January 12, 2022 Issue, Page 5 of 8

Page Text

January 12, 2022 5 Call today to support the church page! Devotional 580-225-3000 LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS Istockphoto M any of us define our role in life at an early age; some of us scramble to be leaders…the rest are content to watch from the sidelines. Leaders take us where we need to go, but we need followers to complete the scene, even in the spiritual sense. Followers show God’s goodness in their lives by example. In this way they, too, become leaders of their peers. We read in Luke 22:26, “…the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Though the minister, priest, or rabbi leads us in worship, there would be no service without a body of followers. Join the crowd at your house of worship this and every week! Daily Bible Reading Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians 2 Cor. 2 Cor. 2 Cor. 2 Cor. Everything happens for a reason 5:1-20 5:21-33 6:1-24 1:1-11 1:12-24 2:1-11 2:12-17 Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society z Daily Devotional at DailyBible.AmericanBible.org ©2022 Keister-Williams Newspaper Services, P.O. Box 8187, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.kwnews.com difficulties is simple: sin. Sin evil desire has conceived, it is why work is hard and al- gives birth to sin. Sin, fully Area Church Directory ways inadequate; sin is why matured, brings forth death. Seventh-Day Adventist people selfishly hurt them- First Baptist Church Canute selves and others, and sin is Do not be misled…Every Assembly of God 580-471-3688 Seventh-Day Adventist why we hurt physically, grow good, perfect and free gift is Pastor Martin Brown 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City old and die. Assembly of God 580-472-3472 from above; it comes down 115 W. 5th St., Erick Pastor Wes Via Because there simply isn’t Retrop Baptist Church from the Father of all who Pastor: Gary Griffin any way for finite human be- Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 Methodist ings to fully grasp the com- gives light; in the shining of Assembly of God 580-303-0791 United Methodist plex and infinitely loving ac- Whom there can be no ris- 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk tivity of infinite God, we try 580-928-4296 City to explain our circumstances ing, setting, or shadow cast Jimmy Blanken, Min. Queen of All Saints 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-225-0262 with vague clichés that we are by His turning…And it was 580-928-2385 Scott Rodgers, Rev. hard pressed to defend Bibli- First Assembly of God of His own free will that He 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover Dixie Yoder cally if challenged. Often, United Methodist because we haven’t learned gave us birth as sons…” 580-225-1167 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic about the power given to us There are unchangeable 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City 580-526-3949 I often hear the statement “everything happens for a in Christ, we fail to diminish spiritual principles we can Grandview Assembly of God 580-225-0066 the impact of sin by using Rev. Danny Grover United Methodist reason.” It seems to be an always count on: Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 802 N. 4th St., Sayre attempt to feel better when our God-given authority. In- 580-225-7742 Christian 580-928-2146 things aren’t going the way stead of, “Why would God al- God is always Love. He is Mark Little, Min. we want and we don’t have low this?” perhaps there are perfectly kind and faithful; Antioch Christian Nazarene Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City an explanation. But if there’s times we should ask, “Why working for our good in ev- 580-243-0066 First Church of The Nazarene really a reason for every- did we allow this?” or “Lord, Jeff McDowell 816 W. 6th St., Elk City how do You want me to re- ery situation. Great Plains Baptist Assn. 580-225-2026 thing, can we know what it 1902 Watts St., Sayre is? spond while You make the God never fails to keep His Christian Church Robert Barkely, Pastor 580-928-2585 This general statement, changes in me that need to Word. 1 S. Walnut, Erick Pentecostal meant compassionately, be made?” Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 God is inherently holy and Grace Temple is so indefinite it really of- Difficult things happen be- 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 601 W. 20th St, Elk City cause sin contaminates ev- righteous. He never insti- 580-225-5344 First Christian Church fers little comfort. People (Diciples of Christ) Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors often don’t know what to ery atom of our world. God’s gates evildoing. Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City say, and feel comfortable merciful power guarantees 580-225-7801 Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La that benefit will come out God’s perfect, righteous 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City repeating “everything hap- Pena of every situation for those character never changes. 580-225-0212 600 W. Main, Elk City pens for a reason” because First Christian we’re erroneously convinced who have said yes to God’s When we hear the state- 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Pastor, Jose Reyes Eastside Baptist 580-799-2964 it’s somewhere in the Bible! purpose—to talk, act and be 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 ment, “everything happens However, this statement more like Jesus every day. 580-225-0742 Church of Christ Presbyterian fits gnostic Eastern fatalism (Romans 8:28) for a reason,” we can con- Chris Carlisle, Min. Church of Christ First Presbyterian more than Christian faith in Scriptures frequently ad- fidently say, “The reason 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City dress the role of difficult tri- Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City God’s goodness. every bad thing happens is 580-225-0718 580-225-3130 Every indefinite statement als and pressing temptations 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City sin. The reason good comes 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. contains a bit of truth. Cer- in spiritual and emotional Non-Denominational tainly there’s a reason for maturity. The issue is never from every bad thing is that Church of Christ the intensity of the difficulty; First Baptist The Way Church everything that happens, God loves us and is always Erick 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City but expressed so vaguely, the but rather how we choose to 580-225-7951 580-526-3397 respond to God and others in faithful to do His good work, “reason” can become what- helping us grow up. That’s Church of Christ Elk City Elk City Community ever anyone wants it to be. the middle of the difficulty. First Baptist Meets at Pioneer & Bell 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City The question that follows is, James 1:12-18: “Let no one the reason.” 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick 580-225-1184 “What is God’s reason for say when he is tried, ‘I am 580-526-3375 580-225-5295 Infinite Grace Ministries of- Jason Klechner, Min. allowing this bad thing?” It tempted from God; for God Northeast Church of Christ Gateway unfortunately implies that is incapable of being tempted fers Biblical Guidance for res- 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City First Baptist 616 N. Locust Avenue God is responsible for conse- by what is evil and He Him- toration of relationships and 580-225-4395 580-225-1184 quences of our sinful choic- self tempts no one.’ Rather, 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Curtis Newton, Min. the grief and anxiety that 580-928-5518 es, or the presence of sin in every person is tempted…en- Westside Church of Christ the world. ticed and baited by his own follow tragedy. Call 580-774- 580-225-3052 The Link First Hispanic Baptist 200 S. Main, Elk City The overall reason for life’s evil lust and passion. When 2884 for more information. 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Church of God 580-225-7901 Trinity Fellowship Church of God 501 W. 1st, Elk City Sayre Main Street Baptist 580-928-2345 Call today to support 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-2938 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Christ Ministiries Jehovah’s Witnesses the church page! Mt. Carmal Baptist Jehovah’s Witnesses 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 580-225-3000 580-225-2061 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre 580-928-9330 One Church 120 N. Main, Elk City Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Wit- 580-210-8881 ness Brannan Duncan, Min. 627 E. Benton Ave., Sayre 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