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FEBRUARY 5,
2012
A JUST MAN We know very little about Joseph, the husband
of Mary. One thing we do know is that he was a just man! Matthew wrote of the birth of Jesus: Now the
birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example,
was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS, for He will
save His people from their sins." Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,"
which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him and took unto him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called
his name JESUS (Matthew 1:18-25). This is a familiar passage to Bible students. There are many lessons to be drawn from
the text, but our focus is on Joseph. When he learned that Mary was pregnant, his immediate response was to break off
the engagement. He knew the child was not his, and at that moment he could think of only one possible explanation.
Yet, being a just (honorable, righteous) man, he would not make a public example of Mary, but would privately break off the
engagement. Unlike many today, Joseph was not vindictive. Nor did he plan to humiliate
Mary. Just men do not behave that way. Fortunately, before he had opportunity to carry out his intentions, it was revealed
to him that the child Mary carried was of the Holy Spirit. Joseph went through with the marriage. He raised Jesus
as his own. It was a decision he never regretted. Often, it is those with the greatest
personal sins who are most intolerant of the sins of others. However, just men know when to publicly expose a
sin and when to do deal with it privately. We need more just men like Joseph. -- Roger
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SICK Ruth
Rake is now at home. Joanna Thomas has been in and out of the hospital this past week. PRAYER LIST Please remember Twoie Armor, Sharon Armstrong (daughter of Mary
Lauck), Deborah Baker (friend of Betty Kelly), Jean Bauerbach,
Janie (Bankes) Billingsley, Donn Bookman (brother-in-law
of Junior & Helen Nolan), Wilma Burke (Darlene Ogletree's sister),
Max Carr (relative of Marge Stacy), Shawn Christmas (nephew of Ethel
Hendershot), Beth Constable Clark (cousin of Kathy Kidd), Sara Cook,
Glenn Feisley, (Randy's father), Barbara Fryman, (sister-in-law of Gertie
Fryman), Jillian, Beth and Jason Hanes (friends of the Wilkinsons),
Jennifer Henthorn, Lucille Hupp, Betty Kelly, Jim Kimball,
Goldie Lauer, Sylvia Lauer, Barbara Miller (sister of Kenny
Born), Taylor Morrison, (friend of Mary Ware), Gary Nichols, Lynne
Petty, Dina Pinkerton (friend of Lou Fryman), Etta Ritchie, Grace
Schneeberger (sister of Earl Schramm), Phillip Spradlin (Les Mills' cousin),
Karen Stewart (friend of Donna Butler), Bonnie Torbert (Kathleen
Johnson's mother), Kimberlee Van Tassel (daughter of Norm and Dorothy
Wilkinson), and Bob Venham in your prayers.
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THANK YOU Posted on the bulletin board is a thank you note from Nick, Amanda
and Dominic Billman. SING We will be hosting the first Friday Night
Sing of the year February 17. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board for cookies and pop. RESTORED Jim
Kimball came asking for the prayers of the congregation Sunday evening. CONGRATULATIONS Our
congratulations to Randy and Rhonda Feisley at the birth of their granddaughter, Madison
Lea Brinker, born January 27 weighing six pound eight ounces. Proud parents are Chad and Rachelle
Brinker. BEING WATCHED C. R. Nichol told this story in a book
of his. He was playing golf and his ball stopped behind a tree. A stranger with whom he was playing suggested
that he move it over 12 inches and then he could drive it toward the green. He told the stranger that the rules did
not allow that, and so he used an extra stroke to get himself out. When the game was over, the man asked his business,
and upon being told that he was a preacher, the man came to hear him. He later obeyed the gospel.
You don't have to be a preacher to be watched, however. Somebody - employee, employer, friend, neighbor -- is watching
you. As a result of your life, he thinks more or less of Christianity. Which? --copied.
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