What it Means to "Wait" For His Son From Heaven The Apostle Paul commends the Christians in Thessalonica for their faithfulness. He tells them that the news of their faith has spread beyond their home. Other Christians have heard of their commitment to the Lord Jesus (I Thessalonians 1:6-8). In I Thessalonians 1:6 we are told that they were imitators of the Lord. It was not a “bed of roses” for them when they accepted the Lord Jesus and began to follow Him. They became an example to others. Oh that it could be said of us today that we live lives so close to Jesus that others will want to “conform to the image of the Son of God”! They left a life of idol worship with no hope of salvation and no hope of an eternity outside of the “Lake of Fire.” We are told in I Thessalonians 1:9 that they made a complete turn around in their lives and identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 1:10 gives us the words in our title. Jesus is coming again! That is not just a pipe dream, it is a reality! We don’t know when He will come. It may be today. We are told here to be “waiting” for His return. What does that entail? Waiting for the Lord Jesus in the Scripture means that while we are waiting we are “watching,” and working for Him. We sing a song written by Fanny Crosby, “Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching, In His glory they shall share; If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will He find us watching there?” True waiting involves working for the Lord Jesus – not a working to be saved but a working because you are saved. We are saved by grace through faith, in baptism unto good works. Let’s be like the Thessalonians and be a people who live our lives for the Lord so that others see us and glorify God (Matthew 5:14-16). -Larry Miles Louisville, KY

Elgin Family News and Announcements

Please remember in prayer the family and friends of Lary Bridges. He was a cousin of Wil Thornthwaite.

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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.

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

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Next Sunday – Potluck Fellowship at Elgin after morning worship.

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Next Sunday – Men's Business Meeting at 5 p.m. Ladies meet upstairs to sign cards.

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Next Sunday night – Devotional and Song Service.

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August 1-5 – Vacation Bible School at the Clinton church for all ages. Sunday at 6 p.m. and Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. Theme: Jungle Journey.

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August 7 - Elgin Teen Devotional hosted by Wil and Carrie Thornthwaite.

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August 21 – Tennessee Smokies Baseball Game.

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BIRTHDAYS: Stephanie Posey (July 29).

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We have 4 young people leaving for a week of camp this afternoon: Xzien Creamer – Madison Hughett – Brooklyn Hutson – Nick Massengale.

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RECENT VISITORS: Rachel Isabel, Audrie & Kynlie Frogge, Tyler Myers, Destiny Huckeby, Brian Soloe, Charles Beasley of Robbins; Gracie Losey of Helenwood; George and Anne Cross, Beth Donock & Noah & Jonah of Oneida; Hannah Thompson of Resaca, GA; Justin Young of Atlanta, GA.

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Prayer Requests: Joe Arnold; Pat Billingsley; Estle Blaylock; Carol Butler (skin cancer, Barb Posey's mother); Erica Todd Byrd; Marie Byrd (cancer); Glen Cordell; George Cross; David Duncan (friend of Tim Freels); Elsie Ellis; Paul Ellis (cancer); Sheila (K) Freels; Rose Gibson; Keiana Gillum (20 months old, Ray Lewellen's granddaughter); Heather Griffith; Gary Muse (Sammie Tinin's brother; Mike Norman; Edna Parnell; James Phillips (Dewayne's father); Robby Savage (Kim's brother); Tonya Sergent; Betty Sexton; Louise Sexton; Shane and Angel Sexton; Eddie Smith (pneumonia); Justin Smith; Tray Smith; Howard Strausburg (Beverly Savage's father); 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); Betty Young; Sheildia Young; Teresa Young; all who are traveling, our military, everyone affected by the oil spill, and all leaders of our nation.

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FOOD PANTRY ITEMS CANNED FRUITS

What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

We’ve sung these words many times, but does God’s grace truly amaze us? It should. The word “amazing” implies “that which causes a strong emotional reaction; causing astonishment, that which enthralls.” (Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary/Thesaurus). What is it about grace that should cause astonishment that enthralls the emotions? What is so amazing about grace?
Consider the inspired statement from Paul found in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Grace is a gift. When it comes to your soul’s salvation, you have no purchase power. Salvation is a “gift,” paid for in full by the blood of Jesus and freely given to those who through faith accept it in obedience. What an astonishing truth!
Grace becomes even more amazing when one considers the spiritual security it provides. There are few things in this life upon which one can safely rely, but God’s gift of grace brings the assurance that eternity in heaven can be ours.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

What a splendid thought! Will I be employed next year? Will gasoline be as affordable as it is today? Will the homeowner mortgage crisis pass, or will it worsen? Much about the future is unknown. God’s promises, however, are sure. As people who have accepted the will of the Father in obedience to the gospel, we are able to live “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2).
Amazing grace! God’s grace fills life with sweetness and brings joy beyond what the world can provide. Praise to God will echo in eternity because He, astonishing as it is, provided for our salvation at the cost of His own Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Amazing!

-Johnny Hester
Shady Acres Church of Christ
Sikeston, MO

How Do You Spell C-R-O-S-S?

"SEE"
Look at Calvary. Don't turn away. I know it's not easy. What is done to Him is shameful. I know. But, look closely! Past the spittle – beyond the blood – there – in His eyes. Friend, that is love. It is love for you! See the nails in His hands and feet, fastening Him to a tree He created for man's use. Look at the love He has for you!

"ARE"
Are you able to see that He bled and died for you? Are you willing to admit that you are lost without Him? Are you ready to submit to His will, to obey Him, and to live for Him? Are you prepared for eternity? Are you convinced?

"OH"
Hear the cries of pain and agony – the death of a thousand deaths – bitter moans of His disciples – the gasp of heaven's angels – the sorrow of a Father for His only begotten Son – the gasps and exclamations of a hateful mob.

"SS"
That's the hiss of the beguiling serpent. The one who is bruising the heel of the perfect One (Genesis 3:15), putting God the Son in the tomb. This is the moment of his triumph. Though resurrection will soon bring the ultimate victory for Christ and hope for man. At the cross of Calvary, the devil must be enjoying his front row seat. Doesn't he anger you? Disgust you? Motivate you? Live for Jesus. Don't live for the snake!

Friends, the cross spells the difference between heaven and hell, hope and helplessness, joy and sorrow, day and night! The cross spells life!

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross…" (Ephesians 2:16).

-copied from House to House/Heart to Heart

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:8-10

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16

"A person may make many mistakes in working for the Lord,
but he makes a much greater mistake in not working for Him.”

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

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-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