The Gospel Gleaner

We have become less committed to laying up our treasures in heaven (delayed gratification) and more committed to laying up our treasure here (instant gratification) Let's fight that temptation! Everything that is precious to us as Christians is in heaven. . . Our Father (Matt. 6:9) Our Savior (I Peter 3:20-21)

Our Brothers and Sisters in the Faith (Heb. 12:22-23)

Our Names (Luke 10:20) Our Inheritance (I Peter 1:3-4)

Our Citizenship (Philippians 3:20)

Our Eternal Reward (Matthew 5:10-12) Our Master (Ephesians 6:9) Our Treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) If we expect to go to heaven, we must delay earthly gratification for the heavenly reward. As a result of living in such a society of materialistic indulgence- sometimes we Christians fall prey to that, and we no longer have our affections set on things above as Colossians 3:1-2 tells us. Rather, we set our affections on instant sinful pleasure. It is hard to understand a future home in the afterlife.

                      August 25, 2024,         September 1, 2024

East Side     Clayton Rogers            Dan Sommers

                      Mike Reid                      Larry Nicholson

West Side    Dan Sommers              Clayton Rogers

                      Larry Nicholson           Mike Reid  

Pray for our Country, for our National Leaders, State Leaders, and Local Leaders. Pray for those sick, those who have lost loved ones. Pray that each of us is doing the will of God and showing our love to everyone including our enemies. Pray for the troops wherever they are serving. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray

October 13-16, 

Fall Meeting, Downtown Church of Christ.

 R. D. Hale 

Passed away on August 19. He was born in Jerusalem and lived here and went to school for several years. He was the son of the late Gilford Hale and the late Edna Ware Hale. The funeral and burial was Saturday (8-24) at Robertstown Cemetery 

Eura Faye Norwood 

Will have a checkup on her eyes on October 9th. 

Cathey Hamilton 

Has improved some but needs prayers that she will continue to improve. 

Larry Miller 

Had four stints put in his heart Friday and the surgery went well. He is at home and doing good. 

Steve Charton 

Had a test Tuesday and got a good report. Other tests will be scheduled to determine where the pain problem is. 

Larry Nicholson 

Had a problem Wednesday with his right eye in pain and swelling. With medication, this has improved some but still swollen and red. 

Gary Reid 

Is having a problem with one of his knees. 

Misty Pierce 

Had tests run due to a spot found on her pancreas. 

Mike Reid 

Had surgery at Conway Regional Wednesday for two hernias. The surgery went well, and he is home. 

Samuel Diamond 

Had surgery on one of his feet a few days ago . 

Janan Charton 

Had tests made and will see the doctor September 6th. 

David Bean 

Had hip replacement surgery on the 25th of July. He is home but no update at this time. 

John Aaron Lovejoy's 

Toe that was badly mashed is improving and healing. 

Barbara May 

Has been very sick due to infection around a tooth and has improved some. 

Betty Lois McCoy Rowell 

Has been diagnosed with Covid. 

Sharon Stacks 

Is having medical tests made as she is not doing well. 

Kaye Nicholson

Has a torn rotator cuff and that calls for help.

 Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth, and He gave the blind man his sight. Jesus saw a multitude hungry and faint, He took the loaves and fishes and relieved their plight. Jesus saw some fisherman who had made no catch, He told them to cast their nets on the other side. The catch was so great that their nets began to break, and multitudes of needs were supplied. Jesus saw a man who could not walk, and He made him whole again. He sat a child upon His knee. and taught His disciples a lesson so plain. Jesus saw an adulterous woman being mistreated, the men thought that she should not live. Jesus wrote on the ground and the crowd drifted away and Jesus told the woman, “I forgive.” Jesus saw His friend Lazarus, they said he was dead, and the tears flowed as He cried. Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth, see, he had said he was sleeping, that he had not died.” Jesus saw a woman so lost in sin; they would be forever lost. He gave Himself to die for that woman and He died on that Old Rugged Cross. “What would Jesus do?” you ask. He gave us a pattern that is so very clear. He would serve others before Himself and that gave Him joy which He held dear. 

* “Who is on the LORD'S side?” Exodus 32:36. 

* “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high. . . ​ Psalm 113:5. 

* “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8. 

* “. . . what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:37. 

* “. . . when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? “Luke 18:8. 

* “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” Romans 6:1. 

* “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:3? 

* “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. 

* “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” I Corinthians 1:13. 

* “Am I therefore becoming your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16. 

* “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation . . .?” Hebrews 2:3. 

* “. . . what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” I Peter 4:17. 

* “For the great day of His wrath comes, and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17. 

 This verse from James is very closely related to what he said in 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation”. Temptations come against us fast and hard. And the devil has an army of assistants who pressure us to yield. We need help to resist. Where better to get help than from God himself? David ex- pressed this better than I can: “Who will help me against evil doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would have settled in silence. If I say, 'My foot slips, ‘your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up” (Psalm 94:16-18). Notice, when we “resist the devil” (James 4:7) our foot begin to slip. Even then if we call upon the Lord his mercy will hold us up. Again, David tells us, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:3). In time of temptation draw away from the crowd that entices you (resist the devil). Draw near unto God. He will hold you up and help you endure the temptation, and you will have joy in the victory. 

If you talk about your troubles, and tell them o'er and o'er, the world will think you like them and give you more and more