Run to the Bands of Love
“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love…” Hosea 11:4
Our heavenly Father often leads us with the cords of love; but how slow we are to run toward Him! How reluctantly we respond to His gentle impulses! He leads us to exercise a more simple faith in Him; but we have not yet learned to trust like Abraham. We do not leave our worldly cares with God, but, like Martha, we burden ourselves with much serving. Our meager faith brings leanness to our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them.
Does He not this evening lead us to trust Him? Can we not hear Him say, “Come, My child, and trust Me. The curtain is opened; enter into My presence, and come boldly to the throne of My grace. I am worthy of your complete confidence; cast your cares on Me. Shake yourself from the dust of your cares, and put on the garments of joy.” But, sadly though called with tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will not come.
At another time He leads us to closer communion with Himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God’s house, and He invites us into the banqueting hall to eat with Him, but we decline the honour. There are secret rooms not yet opened to us, which Jesus invites us to enter, but we hold back.
Shame on our cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to be His servants, much less to be His brides, and yet He has exalted us to be bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, married to Him by a glorious marriage-covenant.
Herein is love! But it is a love that takes no denial. If we do not obey the gentle leadings of His love, He will send affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with Himself. He is determined to bring us close to Him. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and in doing so to bring upon ourselves painful discipline, which He exercises for our good! – C.H. Spurgeon
The Lord’s Day Services
| Sunday, May 22nd | 10:00a.m. | Sunday School classes for all ages.
Adult Bible Class – Study on God’s Existence & Attributes – Dr. Frank McClelland |
| 11:00a.m. | Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders | |
| 6:00p.m. | Pre-Service Prayer Meeting | |
| 6:30p.m. | Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders |
Weekly Announcements
| Wednesday, May 25th | 7:25p.m. | Prayer Meeting & Bible Study |
| Friday, May 27th | 9:00a.m. | Women’s Morning Bible Study |
| 7:00p.m. | Good News Bible Club |
Advance Announcements
| Sunday, May 29th | 11:00a.m. | Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders |
| 6:30p.m. | Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
Fellowship & refreshments following the evening service. Team #4 is on Set-up and Clean-up |
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| Wednesday, June 1st | 7:25p.m. | Prayer Meeting & Bible Study |
| Thursday, June 2nd | 7:30p.m. | Youth Fellowship – Final Meeting for this year. |
| Friday, June 3rd | 7:00p.m. | Good News Bible Club |
Please Pray For:
Memorize Scripture
Congregational Memory Verses
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Vacation Bible School – August 8 – 12, 2016
We will be holding our Vacation Bible School program during the week of August 8th – 12th in the evening, if you are interested in helping, please sign the sheet in the foyer of the church.
