Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Dr. David Rifenberick at the loss of his wife, Elaine Rifenberick, on Friday, August 4. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, at 11 a.m. in Lockport, Illinois. The service will be live-streamed. Details will be posted the day prior on Elaine’s Facebook page at www.facebook.comelaine.rifenberick. Dr. Rifenberick’s home address is 233 S. Raynor Avenue, Joliet, Illinois 60435.
LADIES'/MEN'S SOFTBALL GAMES & COOKOUT: are taking place on Saturday, September 2, from 4 until 8 p.m. Sign-up at the Welcome Desk - to play, attend the cookout, and/or bring a food item to share. Please see Kellie Muller with any questions.
JOYFUL CONNECTION: The monthly meetings of the Joyful Connection Ladies Bible Study will resume on September 11, at 6:45 p.m. in Rooms 417-418. They will be studying I & II Peter this year, using Dorothy Davis' book Your Faith on Trial. The book is available for $11. Please see Marie Kitzmiller or Nadine Roberts or call 443-547-9582 for more information.
From My Heart
The Bible
By Dr. Shelton L. Smith
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
Our success as servants of God is largely dependent upon our unwavering fidelity to the great tool He has given us – the Bible. Without it we cannot be “thoroughly furnished” for any work to which He calls us. Through it we are taught, reproved, corrected, and trained for all the experiences and endeavors of the Christian life.
Voluminous criticism of the Bible pours like raging floods from those who do not believe it is God’s inspired Book. Some do not like its ministry of “reproof” and “correction” through its message of judgment upon sin; others have been led into disbelief by infidel professors or friends. In either case, Satan “hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (II Corinthians 4:4)
The treasures of the Bible are sometimes deep beneath the surface, and it can take meticulous effort to draw them from its depths. An unbeliever or an antagonist of the Bible could hardly be expected to go to the trouble of seeking solutions to seeming difficulties, so it is natural that they will miss much of what God has said, misunderstand His meaning, and misrepresent it when speaking of it to others. Why should we go to them to hear what they have to say about the Bible?
Through the centuries and still today notably brilliant men have given themselves to God because they were convinced the Bible is true. They took the necessary time to read and made the necessary effort to meditate, while humbling themselves before the Author of the Bible. Those who love the Word of God are the ones who can explain the truth with assurance, and surely, they should be our source of information about it.
Get in the Book!