WHAT IS HOPE/

Humanly speaking hope is a wish, or a strong desire for something. Biblically, Hope is a firm assurance, or conviction based upon a settled fact. The Blessed Hope is the assurance we have from God's Word, that The Lord will come to receive unto Himself, His Church. The Bible says ''hope maketh not one ashamed.'' When one is fully persuaded, or firmly convinced about a matter, from God's Word, he will not be ashamed, but will boldly proclaim it. The Bible also says ''hope, which we have as an anchor.'' When we are told something by God, in His Word, and believe and act upon it, it will stabilize us, in this life. I Thank God for the Hope He has given me.

I GIVE UP

I give up trying to live the Christian Life, by the energy of the flesh. I give trying to get people saved, taking the prerogative of The Holy Spirit, into my own hands. I give up forcing my own prejudices on others. I give up trying to get others to love me. I give up my life, my heart and soul, unto God, to do with me, as He pleases. I give up my own pleasure, that The Lord's cause may advance. I give up my hopes, dreams, ambitions, surrendering to God's Will for me. Yes, I give up..... Paul W. Foltz DD

HOBGOBLINS

How sad it is that a church will celebrate Halloween, or just change the name, and call it a Fall Festival. The church is not to amuse, or entertain, it is to preach and teach the Word of God. We are not to love the world, nor partake of its customs. We are to be a separated, holy people, living in the world, but not being of it. ''LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.''