Grant County church of Christ

 

January 20, 2008

 EVERYONE IS VALUABLE TO GOD

I once read of a British factory worker and his wife who, after many years of marriage discovered they were going to have a child. The man, in his excitement, eagerly told his co-workers that God had finally answered his prayers. But the co-workers made fun of him for asking God for a child.

When the baby was born he was diagnosed with down's syndrome. When the father returned to work the teasing was relentless. "What do you have to say about your God now? Are these the kind of gifts He gives?" To which the man answered. "I am just glad he gave him to me and not to you!"

There is a similar scene described in 2 Samuel 9:3. David showed kindness to Mephibosheth the disabled son of his dear departed friend Jonathon. Some would have disregarded Mephibosheth because he was lame or because he was the grandson of Saul the wicked former king. But David showed him kindness, teaching us, that everyone is valuable to God. Everyone is important to God. May we remember with gratitude how much He values each human life.

Lord, may we see in those we meet,

The imprint of your image fair,

And may their special dignity,

Grow stronger from our love and care.

 I THOUGHT HE WAS TALKING TO YOU

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn't heard the question. "Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated. The witness still did not respond. Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question." "Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."

Preachers seem to have the same trouble. Everybody thinks they are talking to everyone else! It's easy to listen to a sermon thinking, "Boy, I sure hope brother so-and-so is listening to this one!" It is crucial, though, that we listen to all messages that come from the word of God with the thought, "What does this have to say to me?" because only when I make personal application can I learn and grow. "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:3-5). It's an important lesson. I'm sure you can think of someone who really needs to hear it!  

THE BILL WILL COME!

(John K. Wills, Owingsville, KY)

A few years ago, as my wife and I shopped at a furniture store in a nearby city, I heard a salesman talking to an elderly lady about a sofa. I don't have any money right now and my social security check is all I get, she said. Oh that's all right, you don't have to pay any money down and there's no payment due until May of next year, the salesman said. I'll take it then, she replied. I have thought of that poor lady several times since, wondering if she still had the sofa, or if it was repossessed, and just how much of her meager check ended up in the store's bank account. Our society has been lured into having our cake now and paying for it later. That's why credit cards have become so popular! You don't need money now. You can enjoy whatever you wish with out worrying about paying for it. The bill - oh, that will come later - much later. I'll worry about it then. We see it every day. Buy now - pay later. Companies have long known that we are more likely to buy something now if we can pay for it later. Satan knows that too! If he can convince us that we won't be caught, or we won't have to pay for our sins until much later, then he knows we are likely to succumb to his enticements. Solomon wrote, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11). But, the bill always comes. There is a payment (often many) to be made. We will reap what we have sown - it may be a month, a year or even ten years down the road, but it will come. Sin has a consequence - and that is death (Romans 6:23)! Whether it is a sofa or sin, the bill will always come due!

Visitors

You are our honored guest and we welcome you back anytime you are in the area.   Please fill out a visitor card located in the rack on the back of the pew. 

 

Prayer list

 

Note of Change

The order of bible study and the devotional has been changed for Wednesday nights.  In the future we will meet briefly in the auditorium at 7:00pm and then be dismissed to our classes.  At 7:45pm we will meet back in the auditorium for our devotional.

 

CHURCH DIRECTORY

If you are a new member or have any contact information to be updated in the directory, please fill out a form located in the lobby on the table and give those forms to Kim.   Once we have forms for each family a hard copy of the directory will be provided for each family.  If you wish to access the directory online, please see Kim for your user id and password.  Thank you.

 

Statistics                   attendance                   Contribution

January 13, 2008                       35                                               $326.00

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MEET WITH US

                205 Hopperton Lane

                Dry Ridge, KY 41035

                (859) 824-6200

Sunday AM Worship……..... .9:30AM

Sunday Bible Study………...10:40AM

Sunday PM Service……….. .6:00 PM

Wednesday Bible Study…... 7:00 PM

 

Minister: Jerry Carmichael: jerrywc@juno.net

Website: www.grantcountycc.org