September 10, 2006

“Thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13). — What a word of comfort that is to my soul! Though men oppress me, though Satan assails me, though sorrows crush me, though my own heart condemns me, “Thou God seest me!” He sees me perfectly. He sees me always. He sees me where I am. He sees me as I am, completely. He sees me with perfect love, approval, and acceptance, for he sees me in his Son!

“Within Thy circling power I stand,

On every side I find Thy hand;

Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,

I am surrounded still with God!”

Daily Readings for the Week of September 10-17

Sunday Daniel 11-Hosea 1 Thursday Amos 1-5

Monday Hosea 2-7 Friday Amos 6-9

Tuesday Hosea 8-14 Saturday Obadiah 1-Jonah 4

Wednesday Joel 1-3 Sunday Micah 1-5

NURSERY DUTY THIS WEEK

Today: Jenny Bartley (AM) Pam Wood (PM) Tuesday: Jayalita McCormack

· “THANK YOU” does not begin to express my appreciation to all of you who labored so tirelessly and gave so generously to host our conference.

· Missionary Offering Next Week

· I am scheduled to preach Saturday and Sunday morning for Grace Baptist Church in Taylor, AR and Sunday and Monday night for the Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Wichita Falls, TX.

· Sequoyah Baptist Church in Cherokee, NC will host its annual Bible Conference October 16-19. The scheduled preachers are Gary Shepard, Rupert Rivenbark, Todd Nibert and Don Fortner. Bro Tim James is the host pastor.

One of our missionaries, Bro. Walter Groover, has been in Mexico for forty years. The Lord has blessed the work and a number of churches have been established in the Yucatan. Bro. Groover’s 1994 vehicle needs to be replaced. I am confident that the Lord will provide for this need through the generosity of his people. If you would like to give a special offering to help, mark offering “Groover,” and it will be used for that purpose. We will receive your gifts through October 1^st and send a check to Bro. Groover on the 2^nd. Thank you for your faithful, generous support of God’s servants around the world.

My Father Knows — Don Fortner

(Tune: #354 — What a Friend We have in Jesus — 87.87D)

1. Clouds and darkness oft distress me. Great and many are my foes.

Anxious cares and thoughts oppress me. — But my heav’nly Father knows.

Oh, how sweet this blest assurance, though great conflict, grief, and strife,

(Things that seem beyond endurance!) follow me throughout my life.

2. Grace sufficient still sustains me, gives me strength and sweet repose,

While I know that Christ is near me, and my heav’nly Father knows.

God, my Father keeps me daily, watches over me in love;

Sends me help when foes assail me, bids me look to Him above.

3. “Fear not, I will never leave thee,” is my Savior’s promise sure.

He is ever near to help me. In His hands I am secure.

Earthly woes should not distress me, while I have this sweet repose, —

Jesus rules all things to bless me, and my heav’nly Father knows.

4. Soon my journey will be ended. Life is drawing to a close;

I shall then be well attended. This my heav’nly Father knows.

I shall then with joy behold Him, face to face my Savior see,

Fall with rapture and adore Him, for His boundless love to me.

Ten Words of Comfort from Our Savior

Exodus 3:7-22

Exodus 3 gives a brief account of some of the circumstances that preceded God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from their captivity and bondage in Egypt. But we must not forget that these things were written “for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). “They are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). The One speaking in this passage is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God our Savior. He specifically tells us ten things that ought to comfort and encourage all who trust him amid the storms of life.

“I have surely seen the affliction of my people” (v. 7).
“I have heard their cry” (v. 7).
“I know their sorrows” (v. 7).
“And I am come down to deliver them” (v. 8).
“Certainly, I will be with thee” (v. 12).
“Ye shall serve God upon this mountain” (v. 12).
Here is the most powerful incentive possible to believe that it shall be so.—He who made these promises declares, “I Am That I Am” (v.14).
“I will bring you up out of the affliction” (v. 17).
“Ye shall not go empty” (v. 21).
“And ye shall spoil the Egyptians” (v. 22).

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7).

“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”

(Job 38:2)

A nearby Christian church building has the following statement on their sign: — “God is in control. Let Him have his way.” Does anyone see the inconsistency in such a statement? Many cars pass the sign each day, and I assume that some drivers must read it. It must be true that only in things relating to God can man be so gullible. The reason is because of man’s spiritual blindness.

The Lord’s question to Job at the heading of this article surely applies to whoever posted that statement. The words are devoid of knowledge. The knowledge of Scripture that reveals the truth concerning the Sovereign Lord God. “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?” (Isaiah 14:27). “The purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11).

The first definition for the word “let” is to “permit.” Does man “permit” God? Does God ask man’s permission or does God do as Nebuchadnezzar said? “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth : and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35).

God asks this question in Isaiah 45:13, “Yea, before the day was I am he ; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand : I will work, and who shall let it?” In this text, the question is: “I will work, and who shall let [“impede it,” or “not permit”] it?” The answer is understood that none are able to impede or hinder God from working His will.

It is because He is in control and He does have his way that those who trust in His Son have peace in their hearts and confidence to live in this world without fear. Not only do we know that He is in control, but we say with those who said, concerning Him after working a miracle in the days of His flesh, “He hath done all things well.” (Mark 7:37).

Pastor David F. Pledger

No Place for Controversy

The pulpit’s real issue is this: Christ, and Him crucified. Men, whose eyes are fixed on Christ, do not argue. They do not love controversy whose hearts are touched with Him. They do not look for issues and sticky theological problems who are busy knowing and showing Christ. Those whose interest is singularly Christ have little difficulty settling all matters and quickly in His Word. The problem they see is sinners, lost and hell-bound; and the only answer they see is Christ.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Grace Bulletin

September 10, 2006

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH of DANVILLE

2734 Old Stanford Road-Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Telephone (859) 236-8235 - E-Mail don@donfortner.com

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

SCHEDULE OF REGULAR SERVICES

Sunday

10:00 A.M. Bible Classes

10:30 A.M. Morning Worship Service

6:30 P.M. Evening Worship Service

Tuesday

7:30 P.M. Mid-Week Worship Service

Television Broadcasts

Danville

Channel 6 - Sunday Morning 8:00 A.M.

Channel 6 - Wednesday Evening 6:00 P.M.

Channel 6 - Friday Evening 7:00 P.M.

Web Pages

http://www.donfortner.com

http://www.sovereign-grace/gracechurch.htm

http://www.freegrace.net/danville/default.asp