MAY 2012

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE HOUR 11:00AM: SPEAKERS

May 6 Tony Keating...End Times Studies

May 13 Matthew Arons

May 20 John Portman—1 Corinthians Chapter 12

May 27 Thomas Kapp

Camp Elim Schedule:

Complete details and registration forms are available at www.campelim.com .

Southwest Bible Chapel plans a BIBLE CONFERENCE, September 7, 8 and 9th. The renowned Bible Teacher, Dr. Marvin Rosenthal, Director of Zion's Hope and Editor of “Zion's Fire” Magazine, will be the featured speaker. A final schedule of meeting times will be available on this page soon. Plan to set aside that weekend for a time of informative and challenging lectures by Dr. Rosenthal.

THINK ON THESE THINGS

In April, Munch's famous painting, “THE SCREAM” was sold at auction for $119,000 which is an indication of the reality it projects to viewers today. The expression on the subject's face is more than ordinary horror...it is one of hopelessness, fear and desperation in recognition of mankind's past, present and future of hopelessness. In the face of technical skills to torture, murder, maim and sicken each other, he sees no way out and clasps his hands to his head in despair...all is gray and featureless around him. There is no light at the end of his tunnel. He knows no significance to his life or that of his fellows...all is material,temporal and expendable. He has no guiding moral, ethical light to guide the world or restrain its evil. There is no guarantee that the expense of life and health, even for a “good” cause will produce the desired moral result.

Job (ch. 3:3-26) expresses this horror and hopelessness eloquently when he feels that God has abandoned him even though he has been a moral and upright man. In answer, God details to Job His Omnipotence, Eternal Being, and Omniscience. Job's acceptable answer to God is to confess his ignorance, pride, rebellion and lack of engagement with God on God's terms. He repents and the Lord accepts him. Job asks God to reveal Himself to him...to teach him about His glory so that he will know God and be able to fellowship with Him. Job's despair and hopelessness is dispelled when he recognizes that life with such a great and righteous God brings absolute Hope for his life. (Job 40:3-5, 42:1-4)

Jesus Christ, Son of God has revealed God to us in Himself both by His life and sacrificial death. By Him, salvation from judgment is made available to all who seek and trust Him. By His resurrection from the grave and appearance to many witnesses, the believer has HOPE for the future. God has not destined us for wrath. God has an eternal future for His people. We always have the assurance of God's word as expressed by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Thessalonica to whom he wrote; “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal comfort and good HOPE by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” (II Thess. 2:16,17). And to the believers in Colosse (1:26-28) he wrote; “...Christ in you, the HOPE of glory, and we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

Answer to April's Puzzler: In the song, "Yankee, Doodle", why did Yankee Doodle stick a feather in his cap and call it "Macaroni"? One answer is that “macaroni” referred to an English Social Club that opposed the American Revolution. Perhaps “Macaroni” was newly introduced to English menus and so was in vogue at the time.

May Puzzler: When a fly lands on the ceiling, does he fly in (a) upside down?, (b)do a rollover?,or (c)do a flip?

Blessings on all Mothers!!