This is only addressed to the ones that are sanctified, preserved and called, showing that all that are sanctified are preserved and all that are preserved are called. In order to be preserved, there had to be a setting apart of God's people by God the Father, choosing us and placing us in Jesus Christ before the world began.

Then if we are sanctified by the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ and called out of nature's darkness by the Holy Spirit and granted eternal life we will live forever and forever. The word preservation means the act of preserving, to keep in safety, security from harm, from injury, from decay or destruction. In order to be preserved you have to have a preserver, that is someone that preserves, that saves, that defends, that keeps you from harm or destruction.

This one is the one that we have been placed in that is Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners. You see, preservation is the work of God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. John says that there are three that beareth record in heaven, the father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one. Man is not active in this sanctification, man is not active in this preserving and man is not active in this calling. This is the work of God.

In Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 16 through verse 19 we read, "Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel."

To my knowledge this word perseverance as used in verse 18, is only used this one time in the New Testament and it carries the thought as being persistent, to be earnest toward, to be diligent, to adhere closely, to continue, as to be in constant readiness. This is indeed a great way to live our lives as children of God, yet there are many times in our lives that we fall and will fall short of this admonition that Paul gives.

Yet Paul says that we ought to be praying in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. He also tells us that through putting on the whole armor of God that we are able to stand.

Yet, we find Paul telling us in II Timothy chapter 2 that there were some false preachers preaching that the resurrection was past already and overthrew the faith of some. He then says that nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. Then we find Peter speaking in II Peter, chapter 1, that we are given some things that we can add to. And says that if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was once purged from his old sins. This lesson today is telling us that we may or may not persevere, that it is possible that we are sanctified, preserved and called from a dead state in sin into a life in Jesus Christ, and we can start out following the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that is pleasing unto the Lord.

Then through the troubles and cares of life or through our lack of devotion to the Lord that we can forget that we were once purged from our old sins. You see, this purging is a one time purging. Paul says that he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.

It seems to me that everything that man is active in, he fails and falls short, he stands, and he falls. Yet we find that what God does, it is done forever. He speaks, and it comes to pass. He says, come and we come; He says hear, and we hear, he says understand, and we understand. The only assurance we have is in Jesus Christ. Even our belief did not come out from our own works.

Jesus says that this is the work of God and you believe on him that thou hath sent. If you believe that Jesus came from God, and that He is the only begotten Son of God, that He is the Son of the Living God, and that he is God manifested in the flesh, it is because God has worked a work of grace upon the heart that enabled you to believe.

What a wonderful thing it is to believe that we are saved by the grace of God, that because God loved us with an everlasting love, he elected you and placed you in Jesus Christ, preserved you in him and called you and gave eternal life to you through the new birth and this life really is eternal. This life has no end, you will not be in grace today and out of grace tomorrow, even if you fall and your belief fails you and you forget that you was once purged from your old sins, you are still His, paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Amen:

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A Voice From the Past....

Recently, I have made a short study of the subject of THE ANGELS. I find that it is one of the most important and most-often spoken of subjects in the Bible. I also have come to the conclusion that, most of the time, we read right across the word angel and never realize the importance of its usage...

This is particularly true in the book of [The Revelation]. The angels play a significant part in the story as told by John.

There are angels of power, angels that bring messages, and guarding and guiding angels. There are archangels and strong angels.

First [just to get an idea as to the power of the angels]: When David had seriously violated the command of God, there appeared an angel, and almost 70.000 people died! [Read 2 Sam. 24:1-6].

In [The Revelation we are told that four angels stood at the four corners of the earth and stopped the wind from blowing! [See Rev. 7:1] Tremendous power, is it not? And then, think of the power that God gave Christ; "...power over all flesh." Then, when the people came to take Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane to crucify Him, Peter took a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. but Jesus rebuked him and told him that His Father could send to Him "twelve legions of angels."

"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" [Mat. 26:53].

A legion is up to 12,000 men, if four angels could stop the wind from blowing all over the world, how much power do you suppose [144,000] angels could have?]

There is a common thought that every person, particularly every child of God, has an angel, especially dispersed by God to watch over and guide and guard him all of his life, and there are scriptures to support this thought... Psa. 34:7 for one.

There are angels of mercy, angels of love, angels of praise, angels of power, angels of glory, angels that administer the wrath of God, angels that tell great messages, and so the list goes on.

In Heb. 1:4, we are told that Christ was made "so much better than the angels...," and in Heb. 2:7, we are told that God made man "...a little lower than the angels..."

Throughout the Bible, every major announcement was made by an angel. The angel appeared to Moses out of the burning bush. An angel, Daniel said, shut up the mouth of the lions. The king said an angel protected the three Hebrews when he was about to sacrifice his son, and told him of the ram caught in the bushes.

Ministers cannot perform natural miracles as the angels do, but I feel sure that, when they bring the message of truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ, that within itself, is a miracle. Also, if the people who hear these messages take them and use them, the gospel of Christ will bring a miracle into their lives.

Suppose you read your Bible and find out more about the angels. It will do you good and make you happy in the Lord.

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Heaven is a home and place that from childhood I have thought of, and each day I think of that place more and more and along with its beauties. "Oh sing to me of haven," this cheers my poor soul, and causes me to rejoice.

When I try to write the thoughts I have about heaven, I seem to come to a great wall and just have to stop and look on in amazement. If there were not a sweet heaven to look forward to, in hope of some sweet day dwelling there, O, what would the poor little troubled child of God do? When sweet prospects of all earthly joys fail us, what would cheer us more than to hear of heaven.

I praise God for the blessed hope I have tonight of heaven--that is all I have. Oh, I am so homesick tonight to go on home. O, think of a home where Jesus dwells there forever. We will not have to sing "How tedious and tasteless the hour, when Jesus no longer I see;" for He will be in our view forever blessed. There we will never feel sad and friendless.

In my mind I often picture a home that I would love to own on earth, but I cannot picture one with all the beauties this earth can afford like the one I see above.

It would be a great pleasure to me to travel this world over and view the wondrous works of God in nature, see the beautiful fields, flowers, mountains, valleys, and plains, waters, trees and all mysterious things on earth. Then I can imagine after I have seen all there is to see, I could then have a little thought of his own dear home above that I am sure He has made more beautiful and precious than the most beautiful place on earth. I hope I have many times felt a sweet joy in my heart that told me something about heaven.

When my angel mother was on her death bed to look at her sweet face told me of heaven. The sweet smile that so often came over her face as she would be looking up, the bright gleam in her sweet kind eyes, seemed to tell us she saw Jesus, and loved ones gone before; and she would often call their names. Oh, why should I not think of heaven since the sweetest object this earth ever afforded to us is there? Heaven was sweeter to me than ever before when this precious jewel was gently wafted home.

As we stood by her, it seems we could almost see the sweet angels hovering around her. The darker this old earth grows to us the brighter heaven is. Thank the blessed Lord for the glorious hope that we all had that we could bravely stand by and see the cruel hand of death take our darling from our home and rejoice that death could not hold her always---that there was yet a place where we would meet her called heaven, and through all the scenes most sad the hope of heaven was indeed a great balm.

I can almost hear those precious saints singing in heaven, and dear Brother Redford telling us of heaven.

Dear little child of God, if you feel you lost all the joys and pleasures of life and there has been nothing here for you only trouble, think of your hope for heaven. What has it been worth to you? It is not the joys and pleasures, riches, health, peace nor any earthly pleasure that makes us long for heaven, but it is sickness. sorrow, pain and death, persecutions, losses, disturbances in the churches and homes, disappointments, poverty, hunger and thirst, and sadness of all kinds that makes us long for heaven.

This has truly been my experience. In the saddest trials of all on earth Jesus and heaven have been sweeter and nearer to me.

Dear ones, please look over this poor article. I love you all dearly and the nearest I feel to heaven is when I am with you in the sweet service of God.

Oh, how I love Jesus. He has done so much for me, though unworthy I be.

Gustava Richards

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There are passages of scripture too numerous to mention, that use these four terms:

all, All things, These things, and All these things. When the Bible uses the word All, we look to the total of the things considered. The words; All, World, Whole, every, and many others all mean fullness or total of things being considered.

It would be sad to believe that the all things in Romans chapter 8 verse 28 would mean all things or events in time. It would be sad to think that the events in our country on September 11th this year were all things working together for our good. Evil and corrupt minds planned this war on our country for a very long time. I would not want to say that God was working in the minds of these people to bring these terrible things to pass.

We begin things by going to Colossians chapter one, beginning with verse 16. Paul, the apostle is speaking of Christ when he states: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him." Verse 17 states, "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Verse 18 states, "And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born [resurrected] from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

These scriptures teach us that everything, or the total of things in the creation came into being by Christ, the Word of God. He is before time and timely things, and by him all things in creation stand and continue on. He is also the head of the spiritual body, the Church. He was raised the third day according to the scriptures because of our being justified, Romans Ch. 4, vs. 25. Romans chapter 8, verse 29 states, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Paul enumerates the all things by beginning with foreknowledge and predestination in verse 29, and adding the called, justified, and glorified in verse 30.

After adding these things under consideration; foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification, he states in verse 31, "What shall we than say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? In verse 35, Paul lists a number of things that God's people are confronted with: tribulations, distress, persecution, peril, and sword. He states in verse 37, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

The division that came among the Baptist in the mid-eighteen hundreds left some among the Primitive Baptist believing that all things that come to pass are predestinated of God. The cause has suffered much with these beliefs claimed by some with the name of Primitive Baptist.

When Fuller and Carey drew up the plan to use the Gospel to save souls for heaven in Kettering, England on October 2, 1792, they established a mission board brand of eternal salvation. Many of God's people taken in by this failed, but popular plan of salvation.

Many of our churches have suffered because we have had Primitive Baptist, so called, teaching absolute predestination of all things [events].

The no hell doctrine, the hollow log [no resurrection] doctrine, two seed doctrine, future reign of Christ for a thousand years, and many other departures from the faith have hurt the name Primitive Baptist.

I love to read from our ministers in years past that contended for the faith, and opposed these false teachings. I am happy also to say that we have many sound ministers today that are defending the truth as taught in God's word, and are opposing these departures.

In His Service,

Elder Charles Holmes

Mena, Arkansas

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It's real encouraging to think often of Gal. 3:5; 1:11-24; also Eph. 2:8-9 is this age of time.

So good, no one works for a gift.

Thanks so much for renewing the paper; always so good to read it. Joshua 1:1-9 is real encouraging.

Our Lord will see us through. May He strengthen his Dear ones' everywhere in honor to Him.

In dear hope and love,

Sister Loretta Lilly

Akron, Ohio

IN MEMORY OF SAM

I wrote a letter to The Banner of Love shortly after my precious husband died, June 4, 2001. As I indicated before, Sam loved his church people in Lubbock and he dearly loved this paper.

With my very best wishes and congratulations on 70 years of God's service through "The Banner of Love's" publications to so many people. I would like to send a contribution in memory of my husband. While not being Primitive Baptist myself, I do attend church of my own faith, when possible, and believe we as Christians have the same God, to serve Jesus Christ to the very best ability that we can and that he expects of us.

We have one Lord, one God, no matter what our faith, as long as Jesus is our center and our foundation.

May the Lord bless you all.

Joan Shoultz

Lubbock, Texas

Note: Sister Joan we appreciate the love gift and will use it for the benefit of others. We still miss Brother Sam in our midst. May God bless you. Opal Richards

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On Nov. 25, 2001, Sister Cassie Gayle came forward asking for a home in our church by experience of water baptism. Sister Cassie was baptized by her uncle and our pastor, Elder Cleveland Bass, third Sunday in December.

It was a beautiful service held that afternoon at the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church.

God bless you all,

Love,

Joe Bass, Church Clerk

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By Elder Hulan Bass

2nd Cor. 5:19 - "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..."

Rom. 4:8-"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." Definition: Impute- Webster - 1. to lay the responsibility or blame for often falsely or unjust; Charge; 2. to credit to a person or cause; Attribute our vices as well as our virtues have been imputed to bodily derangement; syn. Ascribe Strong's Greek #1677 - ellogeo; from #1722 and #3056 [in the sense of account]; to reckon in. i.e. attribute-impute, put on account [Rom. 5:13]. #3049 - logizomai- mid. from #3056; to take an inventory, i. e. estimate [lit. or fig.]:- conclude [ac-] count [of], + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think [on.]

Defined: Literally, first impute, imputed, imputeth, imputing, imputation is an Accounting or Bookkeeping Term. To transfer, credit and debit. To Credit to an account, the other account must be debited. However, to credit to an account the other account must have an equal charge against it. This negative, however, does not deplete the previous account theologically, but simply adjusts the levy elsewhere. This is what Christ does for us by substitution.

We find in Romans 4, the terms, reckoned, counted, imputed, all meaning the same thing. The books must balance. In business that is called Double Entry Book-Keeping. Assets hopefully exceeds liabilities, and the difference is found in the capitalization section of the balance sheet. This is where the Stockholder's Equity Equates, from the transfer of earnings from "Working capital," after taxes, to either dividends or working capital. Net Asset value is the divisible unit of worth per share, called "Book Value." This is Total Net Worth. Again, the Ownership of Shares in eternal life is not an heirship of "Joint tenants with Rights of Survivorship," but joint tenants in common, that is Equal Heirs in the entire estate. Rom. 8:17.

An heir, inherits an heritage [estate]. Defined: "To take by descent from an ancestor; to receive by nature from a progenitor." In principle, secondly, imputed means that we became an heir, and inherited an heritage by imputation, as a free gift of grace, because of God's divine Love - John 3:16.

Rom. 8:16-17 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, their heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." So if we be an heir of God and joint-heirs with Christ, we must be cleansed and purified, without sin. So where did our sins go? They were transferred from us and ascribed to another. They were moved from being our liabilities thereby leaving us debt free.

The high priest under the law laid his hands upon the head of the sacrificial animal in an action meant to represent the sins of the people being transferred to that beast. But this was only symbolic -only a shadow of the better things to be accomplished by Christ. Actual transferal of sins could never take place with an animal sacrifice. The best that might be said of such shadows was that an account was taken or a remembrance of sin was made. The beasts did not actually take on the sins of the people. Sin was not actually born by them. Sin was not actually remitted.

More must be accomplished by Christ in His sacrifice than an accounting. Sin must be remitted by payment in full else the accounting is invalidated. The wages of sin is death. The body prepared of God for His Son was designed to bear the sins of the elect. Within that body would all of the wrath of God toward the sins of the elect be directed. While the physical sufferings and torments delivered by the hands of men against the Lord's Christ were such as they were, they could not begin to be compared to the anguish and suffering of the just wrath of God being poured forth upon his Son.

The wrath of God being poured forth was just as real and actual as the sins of the elect being transferred to the body of Christ. He was made to be sin. Not just accounted to be sin. I agree that the Divine Nature was never the receptacle of sin. And by that Divine Nature was the blood sacrifice of that prepared body offered unto God. As a sacrifice ordained and prepared by God, Jesus came to the cross a spotless perfect sacrifice. But the transferal of sin to the sacrifice was not to be symbolic as it was under the law. The transferal of sin was to be actual. The atonement therefore would be actual not a remembrance or an accounting. The transferal of His righteousness to the elect therefore would be actual and not just a reckoning.

Consider Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. When the iniquity of all the elect is laid upon Him, the transferal of the sins to the spotless sacrifice is made. Thus we read:

2nd Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." If the transferal is not an actual reality, but merely an accounting, how is this different from what was done under the law?

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

To give an accounting, reckoning or imputing a formal manifestation or display of authenticity there must have been the actual substance and past completed action by the donor. In nature and in business, accounting, reckoning and imputing must follow, not precede, the fact. The fuel gauge in my car shows the tank to be full. That is accounting, reckoning and imputing, none of which are the cause, but simply a reflection thereof. As an analogy, the full tank was fully accomplished on Calvary's Cross.

Finally, we use as our example that of: Romans 4:1 --25 Abraham His righteousness was 1.Counted. 2.Reckoned, 3. Imputed, unto him Rom. 4:3 Counted; Rom. 4:4-5 Reckoned, Rom. 4:6 Imputed, Rom. 4:9-11 Reckoned by faith, even before circumcision, Rom 4:12, Faith - We are to walk in the steps of that same faith of Abraham.

James 2:23 - "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

I close this with a vibrant wording of another--"I must believe that He actually was made sin for us if I am to believe that the righteousness of Christ is to actually be made mine. This must be a literal righteousness of Christ that is imparted to the elect or else we have none."

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We enjoy the Banner of Love so very much.

We were planning to make it back to Texas this winter, but illness in the family prevented it.

Sure do enjoy Elder Walden's

visits up this way. Hope to see him up here again real soon.

Here is our subscription for another year.

Your Brother and Sister in Christ,

Kenny and Mary Lou Broyles

Milan, MO

Please renew my subscription. I don't want it to run out. We really enjoy reading it and keeping up with the meetings.

Thank you,

Robert and Charlene Morris

Hamilton, TX

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On Saturday afternoon, December 1st in the year of our Lord 2001, at First Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas Texas, after singing and prayer, the following Elders Michael Ivey, Sammy Box, Mark Hasenmeyer George Johnson, Clifford Gowens and Deacons Jimmie Smyth, Ed McGee, Parker Lowrance, V. J. (Sonny) Lowrance, Bruce Coats, Bradley Barr, Tim Lowrance, Steve Cooper and David Parham formed themselves into a presbytery for the purpose of ordaining Brother Russell Elsenbrock to the office of Deacon for the Lewisville Primitive Baptist Church.

By Motions and seconds and voting by the presbytery; the following brethren were selected to serve in the following capacities. Elder Michael Ivey was selected to Moderate and Brother Jimmie Smyth to act as clerk of the presbytery. Elder Mark Hasenmeyer to offer the Ordination Prayer Elder George Johnson to deliver the Charge, and Elder Clifford Gowens to question the Church spokesman concerning Brother Elsenbrock's qualifications as a Deacon, as well as query Brother Elsenbrock. The Church Spokesman, Brother Bryce Lowrance, brought Brother Elsenbrock to one of the chairs in front of the presbytery.

Elder Gowens questioned the Church Spokesman, and then interrogated Brother Elsenbrock, using Acts 6:2-4 as a basis for his questions. An opportunity was given the presbytery to ask further questions, but there were no other questions.

The presbytery knelt around, placing their hands upon, Brother Elsenbrock while Elder Hasenmeyer prayed the ordination prayer. Then the moderator asked the Church Spokesman to bring Sister Teresa Elsenbrock to be seated in the chair next to Brother Elsenbrock, while Elder George Johnson delivered the Charge.

Elder Johnson charged Brother Elsenbrock, first out of Philippians 1:3 (I thank my God upon every remembrance of you), recalling memories of past experiences and counting them as great blessings. Matthew 16:18 (upon this rock I will build my Church), you must help maintain the health of the Church by helping and working with your pastor as needed. Elder Johnson spoke on the qualifications of a Deacon as found in Acts 6:2-4 and expounded on these to Brother Elsenbrock; since they now apply to him even more so since you have been set aside to this office. There is no retirement, and if any man glory, let him glory in the Lord. The Moderator,

Elder Mike Ivey, then further admonished Brother Elsenbrock to be wary of gossip and wavering from the principles laid down in the Holy Scripture.

The Moderator asked the Church Spokesman if the Church was satisfied with the work of the presbytery, Brother Bryce Lowrance answered in the affirmative.

The minutes were read and approved, with the necessary corrections, and the presbytery satisfied that their work was completed, voted to disband themselves, and to return Brother Elsenbrock back the Church a duly ordained Deacon. The right hand of fellowship was extended to Brother and Sister Elsenbrock and closed with prayer.

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I just finished reading the Banner of Love. Enjoyed it very much, especially your articles and the Elders that write.

God bless you and all the good people that help you publish the paper. I am sending a check for another year and the balance is to be used as you see fit.

I read the obituary of my sister, Velma Kizer and Brother John Hunton.

Thank you very much,

Joe H. and Shirley E.

Pillars

Broken Arrow, OK

Note: Thank you Brother Pillars and for the extra.

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Tour Through The Bible

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Please renew my subscription for another year. I always look forward to getting The Banner of Love. Use the rest however it is needed.

Mildred Ramey

Alvin, Texas

Note: Thank you Sister Ramey.

Ever say "never"?

Have you ever said you would "never" do something, "never" let something happen to you; or that you would "never" let something happen "again"?

I am about as guilty as they come when it comes to saying "never"; and then having to eat my words.

I remember getting myself into some jam and promising myself I would "never" let that happen to me again. Then, the next time it happened to me, I again swore it would not happen to me again.

Before my wife and I had children, we used to tell ourselves there were simply some things about children that we would "never" let happen when we had children. We would "never" let our children keep the house as messy as we had seen other parents allow their children to do. We would "never" let our children sleep in our bed. — Sound familiar?

Ever say "never" to the Lord?

I know at times I have gotten myself into a pretty tough spot by my own stupidity and ineptness. I promise the Lord that if He will help me get out of this problem I will "never" let it happen to me again. Or, if he will just help me this one more time, I will "never" miss Sunday at church again, or "never" take his name in vain again, etc., etc.

If you have ever experienced this problem, you are not alone. In fact, you are in some pretty good company. The Apostle Peter used the word "never" too many times himself, and regretted it.

At the 13^th chapter of John, the Apostle Peter watched in amazement at Jesus degrading himself by washing the feet of His disciples. What was Peter’s response?

"Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" Peter continued: "Thou shalt never wash my feet."

The Lord’s plan for us is so different from the plans we would make for ourselves. What makes sense to us, is not what the Lord has in mind. And what the Lord has in mind, makes no sense to us.

"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." answered Christ. With that answer, Peter changed his mind fast. He decided "never" might be a little strong.

Peter again gives us an example of how we do not understand how the flesh works. At the end of the Lord’s supper, Peter talks with Christ about those who might deny Christ. And Peter says: "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." Matt 26:33.

Yet we know how wrong Peter was to say "never". As Jesus told him: "Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." Matt. 26:34. Go to Matt. 26:70-75 and read of Peter’s denial of Jesus three times before the rooster crowed for the morning.

Peter did what we all do when we realize how badly we have behaved in going against something we earlier said we would "never" do.. He wept bitterly. Peter realized his frailties. He realized his own unrighteousness.

There’s not much hope for any of us, is there? Certainly not if you believe in a "works" doctrine wherein we are held accountable based on our words, actions and deeds. Unless of course, you believe in the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7.

We owe an abundance of thanks and praise to the Lord for His love, kindness, grace and his forgiveness. There is no way we can earn it. It is purely his gift.

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A Happy New Year to you all!

I'm sending a check for another year for the Banner. Use the extra for your expenses.

We're having good meetings at Oak Hill Primitive Baptist church. It's so encouraging to go to church and see 100 or 150 people there, worshipping our precious Lord, and singing like I've never heard before!

Come see us sometime and God bless you all.

Bill and Margaret Lewis

Austin, Texas

Note: Thank you Sister Margaret and for the extra. Nice to hear from you. Opal Richards

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Dearest Ones of the Banner of Love:

I enjoy the Present and Past writings of our Dear Saints of God.

What is so beautiful about our Dear God is, "He's the same, yesterday, today and forever. With our ever changing world and such progress we have made, It's so great to know the God of the olden times is just the same today. Parents are concerned, grandparents and even great-grandparents sometimes are wondering, what on earth to do; with threat of war, and terrorist attacks, what will happen next?

It is so simple. All we must remember is God's words. "I will never forsake you; I will never leave you alone. I will make a way for you."

I thank God that Primitive Baptists know this, once saved always saved, and God promised us that security.

I pray that we remember our mother's and father's teachings.

Keep on teaching our children and grandchildren about our dear Savior's love. Yes, one person can make a difference. Just look at our Lord Jesus.

I love you all,

Sincerely,

Sister Darlene McDonald

Houston, Texas

Look how far God's brought me,

Just look at where I've been,

Look at all the hills I've climbed,

God saved me from my sin,

I'm passing on to heaven,

There's still more hills to climb

As Jesus goes beside me,

I'm headed for Mt. Zion.

There'll be no tears and sorrows

In the city where I'm bound,

Up there in God's glory.

We'll walk on Holy Ground

The cares of life will all be gone.

There with the angels sing,

Praise God we will be free at last,

At the right hand of the King.

So up and onward we must trod,

To a higher plane we climb

To a city bright and beautiful

We're headed for Mt. Zion.

By Darlene McDonald 2-3-02

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By the time this comes out in the paper, my surgery will be over...but I wanted to share my experience.

I'm having a triple disc-360 degree fusion of my lower back, from L3-51. I was injured on the job eight years ago. I work as a Nursing Assistant at the Big Spring V. A.

We had just returned from a pre-op visit to my Doctor in Lubbock on Monday, Feb. 4th. The good Lord, through the doctor calmed my fears to some extent. Then, the mail was brought in, and the Banner was there.

The article on the front page by Elder Magers, and the one by Elder Green must have been to help me, because they sure did.

Being unable to attend church lately, The Banner is a welcomed sight each month. The Lord truly blesses the publication.

May God bless our churches and the leaders of our land in these troubled times.

Thank you,

Sister Pamela Jones

Colorado City, Texas Church

P.S. Please pray for my folks, as Daddy is in ill health and Mom is caring for him at home, [Brother W. G. and Sister Vona Bingham.]

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Enclosed is $40.00 for two years. Use the small extra anywhere needed. You're doing a great job.

Thank you,

Bruce Crawford [Elder]

Lampasas, Texas

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West Texas Association to be discontinued

The Primitive Baptist member churches of the West Texas Association have voted to discontinue the annual summer association meeting.

The decision by the churches was made after two special-called business meetings in November 2001 and February 2002 to fully discuss the all issues related to the annual summer meeting.

The West Texas Association had met annually for 92 years, primarily the fourth Sunday weekend in August each year. For the past 35 years, the association had met at a central location annually at Cone, Texas at the former Cone school house operated by the Primitive Baptist Foundation. Prior to that, the individual church members had hosted the annual meeting locally.

The Primitive Baptist Foundation will continue to operate the Cone building facility, which is expected to continue to be utilized each July by the Harmony Plains Singing School, as well as for a facility for meetings and reunions.

--Don R. Richards,

Association Clerk,

West Texas Association

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Notice has been provided that books by Samuel Turner "Arminianism in the Oven", and Elder Silas H. Durand ‘Meditations on Portions of the Word’ are now available.

The book by Samuel Turner on Arminianism involves two sermons on Hosea 7:4 "They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened."

The book was written in 1808 and is 54 pages, paperback, at a cost of $5 per copy postage prepaid; or 5 copies for $20.00.

The "Meditations" book by Elder Durand contains 65 articles which were originally published in various Primitive Baptist publications between 1864 and 1889. It contains 400 pages, hardbound and is $20 per copy postage paid.

Both books are available for a combined price of $22.

Offered by Brother Dan Simmons, the books can be ordered through him at P.O. Box 60021, Houston, Texas 77025; or by email inquiry at danielmsimmons@cs.com