroy us, in our paths.

 

The Lord is looking for persons committed to following Him. Ones He can depend on!

“There’s Probably No God” BUT WAIT!

Psalm 53:1-6

 

From His throne [God] observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do (Psalm 33:14-15).

 

In February 2009, an atheist group in the UK purchased ad space on the side of 800 buses as well as 1,000 posters on London’s trains that read, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”  Bible verse, PS 53:1 lets us know,“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God".”

 

I’m not sure what to make of this ad. But David tells us that “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race . . . to see if anyone is truly wise” (Ps. 53:2). And the truly wise person is the one who seeks Him (v.2). In contrast, “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God’ ” (v.1).

 

In God’s Word, a fool is not defined by his lack of intellect. A person with the highest IQ is deemed a fool if he lives as if there’s no God. “As he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7  NKJV). So a fool does not seek God or pray to Him for he has rejected God (Psalm 53: 2-4). Without God and without a spiritual compass, the fool is corrupt, evil, and does no good—opposing and oppressing those who believe in God.

 

The atheists’ ad is wrong. God exists! And He’s the very reason one should want to seek Him while He may be found! For those who deny His existence will experience the unequaled terror of meeting God face to face! (v.5). Because they rejected God, “God has rejected them” (v.5).

 

So what’s your choice? Are you foolish or wise in God’s eyes?

 

GOD IS LOOKING FOR A “FEW” COMMITTED CHRISTIANS!

 

Video files of our worship services are available on the Internet. Last week’s viewings totaled 294 on God Tube TV and 256 on Sermon TV for a total of 550.  We pray that you were blessed by last week’s message and look forward to hearing from you.  To view this week's message click here for God Tube TV or here for Sermon TV.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in Arizona.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter.  We welcome your comments.

July 21

HOPE CENTER OF COOLIDGE

Hope Women’s Center of Coolidge had their grand opening and ribbon cutting on July 20, 2013.

  

(left) Mayor Tom Shope cuts the ribbon as the center’s director, Jolyn Logan,  friends and volunteers look on.

 

(right) Jolyn Logan is presented a check for $8,960.00 from county attorney, Lando Voyles. The center receives its regular financial support through gifts and donations.

A reception and tours of the center followed the ribbon cutting ceremony.

A good cross section of the community came out to help celebrate the center’s opening.

Hope Center is a Christian ministry designed to help women get their life back on track.  Christian counselors and mentors are available to assist, as well as being free to share the gospel with any and all who walk through the door.  We ask for your prayers as we work with the directors, staff, and volunteers of the center in their effort to make a difference, one person at a time.  All services are provided free of charge.

Video files of our worship services are available on the Internet. Last week’s viewings totaled 298 on God Tube TV and 208 on Sermon TV for a total of 506.  We pray that you were blessed by last week’s message and look forward to hearing from you.  To view this week's message click here for God Tube TV or here for Sermon TV.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in Arizona.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.

July 14

Coolidge Personnel Advisory Board

Pastor Bill is pleased to accept the honor of an appointment, by the City of Coolidge, to the Human Resource Personnel Advisory Board.

The Board convened on Friday July 12, 2013, from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM, to consider the appeal of a City employee’s discharge.

Speaking the Truth

Leadership is a most revealing role. It puts character on center stage under the punishing bright lights of notoriety, scrutiny, and second guessing.

 

It certainly did for Abraham Lincoln.  Few world leaders have walked as closely to the success/failure line, or carried as much national burden, as did our 16th president. And in retrospect, those white-hot challenges defined his presidency. Leadership under fire tends to do that. Under the perspiring spotlight of conflict—whether in the White House or in the pulpit—character, whether pure or flawed, will be clearly revealed.

 

It’s difficult to imagine Lincoln running for office in our day. Surely his stovepipe hat and baggy black suit wouldn’t score well in the opinion polls. And how would his stoic, wrinkled face and unkempt beard look on the television news? Even his Gettysburg Address would be an affront to today’s political correctness. He just wouldn’t sound or look presidential.

 

But leadership is not about appearance or surveys – it’s about character and vision and wise choices. Anyone can grandstand for the cameras; whipping a partisan crowd into a frenzy is a piece of cake. But only a rare breed can make the gutsy calls. Those white-knuckle decisions in the face of opposition are what build a person’s character and legacy.

 

Lincoln was a classic example:

• William Seward detested the new president, saying, “Lincoln is totally incompetent!” You’d think a new president would distance himself from such a critic. But Lincoln liked the creative, albeit brash ideas of Seward. So Lincoln appointed him Secretary of State. Later Seward would write, “Executive force and vigor are rare qualities. The President has the best of both.”

 

• Edwin Stanton skewered Lincoln publicly saying, “He hasn’t a token of intelligence, and he looks like a giraffe.” But Lincoln wanted the highly organized Stanton on his staff and made him Secretary of War. When Lincoln died, it was Stanton who said in posthumous respect, “Now he belongs to the ages.”

 

• At the onset of the war, Lincoln’s cabinet begged him to acquiesce to the South’s demands and to avoid divisive and disastrous results. But Lincoln stood firm, saying, “It takes more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.”

 

To make matters worse, the poisoned pens of New York and Washington newspapers viciously attacked Lincoln, calling him “a third rate country lawyer,” “a dictator,” “an ape,” and “a buffoon.” His predecessor, James Buchanan, openly declared that Lincoln would destroy the nation.

 

Like a left-handed pastor in a right-handed church, Honest Abe didn’t fit the mold. But America didn’t need another politician, it needed a leader. A hot-air filibuster was not the answer. America needed a remedy that placebo politics couldn’t cure. And more often than not, churches need the same thing from their pastor.

 

Pastors are called upon to preach a truth that flies in the face of worldly thinking. The job requires blinders and a strong resolve, Solomon-like wisdom and Elijah-like toughness, and a willingness to go it alone.  Being a spokesman for God is not for the faint of heart. It’s only for those who walk by faith, prep through prayer, proclaim God’s word, and leave the results in His hands. Popularity isn’t their goal but presenting “every man complete in Christ” is. And in the end, each of us will be judged for our faithfulness and character.

Scriptures are filled with timeless examples of godly leaders who rammed the fortress of public opinion with the words, “Thus says the Lord …”

 

• Isaiah didn’t score any points with Jerusalem’s religious community when he spoke of their “heartless worship.”

 

• Jeremiah was an object of ridicule in Judah when he warned of a judgment day for the sins of the nation.

 

• Hosea chided Israel’s faith as “morning dew that disappears by noon.” And the masses razzed him for his negative preaching.

 

• Amos pointed his long, accusatory finger at the idolatrous living of Israel, who shot back with insults of the prophet’s lack of sophisticated credentials.

 

Speaking the truth can be a difficult assignment, but it’s still the Pastor’s assignment, with the help of the Lord, it is my assignment. And in the end, it is faith and character that will determine how faithful we’ll be to that assignment.- May we Stand Firm in the Truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Video files of our worship services are available on the Internet. Last week’s viewings totaled 292 on God Tube TV and 199 on Sermon TV.  We pray that you were blessed by last week’s message and look forward to hearing from you.  To view this week's message click here for God Tube TV or here for Sermon TV.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in Arizona.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.

July 7

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

  
  

A little nostalgia time as we made a visit to the Santa Fe caboose of Old 285 while relaxing with some delicious watermelon.  Life is Good and God is Great!

  

We enjoyed the fireworks in Coolidge at the sports complex with a great display presented by the Coolidge fire department.

  

Saturday Night Storm

It is monsoon season here in Arizona, a time when we can expect anything and that is exactly what we got.  The storm came through on Saturday night with downpours, thunder, lightning, and heavy winds.  The Wheeler area got hit pretty hard with trees down, roofs pealed back from houses, but Praise the Lord, no personal injuries that we have heard of.

  

Celeste, one of our church attenders lives in that area along with other members of her family.  They did have some pretty serious damage and we are asking you to put them on your church prayer list.

  

Quite a bit of personal property damage in this area and it looks like we may be in for another rough night as the clouds are moving up from Mexico.

  

Video files of our worship services are available on the Internet. Last week’s viewings totaled 289 on God Tube TV and 189 on Sermon TV.  We pray that you were blessed by last week’s message and look forward to hearing from you.  To view this week's message click here for God Tube TV or here for Sermon TV.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in Arizona.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.

4th of July

HAVE A BLESSED INDEPENDENCE DAY!

By allowing this country to exist long enough to celebrate the 237th birthday of our country, this is truly a blessing from the Lord.

 

This is a day to remember 2 Chronicles 7:14.

 

Open this link for additional blessings.

==>http://www.youtube.com/embed/rKsW6c_CgFY?feature=player_detailpage

 

In the name of Jesus

AMEN