Mama's Blessing: Mama had 12 children...

...and made each of us feel special. As we grew up, most of us moved away from Southwest Missouri. Mama grew old, and dementia set in. She went to live with my sister in California. Nine years later my family drove out to visit her.

 
The years had bent her back and shrunk her bones and eyes, but she seemed to be physically strong. She couldn’t remember my name, but her smile and bright eyes told me she knew me.

 
When we talked to her or looked her way, she responded with one of three phrases: God bless you – You have a pretty complexion – You sure are pretty. I must’ve heard ‘God Bless You’ at least fifty times during the three-day visit. One afternoon while riding in the back seat of our car, an old gospel song, playing through the speakers, perked her up.

 
“I know that song,” she said with fondness in her eyes. It seemed the details of life had escaped her memory, but not the Lord of her heart.

 
When we returned to Arkansas a series of events drew me back to church, and I rededicated my life to God. I had been out five years, and now blessings showered me as never before. I’m convinced I received Mama’s blessing.

Life without Christ is wasted years

WASTED YEARS, by Wally Fowler

As you wander along on life’s pathway,
Have you lived without love, a life of tears?
Have you searched for life’s hidden meaning?
Or is your life filled with long wasted years?

 
Wasted years, wasted years, oh, how foolish
As you walk on in darkness and fear.
Turn around, turn around, God is calling,
He’s calling you from a life of wasted years

When people put more value on material things of life instead of spiritual, they waste talents, efforts and possessions that could have been used for the glory of God. They miss out on the satisfaction that only Jesus can give.
 
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

The Joy of Salvation is first experienced in believing.

1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 


There's also joy in the cleansing, in the endurance, in obeying, and in knowing that we are kept and secure in Christ Jesus.


1 Peter 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.


Sadly, the joy of salvation can be lost in several ways.
By allowing the world to come between us and Jesus
By neglecting our prayer life
By failing to fully believe God's promises
By submitting to the enticing words of sinners
By being swept away with every wind of doctrine
By neglecting the privilage of church attendance


But we can re-claim that joy by confessing our sins, renewing our Christian vows, and resuming our Christian responsibilities. If we draw nigh to our God, He will draw nigh unto us.

The last few years I've relished God's blessings

...three times a week at my small church, savoring the sweet fellowship. I’m thankful my pastor’s message on Wednesday night is just as passionate as on Sunday morning.

 
Last year the Lord sent us a youth director, just out of the blue. One family has been bringing neighbor kids with them. We've prayed for growh and God is answering our prayers. Lately, we’ve been having twenty or so visiters -- families with teenagers visit on a regular basis.
 

This Sunday morning we had to bring in more chairs. Souls are being saved, people coming for baptism, and a man who blesses us with his singing joined our fellowship. And, praise the Lord, a soul was saved through our missionary’s ministry.

 
We’ll be moving to our new church soon and will have more room. As our numbers grow, I pray more souls will be saved. That’s what church is all about. Yes, God has great plans for Bethel, if we let Him use us.

 
God is good.

The Glorious Appearing of Christ

,,,will happen just as prophesied.


The world destroyed by water. It happened
The children of Israel delivered from Egyptian bondage. It happened
The Israelites carried into captivity. It happened
A Redeemer coming to earth. It happened
Eternal life to those who believe. It happens
Jesus’ return, and so He will.

 
Titus 2:13,14  Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 
The Glorious Appearing will vindicate the faith of Biblical saints who died for the name of Jesus; the saints of the dark ages; modern-day missionaries who gave their lives for the cause of Christ; and every believer everywhere

 
The Glorious Appearing will bring peace to a troubled world and reunion with our saved loved ones. It will make our salvation complete. Sin, sickness, and sorrow will be left behind. Come quickly, Lord Jesus