As I was studying I Samuel 10, I discovered that objects are not the only things that are ” hidden among the stuff”. Israel wanted a king, Samuel calls the people together and lays out God’s instructions allowing them their request for a king. He calls the tribes to come near and the tribe of Benjamin is taken. He then separates them by family and the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken, but Saul could not be found [I Samuel 10:17-22]. Verse 22 says, “Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, if the man should come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff”. The stuff is thought to be baggage, household items, carts, weapons, those things the people brought with them to Mizpeh. The baggage must have been quit high, because the Bible tells us in verse 23 that Saul was “higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward”. 

  Often times as Christians, we hide ourselves among the “stuff”. The stuff of doing and not being. We are so involved in the extras of life, family, school, church, activities and just trying to survive,  that we cease to take time to be still, to hear His sweet soft voice. We buzz through our daily devotions just so we can say that we have read His Word today. We offer a quick prayer, usually asking for something, instead of praising, so we can say that we have prayed. We go to church three times a week, all the while thinking about what we have to do when we get home or the next day. Our minds are not on Him, it is just lip service, fulfilling a responsibility to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  God’s Word is filled with “hidden”  truths and He has instructed us to study in order to find them. His promises are not hidden behind baggage, but they do need to be sought after. As in hidden object games, some are obvious, while others not so much, but how exciting it is to be successful in finding them. Happy hunting.

Please mark your calendars now to participate in the Community Pregnancy Center’s “Walk for Life” on Saturday, April 21.  Registration will begin at 8:30 AM.  The location where it will be held will be a much DRIER location – Towne Mall!  There will be a professional photographer present to take family pictures.  So bring the whole family and take home a free 8 x 10 photo of your family.  Plan to take part, either by sponsoring someone who will be walking or walking yourself.  Help save the lives of the unborn!

• Jay & Cathy Ross – Bringing Israel & America Together
• Dean & Patty Runyon – Guyana
• Edward & Naomi Scalf – Japan
• Rick & Fran Schuessler – Bahamas
• Doug & Carolee Schwaderer – Canary Islands
• Gene & Bonita Sharp – Radio Ministries
• Walter & Peggy Silva – Uruguay

E-mail:  bush@reachingall.com

“I was saved at the age of 15.  Less than a year later, I went on a missions trip with my youth group to New Mexico.  It was there that the Lord began to work in my heart to dedicate my life for His service.  Every night in the services, the youth would get together and we would sing and hear preaching.  The song that was sung over and over was “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back”.  As I sung the song, it was as the words penetrated my heart and said, “You are saved, but have you ever really decided to follow Jesus?”  Although it may sound pretty simple, the truth is that many people are just like I was – saved, but not really following Christ.  As the martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, penned in his diary, “Why are we waiting for a call, when we have a command?”.  Whether across the ocean or across the street, we all have a command to share the Gospel, to get involved in our local church, to study His Word and to grow in our spiritual walk with the Lord.  May we, as God’s people, sing and say from the heart, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back”.

Here to Serve, Jeffrey Bush“

Please be praying for Joyce Curtis, Jean Brown and family on the passing of their loved one, Dianne Davidson.  There will be a memorial service tonight at 6 PM, in the Lamplighters Room.

Please be in prayer for Helen Doebler and family on the passing of her husband, Bill.  Below are the funeral arrangements:

Visitation:  Friday, Feb. 17 – 5:00-8:00 PM / Funeral:  Saturday, Feb. 18 – 10:00 AM / ALL HERE AT GRACE BAPTIST.  Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park.   Pastor Max Fernandez will be officiating.

• Adam & Rhonda Reed – Medical Missions
• Jonathan & Merlie Reyes – Philippines
• Ronnie & Peggy Rice – International Deaf Ministries
• Leonardo & Esperanza Rivas – Mexico
• Jason & Tammy Rogers – Nicaragua
• Bruce & Sue Rosko – U.S. Military, S. Korea
• David & Carole Ross – Indonesia

E-mail:  bush@reachingall.com

“Dear Grace,

The ministry in Argentina has been blessed in wonderful ways and many people have come to know the Lord and are growing in the Lord.  A key element that has been used in Argentina is discipleship.  Discipleship can be explained by taking another Christian to spiritual maturity.  There are many lessons or methods that can be used, but the simple fact of helping someone grow closer to the Lord is the discipleship goal.  It should be our goal, as Christians (missionaries or not) to help others grow closer to the Lord.  I want to challenge each person, no matter what your age or position is, to help someone else grow in their walk with the Lord.  Could you imagine what our churches could do if all of us encouraged and helped others to take another step of maturity in their spiritual life?  The exciting thing is not just the result of what would happen because of discipleship, but more so how exciting because all of us can have part-all of  us can be involved in helping others grow closer to the Lord and stronger in their walk with Him.  So begin to pray and then go find someone you can help grow spiritually.

Here to Serve, Jeffrey Bush“

    But  what about HIS arms? They must be beyond comparison, large, long, strong and able to encircle the universe. How big is the universe? According to Wikipedia “It is the totality of everything that exists, matter, energy, planets, stars, galaxies and the contents of intergalactic space”.  The Greek word for universe is perifora, meaning circumambulation, everything rotated by ONE [ONE being my emphasis]. And this ONE is holding me. 

    The thought that He can hold me and all that does and doesn’t yet exist all at the same time is daunting enough, but the more important question in my mind is WHY? Why do His enormous arms encircle me? Well, let’s consider human nature. When we are going through a difficult, trying time, we like to be comforted by a hug. When someone has made us happy, we like to show appreciation by giving them a hug. When we  see a friend, we tend to hug. Those that we consider dear and want to keep close to us, here come the hugs. Hello and goodbye often begin and end with a hug. When we just want to feel the warmth and love of another, we hug. 

  God’s hugs demonstrate the same for His children. He comforts, causes joy, appreciates us when we have obeyed, is rejoicing when we return to him, and desires to keeps us close, as well as knowing that we love Him, because He first loved us.

  I am thrilled that God is powerful enough to not only hold the universe, but  that He also wants to hold me. What a wonderful God I serve. So now, with this amazing thought in mind,  I’m going to take advantage of my position as His child and  climb up into the lap of my Abba, Father and get a  much needed hug.

• Jim & Laura Pranger – Hungary
• Kathy Prinzing – Bearing Precious Seed
• Dan & Kim Proctor – Australia
• Emmanuel & Lina Quizon – Philippines
• John & Joy Quizon – Philippines
• Jayme Radak – Brazil
• Eddie & Marta Ray – China