July 14, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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July 14, 2021 5 Call today to support the church page! Devotional 580-225-3000 CLOSER TO THE SHORE Photo Credit: bigstockphoto/Tropical studio W ading into the waves, the surf envelopes us with its foamy coolness; it can also endanger us with its powerful undertow if we venture out too far. It’s easy to wander from the safety of the shore. In the same way, we may lose sight of God as we become preoccupied with life. Before we know it, life can wear us down and leave us feeling separated from God. But He is always with us, waiting for us to seek Him. Stay close to the protection of God’s love at your house of worship. Daily Devotional Reading Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians 2:1-22 3:1-21 4:1-16 4:17-32 5:1-20 5:21-6:4 6:10-24 Economic Prosperty Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society ©2021, Keister-Williams Newspaper Services, P.O. Box 8187, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.kwnews.com me.” God says, “Give, if you In I Kings 17, we read the ac- want to receive. And the Area Church Directory count of God’s supernatural measure you use when you provision in difficult times: give, will be measured back Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist Elijah the Tishbite confront- First Baptist Church to you.” (Luke 6:38) Assembly of God Canute Seventh-Day Adventist Our culture whines, “I de- ed King Ahab: “As surely as 115 W. 5th St., Erick 580-471-3688 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City serve the best whether I the God of Israel lives, in Pastor Martin Brown 580-472-3472 work or not.” God says, “If Pastor: Gary Griffin the next three-and-a-half Pastor Wes Via a man is not willing to work, Retrop Baptist Church he should not eat.” (2 Thes- years, not a drop of dew or Assembly of God Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 Methodist 7th and Locust St., Sayre salonians 3:10) rain will fall.” God then told 580-928-4296 580-303-0791 Canute United Methodist For Okies, the bad news in Elijah, “Go east quickly and Jimmy Blanken, Min. Quenn of All Saints Mains St. and Harton Ave, Canute lower gas prices is falling oil 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-225-5080 stay at the Kerith Ravine on 580-928-2385 Timothy Israel, Min. prices. Lay-offs, anxiety and First Assembly of God the other side of the Jordan. 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover Dixie Yoder financial stress have moved United Methodist into many Okie homesteads You’ll have fresh water from 580-225-1167 Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk as fallout from government the brook, and I’ve ordered 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City n 1929, the president of General Motors declared, response to the virus con- the ravens to feed you.” Eli- Grandview Assembly of God 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 tinues. But no matter what Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. “The key to economic pros- jah obeyed, and camped in Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City perity is the organized cre- the economy or the cause, 580-225-7742 Christian economic security can only the Kerith canyon. Ravens United Methodist ation of dissatisfaction.” Mark Little, Min. be found in God’s infinite brought him bread and meat Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick Economies can only grow if Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 consumer demand is high, so willingness and ability to for breakfast and supper, and 580-243-0066 people had to be persuaded provide. Instead of Gener- he drank from the brook. Jeff McDowell United Methodist al Motors’ statement, God Great Plains Baptist Assn. to abandon “old fashioned” What an unusual way to get 1902 Watts St., Sayre 802 N. 4th St., Sayre habits like saving accounts promises: “The key to true Christian Church 580-928-2146 groceries! I’m not saying that 580-928-2585 and buying only what they prosperity is the organized 1 S. Walnut, Erick creation of contentment, ravens will appear on our 580-526-3284 Nazarene could pay for. Advertising Bible Baptist Church generosity, and self-control.” porch the morning after a 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City First Church of The Nazarene designed to prompt the pur- First Christian Church In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, 580-225-5344 816 W. 6th St., Elk City chase of “newer, bigger, bet- job layoff or economic down- (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 ter” things developed. Since Paul says, “The one unwilling turn occurs. But I am saying Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Robert Barkely, Pastor many didn’t have money to to work, should not eat. We 580-225-7801 hear there are some among that God directs every aspect 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City Pentecostal purchase, chronic consumer 580-225-0212 debt, euphemistically called you who live irresponsibly, of His creation to provide for First Christian Grace Temple “credit”, was born. not working at all, but in- His children. Our part is to Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 601 W. 20th St, Elk City Our culture says prosperity terfering with the work of listen carefully to Him; then 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors is “getting all we can”. God others. Now we command 580-225-0742 Church of Christ such people, by the Lord Je- say “yes” to ideas and oppor- Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La says greed and hoarding is Chris Carlisle, Min. sus Christ, that by diligently tunities that may stretch us Church of Christ Pena idolatry. Generous giving is 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City working, they may eat their Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City the antidote: “… he who sows far beyond our comfort zone 580-225-0718 Pastor, Jose Reyes grudgingly reaps grudgingly; own bread.” This attitude en- 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City and usual way of thinking. 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. 580-799-2964 but he who sows generous- courages dependence on God and obedience to His way, Infinite Grace Ministries ex- Presbyterian ly…reaps generously, with First Baptist Church of Christ blessings. “ (2 Corinthians not government programs. ists to teach the Good News Erick First Presbyterian 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 9:6) When we are willing, but job of God’s love, and to nurture 580-225-7951 580-526-3397 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City Our culture claims a bigger or financial circumstances hope and encouragement 580-225-3130 “credit line” means prosperi- appear threatening or impos- First Baptist Church of Christ Elk City in people—especially those Meets at Pioneer & Bell Non-Denominational ty. God says, “Debt produces sible, God has ways of pro- 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick who doubt His existence or 580-526-3375 580-225-5295 bondage…the borrower is viding for us that we could goodness. Life transforma- Jason Klechner, Min. The Way Church the lender’s slave…” (Prov- never imagine on our own. It Northeast Church of Christ 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City erbs 22:7) is so important that we listen tion is experienced through 616 N. Locust Avenue First Baptist Our culture demands instant quietly, allowing God to place knowing the limitless love 580-225-4395 Elk City Community 504 N. 4th St., Sayre gratification: God says, “Wait His ideas in our minds. The 580-928-5518 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City alternative is to listen to the and mercy of God. Visit in- Westside Church of Christ on Me, and I’ll renew your 580-225-1184 strength.” (Isaiah 40:13) devil’s destructive ideas of finitegrace.com or call 580- First Hispanic Baptist 580-225-3052 Our culture says, “You owe worry and anxiety. 774-2884 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Church of God Gateway 580-225-7901 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City Church of God 580-225-1184 Main Street Baptist 501 W. 1st, Elk City Curtis Newton, Min. 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-0227 580-225-2938 Joe Thompson, Min. The Link Jehovah’s Witnesses 200 S. Main, Elk City Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City Jehovah’s Witnesses Trinity Fellowship 580-225-2061 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Sayre 580-928-9330 580-928-2345 One Church 120 N. Main, Elk City Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Christ Ministiries 580-210-8881 Witness 804 W. 6th St., Elk City Brannan Duncan, Min. 627 E. Benton Ave., Sayre 580-243-9708 Lutheran Prairie View Baptist I-40 S. Hwy. 34, Elk City Christ Lutheran 580-225-2844 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266