And Their Feet Swelled Not (Nehemiah 9:21) What an AMAZING chapter in God's Word is Nehemiah chapter 9!!! It is a chapter which deserves to be read every single day of our lives. Such a practice should surely get us started down the road toward a proper respect for and love of God Almighty and a deeper respect for His will in our lives. It was a part of my daily Bible reading on Thursday, and I am thankful to be able to write a few lines to encourage you to read it, as well. I have confidence that spiritual fruit will be produced as a result, to the glory of God. This great chapter of some 38 verses is mostly composed of a prayer to God from His people. It is actually a NATIONAL CONFESSION OF SINS, if you will. It is one of the most beautiful prayers you will ever find anywhere from any time period. Please, will you stop reading these words and read Nehemiah chapter 9? It should take no longer than eight minutes. Before I give attention to the title of this article, let me suggest what has led up to this great point of REVIVAL among the people of God. 1. First, there was the godly influence of one of the Bible's greatest leaders for God - Nehemiah. 2. Second, was the accomplishment of the massive task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership in only 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). 3. Third, there was a desire of the people to hear the Word of God. They showed great respect toward its reading, even standing up to hear it being read to them (Nehemiah 8:5). 4. Fourth, when it was discovered that they had not been obeying the voice of the Lord, they repented of those ways. They began again to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, a powerful indicator of their changed hearts (Nehemiah 8:13-18). 5. Fifth, Nehemiah and the leadership emphasized that these developments must be viewed not as a time to weep or sorrow or grieve, but to rejoice (Nehemiah 8:10-11). What stunning developments arose from God using ONE precious soul who truly “got it” concerning obedience to God and His will! Here is the heart of Nehemiah: “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,” (Nehemiah 1:4). This was Nehemiah's reaction to news that Jerusalem's walls had not been rebuilt. He felt compelled to become PERSONALLY INVOLVED to remedy that tragic circumstance. Just one of many beautifully descriptive statements of God's faithfulness to His people in chapter 9 is found at 9:21 “…and their feet swelled not”. I use it here as a summary of all God did for His people. The expression describes one of the ways God cared for His people during the period of the Wilderness Wandering, which we read about in the book of Numbers. On the occasion of this great prayer in Nehemiah, signaling the revival of a sense of need for pleasing God, the people were reminded of God's goodness toward their fathers. He had taken care of their every need even though they proved to be a rebellious, murmuring, and unthankful people. Here, in response to the goodness of God, the people were stirred to faithfulness. They became embarrassed about the way their fathers had been lacking in that quality and they made a determination not to follow in that same pathway. Is it not high time (Romans 13:11-14) for us to use the goodness of God as motivation for faithful service as well (Ephesians 2:10)? What might come to your mind fitting in the category of feet that did not swell? -David Lemmons www. lemmonsaid.wordpress.com

Elgin Family News and Announcements

Next Sunday - Potluck after morning worship.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Sunday: The men will have a business meeting at 5 p.m. and the ladies will meet upstairs to sign cards.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Sunday night: Devotional and song service.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 17 - Vacation Bible School at the Jamestown church.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 24 - Vacation Bible School at the McCreary church, Whitley City, KY on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 31 - Vacation Bible School hosted by the Wartburg church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Frozen Head State Park. Theme: God & Nature.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 31 - Teen Devotional hosted by Tom and Ellen Collins from the Jamestown church.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We rejoice with Colby (C.J.) Garrett, who was baptized into Christ June 25 at camp. He and his brother, Tyler Myers, live in Jamestown, but ride the church van when staying with their grandmother in Elgin.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIRTHDAYS: Danny Draughn (July 8); Matthew Sergent (July 9); Trystan Sergent (July 9).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anniversary: Wally and Peggy Baker (July 4) - 23 years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECENT VISITORS: Quinnton DeShawn Hamby, Vanessa Creamer, Jessie Hughett, Cody Turner, Bethany Hatfield, Brittney & Kayla Leighty, Macy & Emily Bunch, Christa Simmons, Dawn Huckeby & Lily & Elly of Robbins; David Mulligan of Oneida; Hannah Thompson of Resaca, GA.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Requests: Kelli Bailey; Lauren Baker; Estle Blaylock; Erica Todd Byrd; Marie Byrd (cancer); Adam Chambers; Glen Cordell; George Cross; David Duncan (friend of Tim Freels); Elsie Ellis; Paul Ellis (cancer); Reagan Free (1 month old baby of Tim and Judy Free, friends of Wendell); Sheila (K) Freels; Heather Griffith; Kent Leach & family; Mike Norman; James Phillips (Dewayne's father); Wanda Phillips; Tonya Sergent; Betty Sexton; Louise Sexton; Shane and Angel Sexton; Justin Smith; Tray Smith; Cheryl Strunk (lung cancer); Cecil Tinin (Tom's brother); Sammie Tinin; Mike and Linda Warner (health); Chuck West (Highland Steel); Tom Wheeler (Elsie's son-in-law); Teresa Young; AND Ryan Bailey; Bakers (NC then who knows??); Loseys (OK); Poseys (Indiana); Thornthwaites; Tom Tinin (AL); all others who are traveling, our military, everyone affected by the oil spill, and all political leaders of our nation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOOD PANTRY ITEMS CANNED FRUITS

The Dart

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, as Sally walked into the seminary class, she knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.
Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry. He would then allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of the person who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting great detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally very much looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.
As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she did not have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus - holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith dismissed the class with these words: “…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
No other words were necessary. Tears filled the eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

-The Main Street Harbinger, Milan, TN

Jesus Is

* The One who often wept (John 11:35), yet He dries our tears (Revelation 7:17; 21:4).
* The One who was sold for the price of a common slave (Exodus 21:31; Matthew 26:15), yet He redeemed man from his sins (1 Peter 1:18-19).
* The One who was led as a lamb to the slaughter (Acts 8:32), yet He is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
* The One who gave His life (Galatians 2:20), and by His dying made it possible for us to be saved (Mark 16:16).

-V. P. Black, House to House/Heart to Heart
-Both articles via THE SOWER, Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL-

Please continue to pray for our military leaders and those who are serving under them and their families waiting here at home.

---

-In Search of the Lord's Way - Sundays at 7 a.m. on Fox 43 (cable channel 11). -The Bible View - Sundays at 3:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on cable channel 5. -Preaching the Gospel - Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on WBXX 20 (cable channel and at 8 a.m. on Direct TV channel 321.

Our congregation members are striving to each read through the Bible in a year. The web page address for each month's schedule is shown below. It will open in a new window, so simply close the window in order to return to this page.

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/journey/readme.htm?level=beginning