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Vol. 46 April 13, 2021 Number 14
“HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION
WHEN WE MAKE THE WRONG DECISION”
Barry Kennedy
These words are very special to me, because they are some of the
words that were spoken in a morning prayer by my son when he was
five years old. I don’t know that he truly grasped the impact that those
words had on my heart, but immediately I began thinking about this
article. Just what exactly is being said in this short but extremely
profound statement?
First, man needs God’s help. Prayer is such an awesome blessing.
Just think, every child of God can at any time step confidently into the
very throne room of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. “Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). According to the Hebrew
writer, in our prayers we have the opportunity to ask for God’s help in
our times of need. Of course, everyone has those pesky times of need
because we all live in this sin filled world. James made it clear that trials
are going to be a part of life. “My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into
divers temptations;” (James 1:2). Notice now how the ESV translates James
1:2. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
Both are saying the same thing, which is, “Trouble is coming, what will
be our attitude?” Without God’s help how can one find joy in the trials
of life? We need God’s help to make the right decision when we make
the wrong decision.
Second, we will make wrong decisions. Many know that God
does not require them to be perfectly sinless in their lives, but the fact
that man tends to be, more often than not, extreme in his thinking,
causes many to give up when they cannot overcome the sins that so
easily beset them (Hebrews 12:1). The simple truth is that man sins. If
anyone is bold enough to make the statement that he has no sin, or does
not sin, just sinned by lying (Revelation 21:8). John emphasized this
point clearly when he wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our-
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ELDERS
Mike Childers ............. 397-6453
Dennis Hallmark......... 255-5557
Mark Hitt .................... 322-0917
Bobby Lindley ............ 260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan ................ 419-5552
William Harris ............ 416-8149
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder (731)879-9196
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office.......................... 842-6116
Fax .............................. 842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship........................9:00 a.m.
Bible class..................10:15 a.m.
Worship......................11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes......7:00 p.m.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)
2. --article continued from page 1--
selves, and the truth is not in us;” “If we say that we
have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is
not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10). Any accountable
person will fall to the temptations of Satan at
some point in his or her lives. Succumbing to the
temptations to sin is nothing more than making
the wrong decision, proving the need for God’s
help in having the guilty stains of our wrong
decisions taken away. Only the blood of Christ has
the power to wash away our guilty stains (Rev.
1:5). So, we say again, “Help us make the right
decisions when we make the wrong decisions.”
Third, we can make the right decision.
Notice the statement does not say, Make the right
decision for us.” Decisions are ours and ours
alone. How can we make the right decisions? It is
easy to see how so many make wrong decisions.
Some fail to use wisdom, i.e., the ability to see
where a particular course of action will lead.
Many live for the moment, ignoring the future.
The drunk did not take his first drink with the
goal of becoming an alcoholic. The smoker did
not take his first drag expecting to have lung
cancer or emphysema. There are consequences
for actions both good and bad. So again, how do
we make the right decisions? Don’t forget the
first point, we need God’s help. Understanding
how God helps us will be the answer man needs
to make wise decisions. God helps us ultimately,
adequately, and effectively through His all-
inspired word (Psalm 119:11, 105; Acts 20:32; 2
Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:3). It would be silly to
ask God for help without being willing to search
the scriptures. God has done so much for man,
and He is still willing to help with His divine
providence, but we have to seek Him first
(Matthew 6:33). Only then can we confidently
say, “Help us make the right decisions when we
make the wrong decisions.”
Brain Freeze
Everyone is invited to the
multipurpose room at 8:00 p.m. after
Bible class this Wednesday, Apr. 14,
for ice cream and a short period of
fellowship.
God Always Has an Answer
It is easy to get discouraged when things go wrong, but
we must not lose heart.
God is at work in the world, even in the midst of pain
and trial. The next time your world is burning down,
remember that it just may be a smoke signal to summon
help. God has a positive answer for any negative thought
we have:
We say: “It’s impossible.”
God says: “All things are possible” (Luke 18:27).
We say: “I’m tired.”
God says: “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
We say: “I can’t do it.”
God says: “You can do all things” (Philippians 4:13).
We say: “I’m not able.”
God says: “I am able” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
We say: “It’s not worth it.”
God says: “It will be worth it” (Romans 8:28).
We say: “Nobody really loves me.”
God says: “I really love you” (John 3:16).
We say: “I can’t go on.”
God says: “My grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9; Ps. 91:15).
We say: “I can’t figure things out.”
God says: “I will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
We say: “I can’t forgive myself.”
God says: “I forgive you” (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1).
We say: “I can’t manage.”
God says: “I will supply all your needs” (Phil. 4:19).
We say: “I’m afraid.”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (2 Tim.
1:7).
We say: “I’m worried and frustrated.”
God says: “Cast all your cares on Me” (1 Peter 5:7).
We say: “I don’t have enough faith.”
God says: “My Word will give you faith” (Rom. 10:17).
We say: “I’m not smart enough.”
God says: “I will give you wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:30; James
1:1–5).
We say: “I feel all alone.”
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb.
13:5).
Via-- House to House Heart to Heart,
Archive 2128
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in Saudia Arabia
3. Daily Bible Reading
April 14...............................................2 Kings 22-25
April 15...........................................1 Chronicles 1-4
April 16...........................................1 Chronicles 5-9
April 17.......................................1 Chronicles 10-13
April 18.......................................1 Chronicles 14-16
April 19.......................................1 Chronicles 17-21
April 20.......................................1 Chronicles 22-27
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Heath Lindley (Apr. 15), Mike
Cross (Apr. 16), Dennis Hallmark (Apr. 16),
Hannon Ray (Apr. 16), Janna Gholston (Apr.
17), Brenda Lindley (Apr. 18), Wanda Bryan (Apr.
20), LuAnne Funerburk (Apr. 20), Blaine Roby (Apr.
20). Anniversaries: Sky & Jennifer Ray (Apr. 14).
Our Sick
James Simmons has four more chemo treatments,
one being this Friday. Ashley Davis has completed
her chemo and will begin some radiation treatment
soon. Shauna McMickin, Scotty & Wanda Bishop’s
granddaughter, continues at St. Jude in a step-down
ICU room. She is undergoing chemo and has
developed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome due
to previously having Covid. She is improving.
Tommy Goff, Patsy Nichols’ brother, is taking a break
from his chemo & radiation. Haley Underwood
underwent a colonoscopy Tuesday to try to figure out
some ongoing health issues.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly,
Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Caroline Willis, Sean
Koehn, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch Maclean, Mary
Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham, Jane
Griffin
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona Harris,
Shirley McCarthy, Bob & Clara McClure, Brenda
Dawson
EMYG News
Hello! What an exciting week ahead! We have
our Maywood Retreat this FRIDAY-SUNDAY.
If you’re going, please let me know and give
me your $40 registration fee THIS Wednesday.
If you would like to ride to Maywood on the
bus, it will be leaving the church building at
6:00pm sharp! Looking forward to a great
weekend!
There will be NO T.G.I.F. this week due to our
Retreat. We will pick back up on April 23rd.
We will have a mandatory Youth & Parent
meeting for all ages on April 25th after worship.
Please bring a potluck dish and enjoy a time of
fellowship together.
Junior Youth LOCK-IN on April 30th. More
details to come. Chaperones needed.
As always, if I can help you in any way,
PLEASE let me know. God loves you and so do
I. Alex
4. Men to Serve Sunday, Apr. 18, 2021 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading.................................Jonathan Nichols
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lord’s Supper
Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing......................................Donny McKay
Closing Prayer...................................... Paul Blansett
Ushers ...................Ricky Lindsey & Andy Baldwyn
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..............................Roger Sanderson
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 4-7-21 .................................................... 123*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 4-11-21 .................................... 181*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 177
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 162
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $10,808
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
