HIGHLAND DRIVE          CHURCH OF CHRIST

To worship and serve God we: Teach The Lost, Care For The Needy, Edify The Saved             Phone: (573) 785-2679                                             E-Mail: hilandcc@mycitycable.com                                   Fax: (573) 785-1139 www.poplarbluff.churchofchristwebs.com

February 5, 2012

India Missions Report

The following report is from Vernon, per telephone conversation, on Wednesday, February 1:

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Rejoice with the angels in heaven -- there have been 219 people baptized during our three weeks in India. We have taught in more than seventy congregations.

The women worked in Kakinada and the surrounding villages. The women had over 40 baptisms from their classes. There are three women who translated for them. Their names are Ruth, Juanita, and Jasmine. We are so thankful to God for the Christian lives of these women. We are thankful for their ability to translate. The women traveled different times, some taking as long as two hours. Most roads are rough -- some of them very rough. The women had some sickness from time to time, but the work went very well.

The men traveled around a much larger area, many nights staying in towns other than Kakinada. And on one of those trips, which was a Saturday night, when we departed from the train and got to the hotel, I realized that I had left my bag on the train. The train had already left when we got back to the station, so the train policeman called the next station which was about 60-70 miles away. When the policeman there searched the train, he found my bag. It was very frightening because my passport was in the bag and I had just cashed $3,000 in travelers checks, and the cash was in the bag. The next morning, I called and was told they had the bag. So that morning Vijay and I traveled by taxi to that town. We arrived at 6:50 a.m. The man said it would be about 10 minutes and he would get the bag for me. At about 7:00 a.m. they gave me the bag with everything in it.

Since I had such a large amount of cash, they called the police commissioner. He came at 9:30 a.m. He had the local policeman write a report while we waited. The Commissioner actually dictated the information to him. They asked me to write a report stating that I had received the bag and I listed all the contents. Then they took all the contents out and put them on the table and everyone gathered to have their picture made. At 12:00 noon, Vijay and I were free to leave. So it took 10 minutes to get the bag and 5 hours to fill out the report and take pictures!

When we started home, Vijay told me, "God is good to you." He did not think we would ever get the bag or contents back. Now he is telling at all the meetings about the incident. He tells them that my bag is the "prodigal bag."

Lord willing, we will see everyone Sunday morning. It has been a wonderful trip. We will be glad to be home with you.

Love, Vernon

IN OUR PRAYERS...

Please continue to remember the following in your prayers: Pat Ivy, Dathel Webber, Floyd and Marvella Howe, Betty Watson, Roxie Miller, Harold Culp, Earl Curry, Sharon Mathis (Kathy Harty's sister) JoAnn Lansford's great grandson Braylen, Cloyce Sowell, Mary Gilley (Judy Curry's mother), Kim Woodhouse (cousin of Kathy Knowles), David Barton (Nadine Barton's son), Yvonne Salyer, Larry Gilley (Judy Curry's brother), Tammy Howell (Nellie Wagner's daughter), David Jones (Georgia Ashby's brother), Caroline Melton (Wanda Ashby's cousin), and Margie Wells

Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Dora Zadnick who recently passed away. The funeral service was on Tuesday. Please keep this family in your prayers.

NURSING HOMES: Wanda Ashby – River Mist; Mary Dover and Betty Watson – Oakdale; James Weathers - Manor; Emily Smith - Westwood; Joann Godwin - Cedargate; Marvella Howe - Mark Twain; and Elsie Coleman and Margaret Donica are in Assisted Living at Oakdale.

FAMILY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Elders would like to thank the congregation for the exceptional 5th Sunday contribution. The congregation was able to apply $3,505.00 to the Building Principal Debt Fund.

Thank you note: Dear Highland Drive Family, Thank you so much for your donation of $50 toward my mission trip this July to India. It's because of soft hearts like yours that make these opportunities possible. God bless your congregation! Love, Brett Dollins (daughter of Rod and Susan Dollins)

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You're Invited

to a Baby Shower for Leah Williams

Sunday, February 12

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Church Building Basement.

(Leah is registered at Wal-Mart and

(Eric & Leah are having a baby girl)

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17th Annual Ladies Day, Doniphan Church of Christ, Saturday, April 14, 2012, with theme "Love One Another." Registration and breakfast, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

Bible Bowl 2011-2012. Quizzes will begin at 2:00 p.m. as follows: March 11 at Green Forest in Poplar Bluff; and April 15 at Jackson (see bulletin board for further information).

The next food/supply pick-up for the Children's Homes will be April 16, 2012. Featured items on this quarter's list are: Cold Cereal, Bottled Apple Juice, All-Fabric Bleach, Aluminum Foil, Non-aerosol Bathroom Cleaner, and Rubber Gloves.

Guest Article

When God Is Listening

“...that you would...remember me!” Job’s cry (Job 14:13), is not unlike the cry we have heard from souls today, or perhaps have even uttered ourselves. Job’s brief statement reflects the essence of most of our fears and troubles; the desire to be remembered and not forgotten, the hope we will have a meaningful connection in our lives. For many, these connections are present. They come in the form of loving husbands and supportive wives. These connections are found with honorable children and noble parents. We find meaningful connection in the household of God, among God’s family. For many, these are the connections which bring comfort to the soul.

For many more, these connections are a mere dream, a wish unfilled, a passing thought, left only to ponder and not possess. Perhaps now, in this generation, in this age, in this time, when the news could not be more bleak about finances and the economy, jobs and physical security, now is the time when we speak with the resounding voice of reassurance “Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1).  Our studies of recent days have pointed us to the reassurance from God -- He is present and ready to help. He is near to each of us, if we will seek Him (Acts 17:27). But does He hear us? More than any other author in scripture, the Psalmist uses the phrase, “hear me” when calling, literally crying out to God. This cry is distinct from the petitioner, much more so than prayer. Do not misunderstand -- God’s ears are still attentive to prayer (II Chronicles 7:15). He is listening for those hearts who make appeal to Him and come before His throne. Paul’s encouragement was to guard every step of life in prayer (Phil 4:6-7). We see the living example of Jesus relying on prayer in His life (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12). Yet our cry to God, our calling to Him, our “crying out” to His holy name has a great power and blessing waiting for us.  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).

We read it, but do we believe it? There is much taught and insisted in that great verse of comfort. First, it is insisted that the righteous cry out. Righteousness of the heart and soul must not be overlooked or underestimated.  "There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Righteousness does not come from our own making or creating. Righteousness for mankind comes only through embracing the righteousness offered to us.  “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Cor 5:21). Our sinless savior took the brunt and punishment for sin as the perfect sacrifice, and in His righteousness we are made whole.

God’s connection to us is not severed. He has sent His Son as a seal and a promise that we have neither been forgotten nor abandoned. His Son now serves as a mediator between God and man, so that when we approach the Lord through Jesus, we have assurance He will hear (John 14:13). Not only will God hear those made righteous by His Son, He will deliver them from “all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). This is the kind of deliverance only God can provide, the kind which frees the soul from the limitations of the flesh, and points us to the assurance of God’s eternal provision. “I pray and I pray, but I don’t think God is there.” Have you examined your life as in II Corinthians 13:5? Have you “cried out” to the “Most High God” (Psalm 57:2)? God is ready to hear our cry, and answer our call, but there must be the readiness on our part to break our silence, and “cry out” to Him.

-- Bryan McAlister, Preacher, Church of Christ, Centerville, Tennessee

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What life means to us is determined not so much by what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to life; not so much by what happens to us as by our reaction to what happens.

-- Lewis L. Dunnington

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A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!"

(taken from the Voice of Truth International)

SALVATION

HEAR:

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Read also Matthew 7:24-27

BELIEVE:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Read also Mark 16:15-16, James 2:24, John 12:42

REPENT:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Read also Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3

CONFESS:

Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If you believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Read also Matthew 10:32-33

BE BAPTIZED:

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Read also Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:3-4

REMAIN FAITHFUL:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Read also Revelation 2:10

Week of January 29, 2012

Sunday Bible Class ..................... 107

Sunday Morning Worship .........  148

Sunday Evening Worship …......    93

Wednesday Bible Study .............   87

5th Sunday Contribution .......... $6,005.00

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