Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
August 13, 2017

The Difficult Part
by Bill Hall
Many, before entering the Lord’s service, no doubt feel that once they have been baptized, become accustomed to attending worship periods regularly, and overcome some of their old habits, they will pretty well “have it made” in serving the Lord. Doing these outward services, however, is the easy side of obeying Christ. The difficult side involves that which is within; it involves keeping the heart right.
It is easy to attend the worship periods, but it is difficult to worship, to rid the mind completely of worldly things, and to concentrate fully on the Lord. It is easy to sing, but it is difficult to meditate on the words, making the sentiment of the song one’s own sentiment. It is easy to bow the head, but it is difficult to pray. It is easy to eat bread and drink fruit of the vine, but it is difficult to concentrate fully as one should on the suffering of Christ. Sitting through a worship period is not in itself worship, for true worship must proceed from the heart (Ephesians 5:19; John 4:24).
In moral realms, the difficult thing to do is to keep the heart pure. It is relatively easy to refrain from killing, stealing, or committing adultery. After all, one is hindered in such matters by the laws of the land, social pressures, forbidding circumstances, fear of being caught, etc. It is difficult, however, to completely rid the mind of jealousy, selfishness, discontent, lust, hatred, bitterness, a spirit of revenge, etc. Anyone who has ever been jealous of another knows the difficulty involved in cleansing the heart of this terrible sin. So it is with all the sins of the heart.
It is easy to develop a friendly way and gracious manner with others, but it is difficult to develop genuine love and concern for others within the heart. It is easy to give something to some charity drive, but it is difficult to develop real compassion for the poor. It is easy to say, “Forgive me, Lord,” but it is difficult to repent.
The wise man said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This is an essential part of serving the Lord...and the difficult part!

Gray Areas
by Doy Moyer
Why would anyone look at an activity, think, “that's a gray area,” then proceed to engage in what has just been admitted to be in question? To say that something is in a “gray area” is to say that it is unsure and could potentially go either way (if enough info is given). If it's right, then it's not “gray.” If it's wrong, then it's not “gray.” Once we say, “it's gray,” we are admitting we don't know for certain. So why not make sure before jumping into something that's a potential problem?
The Proper Perspective Toward Marriage
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
“What God has joined together, let not man separate...whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery (Matthew 19:6, 9).
“A wife is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@knology.net / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.