Newsletter: December, 2006
PRAISE THE LORD FOR
THE NEW TESTAMENT!
During 2006, our Morning Bible Studies have focused on the New Testament. We began last January in the Book of John. This Gospel emphasizes the deity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Also this year, we studied through Matthew, the Gospel of the King of the Jews, which presents Jesus as the rightful heir to the throne of Israel through the promises given to the lineage of David. Next year we will see Him in the Book of Luke as the Son of Man, taking a body of flesh to identify Himself with us, and in the Book of Mark as the Servant of the Lord ministering to the needs of mankind.
This year we also studied through the Book of Acts, where we saw the Holy Spirit continue through the Apostles the work that Christ had begun. These twelve chosen men spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the known world, making converts by telling the story of Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross for sinners.
This message found a lodging place in the hearts of people who were convicted of their sinful condition and convinced of their resulting separation from God forever in a place called Hell. Believing the message of salvation by simply trusting Jesus, they embraced Him by faith and spread the Good News to others. As the churches grew, so did persecution. At the end of Acts, James has been martyred and Paul is in prison in Rome.
We next studied the letters Paul wrote from his prison cell to several churches and individuals. Ephesians discusses our exalted position in Christ, and also much practical day-by-day instruction in living the Christian life. Philippians is a very joyful book that tells us how to have inward victory no matter what the outward circumstances. Colossians presents a warning about error that was beginning to creep in to the church in Colosse. It also gives us some practical instruction in Christian living. Philemon is a touching letter regarding a slave that Paul had led to the Lord in Rome, and was sending back to his master in Colosse. II Timothy was the last letter written by Paul before he was martyred. The old apostle is exhorting a young preacher to remain faithful to the Lord in all the difficulties that would come his way.
After the “Prison Epistles”, we began studying the earlier writings of Paul. The first letter written was I Thessalonians. It was apparently written to answer questions from the church in Thessalonica regarding the state of those who had died in the
Lord. Paul assured them they were with the Lord, and then told them about the “Rapture”. II Thessalonians was written to correct their confusion about the “Rapture”, the event at which Christians rise to meet the Lord in the air, and the “Day of the Lord”, the time when Christ comes back to wreak vengeance on Satan and an unbelieving world.
Continuing to study through the writings of Paul chronologically, we looked at Galatians. This letter was written because false teachers were trying to convince the churches in Galatia that
keeping the law was necessary to obtain salvation, or to hold on to salvation. Paul presented proof from the Old Testament, from Christ, from the other apostles, and from the revelation he received directly from the Lord that salvation is only by grace through faith.
We are now studying the many problems Paul addressed in I Corinthians. This letter to the church at Corinth was prompted by division and carnality in that church. In this epistle, Paul covers many subjects of concern to all who strive to live the Christian life.
Next year, we plan to continue our studies through the writings of Paul, Peter, James, Jude, Luke, and John that were inspired by the Holy Spirit and preserved for us through the centuries. For those of you who do not believe Paul wrote Hebrews, we will cover it also! (I personally
believe Paul was the human author of it as well).
Praise The Lord for the New Testament!
The Bible is a treasure that God has given us as “a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path”.
What’s New with WDCY, WDPC, & WNEA
Sign On Time: 7:30 a.m. Sign Off Time: 5:30 p.m.
Christ Honoring Christmas Music — Between now and Christmas, we will be playing an increasing amount of Christ honoring Christmas music. We’re not opposed to “Jingle Bells” and “Winter Wonderland”, but you won’t hear many Christmas carols about the baby Jesus in the malls and stores. He has been replaced by a secular emphasis on the “winter holidays” and the “holiday season”. Some stores even forbid their employees to wish you a “Merry Christmas”. He will be exalted in our music! The End Of Another Year Of Reading Through The Bible — Each year since 1995, we have read through the Bible at 8:00 A. M. each day. Plan now to join us next year for a wonderful journey through God’s Word. We also publish a Bible Reading Schedule in the Newsletter each month to help you with your own personal reading. 2007 will be a more blessed year when you feed your soul on the Bread of God’s Word each morning.
What’s New
with the Christian Supply Outlet
Christmas Gift Ideas — When shopping for Christmas, remember that we have a great selection of Bibles, Christmas Cards, Bible Covers, “Keep Christ in Christmas” Yard Signs, TVGuardians, “stocking stuffer” books, and other gift ideas. Come by and check out our Table of Gift Suggestions. We are open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00, and Saturday 10:00-2:00.
One Year Anniversary On November 1 — During this first year of operation, we have learned many things. Here are some of the things we have realized:
· There are many people who appreciate having a source for KJV Bibles and fundamental literature set up especially for them! Fundamental Christians and churches are not the main market for most Christian bookstores. Therefore, not much consideration is given to our wants and needs.
· There is a “ton” of fundamental material available, if you know where to look! There are many types of KJV Bibles, Church Supplies, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curriculums, and Literature available to meet the needs of churches and individuals. We can help churches with their needs by:
o Simplifying Ordering
o Giving Additional Curriculum Options
o Saving Money
o Billing Monthly (We currently bill 16 churches on a monthly basis)
· People love their Bibles! Buying a Bible is a very personal, well-thought purchase for most people. Size, color, type backing, size of print are all important. The most important factor is usually what type of study Bible, whether Scofield, Thompson Chain, etc.
· People also love to give Bibles to their loved ones, and to new converts. I personally have enjoyed giving a new Bible this year to my son, and to a soldier in Afghanistan. We sold about $8,000 Bibles during the previous twelve months.
· Having good literature available improves reading habits. Again, I personally can testify that, as a direct result of the bookstore, I have read and researched numerous subjects that have deepened my understanding of the Bible, and increased my faith. Having good literature around is like having certain types of food at your house. If you have it, you will eat it! Or read it, whichever the case may be.
· We are our own best customers for KJV greeting cards. These cards are beautiful. They are some of the most profound, sincere, beneficial cards I have ever seen. We love them! However, we have not sold a great number of
· them. I believe that, rather than making a special trip to buy a card, people simply pick up cards while shopping for other things. May I suggest that you come by, take a look, and perhaps pick up several cards for different occasions and keep them on hand. I believe you will be pleased with the quality and the price ($1.57-2.50).
· It is a joy to provide items that delight people, and help them grow in their faith. Many items that we stock are there because somebody asked for them, we searched for them, met the need, and decided
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