New Jersey Police Department Officers, Robert Sobocinski and Ben Fox

Help! I'm Stuck!

Four-year-old Yasmeen "Nina" Saleh got stuck in her doll stroller. If you
see the video clip that her mother took, you'll wonder how she got it stuck
around her waist. But stuck it was, and Nina's mother couldn't get her out
of it, so she called the police for help.

Two Paramus, New Jersey Police Department Officers, Robert Sobocinski and
Ben Fox, arrived at the scene. Nina's mother videoed the officers while
they looked at the stroller to see how they could remove it from around the
little girl.

Nina got scared a few times as the officers looked at the stroller from
different angles. She feared that they might hurt her in the process of
removing it. The officers spoke calmly with her, telling her not to be
afraid.

After carefully examining the situation, the officers determined that if
they could break a particular piece of plastic on the stroller, then they
could remove it from Nina. They broke the piece of plastic, splitting the
stroller into two parts, freeing the relieved little girl. "Thank you so
much!" Nina exclaimed as she stepped away from the stroller.

The officers left, but one of them would return later. On their lunch
break, Sobocinski and Fox went to Target and purchased a similar stroller
for Nina. Sobocinski returned to Nina's home to present her with the new
stroller. Nina was elated! *

Nina's predicament when she was stuck in the stroller pictures our dilemma
in our sins. We've made some wrong choices, and we're stuck. We can't get
out; we need help! When it comes to our sins, our situation is grave
(Romans 6:23).

Nina's release pictures our salvation from sin. Jesus, the Son of God, came
to our rescue. He "gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us
from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father"
(Galatians 1:4 NASB).

We must simply cooperate with Jesus as He "does His work" of delivering us
from our sins. He accomplished our redemption on the cross when He died for
our sins (Ephesians 1:7). He has promised to wash us from our sins when we
accept His offer of salvation and a new, eternal life, on His terms (Romans
6:23).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

And what should be our response to God's amazing grace that frees us from
sin and death? Like Nina after her release and receiving her new stroller,
it should be overwhelming gratitude! Christ not only frees us from the
bondage of sin; He also gives a new life and eternal life to come!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Won't YOU accept the liberating gift of God's grace on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

Information gleaned from "New Jersey police officers rescue girl from doll
stroller, buy her a new one" by Ann W. Schmidt, www.foxnews.com

Sweet Bonnie

Sweet Bonnie

We don't see as many smiling faces these days due to the Covid masks, but we
can still see "smiling eyes."

Bonnie Crabtree had those "smiling eyes" with a beautiful smile to match.
Her smiling eyes were the kind that squinted because her smile was so big.
She smiled most of the time.

"Sweet" is a word that is often used to describe Ms. Bonnie. She was one of
the sweetest people I have ever known.

Her smile would often turn to laughter as well. She had a wonderful sense
of humor. On one occasion when I was visiting with her, I asked her about
some of the early members of the Fairview church of Christ, many of whom are
now deceased. Bonnie and Edward Crabtree were some of the first members of
the congregation. Ms. Bonnie told me about some of families that comprised
the Fairview church. Then she stopped and with a big smile on her face said
to me, "You must think I'm old because you keep asking me about a lot of
dead people!" We laughed together. That became a running joke with her. I
would call and say, "In our next visit, I want to ask you some questions
about Abraham Lincoln (or some other historical figure)." She would laugh
and her laugh would bring a big smile to my face. Just thinking of Ms.
Bonnie makes me smile.

About a month ago, Ms. Bonnie's daughter Lynda was sitting by her side. Ms.
Bonnie was hurting in her chest and she thought that her time of departure
was near. Lynda tried to console her by telling her that she didn't want
her to go, but that it would hurt her much more to see her suffer. Lynda
told her mother that she knew she was looking forward to seeing her loved
ones again, like her Mother, her Daddy, and her beloved Edward. Ms. Bonnie
replied that she was looking forward to seeing them again, but the one that
wanted to see the most was the Lord Jesus.

Ms. Bonnie's words reminded me of some lyrics in a song entitled "When All
My Labors and Trials are O'er" by Charles Gabriel:

"When, by the gift of His infinite grace, I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face, Will thro' the ages be glory for
me.

It isn't difficult for me to imagine on that glorious day when Jesus
returns, to see Ms. Bonnie rise from her grave and when she sees Jesus, her
beautiful smile will light up her smiling eyes.

That is the hope of a Christian. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a
living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,
reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

We are born again to a living hope when we place our faith and trust in
Jesus who died on the cross for our sins (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). God will continue to cleanse us from sin as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9), until the Day when Jesus returns to
take God's children to their eternal home.

Yes, sweet Bonnie, when by His grace to look on His face, that will be
glory, and it will be. sweet indeed.

-- David A. Sargent

P.S. In loving memory of sweet Bonnie Allsup Crabtree, August 5, 1927 -
November 25, 2020. Until we meet again.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Good Thanks

Good Thanks

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Keith Wishum writes about one family that sat down for a meal, and the
father asked his son to say a blessing.

"It won't do any good," the boy replied.

A little surprised, the dad asked, "Why not?"

"Because Mom made broccoli!"

Wishum ponders: "Of course, even for a kid who doesn't like broccoli, there
were things at the table for which he could have been grateful. Somebody
cooked dinner. He had a table at which to eat, and a house in which to sit.
Perhaps most importantly, he had a mom and dad with whom to share the
broccoli."

Wishum notes that the words that precede "Give thanks" in the Scripture
above are: "Be joyful always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Thanksgiving and joy
go together.

"Happiness doesn't bring gratitude; gratitude brings happiness. We won't
experience the joy unless we express the gratitude. Give thanks and feel joy
today," writes Wishum. *

For what are you thankful today?

Give thanks to God, the Giver of all good things. "Every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who
does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Of all of the blessings that God has given and continues to shower upon us,
the Greatest Blessing is the gift of His Son Jesus.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 ESV).

When we were perishing because of our sins, Jesus died on the cross to pay
the price for our redemption. "In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians
1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

During this Thanksgiving Holiday and every day, let us give good thanks -
especially for the salvation and eternal life that is found in Jesus!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

-- David A. Sargent
* From "Give Thanks to Feel Joy" by Keith Wishum in A Word from Williams
Road, provided by the Williams Road Church of Christ, Americus, Georgia.

David A. Sargent, Minister

List of things the Bible does not say

 

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY . . .? 

 

1. That the fruit Eve ate in the Garden of Eden was an apple? 

 

2. That there are many ways to heaven? 

 

3. That baptism is a work of human merit?  

 

4. That baptism is not essential to salvation?

 

5. That sprinkling and pouring are acceptable "modes" of baptism?

 

6. That any preacher was ever addressed as Reverend?

 

7. That all churches are acceptable to God and that one is as good as another?

 

8. That there were three wise men who visited the child Jesus?

 

9. That one is saved by faith only?

 

10. That all one has to do to be saved is to say the Sinner's Prayer?

 

11. That once a person is saved he/she is always saved?

 

12. That one should just let his conscience be his guide in religious matters?

 

13. That as long as one lives a good moral life he/she will be saved without being a member of the church?

 

14. That women served as apostles, preachers, and elders in the church?

 

15. That preachers should be called pastors?

16. That babies should be baptized?

 

17. That the bread and fruit of the vine on the Lord's Table become the literal body and blood of Christ when blessed by a priest?

 

18. That it is alright for Christians to be divided into various denominations?

 

19. That there is nothing in a name and that it does not make any difference what name one wears religiously?

 

20. That one can be a good Christian without attending the services of the church and engaging in specified acts of worship?

 

21. That the early church used instrumental music in its worship?

 

22. That one can marry and divorce for any reason and for as many times as one may desire, and the subsequent marriage(s) will still be acceptable to the Lord? 

 

23. That the Bible cannot be understood?

 

24. That we can all interpret the Bible differently because it says different things to different people?

 

25. That Christianity is a constantly evolving thing, and people may change and "adjust" the Bible to meet the changing opinions, attitudes, and actions that take place in the world down through the centuries? 

 

Like the Bereans, we need to search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

 

Hugh Fulford

The Simple Gospel Plan of Salvation

What Must I Do To Be Saved?
The Simple Gospel Plan of Salvation
 
Hear the truth                                       —  Romans 10:17
Believe the truth                                   —  Hebrews 11:6
Repent of sins                                     —  Luke 13:3
Confess faith in Jesus                          —  Romans 10:10
Be baptized for the remission of sins    —  Acts 2:38
Live & serve faithfully                           — Revelation 2:10
 

Dr. John Goetsch

Dr. John Goetsch had spoken at a youth rally in Norfolk, Virginia and was
ready to fly home. A youth minister drove him to the airport in Norfolk to
catch his flight which would include a stop in Philadelphia and then on to
Baltimore.

Goetsch told of his experience: "When I arrived, there were no lines at the
ticket counter, whatsoever. I proceeded to the kiosk where I checked in
without a problem, and then I headed for Gate A-11. The terminal was
amazingly desolate. I breezed through security in about fifteen seconds!
Gate A-11 was at the end of the terminal, and when I arrived, the flight was
scheduled to leave in about forty minutes at 7:50 pm, but there was not a
soul in sight! After checking my emails and phone messages, I made my way
back down the terminal to see if I could find someone - anyone.

At about Gate A-6, I spotted a US Airways agent and asked her about my
flight. She quickly checked the computer and said, 'Oh, yes, that flight is
on time, and you are checked-in and ready to go.' I made my way back to the
gate and was pleased to see that another passenger had arrived - a
college-aged young lady, who smiled and said: 'It doesn't look like many
people are going to Philadelphia.' I jokingly remarked, 'Well, I just
checked, and they said that you were flying the plane and I'm serving the
peanuts.'

An agent appeared about ten minutes before our flight was to leave and
called us to the gate - both of us! We were the only two passengers on a
plane that easily could seat over one hundred people.

We climbed the stairs to the plane and were met by a very friendly
stewardess and our pilot and co-pilot.

We were informed that our pilot and co-pilot together had over forty years
of flying experience, and our flight attendant had been doing her job for
over ten years. It was amazing to realize that these three people had been
trained and were being paid to fly just the two of us to our destination.

During that one hour night flight, my heart was saddened as I thought about
what we were experiencing. Many people were involved in making that flight
possible. The pilots, the flight attendant, the air traffic controllers,
the baggage handlers, the ticket agents, the crews that had fueled the plane
and did the maintenance - hundreds of hours of preparation all for just two
people!" *

Then Goetsch thought about this application: "My mind thought about Heaven
and all of the preparation that has gone into making that destination
possible."

That preparation included a plan that preceded the creation of the universe
(1 Peter 1:18-20), God sending His Son into the world (John 3:16), the cruel
death of Jesus on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), the resurrection of Jesus from
the grave (Matthew 28), the inspiration and preservation of God's message of
salvation in the Bible (Galatians 1:11-12), the institution of the local
church to proclaim the message (Acts 2ff), and preachers and teachers
faithfully proclaiming the message (Romans 1:16). In addition, the Lord
Jesus ascended back into Heaven saying, "I go to prepare a place for you"
(John 14:1-3).

Goetsch pondered: "I wondered how many people have a ticket and are
checked-in to that destination?"

Are YOU onboard?

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Please "get on board" by trusting and obeying Jesus. He is the way to life
eternal in heaven (John 14:6).

-- David A. Sargent

* Adapted from "Empty Seats" by Dr. John Goetsch as quoted in Ministry 127,
https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/empty-seats

Who Is First?

Who Is First?

In her book My Memories of We, Mamie Eisenhower revealed some of the reasons
why General Dwight D. Eisenhower was such a great leader. He was able to
inspire others to serve and sacrifice because of his deep love and loyalty
to his country. Mrs. Eisenhower said, "I learned early in our married life
about his single-minded devotion to America."

At their first home - a small apartment near Fort Sam Houston in San
Antonio, Texas - young Eisenhower kept his gear packed at all times. He was
ready to go anywhere when called upon to do so. After they had been married
only a month or so, Ike was given a new assignment that would take him away
from home. He came in and announced to Mamie that he must leave her for
awhile. She said to him, "Ike, you are not going to leave me this soon
after our wedding day, are you?"

Ike put his arms around his young bride and said, "Mamie, there is one thing
you must understand. My country comes first and always will. You come
second."

Mamie Eisenhower was shocked! She was a nineteen-year-old bride who had
been married only one month and now she had just heard the sobering words,
"You come second." *

We may disagree with his priorities, but Eisenhower was right in the fact
that we must determine who or what is going to be first in our lives.

In order for our lives to be lived the way God intends, Jesus says we must
put Him first. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things [the necessities of life] shall be added to you" (Matthew
6:33). An expert in the Law of Moses once asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is
the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the
LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.' This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:34-38).

First things first. That's a statement of priority, and it's the way that
we live life properly - if we put GOD first.

Jesus showed us the way. He said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to
do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). Following the
will of God took Him to the cross where He died for the sins of the world,
including yours and mine (Philippians 2:5-8). He did this to pay the price
for the redemption of our sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who put Him first by placing
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Let's "get it right." Let's live life the way God intended. Put God first
and follow Him faithfully. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* As quoted by Rick Lance in "Discipleship: Following in His Footsteps,"
www.preaching.com.