Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
January 19, 2020

God is Good!
by Aubrey Belue
There never is NOT a time to remember that.
In His goodness, God is quick to remind us that He IS good, that He is concerned, and that He is always with us. (He knows that the best of us need reassuring frequently.) He has repeatedly said as much, and provides scripture after scripture to reinforce it in our minds.
I memorized the 23rd Psalm very early in life, I can still (and often do) quote it word for word in the King James Version, and it will remain one of my special favorites. We sometimes forget that God’s word is DESIGNED for us as we are, with all our “warts”, and for the soul who understands that, nothing is so intimidating as to disturb our peace.
While He tells us to be perfect, none are, but the assurance is still there...and one thing I really lean on is His promise only to demand from us what we are able to accomplish (2 Corinthians 8:12). No doubt even here we sometimes fail, but I trust God to show me mercy and grace, because He promised me He would. Unlike some, I don’t NEED to know “how much”, and whether a “minor sin” is permitted—in my mind, and I believe in His mind, there is no such provision. But, at any stage, I can only be made “free from sin” by Him, and that wonderful psalm continually reminds me of His gracious provisions. Thru the good AND the bad, this holds true. Even the “valley of the shadow of death” is wide enough to have Him walk beside me and ease my fears.
God is GOOD—and He is MY God!
Jesus Came To... Declare the Father’s Name
by Bryan Gibson
Speaking to His Father Jesus said, “I have manifested Your name” (John 17:6), and, “I have declared to them Your name” (John 17:26). How did Jesus manifest or declare the Father’s name? Consider these statements from the first chapter of John:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (v. 14).
“Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (v. 16).
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared (explained—NASV) Him” (v. 18).
There is no one “name” that fully reveals the character of God, even the one given in Exodus 3:14-15, which was said to be His name “forever” and a “memorial to all generations.” His fullness however is revealed in Jesus, who was God in the flesh. Jesus revealed the character of God through His teachings, His mighty works, and His perfect life. On one occasion, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8). Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’”? (John 14:9). The Old Testament reveals much about the character of God, but the picture was not complete until we “beheld His glory.”
Earlier mention was made of the passage in Exodus 3:14-15, where God tells Moses to tell the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.” Interestingly, Jesus applies this designation, “I AM,” to Himself in John 8:24, 28, and 58. But notice how He expands on this designation in various passages:
I AM the bread of life (John 6:35, 48).
I AM the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5).
I AM the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9).
I AM the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14).
I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
I AM the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
I AM the true vine (John 15:1).
Jesus came to this earth to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), but He also came to declare His Father’s name—to fully reveal His nature. To see Jesus is to see God in all His fullness. What is our task today? To let Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20), so we too can become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), so we too can declare or manifest His name through our daily lives.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / 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.