The BIBLICAL MESSENGER

9th & Main
CHURCH OF CHRIST
San Angelo, Texas

EMail: COC9thandmain@netzero.net

ASSEMBLIES
SUNDAY

Bible Classes	9:30 am
Morning Worship	10:30 am
Evening Worship	5:00 pm

WEDNESDAY

Bible Classes

7:00 pm

ELDERS

John Mayfield	Benny Rogers
Ed Roper	Jim Vinson

DEACONS

Don Cheek

Dennis Reed

MINISTER

John Hobbs

LETTING GO

     I heard a story once about a group of scientists who were on a mission to capture a particular species of monkey in order to study them. It was important that the monkeys be brought back alive and well. The scientists devised a trap consisting of a small jar with a long neck. A few nuts were placed in each jar and each jar was staked out and anchored to the ground.
     When the monkey smelled the nuts, they would reach in through the long neck and grab handful of nuts. But when they tried to withdraw the nuts, they discovered that their clenched fist would not pass through the narrow neck of the bottle. So, they were trapped because they were unwilling to let go of the nuts.
     That reminds me of us sometimes. How often are we trapped, or remain captive because we are unwilling to "let go" the past and move forward confidently facing the future
     God has in store for us!
We all have problems. You do. I do, But I sometimes believe that many of them stem from our own self containment in long necked bottles, bound by our stubborn unwillingness to "let go."
     The monkey had the power to open his fist and "let go" to be free. We, too, have the power to "let go" of fear, worry, resentment, regret and whatever it is in the past that keeps us trapped and unable to live in the marvelous freedom God gives us each day.
     Turn it loose! Live! Enjoy! "This is the day the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it."

Jim Hyder

(Copied from Coahoma COC bulletin "We Are Family".)

This weeks Bible question:

What caused Saul's "evil spirit" to leave him?

Answer next week.

Answer to last week's question.

Joseph is the only Old Testament man who we are told was buried in a coffin. (Gen. 50:26) [Who was the only Old Testament man who we are told was buried in a coffin?]

Daphne Cheek will be attending a college course at Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo. For the next 3 weeks.
Ask her Dad for her address:
She would appreciate a card or letter.

Last day to make sure you have a new picture in the picture directory is July 13. We hope to start assembling the directories on July 14, and begin distribution on July 30.

In the absence of Bro. Hobbs, Bro. Dan Anderson will teach the adult class on Wednesday night, July 16. Let's all come out and support his efforts.

Lessons from Noah:

Plan ahead. It was not raining when Noah built the ark.
Build your future on high ground.
Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a Rainbow waiting.

COMING EVENTS

July 13 -	Brother Hobbs will be conducting a Gospel Meeting in Arkansas. Brother Jim Vinson will be our speaker for A.M. services. Brother Danny Duggan from Cherokee Children's Home will be our speaker at the P.M. services
July 19 -	The Reed family will depart for this year's missionary work in Mexico. The Reeds pay their own personal expenses, but we should give them all financial help we can to pay for their other expenses, such as Bibles, tracts, clothing and building supplies used in their work.

If you wish to help with the work in Mexico, make your check out to the church and mark it for this purpose. Just place your check, along with your regular contribution in the collection plate, or hand it to Velton or one of the elders.

August 3 -	Pot-luck Sunday.
August 4-	Medina Children's Home grocery truck will be here to pick up PINE SOL. Let's give generously. This item is not available at the food bank, so we need to purchase it and bring it to the building or donate cash so they can buy it from their resources.

Presently, the "Mexico Mission Fund" stands at $885. We still have nearly two weeks to get our donations in. Let's help all we can.

From the pen of John Hobbs:

Evangelism - The Lifeblood Of The Church

      It has been said many times - - "The church that doesn't reach out will soon fade out!" How true! The church that is not concerned with numbers will soon not have any. We need to remember that numbers represent souls!
      Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel" (Mark 16:15). We must do this! This has been called The Great Commission. Unfortunately, The Great Commission has become The Great Omission in many churches. God has called us to be fishers of men and not keepers of the aquarium.
      Every Christian must be involved. Acts 8:4 says, "They therefore that were scattered went about preaching the word." Notice the ordinary Christian, the lay Christian, went about preaching the word.
      How can I preach? Good question.

Invite someone to come.
Give someone a tract.
Invite someone to your house.
Set up a Bible Correspondence course.
Give someone a good Bible based book.
Ask someone if they would like to study the Bible.
Become active in the visitation program.
Etc., etc., etc.

I have personally seen three churches more than double. I am not concerned with the fruit, but I am concerned with sowing the seed. I fully believe if we will sow the seed, and water it, God will give the increase (I Cor. 3:6). One reason some churches are not growing is because they are not sowing the seed!
Let us at Ninth & Main sow the seed. May God bless you.

In Christian Love,
John Hobbs