Shut-Ins:   Frances Beard

In Care Facilities:  Tommy Patsel,

Gerald  Lamb, Connie Newman  

Hospital: Rick Via -NC, Jewel Booth                                 

Home Recovering from Surgery or    

Hospital stay:  Ruth Martin, Jimmy Craig,      Jimmy Collins. David & Terry Bishop, Melissa Carper, Harold Chambers, Matt Ferris, Billy Altman, Bobby Dillon, Dorothy Hurt

Bereaved: The Families of

Raymond Harris and Gladys Powers

   Ask The Pastor-November

Question: When praying for forgiveness of a sin and you do not specify what sin it is, is it still forgiven?

First of all I would like to say that this is a very good question.  I believe it is one that many people probably have but are afraid to ask it.  Therefore let us dive into it and get an answer.  Many times it is easy to simply say, “God forgive me of my sins” and then move on.  When we use this general blanket statement it shows a lack of understanding of who God is and what sin is and does to a believer.  When we are asking to forgiveness we are not just asking God to excuse our behavior and never remember it again, we are also stating that we want to repent of that action.  To repent simply means to turn away from something.  When we say we are repenting of a particular sin we are asking God to help remove that temptation to fall back into that particular sin again.  This is why many people fall into the same temptation over and over.  They ask God to forgive them of it, but they never turn away from it.  When we pray should we ask God to forgive us, absolutely.  But we need to also ask God to help us turn from that sin.  So what do you do if you don’t know about a sin that is in your life.  That answer is easy on paper but very hard to put into practice.  We must be like David and say, “Search me, O God and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23, 24).  As we pray we need to ask God to show us who we are and to reveal to us if there is any hidden sin in our life.  And if God convicts us of something we then need to confess it and repent from it.  But what if we ask God and we don’t hear Him, are they still forgiven?  I believe the answer to that is yes according to James 5:15, “and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”  Now this passage is talking about praying for a person who is sick, but it also shines a light onto our situation.  Also notice 1 John 1:8, 9 which says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.”  If we truly come to God and ask for forgiveness and ask God to help us repent (turn away) from our sins, then His word is clear He will do it.  While we would be advised to spend time with God and ask Him to search us so that we may call our sins out by name to Him and repent of each one individually, I believe Scripture shows us that it is not necessary in order for our sins to be forgiven.

ASK THE PASTOR??…Many times we all have questions that we don’t have the time or opportunity to ask the Pastor about directly.  Each month we will select a question at random and pose it to the Pastor. Please e-mail your questions to sdewwjd@yahoo.com; you don’t need to include your name. There is a box on the back table if you would rather place your questions there.

 Got a question? E-mail the Pastor or send it to me at sdewwjd@yahoo.com

Upcoming Events- Mark Your Calendar…………..

Fall Festival-11/04-2-5pm

Deacons Meeting-11/05-7pm

Business Meeting-11/07-6:30pm

Deadline for Samaritan’s Purse-”Operation Christmas Child”-11/11

Bible Baseball-11/21

WMU Christmas Dinner-12/07

Church Wide Christmas Dinner

Friendship Manor--12/16-5pm

See if you can guess who I am...
I will give you some clues:
  1.  I have many relatives at East End.
  2.  I have a habit of twirling my hair.
  3.  I can play the piano.
  4.  I am a very serious person!
Well three out of four are true!  If you haven't figured it out yet, my name is Cheri Williams.  I have been married to T.G. Williams for 27 years.  I have two children, Ashley and Kevin.  Ashley is 21 and attends the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Kevin is 15 and is in the 10th Grade at William Byrd High School.  I have been attending East End for all of my 37 years...ok 40+ years.  I have some very fond memories at East End.  From my Aunt Inez's Sunday School class to G.A. camp, and I'll never forget all the Youth Choir Tours.  I was baptized in this church, was married in this church and both my kids were saved in this church too.  I enjoy working with the music program and have been the pianist or organist since I was 16 years old.  I love my church and look forward to every Wednesday night and Sunday morning! 

FULLNESS IN HIM

PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd.
That's Relationship!

I shall not want.
That's a Supply!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
That's Rest!

He leads me beside the still waters.
That's Refreshment!

He restores my soul.
That's Healing!

He leads me in the path of righteousness.
That's Guidance!

For His name's sake.
That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
That's Testing!

I will fear no evil.
That's Protection!

For Thou art with me.
That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
That's Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil.
That's Consecration!

My cup runs over.
That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That's Security!

Forever.
That's Eternity!

The Lord is my Shepherd; He is all that I need!

The Lord is my Good, Great and Chief Shepherd

Got News???

Is there some important news you would like to share with us, family visiting, and a praise you would like to share, or maybe just a humorous joke or two.  If so please e-mail me at sdewwjd@yahoo.com, I would love to put it in the newsletter and share it.

Notes from the Editor

Have anything to share, please send it to sdewwjd@yahoo.com, or phone966-4210, or better yet bring it with you to church, and give it to Steven or Kathy Elkins.

Pastor Justin Likens

Cell- (540)312-4280

e-mail-JND4CHRIST@JUNO.COM

Secretary: Kathy Elkins

(540)966-4210

e-mail-sdewwjd@yahoo.com

Pianist: Cheri Williams

Deacons: Steven Elkins, Ronnie Harper, Gerald St. Clair, Bob Flora, Kersey Harper, Oscar Fix, Nolan Cassell, Gene Beard

Editor: Steven Elkins (540)966-4210

E-mail sdewwjd@yahoo.com

EAST END BAPTIST CHURCH

    1030 MECCA STREET NE

        ROANOKE, VA. 24012

                540-343-3305