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Bulletin

Lay Lake Church of Christ

Volume 5                  January 17, 2010          Number 03


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A Constant Battle

David A. Bass

In Matt. 26:41 Jesus said  “Watch & pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Every Christian is in a constant battle: the desire to do right (listen to God) or sin (listen to our fleshly desires). We are encouraged in  Galatians 5:16,17 to “walk in the Spirit.”  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, & ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, & the Spirit against the flesh: & these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  

Satan knows how strong fleshly temptations are.  Some things that are not wrong in the right arena, such as sexual relations in marriage, are sinful outside of the marriage relationship.  We are constantly tempted to lust (desire) because of immodest clothing (sports related; t.v.; mo vies; magazines; books; internet); pornography; sexual suggestions, etc. on television and movies.  Christians are encouraged to drink alcoholic beverages; use tobacco; dance; commit fornication; use profanity and live like the “world.”  This is a daily battle between the “flesh” and “spirit.”

The child of God who sincerely & faithfully follows the Word is one who does not allow the lust of his flesh to control his spirit; his inner being (his spirit/soul) controls his fleshly appetites.

The opposite is true with a worldly (sinful) person.   The difference between a child of God & an alien sinner is decided by the part of the individual that is in control (the Spirt or the flesh).

Understanding  the works of the flesh is most important to our salvation, for without a knowledge of:

  1. what they are,

  2. the penalty they bring, &

  3. how to avoid them, we might be deceived into following a life of sin. 

Please understand - the works of the flesh will bar us from heaven. “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (5:21).

How do we win the battle and overcome the flesh?  We must add the “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  These things must be a part of our daily lives.

Prayer List

Edna Eckert (Martha’s mother -  crushed hip - Lakeshore); Greg Duncan; Colin Chandler; Martha Eckert; Christy Gray; Corey Boothe;  Adam Carskaddon; Adam Pilling; Jesse Spillman; Major Marshall.  Christopher Cary in Afghanistan.

Upcoming Activities & News

Scripture Reading: Matt. 10:1-15

Pantry: Please bring ANY item for the pantry!!!!

Directory Updates:  We are glad to have the Watts and the Dodsons at Lay Lake!!!

Placed Membership: Stephen Archer placed membership last Sunday night.  He lives in Columbiana on 302 Thompson Street.  His phone number is 434-0308.  Welcome Stephen!

Fellowship Meal: After our morning services next Sunday (the 24th)!  Come and bring a friend.

Winter Bible School Meeting: TONIGHT following our evening worship.  WBS will be here soon.

Fifth Sunday Prayer Service: Jan. 31st.  All of our Christian men are encouraged to participate by reading scripture and/or leading a prayer.

Upcoming Events

Winter Bible School:    February 19-20, 2010

Guntersville Family Retreat:   March 18-20

Spring Gospel Meeting:  April 11-14, James Pilgrim