Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 33 August 16, 2009

Through Another Man's Eyes

Do you remember the Old Testament story of Eliam? Ok, maybe not. Eliam is a rather obscure character in the Old Testament. In fact he is only mentioned twice, but here’s his story. Eliam was a father of a little girl. Like all fathers he loved his daughter and watched her grow into a beautiful young lady. The day finally came that Eliam gave his daughter’s hand to a young man to be his wife. Eliam’s daughter and son-in-law were making a life together when tragedy befell them. One day, when Eliam’s son-in-law was away at work, several men came to his home, took his wife away, and gave her to their leader, and he had sexual relations with her. Not only that, but this man of power also had Eliam’s son-in-law murdered.

For the record, Eliam’s son-in-law was Uriah. His daughter was Bathsheba. And the man of power was King David. Ah!, now you know the story. It was just told from a different perspective, through the eyes of Eliam. We know and love King David in spite of his murderous and adulterous actions. We “brush off” his mistakes and count him as one of our heroes.

But here’s my question. Do you think Eliam viewed David as a hero? Through the eyes of Eliam, how do you suppose the man who murdered his son-in-law, and stole away his daughter was viewed? Do you think it might have been harder for Eliam to forgive David, than it has been for us? Surely, but that brings me to my point.

We can talk about forgiveness all day long and know all the right answers, but we may not appreciate how much work this spiritual discipline requires. Forgiveness is easy until you really need to forgive someone. Loving your enemies is easy until you really have an enemy of your own

Friends, don’t get overconfident in your ability and willingness to forgive. Continue to work at and mature in this spiritual discipline. And when you think you’ve arrived, go back and try looking through the eyes of Eliam.

- Steve Higginbotham via MercEmail

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Out of Control!”

(Prov. 13:34)

P.M. – Singing service at 5 p.m.

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Nigeria & friend of Gerald Cowan. Kidnapped and shot in the arm last Sunday night (8/2). Has been released and his wounds are being treated. Please pray.

Kathleen Ritchey

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering

Carlos Wright – Dr. says cancer is currently “dormant.”

Charles Dillow – Freda’s brother-in-law

Paul Etherton - Sara Wilkins' father. Cancer in lymph nodes.

Jean Brown – Kris’s aunt.

Diana Schultz - Recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash.

John Bradley - Broken finger is healing.

Wisdom From Proverbs: “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches” (Prov. 11:16).

Sentence Sermon: “We cannot avoid growing old, but we can avoid growing cold.”

Welcome! If you're visiting with us, we extend you a special welcome and invite you to come back at every opportunity. If our worship seems unusual to you, please let us know what you find different. We endeavor to worship "in Spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24) and do only what scripture authorizes (Col. 3:17, Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS

* We’ll meet at 5 p.m. for our monthly song service and a period of fellowship afterward in the Fellowship Hall.

* Ladies’ Day will be September 19. Shelley Hazel will be the speaker and the theme will be, “Women Teaching Women.” Italian food and salads have been decided on for the luncheon. Sherry will post a sign-up sheet before Sept. 19. We plan to feed 60.

* Thanks to all who attended/helped with the Lock-In.

* Let’s remember to contact those we haven’t seen in a few weeks.

* Please continue to drop any Bible questions in the Question & Answer box in the foyer.

* Also continue boycotting Pepsi products as they support the homosexual agenda. If you haven’t signed the boycott, why not?

Is it right for a Christian to financially support sin?

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Elisha. II Kings 6:5-7.

New question: Which one of David’s sons killed one of his own brothers? Why?

Quotable Quote: “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Tony Ward - 8/19

Renee McAlister - 8/21

Susan Schultz - 8/22

John & Margaret Shelton - 8/22

Helping Us to Live Better

When we talk about living better, we need to understand that we have to prioritize our lives. Our spiritual lives must come before our physical lives. After all, how can my success in this physical world help me gain heaven? Of course, you realize that it cannot. So with that in mind let us discuss the first way that can help us live better.

MATT 16:26 reads: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

In the preceding passage, Matthew is clearly discussing the value of the soul. Do you value your soul? God does. Are you concerned with bettering your soul? God is. We have no trouble determining physical worth or value in this life. You have heard of the law of supply and demand. Something’s worth is determined by who wants it and how many of the item exists. Our souls should work the same way. Satan wants our soul and he tries to gather as many as he can. Does he have you?

The second way that can help us live better is found in Hebrews 9:27: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this is the judgment.”

The Hebrew writer is referring to the coming judgment – the judgment of the soul for all eternity. We see this all the time. People spend all of their life building worth at the expense of their own souls. How do people do this? Is building wealth necessarily evil? As long as wealth doesn’t come between me and my relationship with God and fulfilling His will, is perfectly fine. But when it does we must realize that our physical lives are jeopardizing our spiritual lives. We have no trouble realizing we must work certain days and certain times. But do we feel as strong about our service to God? I pray that we do! By being better Christians, we can be better parents, friends, and....workers both for God but also for our employers in this life. LUKE 12:4-5 tells us: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn your whom ye shall fear-- Fear him which after he hath killed --hath power to cast into hell yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

- Ryan Thornsberry

“M.I.A.” ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

It’s common to look at the attendance figures of most congregations and find the Wednesday night attendance to be greatly below that for the service on Sunday morning. Sometimes the total attending on Wednesday is one-half the Sunday morning figure.
Those who cause this difference by deliberately forsaking the Wednesday evening Bible classes are sounding forth a message to God and others. Here’s what we’re saying when we forsake Wednesday night Bible study:

1) I don’t need spiritual food. The Bible contains the necessary ingredients for one's spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2). Every Wednesday night, a portion of spiritual food is set out for those hungering for righteousness. Those who remain at home during this spiritual feast act as though they don’t need this nutrition for their souls.

2) Those who forsake the Wednesday night services are saying that there are some things more important than gathering with God's people for study. Some of these “more important” things are television programs, the newspaper, housework, the garden, or a nap. “Study to show thyself approved unto God; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim. 2:15).

3) Those who remain at home on Wednesday nights are also saying that a study of the Bible is boring. It totally amazes me that anyone could call something more precious than gold (Psalm 19:10) dull or boring. It’s beyond comprehension that the Book containing God's mind (1 Cor. 2:9-13) could be thought of as dry or uninteresting.

4) Those who forsake Wednesday night are saying with certainty that obeying God's commands is not important. Hebrews 10:25 commands that one not forsake the assemblies of the saints. Those who forsake the mid-week assembly must think this command is meaningless. The Holy Spirit instructs differently “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they might have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).

Without doubt, there are reasons and there are excuses for not being present on Wednesday night. Friend, God knows the difference.

- R.W.