Happy Birthday!
7th - Rick Garrett
7th Helen Garrett 7th - Ryan Hardman
Happy Anniversary!
11th - Rick & Helen Garrett 12th - Bill & Fran Kirkpatrick
Our Bible Conference this year is June 15-17th. The speakers are Don Fortner, Daniel Parks, Clay Curtis, Mike Walker and Bruce Crabtree.
DOES GOD REALLY LOVE EVERYONE?
Before you answer, let me ask you another question. Are you sure you want God to love that way?
Here’s a universal truth regarding the nature of love: The broader you spread it, the thinner it gets.
Let me give you a few examples. A man loves his wife dearly, but he also loves three other women just as sincerely. A mother tenderly loves her son, but she also loves all the neighborhood children just as much. A boy loves his younger brother faithfully, but he’s equally loyal to the bully who beats up on him.
The more universal love becomes, the more superficial it turns out to be.
In fact, it’s the distinguishing character of love that demonstrates the reality of it. How can the wife know her husband really loves her unless he keeps his wedding vows, “forsaking all others for her alone”? How does a child know he is loved unless his mother makes a distinction between him and other children? How can a brother be convinced of his sibling’s love, unless he comes to the aid of his brother against his adversaries?
By its very character, love that is true cannot be universal. Whether we’re speaking of men and women, or God Himself, love that makes no distinction between the object of its affection and all others is simply a non-reality.
And a God who loves everyone, in reality loves no one!
- Mark Daniels
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 4:24
We have often heard men say that the GOD of the Old Testament is a GOD of wrath while the GOD of the New Testament is a GOD of love and forgiveness. The prevailing thought is that GOD has somehow “mellowed out” and is not quite so exacting in the present day as HE was in the days of old. Of course this is a complete and utter error since GOD reveals HIMSELF as immutable or unchangeable and is the same yesterday, today and forever. Mal. 3:6
This is the only basis upon which the elect might have the hope of salvation. HE is indeed a consuming fire and the fact that HE will not alter the thing which has gone out of HIS mouth (Ps. 89:34) is the very foundation of the hope of those who have been given faith to believe HIS word.
The religion of the flesh and free will is built upon the notion that GOD demonstrates HIS love for the whole human race by making salvation “available” to each and every one. All they have to do is bring their faith and complete the transaction which HE anxiously waits for them to do. The fly in the ointment with this scenario (besides having no basis in the scriptures) is that by nature man is dead in trespasses and sins, will not seek the LORD, nor will he come when called.
The scripture indicates that the love of GOD is demonstrated by the particular and peculiar nature of it. HE clearly states that HE does not love everyone the same. “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Rom 9:13) HE has not only set HIS particular love upon a people which HE chose in CHRIST before the foundation of the world but HE has determined to save them from their sins and deliver them from the destruction which they richly deserve.
- Mike McInnis, Edited
His sheep are not of this world,
Though living here on earth.
Christ chose them for His own world,
That, long before their birth.
He came to save the sinner.
He died to set them free.
They'll live with Him forever.
His glory they will see.
In that world Jesus is Lord,
He reigns the King of Kings.
He is the Light of that world.
All heaven bows and sings,
"Worthy the Lamb Who's seated
At the right hand of God.
His sacrifice defeated
The enemies of God."
This world is passing away
With all the lusts thereof.
Man's way is not the Lord's way.
All in 'this' world they love.
This world with all its splendor,
In wickedness it lies.
One day it like a vesture
Will be folded by Christ.
By Gary Spreacker
(Tune: The Church’s One Foundation Pg.186)
Not of This World
Our Lord is not of this world.
His world is from above.
He came here for His people.
His grace calls them in love.
He is the Lord of Glory.
His people bear His Name.
He gave to them a country
Where righteousness doth reign.
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