Thursday

“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged!

I am the Lord your God,

and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9 (CEV)~

Maggie Lee Henson was the young girl who died as a result of a blown out tire while on a church bus.  Her mother, Jinny, has shared her heart at the eighteen month anniversary of Maggie Lee’s death.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s procedure has been changed to Thursday.  At this time, she will be admitted to the hospital Wednesday.  Continue to pray for her and her sweet family.

Mrs. Micky Cade is now in Kentwood and staying with Teri.  Continue to pray for a full recovery for “Miss” Micky.

Bro. Joe Baugh shared how his daughter and granddaughter shared their faith at the time of Bro. Joe’s mother’s funeral services.  Be sure to ask him about them. Thank God for people who bravely witness to unsaved family members!  Those are usually the hardest ones to share with.

In Egypt, Christians Hoping, Praying for Greater Freedom

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34573

“That we won’t blink. That we will find ways to join the Lord in the midst of this chaos and let the Good News ring out in ways that will help people find true freedom in Christ. That’s what I want to see more than anything else. I want people to know Him — and in knowing Him, to know what it’s like to really be free.”

THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEAL IN HISTORY

Did you hear about the expensive meal at Burger King in Palmdale, California?  George Beane ordered two Whopper Jr.s and two Rodeo cheeseburgers when he pulled up to the drive-through window. The cashier forgot that she had entered the $4.33 charge on his debit card, and she punched in the numbers again without erasing the original ones — creating a total bill of $4,334.33!  The electronic charge went through to George’s checking account and left him penniless.

It was promoted as “the most expensive meal in history.”  That seems a little extreme to me.  I’m sure there are many other meals which have brought a higher tab than that.  But, I would like to cast MY vote for the most expensive meal in history.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate some fruit which turned out to be extremely expensive.  It cost them their home in the Garden of Eden.  It cost them their relationship with one another.  It cost them their relationship with God.  And additional costs have been passed down to every man and woman who have lived on the face of this earth ever since.

The truth of the matter is that sin always has consequences.  We play games in our mind and try to deny it because we like to play with fire thinking that we’ll never get burned (even though everybody else has).  We like to flirt with sin thinking that “I can do this and it won’t hurt anything” but it always does.  Sometimes, like Adam and Eve, sin affects our relationship with others around us — husbands, wives, children, parents, church family, friends.  And sin always affects our relationship with God.  And if our sin remains unforgiven, it can cost us our eternal home.  It’s a high price to pay for a few moments of selfish enjoyment.

Listen to this warning from James:  “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.” (James 1:13-16)

Don’t be deceived!  Partaking of sin will result in a bill far greater than you ever could have imagined.  Even greater than the cost of burgers in California these days.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Stay in and keep warm today.  Help your neighbor if they are not prepared for this weather.

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee