September 9, 2018
with Pastor Terrell
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” ~ Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) ~ Some people get up each morning with the intention of learning something new that day. That is a noble intention I suppose. But sometimes in my life, I don’t necessarily go looking for something new to learn — it just finds me. Such was the case last Sunday afternoon. Because it was Labor Day weekend, we were not having our usual Evening Worship Service and I was grilling on the B-B-Que for our dinner. I wandered over to our grapevines because I noticed that they were suddenly not looking to well. I quickly discovered my something new for the day — Skeletonizing Grape Caterpillars! These little bugs were on my vines by the hundreds. Though small in size — most smaller than the width of the tip of my little finger — they have huge appetites for grape leaves — and by that I mean “My Grape Leaves”! The grapevines were looking vibrant just two weeks ago and were loaded down with grapes not quite ready to harvest. Now their leaves looked like — well they actually were looking like skeletons.
PASTORAL STAFF Terrell Eldreth, Senior Pastor Scott Terry, Worship Pastor OFFICE CONTACT & HOURS
A little research told me not only what a Skeletonizing Grape Caterpillar does, but also that once you find them it is too late to stop them for the season. Nothing works to get rid of them at that point that will save the leaves or the crop. Have you ever noticed that not every thing new that comes up is always enjoyable?
Monday — Friday
The experience reminded me of a word in Hebrews 12:15. The word in Hebrew is “phuoo” and even as we pronounce out loud is does not sound like something pleasant. It actually means some small plant springing up suddenly. The writer of Hebrews uses this word to describe a “root of bitterness” that may suddenly spring up in the believer’s life. It starts out as some really small thing — almost unnoticeable — but it never stays that way. Bitterness has a voracious appetite and it will skeletonize your life and that of your relationships.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
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8:30 A.M. — 4:30 P.M. Phone: 928-772-7218 Email: fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
• Bible Study
9:00 A.M. • Morning Worship Service
10:30 A.M. • Evening Worship Service
6:00 P.M.