The other day I was sitting and talking with a friend who had been a member of the church where I preached at more than 30 years ago. We talked about "those good-ole days." But suddenly the smile on my friend's face vanished and was replaced by a deep frown. "But you know, it's not like it was then," he said. "We would invite our friends to study the Bible with us, and they would. They would obey the Gospel and become workers in the church. Now, people think you are some kind of self-righteous nut if you try to show them the truth," he continued.

He was right. These are hard times for the Lord's church. I feel for young preachers today who face a hostile audience, often even in their own congregations. Religion is still popular, but the truth has suffered at the hands of a nation that has come to believe everything is relative. No wonder even men who once preached the truth have given up and joined the rest of those who submit to the wishes of the people.

But hard times are nothing new to the Lord's church. It was conceived in a world that was full of religions which men had created . But, when people realized that the philosophies of men did not meet their real needs, they returned to the Lord's church which had preserved the truth for them.

People have rejected the truth for the lifestyle that Hollywood has expounded for years. The family has been all but destroyed. Sexual perversion has become normal. Violence and hatred run rampant. Children are abused. Drug addition is increasing rapidly. There is mass murder in the workplace, the schoolroom, on the streets, and in the home. Someday people will awaken and begin to search for a better way. The Lord's church must be there to show them the truth when they do awaken!

So buckle up and hang on. Take the beating the world is giving the Lord's church right now. If we give up and go along with the crowd, who will be there when the crowd wants the truth again? We have not shed our blood (yet), but we have the truth because others were willing to die for it. We must not let them down. We must not let the lost down. We must not let the Lord down.

Better days are coming.

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Pantry Items
This week’s pantry items are personal hygiene products. Items should be left in the annex.

PW Group Meeting
Visitation Group “B” is scheduled to meet this morning after the am worship in Meeting Room “B”.

FSOP Extension Class
The Florida School of Preaching extension class on “The Holy Spirit” begins this coming Thursday evening (August 19th) at 7pm in the annex. Bob Bauer is the instructor and the class may be taken for credit or may be audited. There is a $5 registration fee.

Power Bible
The elders are purchasing several copies of the newest update of the computer software program, “Power Bible”. Those who would like to have one may purchase one for $7.50. See Bill Norton.

" For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matthew 12:34). Not only our speech, but everything we do comes from our heart. Nothing can be done that is not first thought of. A pure heart produces pure life. Solomon said, "For as he thinks within himself, so is he."