Good Morning Everyone,

Pastor Don is back from Louisville. We had a great time this past weekend at the National Quartet Convention. The music was excellent and God's Spirit was very real both nights we were there. We also enjoyed seeing some of our friends from Ohio and catching up on the last year or so. Anyway, your pastor is refreshed and enjoyed the time away with Susan.

I want to thank Pastor Bob, Pastor June, and Alan DeVoe for filling in for me. It's nice to know you have people who can step in and do the job when you are gone. Susan and I worshiped at LaGrange Baptist Church in LaGrange, Kentucky yesterday morning. The pastor, Tony Rose, preached a wonderful message but also a thought provoking message on how to deal with sin in the church. I could tell this pastor had put much time and prayer into this message, and it was wonderful to hear a man of God proclaim truth. Yesterday at South Flint our pastors preached on confidence in God and not having to fear, And in the evening on The Prisons of Life and how to avoid Satan's traps.

For a verse this morning, let me share a prophetic scripture found in Isaiah 61:1. The verse says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison for those that are bound." From the day that John baptized Jesus in the Jordan and the dove descended upon Him, Jesus was anointed and prepared to do ministry. His ministry was to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, and the prisoners.

Can I just say that today your path will probably cross someone in those four categories. Poor also means more than just those that are in want. It is talking about poor and destitute in spiritual matters. There will be folks who are brokenhearted and in despair. Captives and prisoners need release and freedom from things that have them bound. Will you proclaim with me this week that Jesus is the answer?

I recently read statistics as to why people don't witness to others. Here is what they said.
1. 90% say they have failed in the past. (Big deal - so have I)
2. Many feel they are Biblically illiterate. (Then get into the Word of God)
3. Some say they leave that to their pastor and the professionals. (Jesus said to the Church, "You shall be witnesses.")
4. Others say they don't feel good about imposing their faith on others. (When you have the cure to a fatal disease, do you hold your peace because you don't want to offend?)

I believe with all my heart that we that know Jesus know He is the answer to the longing in every man's heart. I would ask you this week to let God's Spirit be upon you, and that you would proclaim boldly the good news of the Gospel. Your witness can make a difference and so can mine. I trust you will have a great week. Don't forget this Tuesday night begins our Ladies' Bible Study on Breaking Free, and this Saturday at 9am begins our Evangelism Boot Camp. It's going to be a great week, Church.

Till next time, Pastor Don

P.S.  Keep Marsha Blakemore in your prayers. I just got home from the hospital. She is having neck surgery this morning at Genesys and needs your prayers. Also in 3 weeks we begin our Fall Revival with the Leckrones. Be much in prayer for those special services.

CARTOON OF THE WEEK:

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