Articles
The Obituary in My Pocket
The Obituary in My Pocket
By Steve Melton, February 25, 2025
The obituaries in my suit pockets
Have accumulated for many a year.
They were given at the memorials
Of those I loved and hold so dear.
Each one was a part of my life,
Sometimes in ways they did not know.
They left a hole in my heart,
After it was their time to go.
All the obituaries in my pocket
Remind me my life will surely end.
Makes me reflect on heavenly treasure.
Have I laid them up to send?
Do not get caught up in material things,
And think we are rich from the things we horde.
What is the purpose of my life?
Is it not to glorify and serve the Lord?
What will be said in my obituary?
Did Christ’s church I belong?
We need to be prepared
To join that heavenly throng.
My obituary will be in someone else’s pocket.
But I will never know when.
They must keep struggling on,
While my true life will just begin.
Seeing the Possible
“And Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.' Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, 'Are we blind also?' Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains” (John 9:39-41). An athlete was blinded in a freak boxing accident. The doctors told him, "You'll never see again." The social workers said, "Learn braille, stay home, accept the fact that you will be dependent on others for the rest of your life." But, Morris Frank fought to regain his independence. The result was the development of "The Seeing Eye," the organization that trains Seeing-eye dogs for the blind. If we will acknowledge that we are poor, blind sinners and in need of Christ, we will see. But, but if we say we are full of light and have need of nothing, we shall remain blind.
Seeing the Potential
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned” (Matt. 4:16). A woman named Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. "I just can't believe it!" she gasped as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes after her recovery from delicate surgery in an Ontario hospital. She wept for joy when for the first time in her life a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color greeted eyes that now were able to see. The amazing thing about the story, however, is that 20 years of her blindness had been unnecessary. She didn't know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The doctor said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done about her condition. Much of her life could have been different” (From Bible Illustrator). Today, millions of people unnecessarily remain in spiritual darkness. If only they would come to the Great Physician - in accord with His truth - and He would give them the light of life!
Seeing the Protection
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:31-33). “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14-15). While on a trip to the zoo one day, a boy and his father saw a huge lion. The lion was prowling around his enclosure and letting out chilling roars. The boy became very frightened and screamed in terror, but his father remained calm and unafraid. Why? The boy was frightened because he saw only the lion, while the father was unafraid because he saw the cage enclosing the lion. Satan walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. However, through the work of Christ, he has his limitations. A way of escape will always be provided for those who seek it (1Cor. 10:13).
A Moments Wisdom
--An ounce of keeping your mouth shut is worth a pound of explanations.
--Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
--When people are bored, it is primarily with themselves.
--If we had no faults, we would take no pleasure in noticing the faults of others.
--No man can cause more grief than that one clinging to the vices of his ancestors.
--What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of living high.
Upcoming Sermons
3/16/25 AM - Four Men in a Tree; PM - “Like a Stubborn Calf”
3/23/25 AM - Why Did a Loving God Make Me This Way?; PM - Daniel’s Prayer
3/30/25 AM - Guest Speaker: Elijah Dean; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders: House of the Lord
4/6/25 AM - Guest Speaker: Jared Sink; PM - Themed Worship in Song: “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
4/13/25 AM - Guest Speakers: Titus Davis; PM - Todd Hounchell: Peace
