Cell Phone vs. Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone.

● What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets.

● What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it.

● What if we flipped through it several times a day.

● What if we used it to receive messages from the text.

● What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it.

● What if we gave it to kids as a gift.

● What if we used it when we traveled.

● What if we used it in case of an emergency.

It’s just something to think about. Something to make you say “hmmm” and “where is my Bible?” ❦

One Excuse or Another
FREDDIE CLAYTON

The matter of excuse making is a common diversion of mankind to avoid responsibility. Many believe that an excuse is a good defense and acceptable justification for the failure to do this or that. We are not talking about valid reasons, but excuses. While there are justifiable reasons for many things not accomplished, we are examining the excuse which is, as brother Mid McKnight used to say, "the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie."

Notice the excuse used in Proverbs 22:13: "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." The idea was not that the circus had come to town and wild animals had escaped, therefore it was dangerous to go outside. This is comparable to saying,: "I will not go to work today because I might have a flat, which would cause me to be pulled into the path of a tractor trailer that I might be meeting whose driver is exceeding the speed limit. So you see the possibility exists for me to be killed on the way to work. I better stay at home today for my own good." Ridiculous you say? Not any more so than the excuses people give for failing to obey the gospel or to return to faithfulness.

Jesus spoke of excuse makers in Luke 14:15-24. Excuses are less than honest answers and Jesus showed that to be the case. If a person were honest in his refusal to obey the gospel, it would be something like this: "I know I must obey the gospel to be saved, but I had rather enjoy the approval of friends and family that are lost than to inherit heaven." In the matter of excuses, one is just as good as another. All are worthless. The fact is, NO EXCUSE is a valid reason for failure to do what one knows to do, has the ability to do, but fails to do it.

The Pantry
Our pantry is still in need of replenishing. We need canned meats and entrees as well as canned fruits and vegetables and hygienic supplies (such as soap, toothpaste and brushes, deodorants and other personal items). Please help out with this worthy endeavor. Leave items in the rear of the annex.

FSOP Extension Class
The FSOP extension class, “The Life of Christ” started last Thursday evening in the annex. It is still not too late to enroll and take advantage of this college level class being taught by Bob Bauer each Thursday night from 6:00 to 9:30. A $5 registration fee is required. See Bob for details.

Gospel Meeting Coming
A gospel meeting with speaker Gene Stilwell of Warner Robbins, GA is scheduled here at Orange Street for October 8-11. We will follow up with more details, but keep that date open in your calendars.

Look for things close at hand for which you can express appreciation. The human tendency is to see defects in things close at hand and glamour in things at a distance. It doesn't take much sense to find fault with things and people close by. Conversely, it requires sensitive perception to detect the genuine worth of nearby treasures.