“Freedom Takes Faith”

“In Egypt we used to eat all the fish we wanted, and it cost us nothing. Remember the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic we had? But now our strength is gone. There is nothing at all to eat-nothing but this manna day after day!” (Numbers 11:5-6)

“Why have you brought us out into this wilderness? Just so that we can die here with our animals? Why did you bring us out of Egypt into this miserable place where nothing will grow? There’s no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates. There is not even any water to drink!” (Numbers 20:4-5)

Freedom is the common longing of oppressed people. The Hebrew slaves of ancient Egypt, the citizens of the Soviet Union and even the teenager wanting to be out on his own, all wish to make their own decisions. The impulse to exercise the personal autonomy that comes with being created in the image of God will be manifested at some point in every human life.

But freedom realized is a scary thing. It is frightening because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. “Will I have a job next week? Will criminals steal my stuff? What if I get sick?” To many people, the fear of the unknown is a stronger influence in their life’s choices than any hope of a better future that liberty may provide.

The greatest threat to our salvation has always been fear. “What if I sin again? What if I miss something important in the Bible? How can I know for sure that I’m saved?”

In the first century the Pharisees were always ready to assure their subjects that they had all the answers and that obedience to them was the same as obedience to God. And despite Jesus’ warning to call no man “teacher”, many Christians surrendered their liberty to the Judaizing heresy.

Our freedom has its roots in the reality of God’s promises and our confidence in the power of Christ’s blood. Our security lies in our personal trust in the relationship we have with God. Our loyalty to another who claims his relationship with God is superior to ours is not the same thing. Liberty flows from our own faith; not that of another.

Freedom is what we have-Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again. (Galatians 5:1)

Alan Wayne Augspurger

Prayer Requests

We were pleased to learn that Pat Starr has been hired by the Osceola congregation to be their preacher! The Lord answers prayers!

Bob McClaran’s older sister, Nathalie McCleary, home now, and is doing very well. Your prayers for her have been appreciated.

Bob McClaran’s neighbor, Dan, is faring well with some very strong medication he has been receiving. Pray for Dan as he fights spinal cancer.

Andrea reports that her father, George Duberry, is doing very following gallbladder surgery. Thank you for your prayers!

Please continue to pray for:

• Preacher search, that God will send the right man
• Orrin & Marge’s daughter, Greta Blankenship, recovering from being struck by a car
• Pam Dorrell’s grandfather recovering from injuries sustained in a fall
• Glenn Stevens, having difficulty walking
• Sherri Lange’s brother, Terry Bonnet, in Kuwait
• Millie Buxton, continued problems seeing clearly due to spots
• Cristie Williams, Josh Mongan’s cousin, paralyzed below the arms
• Kate Wurtz, Bob & Gene McClaran’s neighbor has terminal cancer
• Donna Butcher, Karen Belk’s sister, who has multiple health concerns
• Brenda Johnson’s mother, Rose Nichols has pancreatic cancer
• Steve South, Darin Thompson, searching for jobs
• Bob McClaran, recovering from a stroke
• Karen Carico, Karen Hardy, Bob Kunce, Kim Greer’s father, who have cancer
• Walter Meyer and Kimball Matkins, who have ALS
• Willetta Stafford, Betty Demi, Bertha Jones, Lou Kelley who are shut in
• John Singer and his health concerns

News & Notes

Please sign up for the Valentine’s Banquet if you will be attending. We need to know how many will be attending. This is for everyone who is a Valentine, not just couples.

Starting on Sunday morning, March 4th, in the Library/Conference room during the Bible class hour, Art will be teaching a New Members Class. This class is open to those who have been baptized or started attending Grandview within the last 7 years, since our last New Members class was held. We will be watching a series of 5 videos entitled: “Now That I Am A Christian”. We will branch out from there dealing with a lot of the basics of Christian doctrine. There will be no preaching classes this coming quarter.

Sweetheart Banquet: We will meet at the Hilltop Restaurant (just up the hill from the building) for dinner this Friday, February 16, at 6:30 pm.  We will order from the menu.  Babysitting will be provided by the Morts at the building. Please give Sandy one of your wedding photos either by email (sklongfellow@yahoo.com) or hard copy.  This will be part of an activity.  If you have questions, please contact Sandy or Joe Longfellow.

There are only two weeks before our Blood Drive on February 24-think of this:

• Every Sunday as we wake up, about 40,000 units of blood will be needed nationwide.
• Every 30 seconds, about the time it takes to say the Lord’s prayer, 15 people, perhaps a child or even one of your loved ones, will need blood.
• Every 60 seconds, about the time it takes to find our way to our seats in the auditorium, 30 burn victims, cancer patients, and/or surgery patients will receive transfusions.
• Every 90 minutes, while we sit and participate in our services of worship, someone like you could go through the blood donation process.
• Every tomorrow, the need starts all over again.

Blood donation is just another way we can show love and serve each other. Sign up today! Remember… homemade cookies… ?! Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board.

Our final Bible Bowl practice is today. Please remember to be there!

Central Iowa Missions: This week, Art Wallis will speak in the morning, and Kelly Kaiser will speak in the evening. Also, Darin Thompson will speak at Blockton. Next week, Mike Melvin will speak in the morning, the speaker in the evening will be Robert Gordon.

TV · Radio · Web

In SEARCH of the Lord’s Way
TV: 8:00 AM Sundays on KDSM
Web: www.searchtv.org

Gospel Broadcasting Network
Web: www.gbntv.org

International Gospel Hour
Radio: 8:30 pm Sundays, 1520 AM
Web: www.gospelhour.net

Grandview Church of Christ
Web: grandviewchurchofchrist.org

AM Sermon

Art Wallis: “Reluctant Jonah”
Reading: Luke 11:29-32

PM Sermon

Kelly Kaiser: “What On Earth Is Heaven Good For?“

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Feb 17

Bob McClaran

For the Record

	Giving	AM	PM	Wed
Last Week	2847	127	71	83
5 Week Avg	2398	110	74	78
2007 YTD Avg	2398	110	74	78
2006 YTD Avg	3720	158	111	101

Calendar of Events (See also the Iowa Churches of Christ Calendar of Events)