More than an Instruction Manual

Most things you get from the store comes with some sort of instruction manual. Whether it is the set up to software, a toy, telephone or some other item, if there is any sort of assembly, start up, or usage of the item, there will usually be some set of instructions that come with the item. All of us have heard the humorous stories about people that attempt to assemble or operate something without having read the instructions.

We also have an instruction manual for life. Not only does it tell us how to do it, but it also tells us purpose and nature of life and the world around us. It has a blueprint for all of life. It tells us where life comes from, what the nature of humanity is, and what humanities relationship is to nature and to the creator. Like the physical order of our world, there is also a moral order. When we violate the physical order, there are consequences. We don’t jump off of cliffs or put our hand in the fire. That is the way the creator has constructed the world. In the same way, there is a moral order as well. When we violate the moral order, there are also consequences.

The original violation among humans happened in the first few chapters in Genesis. The results were disastrous and we are still seeing the effects of it today. But God has given us help on many different levels. God sent his Son to defeat sin and death. God has also granted us his written word as an instruction manual to guide us.

But God’s word is much more than this. Not only is it a lamp to guide our feet, it is also a tool of inner transformation. God’s word is living and active. It has the power of transformation in our life. It is able to lay our innermost selves bare so that we can be evaluated and transformed (Heb 4:12). It is like a mirror that reveals who we are and what we can become (James 1:23). It is “God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16). God breathes new life in us through the words of life. It is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), which is the tool the Spirit uses to keep us from being overcome by the world. Wisdom comes from the word of God (1 Cor 2:13), and it is wisdom that helps to discern the most important things in life and how to navigate through them.

But this does not happen automatically. Merely reading the words does nothing. Memorizing scripture is better, but even this will do nothing. What is necessary is acceptance of the word in faithful obedience. Those who read the word and do not accept or act on it are like the demons that believe and shudder (Jas 2:19). They know the truth, but they do no act on the truth. God’s desire is not merely for us to know scripture, but for us to know Him, to be in submission to him, to please him. Scripture is one of the tools for us to know God and guides us in our submission to him.

John Telgren, Qoehlet Web Ministry, Leavenworth Church of Christ, Leavenworth, KS

News & Notes

SONBEAMS:  The Sonbeams will meet, here at the building, Tue. April 13th. We will meet at 9:30 for games. Lunch will be at 11:30. Please see Mayrene for the lunch menu.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: We have begun a study of the book of Romans. Everyone is encouraged to read Romans 2. We will be discussing the end of chapter one as well as the homework question, “By looking at nature one can conclude that God is all powerful. But can one conclude from looking at nature that He is an all-loving God of righteousness and justice?” The homework for this week, in preparation for discussion next week is “What are some ways that “the kindness of God” might “lead people to repentance?”

THANK YOU:  We want to thank Jerad Penick for the great job he did designing the flier for our upcoming Grandview Lectureship.

PLEASE SEND A CARD:  Bob Housby has been teaching a person whose Mother died 3/24. Help our compassion shown her will melt her heart towards the Lord’s will for her life.  Her information:  Kim Tate, 2540 E 22nd Rt, Marseilles, IL 61341

PRACTICAL MINISTRIES PREACHING Class will begin this morning in the fireside room off the new fellowship hall.

POTLUCK:  The monthly potluck will be on April 11 after pm worship.  We will also be celebrating Mike Mazak’s retirement from the military.

MIDWEST BIBLE CAMP:  Food Donation: Grandview has been asked to donate 16 gallons of Ranch Dressing and 600 paper plates.

Spring Clean-up:   Join us at Lake Darling Youth camp on May 1.

Friends of Midwest Bible Camp Annual Spring Brunch is Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 am at The Colony Inn Restaurant, 741- 47th Avenue, Amana, Iowa.  The cost is $11 per person for brunch and beverage. Speakers are Rob Swartz “Army of The One” and Colby Clapp “Future of MWBC”.

Cans for Camperships:  Donate your empty pop cans and bottles to benefit the MWBC Campership Fund

Bible Reading if FUNdamental (BRIF):  We are keeping track of Bible chapters read by Grandview embers each week.  Here  are the results so far:

Feb 7    658
Feb 14    562
Feb 21    529
Feb 28    638
Mar 7    490
Mar 14    433
Mar 20    493
Mar 28    625

Central Iowa Missions

April 4 – Ogden PM – Art

April 11 – The Shores (2:00)
Joe Buxton, preaching
Dan Bailey lead songs

Ogden PM – Art (Final Classes there)

Prayer Requests

Jackie Miller had to see a retina specialist on Thursday. It seems very likely that she will have to surgery in the near future.

Mike Dorrell’s father has been suffering from depression as he continues to fight pneumonia.

Gwen Duckstein’s aunt Jan Nikkel has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Please pray for wisdom for the family as they decide how to proceed in the future.

A friend of Jason Housby, Deb Bergsma’s grandmother Joan has cancer.

Phyllis Mort’s friend, Jane Ellis, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Michael Watson’s brother, Adam, has Mononucleosis.

The Mort family requests prayers on behalf of Jenna.

Mitzi Wood’s son Blake, is 14 years old and has been diagnosed with cancer.

Jared Van Egdom’s father, has been diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma. There will not be anymore surgery as the doctors believe they can treat this with chemotherapy. He will begins treatments as soon as the doctors can formulate a plan that is best for his recovery. Additionally, he has been released from the hospital.

Paul Powers continues to make great improvements. It is very likely that he  will be able to return to Alabama later in the week. The family is working with the social worker to get AngelFlight to cover the transportation needs.

Glen Stevens has an appointment to have an echocardiogram later in May.

Diane George’s former mother-in-law, Jessie George, passed away this past week.  Please pray for her family.

Marnie Walker and the girls in Des Moines with the house for sale while Philip is in Alabama.

Carol Crocker, Dora Bailey’s mother, is seeing improvement from the physical therapy she is receiving for her bulging disk.

Andrew Graves (Harriett’s grandson) is requesting prayers for himself and his 10-month-old daughter Kayleigha Graves. She’s been diagnosed with severe Acid Reflux, anemia and weight loss.

Jake Ferrell’s mom, Vicki Bennett, is still in Lutheran hospital, and she is doing better.

Lyndsay Gordon asks you to pray for her high school friend, Katie Ford, who had a stroke. She is only 31 years old.

Looking for a job: Tom Collier, Meredith South,  David Colton, Deborah Wallis,  Robert Housby, Arlene Kuehl (Anne Ogle’s mother).

Frank Colton started his new job on Wednesday!

Shane Siegle’s sister, Cherrie Hubbard’s cancer has spread to her bones.

Please pray for Deb Kuper and the children as well as Chad.

Pray for our nation and all it’s  challenges.

Expectant mothers: Dawn White, Anne Ogle, Melissa Ludwig, Danielle Duquette

Missions:  Mike & Diane Richardson; Bob &  Marla Housby

Calendar of Events

• Apr 11    Mazak Retirement Party after  evening worship  and Potluck
• Apr 17    Midwest Bible Camp Spring Brunch-Amana
• Apr 23-25    Grandview Lectureship
• May 1    Hickman Ladies Day—Registration 8:30am
• May 1    Midwest Bible Camp Spring Cleanup
• May 21-23    Davis City ‘Creation’ Seminar