Friday, on New Year’s Eve morning, we were still in bed when our neighbor called to make sure that we were aware of the tornado warning that was for our immediate area. Of course, we knew nothing of what was going on. That was one rude awakening that was most welcome. Thank you Neighbor for your loving care. Of course, God answered our prayers for protection, and the raging storms seemed to jump over, or at least bypass our community. Many, however, were victims of the storms and suffered much. Our prayers go out to those grieving for loved ones that perished in the storms as well as for the loss of their homes and all their personal possessions. I was amazed at testimonies from those who had lost all their earthly possessions. They said that all that really mattered to them was that God had spared their lives, their family’s lives and the lives of many others around them.
My husband and I enjoyed a very quiet New Years Eve, even though we did stay up past midnight to see the New Year in. We thank God for bringing us and our family through 2010 in good shape and we ask him to guide us all in having a safe, wonderful year in 2011.
It was a beautiful day today. The sun was shinning and it actually felt warm with just a light jacket on. I spent some time outside cleaning out our garden spot. I really needed the exercise and some vitamin D to go along with it. I hear that it’s supposed to be very cold again next week, so get out side and enjoy all the good weather while you can.
Spirits were high at Church this week. Many of our Red Bank congregation was in attendance along with several guests. Brother Jerry began the services by giving a warm welcome to all. Brother Jake led the morning music. Jerry Maggard sang special music and gave testimony of the power of prayer in his life. Celebrating their thirteenth wedding anniversary, with a mission offering, were Jerry and Tattie Maggard. We all sang, “Happy Anniversary” to them.
For the morning sermon, Brother Les spoke from John 21:5 to bring out the fact that a Church is made up of one Body, one Spirit and one God. As any physical body needs food, the Spiritual body also needs to be fed. And, as a physical body cannot function well with missing members, neither does the Church body function well with missing members. Jesus appeared to his disciples several times after his resurrection. In this Scripture Jesus came, in a third appearance, to the Tiberias Seashore where Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael and two other disciples had been fishing all night long catching not even one fish. In verses 5-6, Jesus called out to them, “Children, have you any food?” They replied, “No.” Jesus then said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They obeyed His instructions and caught so many fish in their net that they were not able to draw it in. Verse 9 shares the fact that as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals with fish laid on it, and some bread. They realized that it was the Lord who had called to them. “Jesus said, “Come and eat breakfast.”(Vs. 12) After they had all eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” This same question was asked again of Peter, and this time Jesus said, “Tend My sheep.” Peter answered this question a third time with, “”Lord You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”(Vs. 15-17) Brother Les brought out the fact that it took all the disciples in that boat, working together, to bring in all the fish the Lord had filled their net with. He said, “What if all the others had left and there was only one in the boat to answer the Lord and bring in all the fish that He had sent them after?” Likewise, we as Christians need to meet together, pray together and serve together to be successful fishers of men for the Lord. Just as it took the faithful work of all the disciples in that boat to bring in the net with a multitude of fish, it takes the faithfulness of every Christian to bring the multitude of lost souls to Jesus. As the writer in Hebrews 25:10 instructed us to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, we should be a faithful member of the body of Christ that we choose so that we can be fed by God’s Word, lifted by his Spirit and used in his Work. It takes more than a faithful few to serve Him at a full capacity. The question that Jesus asked Peter, he is also asking each of us who claim him as our Savior, “Do you love Me more than these?”
Several members from Red Bank presented a program of Christian music and testimony for the residents at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center on Sunday afternoon. We thank them for inviting us into their home and allowing us to share the Gospel with them in this manner. It was a joy.
Visiting with Maxine Lirley, last Saturday, was her daughter, Jeane Huff. Visiting with Maxine on Sunday afternoon was Gary and Alice Lirley.
Take care; have a great week and a wonderful New Year. Put Jesus first in 2011. One can’t go wrong with that as their New Year’s Resolution.
