The Encourager. July 22, Sunday Service s Bible class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Afternoon 2:00 pm. Tuesday Ladies Class 11:00 am

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1 The Encourager Church of Christ 140 West 15th Street Front Royal Virginia FrontRoyalChurchofChrist.com SimpleBibleLessons.com We Welcome Our Guest! We are so glad you ve come for worship today! Our prayer is you will be blessed by your time with us. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have concerning our worship. July 22, 2018 Sunday Service s Bible class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Afternoon 2:00 pm Tuesday Ladies Class 11:00 am Wednesday Service 7:00 pm Personal Bible Study SimpleBibleLessons.com Online Correspondence In Home RSW Jail Ministry Correspondence 2nd & 4th In House Food Pantry By Appointment Minister John Stephen Smith ministerfrcoc@gmail.com

2 The Cracked Acorn Handwriting July 22, 2018 c.r. van arsdall Maybe you haven't noticed it but handwriting has entered a state of demise. I am not sure if we can blame it on doctors' prescriptions or if this is a byproduct of the information age. Using a keyboard your fingers can fly at amazing speeds conveying thoughts and facts that can be saved and edited over and over till every word & sentence is perfect. Try this with your ballpoint or your old fashion NO# 2 lead pencil. You will find the words have to stand in line while you make those graceful curves and slants and spaces. Teachers are discovering students would rather word process an essay rather than to take the time to write one. In grade school I had to use a right-hand desk while I was trying to write left-handed. Fortunately I was never pressured to change so I developed my own style. Later, I found out many left-handers wrote upside down and backwards and did all kinds of contortions to perform the daily writing assignments. Maybe this is why "every year, 10 million letters end up undeliverable, in the dead letter boxes at post offices." (Quote by Bill Bostick-Bingham Farms handwriting expert). I grew up hearing people say, "put your John Hancock" on this! His was the eligible and bold signature on the Declaration of Independence. If we listen to the experts, handwriting began 3,000 or 8,000 years ago, take your pick. Ancient shells in China bear marks that could be symbols translated as "writing." Present day Iraq claims to be the home of handwriting. Those who follow the science of the earliest scribblings tell us that much more has to be unearthed before a positive answer is found. Will these findings tell us if the writer was "friendly, emotional, versatile, adaptable, flexible, agitated, stressful, intelligent, easygoing, theatrical, self-disciplined, a free thinker, cautious, generous and communicative?" Handwriting is said to reveal some of these traits about the individual. "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Revelation 20:12) Finally this old story, inspired maybe by Daniel chapter 5-- -A weary mother returned from the store, lugging groceries through the kitchen door. Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son, anxious to relate what his younger brother had done. "While I was out playing and Dad was on a call, T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall! It's on the new paper you just hung in the den. I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again." She let out a moan and furrowed her brow, "Where is your little brother right now?" She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride, she marched to his closet where he had gone to hide. She called his full name as she entered his room. He trembled with fear - he knew that meant doom! For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved About the expensive wallpaper, and how she had saved for it. Lamenting all the work it would take to repair, she condemned his actions and total lack of care. The more she scolded, the madder she got, then stomped from his room, totally distraught! She headed for the den to confirm her fears. When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears. The message she read pierced her soul with a dart. It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart. Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it, with an empty picture frame hung to surround it, a reminder to her, and indeed to all, take time to read the handwriting on the wall. (author unknown)

3 BSGFAA Chapter 3 Lesson 208 Bible Quiz: The Church at Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea Revelation 1. When David fled Jerusalem, he had the ark of God and the priests (a) stay with him or (b) return to Jerusalem. What did David say about his return to Jerusalem? 2 Samuel 15: When Jesus comes and all nations are gathered before Him, He will put the sheep on His side, and the goats on His side. Matthew 25:33 3. When was Jesus kingdom prepared? Matthew 25:34 4. After a person has first obeyed the teachings, what must he do in order to have the Father and the Son? 2 John 9 5. What did the false teachers say about Jesus? Describe these characteristics of the false teachers: (a) immoral, (b) unreasoning animals, (c) hypocrites, (d) murmurers and complainers, (e) respecter of persons, and (f) divisive. Jude 4, 12, 16, Describe the talk of false teachers. Who caused divisions? Jude How did God reveal the things contained in the book of Revelation to John? What did John hear? What did he see? Revelation 1:1, 10, In what manner will Jesus return? Who will see Him? Revelation 1:7 9. Where is the tree of life? Revelation 2:7 10. The church at Ephesus had left. Revelation 2:4 Additional Scriptures: 1. Jesus confesses faithful person s name before God. Matthew 10: Jesus did not promise life without trials, but help through them. John 16:33; Luke 21:17-19 Questions: 1. How many people in Sardis were not sinful? Revelation 3:4 2. The names of those who had overcome sin ere written in the book. Revelation 3:5 3. Yes or no, was it possible for a person to lose his crown? Revelation 3:11 4. Jesus would rather a person be (a) cold, (b) lukewarm, or (c) hot. What would Jesus do to people that were lukewarm? Revelation 3: For their sins the churches of Sardis and Laodicea were told to. Possibly why was the church of Philadelphia not told to repent? Revelation 3: 3, Jesus said he had sent his to give John this testimony for the churches. Revelation 22:16 7. What is the punishment for adding anything to this book? What is the punishment for taking away words from this book? Revelation 22:18-19 Application: on God s discipline Revelation 3:19

4 BSGFAA Lesson 209 Review of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses Questions: 1. Did God tell Abram the location of the land he was to go? Genesis 12:1 2. How was the gospel announced in advance to Abraham? Genesis 12:3 3. God said the descendants of Abram would be as numerous as and. Genesis 13:16; 15:5 4. Yes or no, did God tell Abram that his descendants would be slaves? Where? How long? Genesis 15:13 5. What did God tell Abraham to do as a test of his faith? Where? Genesis 22: Name the three promises made to Abraham by the angel of the Lord. Genesis 22: What was God s answer to Rebekah concerning the struggling of the babes within her? Gen. 25: What were the names of Isaac and Rebekah s twins? What was Esau s other name? Genesis 25: Who was first to receive Isaac s blessing? What was Isaac s reaction when he realized he had been tricked? Genesis 27:27-30, As a result of Isaac s blessing to Esau, what did Esau want to do to Jacob? Genesis 27: On his return to Canaan, what did Jacob do at Bethel? Genesis 35:3, Judah was the son of (a) Rachel, (b) Zilpah, (c) Leah, or (d) Bilhah. Genesis 35: Name Rachel s two sons. Genesis 35: How did Jacob (Israel) show that his favorite son was Joseph? Genesis 37:3 15. How did Joseph s brothers feel about their father s show of favoritism to Joseph? Genesis 37:4 16. The brothers decided to sell Joseph to who were going to. Genesis 37:25, Why was Joseph successful in all that he did? Genesis 39:2, 21, Why did Pharaoh put Joseph over Egypt to prepare for the coming famine? Genesis 41: Why did Joseph beg the brothers not to feel grief for having sold him? Genesis 45:5 20. How was God maintaining His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through Joseph? Genesis 45:7 21. What promise did God make Jacob concerning him and his family s going Egypt? Genesis 46: Why did the king fear the descendants of Jacob? Exodus 1: What did God tell Moses to do when he approached the burning bush? Exodus 3:5 24. Where did God tell Moses the Israelites would worship God when they came out of Egypt? Exodus 3:1, Who died when God sent the last plague? Exodus 11:5, How often were the Israelites to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Exodus 13:10 What were they to eat? Exodus 13:6 Why were they to observe the Feast? Exodus 13:8-9, God said every first-born male baby belonged to Him. How were first-born sons of the Israelites given to God? Of beasts? Exodus 13:2, How did God lead the Israelites in the day? At night? Exodus 13: How did God feed the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years? Exodus 16:4-5, 8, 12-16, What people on the earth belong to God? Exodus 19:5 35. What did God want the Israelites to do on the Sabbath? Why did God make the Sabbath holy? Exodus 20:25.

5 Serving Today Peter Diaz Carson Van Arsdall Tim Tewalt Mike McCool Song Service Jacob Lichliter Eugene Tewalt Scripture Reading Art Candenquist Cindy Candenquist 1 Deborah Baleskie 2 Kristie Tewalt 7 Hayden Tewalt 21 Jeanie Lichliter 21 Dylan Callaway 25 Art & Cindy Candenquist 3 Kelly & Susan Clark 22 July 22, lesson 12 in the Christian Conscience lessons 2:00 pm service. Instant or Canned Potatoes, and Dry Cereal Please see sign-up sheet for nursery duty during worship times. See front bulletin board. School Supplies: Please bring in school supplies. Back Packs will be provided. Sign-up for what month you can be a door greeter. Sign-up sheet on front bulletin board. Couples welcome. If you are interested in helping or being a teacher for a one day VBS next year please talk with Steve. Stay for the Bible Family Feud today at 12:30. Fun, Fun, Fun for everyone. Bring your lunch and stay. Tuesday Ladies Bible Class starts: August the 11:00. Prescription for a Woman s Soul is the study. Maureen Diaz to teach 1st chapter.

6 Unemployment Unemployed is living without a job or without work to be completed. The National Unemployment Rate as of June 2018 is at 4.0%. In summary, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 213,000 in June and the unemployed rate increased to 4.0%, according to the Department of Labor. In some states employment is higher and other states lower because of the job force in those areas and people looking for jobs in those states. These statics are subject to change shortly due to the new reports coming out in August. The work of the Lord s church is always or should be abounding. We as Christians are called to be working for the Lord at all times. First Corinthians 15:58 reads Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. The concept of unemployment in the Lord s work should be a foreign concept, but yet it is happening in the church s of Christ globally, I ve heard it said many times, There should never be any unemployed Christians within the church because of all the work that there is to be done! The concept of always abounding in the work of the Lord is something that we should all consider. Teaching, praying, encouraging, listening, giving, sending cards, helping those in need, evangelizing, visiting and many more things are works that need to be accomplished by all members of the church, not just the few. Since today s college freshmen were infants, roughly 1,200 Churches of Christ in the US alone have closed, and the number of men, women and children in the pews nationally has shrunk by 200,000. Our fellowship s declining numbers nationwide is an indication of serious consequences in the church. James 1: 12 reads Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. When each part is working properly, makes the body grow that it builds itself up in love Ephesians 4: When we are all working and doing the works of the Lord s church, the body will grow! We all must get involved and get to working so the body will grow. If not more church s of Christ will close their doors and continue to decline. The number of unemployed within the church should be 0%!

7 Jane McCool, traveling to see her mother for two weeks. Hazel Clark address: 250 N. Maguire Ave. Apt. 415 Tucson, AZ The Ploski Family Liddy Brewer, Jane s niece. Carlene Wendell Lee Stallings, pneumonia Gloria Van Arsdall, is in hospice care, at the nursing home. Rick Steele Richie and Michelle (Mike and Jane s daughter) Morris and children. Moving to Malaysia. Janet Jones Remi Wines Jeff Robbins Bobby Jo Henderson Philip (Pop) Funk in Lynn Care #221B Ray Stelzl Woody Bolton Diana Wines Tim Gunter Kenny Henderson Jr. Ruth Brooks Sharon Jenkins Jamie Shell Marty Jones Jamie James Lisa Settle Scott McCool Jaden Turner Doris & Donald Jones Carol & Doug Ritenour Dolores Williams RSW Jail Ministry Our nation and lawmakers The Lord s church Military men and women First Responders Our missionaries Our Homebound Audrey Herring John Woodall Nancy Barnes Cancer Diagnosis Janet Jenkins Jerry Eubanks C.R. Newlin Priscilla L Ron Parks Philip Funk Jr. Jackie Barbe Frank Couto Ryan Denharat Sandy Holzhauser Vita Torres Jeff Pingley Wendy Willoughby Elaine Appleton Robert Jenkins Come unto to me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. says Jesus, our Lord. Matthew 11:28 Names On This Page Will Periodically be removed. Please Keep Tenia Informed as to there Condition & or Status

8 3 Questions Every One Must Ask Themselves June 22, 2018 What Shall I Do Matthew 27:22 John 3:16, Matthew 11:28, John 8:32 Lord What Will Acts 9:3-6 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Psalm 61:2, Joshua 24:14-15 What Matthew 19:20 Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 15:18 When Baptism is Meaningless It was Sunday afternoon. The phone rang. The voice on the line was that of a man who had been a member of this church in times past. He now lives in another city, but had returned to Little Rock for a visit. "I want to talk to you about my baptism," he said. (I assumed that through the years he had learned more about baptism and thus was beginning to question whether his knowledge had been sufficient at the time he was immersed into Christ). "I suppose you are questioning your baptism because you now know more about the subject than you did when you were baptized? "'No. I'm questioning my repentance. For some time now, I have been making a study of the kingdom of God, and I see that repentance is always linked to entering the kingdom. I don t think I ever repented. When I was baptized, I didn't change my life. I kept on doing all of the things I had done before. I wonder how many people think there is something magical in baptism. In truth, baptism done by rote is meaningless. Repentance and baptism go together like love and marriage, or a horse and carriage. One without the other isn't sufficient. It is the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Peter is addressing those who have crucified the Lord and Christ. What will he tell them? In answer to their cry, "Brethren, what shall we do? Peter says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you... " (Acts 2:38). Repentance and baptism! They go together and must not be separated. John the Baptist knew mere washing without repentance would avail nothing. In fact, he even refused baptism to a group of religious leaders who requested it (a rather bold thing for any preacher to do). Instead of baptizing them, he said, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance... " (Matthew 3:7, 8). In the words of John Stott, "The faith which receives Christ must be accompanied by the repentance which rejects sins. What is baptism but a mere washing away of the filth of the flesh unless it is accompanied by repentance? I will tell you. It is nothing. John Gipson via Preacher Stuff, Harding University