22
September
2017

September Memory Verse
John 4:35,
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?
behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields;
for they are white already to harvest.

 
Trouble
Job 5:6-7
 
One of the most difficult questions in life is, "Why did God allow this trouble to come into my life?" We do not always know the answer to the question, "Why?"
  1. Troubles often appear suddenly and unexpectedly.
    Job did not anticipate the great trials that came upon him. 
  2. Troubles are often unexplained.
    As far as we can tell, Job never knew in this life about the Heavenly conflict that brought about his troubles.
  3. Troubles are often extremely difficult
  4. Troubles often have hidden benefits.
    There are things we learn about our Lord, others, and even ourselves in the time of troubles. 
  5. Troubles can strengthen our faith (if we allow them to).
    Though Job struggled to understand what was happening to him, in the end, his faith in God was much stronger than before he faced his troubles. 
  6. Troubles are often part of God's "chastening" of His children.
    Chastening is part of God's correction in our live, getting us "back on tract" and working to mold us into the person He saved us to be, molding us into the image of Christ. 
  7. Troubles are often part of our conditioning for service.
    God may have to put us through times of trouble to equip us for greater use in the future, to enable us to be a greater blessing and help to others as they go through troubles. Many millions of people have found encouragement and strength by reading of Job's experience.
  8. Troubles are always designed to bring glory to God in one way or another. See John 9:1-3. Troubles often come our way to show to this world God's great power, that He is good, and that He can and will give joy and victory even in the darkest of days.
A pearl is a beautiful thing and is highly valued, yet a pearl is the product of great suffering. Troubles in life are inevitable, yet they can be so beneficial.
 
This Sunday, September 24, is a big day for my wife and I. 24 years ago we moved to Oakland, Maryland to become Pastor of the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church. My how God has blessed! Souls have been saved, the church has grown, ministries have started and it is all to God's glory. Brother Byron Foxx will be with us all day, singing and preaching.  
 
This Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 25-26 is our Annual Sword of the Lord Conference on revival and soul winning. You can see our schedule below. The preaching by Dr. Shelton Smith and Dr. Scott Caudill and music by Dr. Byron Foxx is going to be great, along with wonderful fellowship with Christians from across the region. Please plan on joining us and please pray with us for revival in our hearts and churches. All meals are provided and call the church about motels in the area.
 
The next big event after the Sword conference is our FALL TEEN RALLY on Saturday, October 7. God's has greatly blessed this over the years and this year we have scheduled Dr. Lou Rossi and Pastor Lee Bowman. Call the church for more information.
 
I hope to see you in church this Sunday, so bring your Bible and a friend!
 
Sincerely, your friend,
                                                          

                     

 

 

Dennis Leatherman - Pastor

 
Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church
1005 Broadford Road, Oakland, MD, 21550