We are only half-way through the second month, and we have reports of salvation pouring in!  Ernest reports many baptisms on the trip to India with Jim Waldron, Ed and Rod report more than two dozen in Nigeria, there were two in Kiev while I was there (taught by others), and one here at Duluth (Michael Daley).
 
 Glory to God in the highest!
  
 Our Fishers of Men classes have produced several dozen more studies already, and our hopes are up that God will cause increase through the sowing and watering of the word here at home.  The course is only half over, so much more will be done by the end of March.
    
          — Skip

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved  (Acts 2:47).
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand (Acts 4:4).
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12).
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:18).
But the word of God grew and multiplied (Acts 12:24).
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized (Acts 18:8).
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God (Acts 20:26,27).
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him (Acts 28:30,31).

To judge, to bring matters to the rule of right; to administer justice, as a magistrate or governor” (Wilson’s O.T. Word Studies, p. 235).  This rather common word in the Psalms is used in the poem before us to refer to God.  It is in the form of a verb (v. 2) and a noun (v. 7). The writers of the Psalms frequently refer us to God’s role as Judge and to the work (good and bad) of human judges (see Psalms 2, 7, 9, 10, 26, 35, 37, 43, 50, 51, 58, 67, 72, 82, 94, 96, 98, 109, 110, 135, 141, 148).  
In light of the frequent sins connected with evil judges on earth (and all of the consequent trouble for the righteous), inspired writers appealed to God to exercise His judgment as He saw fit.
Psalm 75 has six sections, five of which emphasized elements of God’s “judgeship,” and one which reveals the decision of the writer in view of these truths.  
HIS NAME IS NEAR (v. 1)
We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. 
This verse does not mention the fact that God is Judge, but the thankful appeal to His near name sets the stage for the idea in verse 2.  The nearness of His name is to be learned by noting His wondrous works.  In other words, if “wondrous works” have been done (or are being done), deity must be near, and He is God.  When these things come before the humble heart, thanksgiving is given to Him.
Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”  Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.”  Both of these references help us to understand how we ought to live our lives—since God’s name (and His whole being) is near.
II.  HIS POSITION IS ABOVE US (vv. 2,3)
"When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly.  The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly. Selah
These verses are the words of God, as He enters the psalm by asserting His role as judge.  His judging will involve five characteristics:
v. 2a:  It will be at the “proper” time.  If He appoints a time, then that is the time (102:13)!
v. 2b:  It will be done uprightly.  This is emphatic, and marks out the righteous character of His judging.
v. 3a:  It will involve the earth and its inhabitants.  “Dissolved” means “to melt, to flow down; to be dissolved with fear and terror” (Wilson, p. 128).  The world is in a bad condition, but the Judge has the solution.  Do we want to be a part of the solution?
V. 3b:  It is according to that which He has “set up.”  “Set up” means “to rectify; to fix, establish” (Wilson, p. 31).  This Judge has a standard, and His dealings with the situation will be according to that which He has established.
III.  HIS WARNING IS, “DO NOT…” (vv. 4,5).
'I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully, 'And to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’”
At this point, the author of the psalm (Asaph), gives a powerful poetic warning to the proud.  The wicked, boastful people are told to QUIT DOING THAT!  How’s that for a warning?  Well, why should the boastful quit being that way?  They should quit because it is sinful (The KJV used the word “fool” where the NKJ uses “boastful” in verse 4).  This Hebrew word is a strong word which means “to praise; to boast oneself, to rave with foolish conceit; madness.”  It is no wonder that—

• This person is grouped with the wicked (v. 4b).
• That he has developed rebellious, stubborn characteristics (vv. 4c,5).

• Listen to the word (Acts 2:22).
• Believe what it teaches (Romans 10:17).
• Repent of all sin (Acts 3:19).
• Confess your faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9,10).
• Be immersed to have your sins washed away (Acts 22:18).
• Live righteously and be exalted (Revelation 11:14).

SICK LIST:  Zolia Pineda had successful surgery on her broken elbow Tuesday.  Larry Rutherford, Rod’s brother, had heart surgery Monday.  Belle Oliver has been having problems with her knee.  Lewis & Dianne O’Neal  and Natasha Weekley have been ill.  Steve Fishel, the Grubbs’ daughter-in-law’s father, is listed as critical and is expected to lapse into a coma soon—but he wanted to preach one more time—last Sunday, in his room.  Let’s remember all who are ill and their families in our prayers.
PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 3 is in charge of the services today at 1:30.  
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Tuesday at 10:00.
FOR THE RECORD: 1/28 2/4 2/11  
AM Class  130 134 130 
AM Worship    144 151 168
PM Worship    117 106 122
Wednesday Class 106 127 103
Contribution  $6185 $6807 $6039
Budget   $6800 $6800 $6800
COMING AND GOING:  Ed Crookshank and Rod Rutherford are scheduled to return from Nigeria February 16.  Paul Meacham, Jr. and Paul, III planned to leave Thursday for a month in Ukraine.  Let’s remember those who are traveling in our prayers. 
WINDER:  There will be a gospel meeting at Winder next week (February 25-27) with Bob Knox (their new preacher).  Bob has spoken here on our lectureship and worked at our camp.  We invite you to go with us as a group from Duluth Monday, February 26.  We can meet at the building and ride together.  Please see Paul Boaz or Skip if you are able to go.
BAPTISM:  Michael Daley was baptized into Christ Monday evening, February 5.  We welcome Michael and Sherry and their daughter Morgan to the family at Duluth.  
MYSTERY DINNER:  There will be a mystery dinner Saturday, March 17, at 6:00.  There is more information about this event on the bulletin board in the foyer.  Please check it out—and sign up if you would like to come.  We will need the exact number who will be attending—so please RSVP soon!