“And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

We don’t like to admit it, but what the people around us think and say has a big influence in our own thinking. I have heard people complain when preaching is hard and sin is condemned. These will say, “Teach the way Jesus did. Teach about love and concern for others.” Jesus did teach about love and His instructions will lead us to show our concern for those in physical and spiritual need. Just as importantly, Jesus talked about hell. In fact, Jesus talked about hell more than all other teachers. He promised heaven to those who followed Him, but also warned of hell to those who rejected him.

American society doesn’t want a set standard that will judge morality and lifestyle. The people around us want to establish their own standard and live by their own rules with no fear of judgment from anyone, including Jesus. We are accustomed to hearing the words of Jesus used out of context and misquoted, “Judge not.” We must understand that Jesus spoke of judgment more than anyone else and told us of rewards in heaven, but Jesus also taught of the reality of hell. Hell is not only real, but awaits those who are outside of Jesus and disobedient to His word. Listen to the words of Jesus. “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22). He also said, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). Again, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-44)

In the parable of the talents, Jesus pronounced the slave who hid his talent guilty and deserving of hell. “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). In that same chapter Jesus gives us a glimpse of judgment. Those who have not served Jesus by doing His will were separated to the left. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

The existence of hell is just as much a reality in the preaching of Jesus as the existence of heaven. The reward of heaven for God’s faithful is no more certain than the punishment of everlasting fire in hell for those who refuse to follow Jesus. Surveys tell us that more than half the population in the United States doesn’t believe in the existence of hell. Some people say that a loving God would not send His creation there. Just remember, we cannot build a box and put God in it. We must accept Him as He has revealed Himself.

Adapted — Original from South Florida Avenue’s Bulletin

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad takes him into the forest blindfolded. He leaves him there, alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night, and not take off the blind-fold until the rays of the sun shine through it in the morning. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.

The boy was terrified as he could hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically... never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night... the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.
 
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Author Unknown
Submitted by Lisa Dodder

One day at a fast food restaurant I noticed a glob of food on the floor. I informed a clerk about the menacing lump but was taken back by the young man’s quick response, “Sorry, I’m on break!”

Regardless of the clerk’s work schedule, the mess was still there. The mess did not take a break from being a slippery hazard. The young clerk didn’t even bother to tell his co-worker or manager about it. A person should have a better work ethic and not allowed such a problem to go unresolved, especially in this age of lawsuits.

How often are we like that with our Christianity? We are on break when we should be fighting the good fight. Many Christians even forsake the assembly when on vacation since no one is watching. I once heard of a preacher who refused to say the prayer of thanks before a family meal, saying, “I’m on vacation!”

One thing we can be sure of—Satan is not resting. He is not on break. We must always be on guard. Peter well knew of the powers of the devil who desired to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31). Much older and wiser in the Lord, he later wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned us to always be ready: “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” (Mark 13:37).

A word of comfort to supplement the warning: Our Lord is alive and alert: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). Thankfully, our Lord never takes a vacation from us.

Copied — Author Unknown

Prayer List Policy

We try very diligently to keep up with everyone who is sick and in need of prayer. But as they say, We don’t know, what we don’t know!” Please help us to be as informed as we can be. In turn we will let the congregation know when you or a loved one is sick so that we can be praying for you. Those who appear on “Our Sick” (the top portion of our list) are only those who are members here at the River Road congregation. This would include all of our seasonal members as well. Those on our “Family & Friends” list are friends and relatives of our members. This would also include those who may or may not be members of the church as well as former members. In both lists, we try to place names in order depending on the severity of the problem and/or the most recent on the list. Bear with us as this involves some judgment calls to be made from time to time. Although our goal is to pray for all those who request our prayers, as we move from week to week (unless a specific request is made) some people will be removed from the list. If you feel someone needs to stay on our prayer list a little longer, just let us know and we will be glad to add them once again.