Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:26-28

"ABIDE IN ME"
Our Lord said to His disciples, "Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself" (John 15:4). It is true that a person who is saved by God's grace will remain saved forever; yet the scriptures are full of warnings to believers against UNBELIEF, against DRAWING BACK, against NEGLECTING THE WORD AND WORSHIP, against WORLD-LINESS, and against LEAVING OUR FIRST LOVE! Here the Lord Jesus exhorts us to “ABIDE” in Him, which means to stay where we are. Abide (dwell) in His love, in His word, in His Spirit and fellowship. "As we have received Christ, so walk (live, abide, stay) in Him." Let us forever be on guard against any influence (whether material, social, or personal), which might hinder our fellowship and relationship with the Lord. I think of poor Esau, who satisfied his appetite but lost his blessing. Are we so foolish? Yes, we are! And we need to be constantly reminded of it. STAY where you are! Dwell in Christ and in His word, in His love and with his people. Don't let anyone nor anything come between you and Him. If you notice even the slightest decline in interest, desire, or thirst for spiritual growth, go with Jacob "BACK TO BETHEL" (Gen35:1-2). Pastor Henry Mahan

BEWARE OF ANOTHER GOSPEL
There is no grace but free and sovereign grace, no election but eternal and unconditional election, no redemption but particular and effectual redemption, no salvation but by the irresistible grace and omnipotent power of God the Holy Spirit, and no security but by the absolute preservation of God’s immutable goodness. And any pretended gospel that does not proclaim these things is, as Paul says, “another gospel” that is damning to the souls of men Pastor Todd Nibert

THE ONLY TRUE AND ETERNAL TREASURE IS JESUS CHRIST
I read an article concerning the mysterious pyramids of Egypt. King Cheop’s great pyramid is the only of the seven wonders of the ancient world still surviving. It covers an area of thirteen acres, originally was four hundred eighty one feet high and contained six and one half million tons of stone. At Cheop’s death, his body was preserved, adorned with gold mask, precious necklaces and jewels and laid in the middle of his large pyramid. His coffin was surrounded by valuable Egyptian furniture. By careful planning and much labor the one and only exit was forever sealed. No one was to ever enter this royal tomb.

I had to chuckle when I read the close of the article, "Despite all these precautions, the burial chamber suffered the same fate as most of the royal tombs in Egypt: it was stripped of its treasures." I know many people just like old King Cheop’s. All the treasures they possess are worldly, and they will soon be stripped of it. The only true and eternal treasure is Jesus Christ and his benefits. If you possess Christ, you are rich indeed and your riches are secure. They dwell where no thief can ever enter or break through and steal. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:20-21). Pastor Bruce Crabtree

A SURE CURE FOR FRETTING
David, a man after God's own heart gives us some very inspired instruction and direction in Psalm 37:1; when he says, "fret not." Surely, David writes to us with the experience of his own heart trouble, for he had much to fret about. Now, I will be the first to adrnit that our fallen, sinful nature is prone to fretting and worrying about most everything. Most of us have a worry-wart nature! Fretfulness and worrying are sins of their own punishment. How dreadful it is to lay awake all night worrying. But, David also gives us a sure cure for fretting in the following verses. He gives us a sevenfold cure!

1). TRUST IN THE LORD (Psalm 37:3). Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will cure fretting! When we trust Him to provide all our physical and spiritual needs (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19), we find comfort. We don't look to the deeds or strength of the flesh to find our comfort, but to Him alone. We are to trust Him at all times (Psa. 62:8).

2). DELIGHT THYSELF ALSO IN THE LORD (Psa. 37:4). Rejoicing in the Lord also is a sure cure for fretting (Phil. 3:3)! When we are taken up with the glory of His person, the power of His atonement, the freeness of His grace sureness of His mercy, it leaves no room for fretting.

3). COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD (Psa. 37:5). The marginal reading is, "Roll the whole burden of life upon Him" Peter put it this way, “casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 1:5). When we realize that our Heavenly Father does all things well, surely we can commit our way to His wise providence and stop our fretting (Rom. 8:28).

4). REST IN THE LORD (Psa. 37:7). Our Lord Jesus Christ having accomplished salvation for His elect, entered into His rest (Heb. 1:3). Let us learn by His grace to cease from going about to establish a righteousness (Rom. 10:4) and make haste to enter into Him by faith and rest (Heb. 4: 10). When we are busy resting we have no time for fretting.

5). CEASE FROM ANGER (Psa. 37:8). When we try to take the matters into our own hands, we are bound to create a sure mess of things. Remember, that the wrath of man will never work the righteousness of God (James 1:18). God will take care of the sheep and subdue all our enemies under our feet (Col. 2:14).

6). DEPART FROM EVIL (Psalm 37:27). We are exhorted in the scripture to put off the old man with his deeds (Col. 3:8-15). By God's grace and power He does restrain the believer from living for self and to strive to live for the glory of God (Jer. 9:23-24).

7). WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalm 37:34). We wait with great expectations on the certainties of His promises (2 Pet. 1:4). God's purpose of grace and mercy cannot fail (Isa. 42: 1-4; 43:1-5). Believer, fret not.

September 2nd, 2007
Sunday Worship
Bible Study 10:30 A.M.
Morning Service 11:15 A.M.
Kingsport service 3:00 P.M.
Wednesday Worship 7:00 P.M.

Radio (Sundays):
WXCC 96.5 & 98.1 FM (new time and staion) 8:15 A.M each week