Sunday, August 15, 2021 Vol. 2-30

WELCOME! We welcome any visitors today to our worship service and we hope that you will come again at your next convenience.

August 8, 2021 A.M Assembly……..

• Offering ……$5,229.00 “Give And It Shall Be Given Unto

You” Luke 6:38

We are grateful for your financial support for the Lord’s Church.

We are also encouraged with your in-person worship attendance.

Measuring Our Love

Bro Antoine McMultry Bro Willie Porter

Sis Tammy Thibideaux Sis Linda Andrews

Sis Edna Fisher Sis Karla Sandifer Sis Marian Dixon Sis Joyce McCray Sis Susan Jackson

Sis Gail Ray Sis Wanda Carroll Sis Rose Gordon

Sis Shekeylia Wheeler Bro Ted Dixon

In Bereavement: The Singleton Family

“Let us Pray without ceasing”

In Bereavement: Please pray for the Singleton family. Bro. JC Singleton passed away on Tuesday of last week. Funeral arrangements are pending. SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT HOUR is this evening at 5:30 pm on ZOOM. Bro. Willard Crigler is scheduled to join us this evening from Los Angeles. Next Sunday after the morning worship, we are scheduled to have our congregation meeting. Please come and be willing to share thoughts about church work activities in the future. The Figueroa COC has started a SOUL SESSION on Zoom on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 - 5:15 pm on ZOOM. The Link is 88974884709. Live Every Day Successfully Christianity is the religion of today. Live every day wisely. 1. Acknowledge that today is the gift of God, Psalm 118:24. You are a steward of today, James 4:1-17. 2. Do more than is required today. Go the second mile, Matthew 5:42. 3. Cast all your burdens on the Lord, 1 Pet. 5:7, Matthew 6:34. 4. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, Ephesians 4:26. 5. Take a step today toward your goal, Philippians 3:13-14. 6. Lift up your eyes to the heights today, Psalm 123:1-2, Colossians 3:1-2. 7. Count all things as joy, James 1:2-4. 8. Take time to meditate on God’s word today, Psalm 119:97. 9. Renew your mind today, Romans 12:2. Study God’s word, 2 Tim. 2:15. 10. Remember today that God loves you and that you are created in His image, Genesis 1:27, John 3:16. 11. Place God first in everything you do, Matthew 6:33, and do all to His glory, Colossians 1:17. 12. Serve someone today, Matthew 25:31-46.

California Ave. Church of Christ

Newsletter

Schedule of Services Sunday Bible Classes…………..9:30a.m. A.M. Worship ………….10:30a.m. Prayer & Encouragement Zoom Session……5:30p.m. Wednesday Zoom Bible Study…………6:00p.m. 1020 E. California Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93305 Church Office (661) 861-0594/ Cell (661) 496-0475 Website: www.californiaavechurchofchrist.com Email: californiaavechurchofchrist@gmail.com YouTube: California Ave Church of Christ Facebook: California Avenue Church of Christ

Times Have Changed

By A. C. Quinn

"Times have changed" is a common refrain from those who find themselves in contradiction with the Word of God. This happens especially when moral standards are involved.

First of all, one might question what folks mean when they say “Times have changed.” Are they talking about a changing culture? Are they talking about changing attitudes—one’s view of the world? It is most likely the latter.

The idea that times have changed seems to indicate to many folks that somehow God’s standards have changed with regards to the sanctity of marriage, sexual improprieties, and myriads of other sins. There is a fundamental truth that is lost in this thinking which leads many to lives of sin: “Whosoever commiteth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). Clearly, sin is sin, regardless how much human attitudes may change. Not only so, neither God nor his Word changes: “For I am the Lord, I change not...” (Malachi 3:6); “God is not man, that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19); “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:34).

It is certain that there will be the judgment day coming. Sadly, for many, what people think will not be the standard. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge hm in the last day” (John 12:48).

People Skills From God Dale Pollard Some people just seem to be born with great people skills. Perhaps their personality type just naturally draws others to them. While natural ability may give some a leg up, the great news is that anyone can learn to work well with others and you can develop better interpersonal skills. In fact, it’s really a biblical command! The church is made up of all kinds of people and that being the case, we must all be in the people business. Thankfully, our Lord doesn’t leave us high and dry to try and figure these things out on our own. Dispersed throughout the Bible we find several sections of scripture that teach us how to communicate, empathize, and get along with others effectively. God’s interpersonal skills cannot be matched. As the Creator, He understands exactly how humans think and behave. Here are twelve insights on interpersonal skills sent to us from above.

1. Speak evil of no one (I Thess. 5:14) 2. A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1) 3. The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness (Proverbs 16:21) 4. Be gentle and show courtesy to all people (Titus 3:2) 5. Do good to everyone (Gal. 6:10) 6. Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) 7. As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them (Luke 6:31) 8. Discern your own thoughts, identify your intentions (Heb. 4:12) 9. Treat others like you would treat Jesus. How would you interact with Him? (Matthew 25:40) 10. Season your speech with grace. It’s the saviors All-Spice for every relationship building goal (Col. 4:5-

6) 11. Praise God and be joyful, it attracts people (Psalm 100:1-5) 12. Be ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, show courtesy to all

people (Titus 3:1-15) Notice how many passages in the Bible command us to speak differently than everyone else? All of these insights can be simply summed up in just one sentence. Talk, walk, and live more like Jesus. He was perfect in every way and that includes how he interacted with others. Modeling ourselves after the Savior will not only improve our relationship skills with others, but also with Him. Jesus also teaches us that no matter how gentle and loving we are, we’ll still make some people upset. That’s alright! As long as we’re acting like the Lord in all things. Give. It is