There is  a lot going on at the ACC in September!

• The Section C Youth Rally will be held in Morganton, NC on the 4th.

• Come join the Youth-4-Truth for our second Pizza Inn fundraiser in Johson City. Septemeber 17th 5-9pm.

• The Annual Church Picnic will be held at Roan Mountain State Park on September 19th starting at 11:00am.

And dont forget or weekly services Sundays at 10:00 and 6:00, and Bible Study and Youth Service Wednesdays at 7:00.  Come get CONNECTED!

Over the last two years, if not longer we have heard these words ring over the television and read them over and over in magazines and news print. “Change we can believe in.” This is one of the more positive phrases to be used to reach Americans in recent years. Breaking that down and looking at each word we see a phrase that was carefully crafted and created to reach a society that is hungry for something.

People everywhere are searching for something to make a difference in their lives. Some look for it in love, some in money, some in pleasure, and some in pain leading them into addiction. Often they find out that the road they choose to take leads to a never ending circle of ups and downs.

We are currently in turmoil in America. We have seen a new leader elected over our country and people are anxious for the change that was promised. The economy is sinking, unemployment is rising, Health care reform is causing near riots in small town meetings. This is the earthly version of change. We must look at the spiritual side of change.

Jesus said (John 10:10) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and t<!–[endif]–>o destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus wasn’t promising change that would be somewhere down the road in the future. He told them “I am come” or “I am here”. To me he was telling those listening that he was there to make it happen right then, and from that moment throughout the rest of time. In that one statement he was saying, this is how it is, referring to the thief, and then he told them how it was going to be, referring to himself. He was talking about CHANGE and it was something they could believe in and not doubt.

He then went on to lay out his plan for change. In John 16:7 Jesus says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” Once again Jesus reassured the people that change was taking place. He told them what had to happen for the change to take place. Then we see the fulfillment of the promise in the book of Acts. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord, in one place.” This was the fulfillment of the CHANGE that had been promised. From that moment in time until this present day we see that change still taking place.

Long after politicians, presidents, senators, congressmen and Supreme Court justices are gone from office and have their place in history, the CHANGE that Jesus Christ brought to this earth is still affecting humanity.

So, for all of the empty promises, false hope, disappointments and discouragements that people have faced because of false change, there is one place that we can find the answer.

Hebrews 8:6 “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better PROMISES.” The change that was spoken of in the Bible was a sure thing because it was backed up by God himself. There was no committee to get approval from nor was there a consensus needed to pass the bill. There was a promise made and a promise kept, so when we see others that are in need, hurting, disturbed, discouraged, distraught, depressed, lonely and yes, in need of salvation we can point them to something that will transform their lives. We can show them Change they can believe in.

How does $4500 for your old 1970 Ford Pinto sound? WHAT A DEAL! Too good to be true? As crazy as it sounds, if you meet a few requirements, a local auto dealer will give you far more than what your old car is worth. I am talking about the government’s latest program, Cash-For-Clunkers.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

At one time we were in great spiritual shape, everything was going our way, but as we go through the daily routine, we allow life’s troubles to weigh us down. We end up with dents caused by wrongdoings in the past and we need a major overhaul because of the grudge that we carry with us.

The main requirement for the cash for clunkers program says that your clunker has to get poor gas mileage. Sometimes we have that one power packed church service where we shout the walls down and we feel like we can take the world. But again, we eventually lose our drive and efficiency. We go for months in a spiritual slump until we get recharged again. When that happens, we are trying to get too many miles out of one tank of gas!

Hebrews 12:1 Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

We need a spiritual walk that makes us get more mpg. We need to TRADE in the clunker for something better! God will gladly accept our clunker life for a closer walk with Him.

Isaiah 61:2 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

People get depressed and say that they just aren’t worthy of His grace. The truth of the matter is, we aren’t, and we never will be. But He loves us enough to take our old man and make us new creatures!

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

One final thought. The clunker (i.e. your past life) is never used again. It is not resold or ever put back into service. The clunker gets crushed. When God gives you that new life, the old one is gone forever! Never look back to it. Enjoy the ride.

- Bro. Wesley Combs

As we go about our day to day activities do we stop to consider the miracles around us every day? Since Chris has started to walk with his braces I began to think about the miracles in my life.

First and most important is the miracle of the Holy Ghost that dwells within. Second, God saw fit to give Paul and me a miracle child that has grown up to be a young man that has a deep, abiding love for God. To see him walk is a wonderful blessing.

But then my mind goes to the small miracles we sometimes take for granted, like the sunrise. Every time I see the sun rise I have to give God praise for another day. He gives us the air we breathe.

One of my favorite blessings is the smile of a child, or a simple hug or maybe an “I love you.” God has placed several sweet and adorable little ones in my life; I will treasure their memories always. God has also given me a wonderful family, and just as precious is my church family.

So as we go through our busy day to day routines, let’s take time to enjoy the sunrise or listen to the rain gently come down. Or maybe listen as the birds sing their song of praise. Hug your child or grandchild. Think about the steps you take as you walk and give God the praise for all these things and more. Enjoy the miracles all around you.

Sis. Evita Wilson

Through the world’s eyes Michael Jackson was very successful. In 1982 his hit “Thriller” became the second best-selling U.S. album of all time. Five years later, “Bad” sold 22 million copies. In 1991, he signed a 65 million-dollar recording deal with Sony. In 1985, he spent 47.5 million-dollars to acquire ATV Music. In 1988 he spent 14.6 million dollars to purchase a 2,500-acre Neverland ranch nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara, California. He had great possessions, great gain, and success. The Word of God has something to say about all of these things.

Great Possessions: “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” “STUFF” can really get in our way. We can become so bogged down with all the things we have that we can easily lose sight of the big picture. 100 million years from now when we are in Heaven all of our stuff isn’t going to matter.

Great Gain: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” That’s pretty straight forward. We have to be content. There will always be someone with a nicer car, or a nicer house. DON’T PLAY THE COMPARISON GAME. Never compare your church to another church, your youth group to another youth group, and especially don’t compare your Pastor to another Pastor. Comparison on every level is spiritual suicide. The true way to success is to be Godly, and be content. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11.

God wants us to be successful, if we can handle it: “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.” Deuteronomy 28:13. Sadly, our human nature causes us to drift away from God when everything in life is easy. If God made us all millionaires tomorrow would we all be present for service next Sunday? Or would we get more stuff to get ourselves wrapped up in? God’s main desire is for us to make it to Heaven. When we pray and ask God for things, sometimes He says No. He is all knowing, trust in His decision, you will be glad you did down the road. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. With all the wealth and luxury Michael Jackson had, I think it’s obvious that there was something missing. Solomon obtained great riches, but at the end of his life he regarded it all as vanity. “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2.

There is an old song that states something true: Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul.

- Bro. Wesley Combs

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is First Peter 5:10: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” This small verse contains much about God, His love and His power.

 First of all, He is the God of all grace. He is the giver of the grace that saves us. Without this grace we could never, ever approach God because He is holy and we are human beings that were born into sin.

Even though we were sinful creatures He loved us enough to call us unto His eternal glory. We didn’t come to Him first; He called us. He knows us, loves us and called us. This wasn’t just a matter of Him saying,” OK, you can come in.” There was a price to be paid, and it was by the blood of Jesus on the cross. Because we all have sinned, Jesus offered Himself as a sinless sacrifice. Because He died, we will someday go to heaven to live eternally with Him.

The next part of the verse talks about suffering. We sometimes get the idea that, as Christians, we shouldn’t have to suffer anything. One of the repeated themes of First Peter is that suffering will happen to us. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (4:12) Peter goes on, though, in verse 13 to tell us to rejoice in those trials. Jesus suffered while on earth. Why should we be any different?

Those trials, though hard, do wonderful things for us. We don’t feel it at the time, and some of them are awful, but when one gets to the other side, one can see how God used the trial to make us better people.

God uses these trials to make us perfect. I, for one, was so glad to hear Bro. Davis’s teaching on this phrase because it has always bothered me. Perfect? How can I be perfect? I mess up every day! When it was explained that the meaning is actually a process of becoming complete, it took a load off my shoulders that had been there for years. God can use our experiences, if we let Him, and help us grow toward becoming the complete person He wants us to be.

God also wants to establish and strengthen us. When something is established, it stands firm. It is strong. When we go through hard times and realize that God is there and is in control, we are harder to move from our faith when the next trial comes around. (And yes, unfortunately, there will be more!) God not only uses trials to strengthen and establish us, but also His Word. When we read the Bible and do what it says, we become strong.

The very last part of the verse is about settling. I love this word and the action it portrays. There is a peace and contentment in it that reminds me of Psalm 17:8: “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” There is a protection that only God can give. When we are near him, we don’t have to be afraid or worried. We are settled by Him and with Him.

As stated at the beginning, this one little verse covers a lot of ground. We learn about His love, His sacrifice and His care. Only God’s Word could tell so much in just thirty-one small words.

- Sis. Dionne Braddock