Columnist: “Grace is the undeserved favor of God”

Sunday morning attendance was good. It was good to see some members back from being out last week. Others are still out due to family sickness and others are out for various reasons. We pray they will be back soon. We had several visitors and we are so thankful they chose to come visit with us. We pray they received a blessing and were encouraged by coming and will come as God leads to worship with us again. Our hearts and doors are always open to anyone who does not have a regular church home. The special music was, “Power in the Blood” by the Brownwood Men’s Group.  Bro. Ron’s message, “Grace” Titus 2: 11-14. Grace is the undeserved favor of God. People sin and rebel against God but God in His grace still forgives them when they repent. God’s grace is sustaining. Grace is a gift of God. In our world today if we ever needed grace we need it now. God is our source of grace. We all need the grace of God. To see grace illustrated read John 8: 1-11. Grace was applied teaching and instructing us with Jesus on the cross, grace overcomes sin. If we deny ungodliness and worldly desires and live sensibly this shows respect to ourselves, righteously, this shows respect to other and live godly, this shows respect to Christ then we are looking for the blessed hope, appearing of the Lord. The purpose of grace is to redeem us, be purified for Him, and possess us to use us for good deeds. God wants to use us for His work, display us as trophies of grace. Have we applied grace to our lives? We need the grace of God everyday. Where would we be without grace? During the invitation Mark and Ellen Harville came forward uniting with our church for membership. We thank God for them coming joining with us as their new church family we promise to pray for them and be there for them each day.

Sunday night at 6 p.m. again attendance was good, visitors were back and we welcomed them. He youth and their leader joined in with the adults. We had congregational singing, The Whosoever Will group, youth joining them singing several songs. The Bro. Ron suggested we have a time of sharing favorite Bible verses and testimonies.

AWANAs will begin back next Sunday evening, Sept. 2, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ages 2-sixth grade.
September the Operation Christmas child group is collecting Hygiene items: band-aids, toothpaste and brushes, floss, solid deodorant and travel size Q-tips. Please do not include lotions, shampoos, or gels, medications or vitamins, any liquid items, anything breakable or any aerosol products. Thanks for your help.

We were glad to have Betty Bohannon back at church with us Sunday. She has been out recovering from a fall.

James Harold and Ellen Smith visited Frank and Betty Bohannon recently.
Margie Ward visited her sister Alice Cheatham in Athens Monday afternoon.
Friday afternoon Millie McNair and Margie Ward were among those visiting with the family and friends of Mark Roling at A. E. Carter Funeral Home. Our sympathy goes out to his family during this time. He will be missed by all that knew him.

God
God’s ear lies close to the believer’s lips.
God’s grace is immeasurable; his mercy inexhaustible;
his peace inexpressible.
God can take the place of anything but nothing can take the place of God.
The best way to face life’s changes is to look at
the unchanging God.
There are limits to man’s love but not to God’s.
God’s throne is mercy not marble.
God without man I still God; man without God is nothing.
Nature is but a name for an effect whose cause is God.
Nature is so inhuman – it never rushes.
A god of all mercy would be a God unjust.
When you spend time with God you invest in eternity.
Hold to God’s hand; he will do the holding if you
do the trusting.
Loneliness is being unaware of the One who is
with us everywhere.
To mistreat one of God’s creatures is to offend God.
He who puts God first will be happy at last.
To walk with God we must make it a practice to
talk with God.
Little things become great things when they are
done to please God.
Talk it over with the great Physician,
no appointment necessary.
If your life seems flat accent it with the salt of God’s grace.
To create God had to only speak; to save He had to suffer.
God is a donor no one can outdo.
God can do without us but we cannot do without Him.
Don’t forget that God is between you and your enemy.
Seek God’s face not His hands.
God shook the world with a babe – not a bomb.
Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.
Have a great and safe Labor Day.

Printed in the August 30, 2012 edition