Bulletins

NEWS NOTES November 2, 2025

 

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I [Jesus] am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I[Jesus] will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:50-52 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service this morning.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App.  Jay Graham is our speaker and we will have a basket lunch after services. Stay for the fellowship.

 

Upcoming events/guest speakers:

 

 

Bread, Leftovers, & Other Spiritual Messages

 

Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”  Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. John 6:7-13 ESV

 

We have said among ourselves many times that some of the best cooks attend our congregation.  Based on our basket dinners, through at least three generations, both men and women have been fine cooks and bakers.  We always have a table full of good eats with enough left over so anyone interested can take home leftovers for another meal.

 

The Gospel of John doesn’t record a lot of Jesus’ miracles like the other three Gospel writers do.  But all four Gospels describe the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-14).  It was actually more than 5,000 people.  Matthew, the numbers-minded tax collector, notes it was “about 5,000 men, besides women and children.”  Speculating, it could have been 15,000-20,000 people.  If Jesus could feed 5,000 with a boy’s lunch of barley cakes and dried fish, he could do many thousands more.  All ate and were satisfied - full bellies all.

 

Jesus had compassion on the crowd (Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34); they were like “sheep without a shepherd.” He healed the sick and fed them all spiritually and physically. First, though, his attention was on his apostles whom he had taken across the Sea of Galilee to the remote place so they could have restful time together away from the crowds after John’s beheading.  But they could not escape the crowds and Jesus stretched his apostles by demanding they feed the people.  Philip thought it financially impossible; Andrew was doubtful as he referred Jesus to the boy’s food.

 

The event is overwhelming in its beauty: Jesus gives thanks to God for the boy’s meager lunch and the people sit down in orderly groups of 50’s and 100’s waiting to be served.  Then the people eat until they are full with some surplus left over.  Jesus, who could make as much food as He wanted, was concerned about not wasting the leftovers - enough to fill 12 of the modest wicker baskets for kosher food carried by Jews when they traveled amongst Gentiles.  Perhaps the empty travel baskets came from the apostles.  Perhaps the leftovers went back to the boy - a dodeka replacing his shared one.  We don’t know.  We do know the apostles were abundantly refreshed spiritually.

 

The bigger lesson came the next day when the food-seekers again tracked Jesus down.  Jesus knew their short-sighted motives.  He told them plainly, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." That was too much for many and they “turned back and no longer walked with Him.”  Would the Twelve leave too?  Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:22-69 ESV)

NEWS NOTES October 26, 2025

 

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  James 2:14-17 NJKV

 

Welcome to our in-person service this morning.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App.  Next week Jay Graham will be our speaker and we will have a potluck after services.  Please plan to stay for the fellowship. 

 

Upcoming events/guest speakers:

 

 

“Prayer  Has  to  Have  Legs”

Adapted from a message from Jay Graham

 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 NKJV

 

While the title of this article may sound strange, it makes a good point. I was discussing the importance of the Lord’s children praying with a shepherd (elder), and he commented, “prayer has to have legs.” His point was that if Christians do not pray, they may forfeit the positive effects of what they want. Their requests may be left unanswered; those we are concerned for not helped.  There may be exceptions, when the Lord works His way and will on an individual or circumstance, choosing to make something happen without our petition. His providence is not negated by our failing to pray, but I believe there may be times when His will is hindered in some fashion. And that is a very sad thought.

 

For instance, let us say I observe a need that I think needs to be met. That need, spiritual or otherwise, may not be met. If I fail to pray for that particular circumstance, my prayer is not answered, because I failed to carry out my responsibility to pray. I may even assume it will be done by the Lord, but why might I assume that? I failed to do my part in the accomplishing of the Lord’s will. The Lord wants to hear me pray. He wants to hear my dependence on His will being done. He may not meet the need, because I did not do my part!  Would Solomon’s need for wisdom been met if he had not asked the Lord for it? Probably not!

 

Let us not be afraid to use this mighty tool of prayer the Lord has provided for us. Let us not neglect to use prayer as the Lord intended for us. Let us “pray without ceasing” as the apostle urged. Our prayers need “legs!”

 

As we fervently pray with thanksgiving and for help, God also expects us to act with the resources He blesses us with.  James writes about this too in James 2:14-26.  Faith also has to have legs. 

 

Nehemiah is a great example of a man of constant prayer and action.  The short book of Nehemiah records 14 of his prayers (1:4-11, 2:4, 4:4-5, 5:19, 6:9, 6:9, 6:14, 9:5-38). One was a quick, silent prayer and another was a long, public prayer.  All were offered in faith and then Nehemiah got to work, and God enabled him to do great things. 

NEWS NOTES October 19, 2025

 

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; Exodus 19:5 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service this morning.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App.  We plan to have cake for birthdays after lunch at Sizzler today.  Please join.

 

Upcoming events/guest speakers:

 

 

Treasure in Jars of Clay

 

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. Jeremiah 32:14

 

Ancient Jews often used specially shaped clay jars with lids to store important manuscript rolls.  This is described in Jeremiah 32 where the object lesson was meant to give hope to a people about to go into 70 years of captivity in a foreign land.

 

In 1947, three ancient Hebrew Scrolls in a clay jar were accidentally discovered in a cave near the Dead Sea.  After scholars realized how ancient they were, other caves were searched. Over the next 10 years some 80 intact manuscript rolls and more than 20,000 fragments were discovered.  Collectively called the Dead Sea Scrolls, they include parts of all the Old Testament books except Esther.  A very large Isaiah scroll was preserved in its entirety (over 24 feet long, arranged in 54 columns). The oldest documents were dated to 250 BC. 

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls were an exciting discovery, but the scrolls are not needed to know what the Bible says nor to prove it is the word of God.  From the earliest times, the Bible has been carefully copied and cared for so we are confident we have the inspired word of God.

 

God also sent Jeremiah to watch a potter as another object lesson in Jeremiah 18:1-6 concluding with:  Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. The image of God remaking the nation of Israel just as a potter can remake a spoiled vessel applies to each of us - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV

 

The inspired apostle Paul expands on treasure in jars of clay to describe the Gospel within Christians.  Having Christ in us (jars of clay) is far more valuable than a property deed or even what are now considered priceless ancient scrolls. This treasure sustains us through every earthly difficulty and will last eternally. 

 

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  II Corinthians 4:5-10 ESV

NEWS NOTES October 12, 2025

 

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him;he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service this morning and trust that our time together will be worthwhile as we worship God and His Son Jesus Christ.  May we be strengthened by our fellowship, prayers, lessons, and communion.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events/guest speakers:

 

 

Taking the Plunge

Adapted from a bulletin message by Paul F. McKenzie, Jr. 8/23/1992

 

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4 ESV

 

The expression “taking the pledge” is used of people who suffer from the disease of alcoholism and want to do something about their nemesis.  When they reach bottom and admit their helplessness, they find in Alcoholics Anonymous a support system to help them cope and rebuild their lives, taking each minute, hour, and day at a time.

 

“Taking the plunge” is not exactly the same idea, but there are similarities.  In baptism we are linked to Christ.  We die to sin which has enslaved us and for which Christ died.  We share in Christ’s resurrection, His passing through death into new life.  We live each day for Christ by the power of His cross and empty tomb.  Our bodies are instruments of service for Him.   Baptism is our re-birth, the beginning life before God in righteousness and purity which will last forever.  Baptism marks us as heirs of eternal life.

 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 ESV

 

Jesus Christ had no sin yet He set the example for us in asking John the Baptist to baptize Him.  John recognized Jesus’ authority and superiority to himself but complied with Jesus’ requests just as Jesus was showing his submission to His Father God.

 

Lord Jesus, we rejoice in Your promise: He that believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). In His name we Pray. Amen.

NEWS NOTES October 5, 2025

 

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” I Peter 5: 8-9 NIV1984

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming Guest Speakers:

 

 

Onward, Christian Soldiers! or Moving Forward, Not Falling Back

Adapted from a message by Michael Manning 3/6/2011

 

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV1984

 

Becoming a Christian means recognizing that without God we are lost now and for eternity.  What does it take to become a child of God?  What actions have to happen, steps taken?  The Book of Acts is full of examples of how people became and stayed Christians.

 

It’s impossible to follow God’s Word without hearing it.  In order to follow God’s Word, we have to know what His will is.  Peter addressed the crowd at Pentecost after Jesus return to heaven (Acts 2:14-41).  Philip proclaimed Christ to the people of Samaria, including one Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:12-13).

 

The people at Pentecost, the Samaritans, and Simon the Sorcerer believed the message they heard.  Not just a mental assent to the Christian faith, but a faith committed to walking the path of a Christian (Mark 16:16).

 

With belief comes feelings of regret over sins of the past and recognizing the need to change one’s mind and actions to serving God.  We submit our will to God’s and repent (change direction) of past ways.

 

We publicly declare our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10) and are baptized (immersed) in water signifying being buried and raised with Christ (Acts 2:38-41, Acts 8 12-13, Acts 8 36-38, Acts 9:18, Acts 10: 47-48, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16, I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27).

 

Fulfilling these steps leads to becoming one in Christ, but it’s only the beginning.  After accepting Jesus Christ the work truly begins.  Training starts with studying the Scriptures (Example: The Bereans (Acts 17: 10-15) and putting the Scriptures to work (James 1:22).

 

In the battle of life we must always be on our guard!  Being a Christian does not make us immune to Satan’s temptations and plots.  Satan would like nothing more than to drag you away from God’s fold.  So we have to always be ready and on guard against evil (II Peter 3:17-18).  Don’t give Satan a foothold.  This means paying attention to things like the emotion of anger.  It’s an easy gateway to sin (Ephesians 4:26-27).  We must always be on guard because evil does not allow any cease fire agreements (I Peter 5:8-9).  Satan is always looking to lead people astray, so we must constantly keep watch and help others who have been ensnared.

 

Simon the Sorcerer was lost before he heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.  He believed and he was baptized, becoming a follower of Christ.  However, he was rebuked by Peter when he “fell back” by trying to buy a spiritual gift.  He was told to repent and pray for forgiveness.  Simon even asked Peter to pray for him.  That’s where the narrative ends, we don’t know if Simon the Sorcerer sought forgiveness or if he fell away.  It is left open-ended.  Our story is open-ended as well. Simon was left with a choice, and so are we.  Have you fallen away, have you not sought God’s forgiveness?  Or will you join and accept Jesus, stay faithful always, and seek the reward of heaven?

NEWS NOTES September 28, 2025

 

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them. Psalms 115:3-8

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App.  The ladies had a delightful and edifying study yesterday.  Welcome everyone.  We are blessed to have you.

 

Upcoming events: Guest speakers: November 2, 2025 Jay Graham, and December 14 evangelist Tad Morris from South Missouri.  Tad will be in Bakersfield December 6-7 and in the southland December 13-14.  LaVerne will host a meeting December 13 with Tad and he will be our speaker December 14, 2025.  More details to come.

 

 

The Living God

Adapted from a message by Jay Graham

 

And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites.” Joshua 3:10  

 

To my count, the Creator, Jehovah God, is referred to as “the Living God” at least 30 distinct times throughout the Scriptures. This reference helped Israel as well as the Gentile world to better understand the one and only true Creator compared to the thousands of false dead gods. These dead gods existed only in the minds of those deceived by them and those that made them. There is only One God, and He is the ONLY “Living God”.  All others are indeed dead.

 

The Lord used various ways to show He was alive. One way was to refer to what He could do as opposed to what idols could not. These are actions we can understand as the Lord’s highest creation. These are things we can identify with, for they are part of our lives as well that we participate in. They can help us understand our Creator better and gain a greater appreciation of Who He is and what He can do.

 

Consider that the Lord “knows” as described in Gen 18:20-21 when the Lord went down to Sodom and Gomorrah to observe their sin. I understand the Lord already knew of their sin, but perhaps He came down for Abraham’s and Lot’s sake. The Creator “speaks” for He gave Adam instructions in Gen 2:16. The Lord “hears” for He “heard” the groaning of Jacob’s family in Egypt as mentioned in Ex 2:24. God “remembers,” for He “remembered” Noah and his family in Gen 8:1.

 

The Lord “rebukes” - Psa 18:15. The Lord “walks”, for He wanted to “walk” among His people, Israel, in Lev 26:12. God answered David many times including 1 Chr 21:28.  The Lord smelled the “sweet smelling aroma” of Noah’s offering after he came out of the Ark. God “tests”, for He “tests” the righteous according to Psa 11:4-5. The Creator “commands”, for He “commands” the clouds according to Isa 5:6. The Lord “works”, for He worked in Abraham’s life as noted in Rom 4:17.

 

These are examples of various works and activities God can do, for there are probably many more the Scriptures testify to. The point is  these are all actions we can identify with and understand. These are actions we also can do as part of our lives here on this earth. Dead idols can do none of these things. Why? Idols are not alive.  Consider the passage in Psalms 115:3-8 and the many references to what these dead idols cannot do.

 

How frustrated the Lord must have been with Israel when they continually chose to worship these dead things. And since idolatry is not simply an Old Testament practice, how frustrated the Lord is when mankind, even into this modern era, chooses to worship dead idols rather than to turn to the “Living God.”  Consider Peter’s words in Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

NEWS NOTES September 21, 2025

 

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.  "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O Lord , open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. II Kings 6:15-17 NIV1984

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Shared Mission; Shared Foundation

Adapted from an undated message

 

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.  My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.  For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Colossians 2:1-5 NIV1984

 

The apostle Paul had a shared conflict (struggle) with the Colossae and Laodicean brethren.  In all likelihood, he had not yet visited either group of Christians.  But through Epaphras and others he was aware of them and wanted to encourage them and all Christians he had not met.  He wanted them to know they were fighting on the same side for Christ - both Christians from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

 

Spreading of the Gospel means we have a shared mission (conflict) with Christians all over the world.  Just because we haven’t met them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  Knowing this should give us encouragement.

 

God is the source of encouragement.  Satan is the source of discouragement.  In II Kings 6, the king of Aram was after the prophet Elisha for warning the Israelites about the Arameans battle plans.  So the king of Aram sent a large force to capture Elisha.  Elisha’s servant was shaken by the force until God “opened” his eyes and he could see God’s forces were larger and more powerful.

 

God is greater even when unseen.  We often in a panic fail to see our spiritual riches.  Fail to be grateful for the Bread of Life.  Take a deep breath and think of the aroma of warm, freshly baked yeast bread.  Christ is always with us, like an aroma we can’t see, but we vividly sense.

 

We may feel our spiritual resources are hidden.  God isn’t trying to keep us from it.  If it’s hidden, it’s hidden in plain sight.  We can see our blessings as we lose our spiritual blindness (II Peter 1:3-11).

 

We and our fellow citizens around the world are built up on an immovable, firm foundation.  Jesus Christ is the cornerstone - square and stable to ensure the rest of the stone building is “fitly framed together” (Ephesians 2:19-22).  The Apostles and prophets form the rest of the foundation.  God’s love letter to us, the Bible, was penned through them.  That makes the Lord’s people the same, no matter where they live, no matter when they lived. 

NEWS NOTES September 14, 2025

 

I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. Hear my voice according to Your loving kindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice. Psalm 119:147-149 NKJV

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

What Is Your Private Place?

Adapted from a message from Jay Graham 9/4/24

 

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 NKJV

 

Several years ago, I drove from Long Beach, CA to Kansas City, MO. Wow! That was a hard 4-day drive fighting extremely high winds EVERY DAY! The sky kept threatening to coat the roads with snow, though, fortunately, the temperatures were just high enough to keep the roads snow-free. I anticipated the interstates would close any minute due to the high winds and the number of trucks on the highway. Either the storm front was following me, or I was following it. I was very relieved to finally pull into my destination safely. I was worn out.

 

However, this relief was nothing compared to the relief I felt the next morning when I walked into a local mall. You see, when I am home in Arizona, I walk in our mall every morning except the Lord’s Day.  The mall staff know me by name, and they allow me to come in as early as 7am even though the mall does not officially open until 11am.  This allows me to get my normal 2-hour walk done well before the stores open. I like that early time, for with few there, I can walk in peaceful solitude.  That’s why I felt so relieved to walk in the Kansas City mall.  You see, walking in the mall is my “secret” or private place that Jesus was speaking about in Matthew 6:6.

 

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus was specifically directing people to pray to God in private rather than praying loudly and long in public places to show off how religious they were.  While Jesus did pray in public (Matthew 19:13; Luke 3:21, 11:1), for his private prayers we see him going alone to solitary places (Matthew 14:23, 26:36; Mark 1:35, 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12; 9:18).

 

I have been walking in the mall regularly for many years. I have found this to be the best way for me to begin my day. While I am walking, I can easily think of and plan my upcoming day, meditate, pray silently, and work on upcoming lessons and assignments. This solitude allows me to do many spiritually healthy things.

 

The Bible has lots of examples of having times set apart for just such activities.  Daniel regularly prayed three times a day at home (Daniel 6:10).  David meditated on the help God provided to him (Psalm 63:6) as he lay in bed at night.  Psalm 119 speaks of rising before dawn to prayer for help and meditating through the watches of the night on God’s word.  The Ethiopian read the scriptures as he rode in his chariot (Acts 8:26-39).

 

So, the question I have for you is, “What is your private place?” If you do not yet have some time set aside for such, I urge you to try it. You might find it is indeed very helpful to your spirit and your life in general. Jesus urged such a time. It does not have to be at a mall, nor even while walking. This just fits me. I also understand the difficulty parents of younger children may have to set aside such time. But I think the vast majority of us are able to set at least some time aside for our “private time”. Give it a try. You might be surprised at the benefits your spirit receives.

NEWS NOTES September 7, 2025

 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 ESV

 

Welcome to our in-person service. Other services are virtual via the GoTo App. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Forgiveness - Letting Go

Reflections from a 2020 Wednesday Evening Study on Forgiveness

 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

 

Longtime member of the church of Christ in Reedley, CA, Ralph Shearer (1895-1987) only rarely spoke of his World War I experience - the horrific conditions in the muddy trenches near Ypres, Belgium, the fighting and killing, and the dead left to rot in no-man’s land.  The area around Ypres, Belguim was the site of intense, continuous fighting from Oct 1914 to Nov 1918.  In the 3rd battle of Ypres alone, also called Passchendaele, which lasted over 100 days in 1917,  the Allies lost over 250,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.  The Germans lost about 200,000. The name Passchendaele has become synonymous with mud, blood, and futility.

 

After recovering from battle wounds that left him temporarily paralyzed, he and his army company were on their way back to the Ypres front line on November 11, 1918 when word reached them that Germany had signed an armistice agreement at 5 AM to take affect at 11:11AM.  At that hour, the German and Ally soldiers put down their guns, climbed out of the trenches, and met each other in embraces in the middle of no-man’s land.  They were so relieved the killing was over.  The men Ralph remembered weren’t fighting because of hate, but because of duty.  The absence of hate allowed forgiveness to flow naturally.

 

Holding on to emotions of resentment, anger, or vengeance precludes forgiveness because forgiveness involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.  We can trust that God ultimately will render to everyone a righteous judgment not within our clouded abilities, “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Hebrews 10:30 NKJV)

 

Being hurt, particularly by someone you love and trust, can cause anger, sadness and confusion. If you dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root.  This is the “bitter root” the Hebrew writer talks of: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV)

 

Memory of the hurtful or offensive act might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip and help free you from the control of those who harmed you. Forgiveness means that we no longer hold the actions of the offender against them.  With love in our hearts, forgiveness can lead to feelings of understanding, even empathy and pity for the one who hurt you.  We realize God and Jesus love us and have forgiven us so much more than we deserve.

 

If the offender desires to be forgiven, we should help them repent, forgive them, and work toward reconciliation.  If they are not seeking to be forgiven, we still can forgive them in our hearts, but reconciliation might not be possible.  In either case, forgiveness involves a letting go of emotions that are toxic and destructive to us personally.  Forgiveness brings peace that allows a loving, God-filled life.

NEWS NOTES August 31, 2025

 

In Him [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:7-8

 

Welcome to our in-person service.  Other services continue to be virtual via the GoTo App.  Tomorrow is Labor Day.  In1894 our federal government set aside the first Monday in September each year to celebrate those who work for a living. Many still have to work, especially first responders, hospital staff, and people in retail/food services.  Still, lots do get the long weekend. 

 

Upcoming events: 

 

 

Christ’s Blood

Adapted from a Lord’s Supper message by Chris Oakes - 6/8/2025

 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, Hebrews 12:22-25 NKJV

 

Jesus mentions the Old Testament scriptures a lot in His teachings.  By example, this shows that we should study them as well.  In Luke 11:46-51, Jesus harshly rebuked the Jewish religious leaders saying that God would hold them accountable for the martyrdom of prophets beginning with the blood of Abel [Genesis 4:1-11 ]to the blood of Zechariah [II Chronicles 24:20-22] who perished between the altar and the temple.  Huh, did you know that?  Abel was not just bringing a sacrifice to God, he was a prophet.

 

A reference to the blood of Abel shows up again in Hebrews 12:24 in comparison to Christ’s shed blood.  Abel’s blood (Genesis 4:10) cried out to God from the ground for justice against Cain for murdering him.  Abel’s blood represents the cry for vengeance and the consequences of sin.  In contrast, Jesus’ blood speaks a “better word” because it cries out for mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  This better word is the message of the gospel, which offers redemption and peace with God.  The comparison highlights the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice over any previous offerings and underscores the theme of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, types and shadows.  Unlike Abel’s blood, which cried out for vengeance, Jesus’ blood is the answer of reconciliation of His Church to God.  We have been made clean by His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross.

 

We gather around the table each Sunday to remember His wounded body, represented by the bread, and His shed blood, represented by the fruit of the vine.  It’s always fresh on our minds -- Christ’s ultimate, purposeful sacrifice to mediate a new relationship between God and those who seek Him.

 

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;this is My body.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV