Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Four Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 September 11, 2016            Newsletter Number 586 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor               Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                   Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Our Prayer Request: All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family,  Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Rosie Tomlin, James and Lynn Tomlin, Pat Abercrombie, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, Dewayne Sewell, The Harris Family, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor:   The Lord Blesses A Liberal Giver. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure… For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38   As humans and as fleshly people we have a 100% downside. If we read Romans chapter 3 we will see just how horrible mankind are. I know most people do not believe the Lord is speaking about you in that chapter, but He really is speaking about all mankind. We (as humanity) believe that people are basically good, but with a small downside, but that is not what God says, He said “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11.) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12.) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Romans 3:10 – 12 and that is not the Jews but the Jews and Gentiles which includes all mankind, with the exclusion of Jesus Christ. Please understand that moral goodness is only good in human eyes, God judges the heart. We have to understand that what we do with expatiations of something in return is something done fleshly and not spiritually.  Godly giving is giving liberally and not expecting a return. Salvation is not given by grace if we have to earn it, just like giving is not gracious on our part if we expect a return. "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Romans 11:6 Something earned is not gracious on the givers part, just as expecting a return on our giving is not cheerfulness if we expect a return. God said in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Now let me give a little commentary on this verse, every single person is controlled by their heart, if one has a godly heart then they will do accordingly, but a fleshly heart is different. Secondly, God said a believer will not give (grudgingly- that is of regret or sorrow) but a godly giver will give cheerfully or willingly because God commanded. Giving not expecting a return. However, God said He will return it to you “measured” in weight. This is not a guaranteed and not a reason that we give. But what it shows is if we are gracious with our money or possessions then God will be gracious back. What God does promise is that if you give for the right reason (out of godliness and graciousness) then He will return it. Job lost about all that he had, just about everything, he did not understand why but he was ok with it because he wrote “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21 but he did not expect God to double the return. See beloved a cheerful giver gives because the Lord commands it of us, but our thinking is that we want to do it because it is an act of love for God. We help each other, therefore it is not painful to reach in our pockets and help others. Christians ought not feel pain in helping the Lord’s churches or Gods people with anything they have because God has freely given it to us. The more you give the more blessed you will be, if given out of cheerfulness. Folks, it is just earthly possessions, but it can reap you heavenly, eternal rewards. Be kind in giving and thank God that He blessed you enough to help others. Remember, we are Christians, therefore (as hard as it can be) we ought to like Christ in many ways.

COMFORT By Augustus Toplady (1773) (The author of the well-known hymn “Rock of Ages.”)   How sweet must the following considerations be to a distressed believer.    There most certainly exists an almighty, all-wise, and infinitely gracious God.   He has given me in times past, and is giving me at present, if I had but eyes to see it, many and signal intimations of His love to me, both in a way of providence and grace.   This love of His is immutable; He never repents of it or withdraws it.   Whatever comes to pas in time is the result of His will from everlasting.  Consequently, My afflictions were a part of His original plan, and are all ordered in number, weight, and measure.   The very hairs of my head are every one counted by Him, nor can a single hair fall to the ground but in consequence of His determination.  Hence, my distresses are not the result of chance, accident, or a fortuitous combination of circumstances.  But, the Providential accomplishment of God's purpose.   They are designed to answer some wise and gracious end.  Nor, shall my affliction continue a moment longer than God sees meet.   He who brought me to it has promised to support me under it, and carry me through it.   All shall most assuredly work together for His glory and my good.  Therefore, the cup which my Heavenly Father hath given me to drink, shall I not drink it?  Yes, I will, in the strength He imparts, even rejoice in tribulation, and, using the means of possible redress which He hath, or may hereafter put into my hands, I will commit myself and the event to Him whose purpose whose purpose cannot be overthrown, whose plan cannot be disconcerted, and who, whether I am resigned or not, will still go on to work all things after the counsel of His own will.

Church Notices;   Please continue to pray for our Bible Conference Next Friday and Saturday September 16 – 17. Friday night will be from 6pm – 8pm and Saturday will be from 9:00am – 4:00pm   Happy Birthday Brother Nathanial Fails Sunday September 11th

A John Bunyan Quote: “What God says is best, is best, though all the men in the world are against it.”