Morgans Baptist Church of Smith Mountain Lake, VA.

From the Pastor:

This month, we celebrate Independence Day. We do this because on July 4, 1776, many brave men, meeting in Philadelphia, signed one of the greatest documents in history, the Declaration of Independence. Of course, this document, penned by Thomas Jefferson, declared that the 13 British colonies were to be free from the nation of Great Britain. But this landmark document also declared several other things. It declared that all men are created equal. It declared that we are "endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights . . . life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This document closes with these words: ". . . with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." What cost freedom?
The Bible says in John 8:36, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." In Christ, we enjoy many freedoms, not the least of which is our freedom from the law. Now that does not mean that we can sin and get away with it. But it does mean that we are delivered from the shackles of sin, and no longer bound by our evil desires. Jesus Christ offers freedom from the bondage of sin and a life that longs to please God, and does! My prayer for you this month is that you never take for granted two things. First, the freedom we have in Christ. Second, the freedom we enjoy in this nation because of the bravery and faith of the men who unashamedly signed the Declaration of Independence.

                                                         Until next month,

                                                                     Rick

Reading While Relaxing  --  By Stephen F. Olford

Thought:  "Rest" in Scripture has a significant importance.  When God finished His work of creation, "He rested" (Gen. 2:2, 3).  We read of physical rest (Ex. 23:12); of social rest (Deut. 12:9); and spiritual rest (Matt. 11:28).  Our text illustrates rest from labor.  The disciples had just returned from a busy mission.  The Lord Jesus was so involved with the multitudes that He did not "even have time to eat" (v. 31).  There are times when we must come aside to rest.  In our text we learn two lessons:

1.  The Invitation to Rest
"Come aside . . . and rest."  Jesus still gives that great invitation, and we need to heed it.  Vance Havner used to say, "If you don't come apart and rest, you will come apart!"  For every one of us there is need for physical, social, and spiritual rest.

2.  The Interruption of Rest: "So they departed to a deserted place . . . But the multitudes saw them . . . and came together to Him"(vv.31-33).  It is true that Jesus and His disciples had enjoyed a period of rest and relaxation in "the boat by themselves" (v. 32), but that came to an end when they reached the shore.  This will happen in your life and mine.  The question is: How do we react?  The disciples, quite obviously were annoyed and said to the Master, "Send the away" (v. 36); but Jesus was "moved with compassion for them" and met their need both physically and spiritually.  Read the story (vv. 36-44).  The way we react to interruptions of this kind will either cancel out the good we have already derived (like relaxing on a boat trip), or will turn us into redemptive channels of blessing to those in need.  The basic lesson, however, is that all of us need time for rest - especially spiritual rest.  Study carefully the two "rests" in Matthew 11:28-30.

 

Thrust:  "Come apart and rest a while"
             Were the words of Christ our Lord;
             There is need to rest from toil,
             As we've learned from God's own Word.

AWANA Adopt-A-Clubber

In order to supplement the Awana Budget and allow everyone 
in our church family to be involved with the program, the church voted to implement an Adopt-A-Clubber Program.  For twenty dollars a year, you can adopt an Awana Child.  You will be 
given an adoption certificate with the child*s name, address, 
and birth date.  You are asked to pray for this child everyday.  You may wish to send them a birthday card or a card on 
special occasions, i.e. Valentines Day, Christmas.  We hope 
this program will strengthen the Awana Program as well as the children who are involved.  We know that it will be a blessing.