Pass on Great Truths

We are not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it on to the next generation—God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. Psalm 78:3

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children. Psalm 78:6

Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child. Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news. Psalm 22:30-31

The great account of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, especially, is to be taught forever. Jesus died to save us and give us life forever in heaven.

My grandmother, Bessie Johnson, lived ¼ of a mile away from the farm I grew up on. We saw her often and even lived in her house while our farmhouse was being remodeled. She loved the Lord and worked on many committees and served the Methodist Church of Holdrege, Nebraska faithfully. She even had me prepare a speech one time for a group she belonged to at the church. She hosted our Christmas family gatherings, and all her children and grandchildren came to her house. I was going there even after I was married and had children. Christmas was always honored by scripture and stories on these occasions. And she never was angry at me. She taught me a lot by her manner of life.

My parents, LaVern and Pauline Johnson, were strong advocates of going to church every Sunday, which is what people did on that day. They wanted to worship our Lord and taught me to revere our Lord. Things have changed, especially after the Covid time. Not as many go to church every Sunday in today’s world with sports, work, and other activities, but there are still many ways to pass on the greatness and love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the new generations. Bryce and I choose to go to church, worshipping with others, participating in giving food to the community, and socializing with members. You can choose your own way.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:4-5: I thank God for you, Timothy, for your honest faith, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you.

God chose you from the beginning to be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

You are a dearly beloved child of God.

Sandra Hilsabeck 

Run to the Lord and be Comforted

Scripture about comfort: 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50

Words from Proverbs

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 

Words from Matthew 28

Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 NIV 

Words from Psalm 46

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar & foam & the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:2-3 

Words from Hebrews

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday & today & forever. Hebrews 13:8 

What's in a Name?

And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house . . . Praising God, and having favor with all the people, And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47 KJV

Recently, I attended the funeral service of a friend here at Eastridge Church named John Wolfe. His wife, Catherine, is a member of another denomination so I had only met her a couple of times. My friend, Berna Stading, and I met Catherine when we went to visit John in his home after he was no longer able to attend church services. 

John was a very humble elderly gentleman and so friendly that all of us who sat in the same pew with him on Sunday mornings and those sitting in pews nearby became his friends. 

The Sunday before his 95^th birthday, I brought him a loaf of homemade bread and a few homemade cookies. The next Sunday instead of thanking me he said, “If you ever want to bring some more bread to me, I wouldn’t turn it down.” His comment set the pattern for our friendship.

Berna and I took homemade bread and cookies to his home when we visited him, but since we didn’t really know Catherine, we were never quite sure how our gifts were received.

Catherine didn’t remember us when we greeted her at John’s funeral service, until I mentioned that we were the ones who brought homemade bread to John. “Oh,” she said, “That was the best bread, you’re the ‘bread ladies’!” We were so pleased to learn that our bread and cookies had been a source of Christian caring and joy for both of them. 

What’s in a name anyway? Our names are Berna and Judy, but we loved being called the “Bread Ladies”! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you for bringing such wonderful friends to us as we worship You. They are just one of the many blessings you give us. Mostly, we praise and thank You for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, Our Living Bread. Even though He knows each of us by our names, He calls us His friends as He forgives us and saves us from our sins. It’s in His holy name we pray.  Amen 

Judy Welch