Page 2B - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, November 29,2001
What the Bible Teaches From A Pastor’s Heart
The “Word” For The Week
By Dr. Dennis Prutow
By Frank Taylor
Friends are gifts that heaven
sends. No one modeled friendship
better than our Lord Jesus Christ.
His disciples called Him Master
and Teacher-and He was-but He
did more than simply teach His
men. He befriended them. He
grafted His life into theirs, saw
them eye-to-eye, and met them at
their level. He ministered with
them, lived with them. And died
for them. In Jesusi life we see four
characteristics of a true friend.
1. Disregard for Personal Sac
rifice: “Greater love has no one
than this, that one lay down his life
for his friends.” (John 15:13) Most
of us have very few friends for
whom we would die. But we can
probably name several for whom
we would gladly sacrifice time,
money, or convenience without
batting an eye. The roots of friend
ship deepen when moistened by the
rain of personal sacrifice. True
friends give of themselves so oth
ers will grow.
2. Dedication to Mutual Aims:
“Tom are My friends, if you do what
I command you." (John 15:14) The
best way to demonstrate our com
mitment to Jesus is to obey His
commandments-to show Him that
what matters to Him matters to us.
Likewise, a sense of oneness in aim
and agenda will mark our closest
friendships. Weill have a union of
philosophy, a shared outlook on
life. Do friends ever disagree?
Sure they do. But the bedrock val
ues of life will remain undisturbed.
Don’t let this scare you away from
making friends with nonbelievers,
though. Friendship with non-
Christians is essential if weire to
tell others about the Savior
3. Discussion of Privileged Infor
mation: “No longer do I call you
slaves, for the slave does not know
what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends, for all things
that I have heard from My Father
I have made known to you.” (John
15:15) Jesus has often been por
trayed untouchable, unapproach-
able-a mysterious man who spoke
cryptic messages and couldn’t con
nect with his earthbound follow
ers. How misleading. Jesus
opened Himself up, especially to
the twelve closest to Him. He
shared
His heart,
His mis
sion, and
His emo
tions. He
pulled
aside the
curtain of
heaven so
His dis
ciples could see the source of His
power and wisdom-God the Fa
ther. Friendship goes beyond sur
face conversation. It shares the
deep matters of the heart. Not
without discretion; but openly and
without fear of ridicule. Friends
get inside. They know things
about us that no one else knows.
And theyfre trustworthy enough to
repeat only what’s appropriate.
4. Desire to Fulfill Others: "You
did not choose Me, but / chose
you, and appointed you, that you
should go and bear fruit, and that
your fruit should remain, that
whatever you ask of the Father in
My name, Fie may give to you."
(John 15:16)
Here’s a news flash for believ
ers who picture Jesus as a perpetu
ally dissatisfied taskmaster. He’s
for us. He chose us. He infuses
us with life so that we can live for
His glory. He’s waiting to give us,
if we’ll just ask. Jesus believed in
His disciples before they ever be
lieved in themselves. He chose
them and trained them for a world
changing mission. That they were
simple men didn’t bother Him. He
saw what they could become. And
He invested Himself in their de
velopment. That’s what friends
do. They invest themselves in the
growth, dreams, and success of
others. Like a miner’s lantern,
they expose the glittering veins of
potential that run beneath the
earthy crust. They help dig, cut,
and polish putting what was once
buried on proud display. A friend
believes in others and sees the best
in them. So cultivate close friend
ships. Traveling the spiritual road
alone may seem fine for now. But
you just might need a friend-or
need to be one-at the next inter
section.
(Luke 5:36-39 KJV) "And he
spake also a parable unto
them; No man putteth a piece
of a new garment upon an old;
if otherwise, then both the new
maketh a rent, and the piece
that was taken out of the new
agreeth not with the old. {37}
And no man putteth new wine
into old bottles; else the new
wine will burst the bottles, and
be spilled, and the bottles shall
perish. {38} But new wine
must be put into new bottles;
and both are preserved. {39}
No man also having drunk old
wine straightway desireth new:
for he saith. The old is better."
Jesus explained many
wonderful truths by the use of
parables. He taught about
reality and deep things of God
by using common, ordinary
things people were well
acquainted with. Though the
parable Jesus spoke in the
scriptures quoted above is old,
it is definitely not outdated.
We can all improve our lives
by taking heed to what Jesus
taught.
Many of you have had to
mend a garment by affixing a
piece of material over the
damaged place, sewing it into
place with needle and thread.
Sometimes the damaged place
could be made to look almost
as good as new, especially if
the materials matched pretty
well. If they didn't match, the
damage was pretty noticeable.
Jesus also said freshly made
wine must be put into properly
prepared containers. Wine
skins had to be soaked in water
to soften them up, then oil had
to be rubbed into them to
prepare them for use. If I want
to carry a canteen of water on
a camping trip, I had better
make sure it has no leaks or
cracks in it, or I will have no
water to sustain me.
If you and I desire to carry
the fresh move of God in our
lives, we must by all means be
prepared to receive the
anointing of God - we must be
new wineskins. There are
Ronald E. Parish
enough people who are
satisfied with "business as
usual", but God has much
more for us than we have seen.
Our heart's desire should be
toward pleasing God and being
filled with His Spirit.
We need to prepare ourselves
by spending time with God in
prayer, pouring our hearts out
to Him, weeping and asking
for new power and strength.
After we have been soaked in
prayer, we should then allow
the Spirit of God to mold and
shape us into the vessels God
wants us to be. Lord, help us
to be pliable in Your hands. If
you desire the fresh things of
God, you need to prepare
yourself.
If you have any questions,
suggestions, or comments,
please contact me at the
church office (229)888-2588
or send e-mail to
eacog@mindspring.com. You
are most welcome to visit us at
East Albany Church of God,
216 Pine Bluff Road, Albany,
Georgia. Drop by to see us on
the web at the following
address:
www.eacogJiomejnindspiing.com
Sincerely
RONALD E. PARISH
Pastor, East Albany
Church of God
The Threshold of Heaven
The Old Testament saints of God
went up to the temple to worship.
They went to meet with God. For
this reason many a psalm is called
“A Song of Ascents.” The church
is the New Testament temple.
Christians, “as living stones, are
being built up as a spiritual house
for a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pe
ter 2:5). Christians are being made
“into a holy temple in the Lord”
(Ephesians 2:21), “a dwelling of
God in the Spirit” (Ephesians
2:22).
Christians are also citizens of
heaven (Philippians 3:20). When
they gather, they come “to Mount
Zion and to the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to myriads of angels, to the gen
eral assembly and church of the
firstborn who are enrolled in
heaven, and to God, the Judge of
all, and to the spirits of the righ
teous made perfect” (Hebrews
12:22-23). The church is the very
threshold of heaven.
One way people can draw near
to God is by joining in the wor
ship of God with the people of
God. No wonder the saints of old
and modern saints exclaim, “A day
in Your courts is better than a thou
sand outside. I would rather stand
at the threshold of the house of my
God than dwell in the tents of
wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).
For a free audiotape on this sub
ject, call 1-800-777-0389; e-mail
free_tape@juno.com; or visit
www.sterlingpulpit.org
From The Bible
Do good
The LORD knoweth the days of
the upright: and their inheritance
shall be for ever. They shall not
be ashamed in the evil time: and
in the days of famine they shall
be satisfied.
The wicked borroweth, and
payeth not again: but the righteous
sheweth mercy, and giveth. For
such as be blessed of him shall
inherit the earth; and they that be
cursed of him shall be cut off. The
steps of a good man are ordered
by the LORD: and he delighteth
in his way. Though he fall, he
shall not be utterly cast down: for
the LORD upholdeth him with his
hand. I have been young, and now
am old; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed
begging bread. He is ever merci
ful, and lendeth; and his seed is
blessed. Depart from evil, and do
good; and dwell for evermore.
For the LORD loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his saints; they
are preserved for ever: but the
seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the
land, and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous
speaketh wisdom, and his tongue
talketh of judgment. The law of
By Jerry Kingery
his God is in his heart; none of
his steps shall slide. The wicked
watcheth the righteous, and
seeketh to slay him. The LORD
will not leave him in his hand, nor
condemn him when he is judged.
Wait on the LORD, and keep his
way, and he shall exalt thee to in
herit the land: when the wicked
are cut off, thou shalt see it. I
have seen the wicked in great
power, and spreading himself like
a green bay tree. Yet he passed
away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I
sought him, but he could not be
found. Mark the perfect man, and
behold the upright: for the end of
that man is peace. But the trans
gressors shall be destroyed to
gether: the end of the wicked shall
be cut off. But the salvation of
the righteous is of the LORD: he
is their strength in the time of
trouble. And the LORD shall
help them, and deliver them: he
shall deliver them from the
wicked, and save them, because
they trust in him.
from Psalm 37
For a free Scripture packet,
please write From the Bible,
BIBLE FOUNDATION. PO Box
908, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
email: bf@bf.org
Attend The House of Worship of Your Choice This Sunday
'nuntv Church Of Christ Kinchafoonee BaDtist Leesbura Church of God Leesburg First Bapt
Lee County Church Of Christ
Maurice Johnson, Jr. Minister
Bible Study 9:30 AM
Worship 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Mid-Week Bible Study 7:30 PM
Smithville Baptist
Lance Fendley, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service. 7:00 PM
Leesburg Presbyterian
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Women of the Ch 3:30 PM
3rd Sun & 3rd Wed ..6:30 PM
Union Wors. Service 7:30 PM
Every 6 weeks
Lords's Supper 11:00 AM
Philema Road Baptist
Dan Harris, Pastor
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed Bible Study 7:00 AM
Alpha Baptist
Rev. Joe Jenkins
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Discipleship Training 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service 7:30 PM
Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Lem Wright
1st and 3rd Sunday
Sunday School 9:00 AM
4th Sunday
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Zion Hope Baptist
Rev. H. L. Holsey
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Sunday Worship 11:30 AM
Phillip Grove Baptist
Rev. Solomom Loud Jr.
Highway 195 Leesburg
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st Sunday 12:00 PM
Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Pastor Levi Robinson
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Worship Service 11:15AM
Tuesday
Tuturial Service . 5:30-7:00pm
Prayer and Bible Study 7-8 pm
Kinchafoonee Baptist
Rev. Charles (Chuck) Smith
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Training Union 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Services 7:30 PM
Smithville United Methodist
Pastor - Randy Carnley
Worship 10:00 AM
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Palmyra Baptist
J. D. Bolden
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship .... 12:00 PM
Bible Study (1st Sun) 5:00 PM
Eve. Wor. (1st Sun) ..7:00 PM
McAfee Grove
Missionary Baptist
Minister Robert Lewis Morgan
First & Third Sundays
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Morning worship 11:30 AM
Second & Fourth Sundays
Sunday School 10:00 AM
New Hope AME
Rev. Alfreda Williams
every 1st and third Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Macadonia Baptist Church
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
First Sunday
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
Third Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Jordan Grove Baptist
Rev. R. O. Calhoun
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Unity Church of Christianity
Rev. Joanna Gabriel
Dial-A-Prayer 435-7077
Corner of Ledo & Hugh Roads
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Leesburg Church Of Christ
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:30 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Father Ron Davidson
298 Leslie Hwy. 759-1506
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Living Hope Fellowship
Four Square Gospel Church
Highway 19 S. Leesburg
1/2 mile north of 19 Bypass
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:00 PM
Children Church during both Sunday
Services
New Piney Grove Baptist
Pastor Henry L. Holsey
Third Sunday Services
Sunday School 11:30 AM
Worship 12:30 PM
First Sunday Services
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Mt. Hope Baptist Church
Pastor: Rev. M. W. Willis
Services 1st Sunday
Sunday School 5:00 PM
Church 6:00 PM
Services 4th Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Church 11:00 AM
For any corrections or additions to the Church Page, Contact The Lee County Ledger at 759-2413
Leesburg Church of God
Rev. Sean Faircloth
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship 10:40 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Fam. Training 7:00 PM
Wooden Grove Baptist
1st & 3rd Sunday Services
Worship 11:00 AM
Weekly
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Tuesday Night
Bible Study 7:00 PM
Thundering Springs
Baptist Church
Sunday School 9.45 AM
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Church Training 5:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Services7:00 PM
Leesburg United
Methodist Church
Pastor Russ Elkins
Worship.... 8:45 and 11:00 AM
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Adult Choir 5:30 PM
Youth Fellowship 5:45 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Supper/Bible Study 6:00
Green Grove Baptist
Smithville, GA
Rev. H. Waters
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Every First Sunday
Morning Worship 11:45 AM
Kingdom Vision Christian Center
Rev. Earl S. Harrison, Pastor
1027 N. Philema RoadN.
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:15AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Lutherian Church of Our Savior
Rev. Bill Behrend
101 Hickory Grove Road
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Worship 11:00 AM
The
Lee County
Ledger
Your Source of
Local News
759-2414
CoipMr
Member FDIC
located on Robert B. Lee
Drive in Leesburg - 759-2800
and 2609 Ledo Rd 430-8080
Member FDIC
The Future of
Banking is Here.
Clyde’s
Auto Part
Turner Field Industrial Park
1507 Rodgers Street
Albany, Georgia 31705
Clyde Massey
(912) 436-1502
We Buy Wrecked Cars
CraiggS&
Mathis
Attorney At Law
124 Fourth Street
759-2243
jHatfietoS
Funeral Home
Crematory/Memorials
Mike Mathews - Gary Mathews
3206 Gillionville Rd.
Albany. GA 31707
435-5657
Leesburg Cemetery
Jhuz\/aSwL
Hughes
Hardware
1497 S. Hwy. 19
432-0037
Worrell Paint
and Body Shop
Would like to thank
you for the support
you have given us.
U.S. 19 -
South of Leesburg
439-1555
Jack Fore
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Crematory and Memorials
Crown Hill Cemetery
1503 Dawson Road • P.O. Box 92
Albany, Georgia 31702-0092
Phone: (912) 883-4152
“Sevice Since 1880”
BUMPER
BUMPER
759-6561 759-6482
Walnut St., Leesburg
Leesburg First Baptist
Rev. Bobby Harrell
Sunday School I 8:15 AM
Worship I 9:30 AM
Sunday School II 9:30 AM
Worship 11 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Church Supper 5:30 PM
AWANA 6:20 PM
Prayer Meeting 6:30 PM
Youth Meeting 7:00 PM
Sovereign Grace
Baptist Church
Steven Youngblood, Pastor
121 Creekside Dr. - Lees.
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Awana .. 6:30 PM
Amazing Grace
Baptist Church
Pastor, Dr. Ron Baxley
2217 Ledo Rd.. Albany
Morning Worship
& Sunday School ... 10:45 AM
Evening Worship
& Youth Choir 6:00 PM
Wednesday 6:30 to
(Youth only) 8:00 PM
House Of God
Saints In Christ
Elder A.F. Caldwell, Pastor
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st, 2nd, & 4th Sundays
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
2nd & 4th Sunday
Evening Service 6:30 PM
Wed. Bible Study 7:30 PM
Fri. Sharing Ser 7:30 PM
Piney Grove #3
Pastor W. G. Groover
Every Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Worship 11:00 Noon
Emmanuel Community
Baptist Church
Al Bryant, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Every Wednesday
Bible Study 6:30 PM
Shady Grove
Baptist Church
Rev. Marcus Glass, Pastor
1st and 2nd Sunday
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Every Sunday
Sunday School 9:50 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Fourth Sunday
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Liberty Primitive Baptist
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
BANK
An affiliate of Synovus Financial Corp.
Member FDIC
430-5383
1531 U.S. 19 South
Leesburg
in front of Winn-Dixie
