AUGUST 2025 GLAD TIDINGS 11 When you know the Lord Jesus Crist as your personal savior then you are in fellowship with the one that bought your soul at Calvary. When your soul is saved then you’ve got something more valuable than the whole world. When you have the true blessings of God they are priceless. We have a peace that surpasses man’s understanding. What kind of price can you put on that We have the fruits of the spirit. Love, joy, peace and so on. You won’t find that at Wal Mart. Amen! All these blessings are from God to those that want them. The bible says to just ask. They are like pearls. Our testimony and our witness is like pearls. We are proclaiming the name of the one that bought the pearl of great price, the church on the cross. The bible says in Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.” Now, I know we are to witness to folks at any opportunity. But we are not to try and force our belief off on anyone. In the first place, it won’t do no good if they are not at least a little bit receptive to what you are saying. If they are God haters and despisers of everything good and holy then you are doing as the bible says in this scripture. You are casting your pearls before swine. Your testimony of the love of God within you is as precious as pearls. God’s word is more precious than all the jewels and riches rare. it changes the lives of those that would receive it. It breaks up the stony heart of a harden sinner and makes them a new person. It mends lives and broken hearts. It cleans up filthy lives. It puts marriages back together. It gives drug addicts and alcoholics new hope. Oh, how precious is God’s word! In this same scripture it says that we must not give that which is holy unto the dogs. If you had a special quilt your granny had made for you then you certainly wouldn’t put it outside for the dogs to sleep on. Amen! When you encounter folk that had rather you hand them a rattle snake than to hand them a bible then don’t waste your time. Only a great big divine miracle of God could change them and I’m not saying to give up on folks, but as the bible says “You would be casting your perls before swine.” Let God handle that. It’s too big for your britches! Witness all you can, hen you can and where you can, but when you see that it is not wanted then back off. Don’t throw your pearls before an unreceptive audience only to se them trampled under their feet and then as the bible says, “They will turn and rend you.” In other words, then they will criticize you, hate you and say all manner of evil about you. That’s why I never could understand all these folk that like to argue religion with anyone, let alone an unbeliever. First off we are to witness. Give our testimony and tell them what God has done and is doing for us. We are not to argue theology. That gets your nowhere except into heated debate. You are casting the pearls of God before swine. An uninterested ear. Instead of being someone that is respected, you will become someone that folks try to avoid. Your greatest testimony, your greatest pearl is the life you live. Not necessarily what you say. Let your light shine so they will see the reality of serving God in you. Scatter your pearls where they count. Where they do some good. Then just patiently wait on the Lord and you will see results. Can you say amen? u GARY TOOLE EXPRESS LOCATION: 1001 N Madison Ave Douglas Ga. In the old Preferred Loan & Tax Bldg Come See Us For Your: Personal Loans - Tax Loans - Filing Taxes LOAN AND TAX SERVICE 912-389-1040 PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Todd Wade - Owner Jasmine Gusman - Douglas Mgr Squirrel Infestation " The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they shouldn’t interfere with God’s divine will. At the Baptist church the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a water-slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. The Lutheran church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. Two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water-slide. The Episcopalians tried a much more unique path by setting out pans of whiskey around their church in an effort to kill the squirrels with alcohol poisoning. They sadly learned how much damage a band of drunk squirrels can do. But the Catholic church came up with a very creative strategy! They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter. And not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. They took the first squirrel and circumcised him. CHURCH HUMOR INSPIRE 21 A Song To Remember In the bustling city of Lagos, Rachel, a talented musician, faced a series of setbacks that left her dreams shattered. She struggled with self-doubt and financial hardship, till she questioned her faith in God and purpose in life. She had gone for a church administration when she realized that her purse was missing, she decided to trek home rather than flag down a stranger’s car on the highway. She was hungry and tired, she noticed a park and rested under a big oak tree. She caressed her violin case and retrieved it. Rachel played her violin in the empty park, she poured out her emotions and pain into the song like she was telling someone her story, she was acting singing to God. A stranger approached. Intrigued by the haunting melody, he revealed himself as a renowned conductor searching for fresh talent. Rachel, astonished, was offered an invitation for an audition to pursue her passion. Her friends raised funds for her to attend the audition. Favor spoke for her, she was given a slot and received a monthly stipend 10 times the salary she received from her tutorial classes. As she joined the orchestra, Rachel's life transformed. She was made a soloist for one of their showcase. Her music became a source of inspiration, touching the hearts of audiences worldwide. The once-forgotten dreams flourished into a symphony of redemption, reminding everyone that, with faith and perseverance, even the most broken melodies can be woven into a beautiful composition. u
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