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Life In The Body
News and Notes for the : Shelbyville Church of Christ August 15, 2010
Tampering With Truth On February 8, 1986, a Peekskill, New York, woman took a Tylenol capsule she had purchased at the local supermarket. Unknown to her, the bottle had been tampered with and the contents were contaminated with a lethal dose of potassium cyanide. Instead of helping her as she expected, the medicine took her life. Johnson and Johnson, the manufacturers of Tylenol, responded by removing the product from store shelves and reissuing the drug in caplet form contained in tamper-resistant bottles. These actions, however, could not alleviate the pain and grief of this woman's loved ones.
Millions of people have turned to the Bible to find relief from the pain of sin. Some, unfortunately, have not found the relief they sought. Instead they discover that people and churches have tampered with the words of Scripture, changing and adding to their meaning—even making what God says is evil appear to be good. For example, referring to Romans 1: 24-27 they claim homosexuality is not a sin, but just an alternate lifestyle. In spite of Exodus 21: 22-25 they affirm abortion is not murder; it's a choice. What the Bible calls adultery, these people refer to euphemistically as "having an affair." Fornication is passed over as "living together." What is called drunkenness in God's Word is called the "disease of alcoholism" by a society bent on calling evil good and good evil. Obedience, on the other hand, is labeled as legalism, and zeal for the Lord is rejected as fanaticism.
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight !” ( Isaiah 5:20-21 ) Don't be fooled by this truth twisting. What God calls evil will never be made acceptable simply by using another word. Make sure that your beliefs are based on the solid foundation of God's Word. To keep your faith "tamper-proof," compare everything you hear with the Bible and see what God has to say. The Gospel is life-giving, but these additives and contradictions can be fatal.
Truth can't be improved with additives. Tom Moore
Bound Together When Sir Edmund Hillary and his native guide, Tensing, made their historic climb up Mount Everest, Hillary slipped, lost his footing, and fell into a treacherous crevice. Fortunately, Sir Edmund and the guide were tied together by a strong rope. The Nepalese guide, Tensing, pulled his British friend, Hillary, inch by inch back to safety. Tensing was later asked about this event and said, "Mountain climbers always help each other." There was a bond between them -- figuratively and literally.
The same was true for the disciples after Jesus' ascension and the same should be true in the Church today. There is a bond that ties us together ( Christians are “true yokefellows” – Phil 4:3 ), and Christianity is to be a strong bond that should lead us to support one another, to reach out to each other in love, to edify unto faithfulness, - a bond that seeks to pull each other up higher and higher into God's presence.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ( Hebrews 10:23-25 )
Wise Counsel : In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has not place. Mohondas Gandi
Shirley Gaddis Friday Shirley had a fall. There are no bones broken, but she has a very sore foot as a result. Shirley is not feeling at all well. She says she has a lot more bad days than good days since her stroke. Please keep her in your daily prayers as well as the others on our list.
Great Visitation Last Sunday evening a dozen of us went to worship and fellowship with that portion of the Lord’s body which assembles in Sullivan. We had a most enjoyable evening together. The brethren there were uplifted and so were we. The song leader took requests for songs from the audience so they sang a number of songs that we had not heard before. Afterwards, we stopped by McD’s for snacks and conversation.
All who went enjoyed the experience. Why not come with us next time. No definite date has been set, but we will be going to Pana sometime in the next couple months.
Bible Challenge Last time the ladies showed the guys up fairly convincingly. May I challenge you fellas to put your heads into it this week. Give them a run for their money as we review chapter 5 of Ephesians. There are only 264 words divided into 33 verses. You can do it !! See you tonight.
Coming events : STATE FAIR : Each year the churches of Christ in Illinois work together to present the church to people at the fair. This is currently in progress and they still need volunteers to man the booth as well as money to cover the expenses. Please do what you can.
AREA SINGING / FELLOWSHIP : Our annual area wide singing and fellowship will be October 23. Please mark that on your calendar so as to prevent conflicts.
Prayer List : Our list is long, but we have no one new to add and no updates on those listed below. Those in need of ongoing special prayer : Gail Boldt : Age related maladies, had a fall Stella Zanders : Age related maladies Shirley Gaddis : Shirley is holding her own John Robert Moore : Mobility & throat issues Francis Reynolds : Very painful arthritis, etc. Susan Bales : ( Roseanne’s Mom ) chemotherapy Agnes Stevens: ( Bob’s Mom ) Age related maladies Lilian Nichols : Back Problems Todd Johnson : Recovering from crushed spine Tina : (Brenda’s friend) is waiting for a liver transplant. Carolyn : (Brenda’s friend)) Aggressive cancer -hospice
Today’s Scripture Reading : Hebrews 9: 8-15 - & - I Peter 3: 18-22
Schedule of Services :
Ya’ll Come !
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