The January Newsletter
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"You have heard that it was said 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43, 44) |
Anyone who denies that our natures are essentially sinful has only to observe children --even the best of small children -- at play. There are kids who are great blood-lines -- wonderful heredity -- such as my own grandchildren, who with sufficient provocation can be as mean as a cross-eyed snake. Take, for example, the incident that I observed recently as my 16-month-old grandson Andrew was sipping coke from a can. When his older brother took the can to have an unauthorized drink of his little brother's beverage, he promptly reached over and pinched the straw cutting off the flow of coke to big brother. Who taught him to do that? The little guy isn't old enough to even talk, but he is old enough to fight. There are some arguments for our sinful natures which are unassailable!
Defending yourself, pushing others away, yes --even pinching the straws of siblings who want to mooch your coke-- comes easy. Loving comes hard especially when people are not always so lovely.
Writing to the Colossians, Paul knew that there would be situations which tax your ability to be nice, to do Christ-like things, to treat others with kindness when they often treat you with distaste. Thus he wrote,"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." You'll find the context of these words in the book of Colossians, 3:12-14. I suggest you write down that reference and take a good look at it yourself.
The phrase,"Bear with each other" can aptly be translated,"putting up with each other." And learning to love even when you don't feel like loving. "Wouldn't that be hypocritical?" Not really. Doing what you know is right, even when you don't feel like doing it, is never wrong, though it may not at first be entirely comfortable. Here's how C.S. Lewis advised overcoming that feeling. "When you are behaving as if you loved someone," he wrote,"you will presently come to love them. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."
Does it work? Indeed it does. Jesus Himself urged us to do this very thing. Under military law, a soldier could compel a private citizen to carry his pack for some distance which was about the equivalent of a mile. But Jesus told his followers, "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (Matthew 5:41).
Where will this lead? Well, it won't lead to divorce courts, and it won't result in wars and battles, but it will lead to the green pastures of peace and contentment where the still waters flow --not a bad place for a picnic any day. The older brother whose straw you want to pinch to keep him from drinking your coke, may even grow up to be your best friend. Who knows?
Dr. Harold Sala's program "Guidelines" is heard weekdays at 5:00 p.m. "Putting Up with One Another in Love" is reprinted by permission © Guidelines, Inc. Reprinted from Guidelines for Living, Volume 5, Number 12.
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I was in the congregation at a funeral where the pastor stated that it was not known if the person who died was a believer. The pastor placed our focus on Jesus. I left thinking, "Why am I doing anything else but telling people about Jesus? Why worry about my other outside responsibilities? Have I been to every neighbor with the message of salvation? What is really important?" The answer to our needs, problems, for today and tomorrow is Jesus. So how do we share? Innovative ideas can be useful for today. But don't be afraid of the old-fashioned method - tell someone you care and how much more Jesus cares about their life. He cared so much that He was willing to die for them, and He continues to care and waits for them to come to Him. It's only a matter of time until we meet Him face to face. We have a tendency to think "not now" I have many years left to live. As I've talked to people and they expressed a desire to wait to make a decision to follow Christ it's easy to remind them that we are not promised even another moment. But it's hard to see the reality of that thought. We all think we have another hour, day, even years. We think we have even more years to tell someone about Jesus!
I take joy in seeing a young friend who does something positive to share the Good News. He's visually handicapped, but able to knit. He knits dish cloths and puts a tract inside and shares them everywhere he goes whether it's the toll booth attendant, the waitress, or the hotel staff. He shares the Good News in a brief, but positive way.
Whatever method we use to share we need to be ever open to the doors of opportunity God puts before us. What is really important in life? What deserves my time and attention? Jesus is too important to let any personal feelings rob me of the opportunity to be a positive witness.
When we were in Brazil, I very quickly got used to having the little girl with big brown eyes, a beautiful smile and long hair, seek me out - coming and sitting on my lap for part of the service. She usually wouldn't stay the whole time, but would return to sit with her grandmother. How could I help but enjoy being sought out - being of value. How could I help but love her - she showed love to me. God has shown His love to us - the Babe of Bethlehem - the Sacrificial gift on the Cross of Calvary. How can we help but love because He first loved us. I John 4:19.
As you approach the New Year, set your mind on things above. Set your goal on a life that will focus others' attention on the Christ who loves us so much He was willing to die for us. May this be the year your focus is on Jesus Christ and making Him First.
by Martha Root
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Each month we list our broadcasters that have birthdays that month. We encourage you to remember these friends and their ministry with special prayer on that day.
January 18 - Jim Grossman,
WCIF Engineer,
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902-0366
Dr. Larry Bazer,
"Sunday School Lesson" - Sunday, 9:30 a.m.,
"Worship" - Sunday, 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.,
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902-0366
January 31 - Cliff Lethbridge,
Announcer,
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902-0366
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In Touch
(Weekdays 2:00 & 9:30 p.m.)
Dr. Charles Stanley
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
(Weekdays 1:30 & 9:00 p.m.)
Dr. James Dobson, host
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COCOA - As I read your message in the November Newsletter I thought how closely you have expressed my thoughts. As the results came in Nov. 5 and it became obvious who would be our president I was filled with a heavy sadness. A sadness that people, so very many of them, don't seem to feel honesty and integrity and other things I hold dear have any importance in today's world.....you know, the feeling of a tight ache in the throat so you can hardly speak. On my way home from work at midnight my dear friend Ray Ortland of Haven of Rest came on and said "My friend, don't despair. God uses elections to either bless a nation or bring it to it's knees. Remember He is in control and nothing happens ever that He does not allow." Ray reminded us of rulers and others in authority in the Bible who were used by God to do His will even when that wasn't their intention. You know that ache just seemed to melt away by the time Haven was over. I thank God for the Haven ministry and I thank God for all of you at WCIF who bring such blessings into our homes as your fine programs. Most of all our prayer should be to thank Him for His faithfulness. Find enclosed my Oct/Nov. pledge.
PALM BAY - Just a note to thank you for your very kind letter. Every day as I look around me and observe God's bounty and goodness I never cease to praise and thank Him. I am happy to send my pledge which is enclosed. I hope that in doing so I am making a contribution, small as it is, in the furtherance of God's work. I wish you all God's blessing and a very happy celebration of Christmas and the holiday season.
MELBOURNE - Enclosed is the balance of our "day sponsor" for 1996. Happy to hear the familiar Christmas music.
MERRITT ISLAND - Enclosed is my check for Christmas contribution. Thank you!
MELBOURNE - God's blessings to you. These few lines are to let you know that I do appreciate your ministry. On radio my dial is always at 106.3 whether in my car or in my work truck. I'm so blessed by your programming. God bless you. Please pray for my family and me. MELBOURNE - I appreciate each one of you for your special expertise. My life is more fulfilling and rewarding with WCIF I listen to daily. One can never feel lonely with your great friendship! Yours because we're His.
INDIALANTIC - We sure do enjoy the beautiful music and programs from this station. Especially enjoy UNSHACKLED and "Songs of Majesty". Of course we like Dobson, J. Vernon McGee, Swindoll and Mel Johnson just to name a few. Enclosed is our pledge and some extra.
INDIAN HARBOR BEACH - Thanks so much for being on the air. This has been a really rough week for me. Had a terrible cold that just wouldn't let me sleep at night. Thank heavens for Mike. He was on the two nights with the music I love, and his kind words off and on all night, really helped me. WCIF is on my radio all the time. I enjoy all the programs. My car radio, also my little radio in the back yard is on while I work out there. It's relaxing. You all have a wonderful holiday and make it last all next year. A friend that loves Jesus.
MELBOURNE - May the Lord truly bless your ministry, it is the mainstay of my days.
MELBOURNE - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Dear friends of WCIF from all my heart I thank the Lord for all of you doing the good job and bringing Christ into our homes and lives night and day. I am praying always for you that God will give you wisdom from above to continue in the good work and may He guide and bless you all.
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A gift has been given to the ministry of WCIF:
In Honor of
Miss Christine Hollis
from
Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Bailay
In Memory of
Deyse Helton
from
Doris Needham
In Memory of
AIexander and Jessie McKim
from
Wade and Shirley Lovings
In Memory of
J.T. Swilley
from
his wife Marie Swilley
In Memory of
Wilma Wisner
from
The Wisner Family
In Memory of
CIemmie Yon
from
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Malick
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December 19 - Raymond and Gloria Keys in honor of their children Kimberly, Kay, Karen, and Ray
January 1 - Gloria Keys dedicated to her husband Raymond for his love and support throughout the year
January 10 - Curt and Linda Smith in memory of his mother Dorothy Smith on her birthday
January 11 - Mary Ann Latch in honor of her husband Russ on his birthday
January 18- Curt and Linda Smith in honor of her mother Jean Parroflo on her birthday
January 21 - Ruth Miller and Sara Howard in honor of granddaughter and great niece Ruth Anne Ellison on her eighteenth birthday
January 23- Mrs. Emma Noe in memory of her husband Bennie Noe
January 30 - Peter and Maria Lehotsky in honor of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary
Thank you to our Day Sponsors who have underwritten the cost of a
broadcast day on WClF. If you or your church would like information about
being a Day Sponsor call 725-9243 or send E-mail to
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A program featuring pastors of local churches heard weekdays at 5:30 p.m.
January 6 - 10 - Pastor Clarence Reed
Community Bible Church, Palm Bay
January 13 - 17 - Pastor Ken Babington
First Baptist Church, Cocoa Beach
January 20-24 - Pastor J. Wayne Vaughan Rockledge United Methodist
Church
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We are planning one last mailing of the 1997 Inspirational Life Calendar. If you have not requested a calendar and wish to receive one please call the station now at 725-9243 or just fill this request form with your correct address. These are available free of charge.
If you requested a calendar and did not receive it, please let us know.
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INVITE A FRIEND TO TUNE IN
WClF NEWSLETTER is a monthly publication of
WClF FM
702 E. New Haven Avenue
Melbourne, FL 32901.
(407) 725-9243.
VOLUME XIV, No. 11 Free subscription sent upon request
"I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
1 Timothy 1:1&2
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| Copyright ©1996 WCIF Christian Radio
Created by KiperteK |
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Contact WCIF:
WCIF Christian Radio P.O. Box 366 Melbourne, FL 32902-0366 (407) 725-9243 E-mail: info@wcif.com |
