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Those who make the worst use of their time most complain of its shortness.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Some act as if it yet remained for science to reveal the method of
salvation.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A prejudice is a vagrant opinion without visible means of support.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
When we put ourselves in the other person's place, we're less likely to want
to put him in his place.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
No Christian duty is beyond one's ability.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Jumping at conclusions is about the only mental exercise some people take.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
To get nowhere - follow the crowd.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly than hardening of the
arteries.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The woman who lost her coin did not call her neighbors to come sympathise;
but when she found it she called them to rejoice. Too often we look for sympathy
and help in our troubles and neglect to share our joys.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Perseverance - sticking to a job you are not stuck on.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Childhood is like a mirror, catching and reflecting images from all around.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Let us strive not for knowledge only, but sympathy and understanding.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
'Tis easy enough to be pleasant, when life flows along like a song;
But the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead
wrong.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It is not always easy...
to apologize; to begin over; to admit error;
to be unselfish; to take advice; to face a sneer;
to be charitable; to be considerate; to keep on trying;
to avoid mistakes; to endure success; to think and then act;
to profit by mistakes; to forgive and forget;
to keep out of a rut; to make the best of little;
to subdue an unruly temper; to shoulder a deserved blame;
to maintain a high standard;to recognize the silver lining
...but it always pays.
[from Ohio Educational Monthly via The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ
bulletin]
Do not accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
No man is fully accomplished until he has acquired the ability to tend to
his own business.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The wise man learns from the experiences of others; but the fool only from
his own.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Few things are more dangerous to a person's character than having nothing
to do and plenty of time to do it with.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Act as if it were impossible to fail.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Learn to enjoy the little things - there are so many of them.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
To look up and not down,
To look forward and not back,
To look out and not in, and
To lend a hand.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unfold the pattern, or explain the reason why.
The dark threads were as useful, in the weavers skillful hands,
As the threads of gold and silver, in the pattern which He planned.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Love is intensely practical. It is always hunting something to do.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The young man who thought the world owed him a living is the old man who
is blaming the world for his failure.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
God had one Son on earth without sin - but never one without suffering.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
When you doubt, abstain.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Some act first, think afterward, and regret forever.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The worldling says, "While there is life, there is hope." The Christian says,
"In death, I have hope."
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
On criticism: if you stop every time a dog barks your road will never end.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The worst thing about crossing a bridge before you get to it is that it leaves
you on this side of the river.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Truth does not hurt unless it ought to.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
If the best things are not possible for you, make the best of those things
that are possible.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Think before you act; think twice before you speak.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A woman approached the minister after the sermon and thanked him for his
discourse. "I found it so helpful," she said. The minister replied, "I hope
it will not prove so helpful as the last sermon you heard me preach." "Why,
what do you mean?" asked the astonished lady. "Well," said the minister,
"That sermons lasted you three months."
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Dear friend...consider...the love of God; the suffering of Christ; the shortness
of this life; the certainty of death; the coming of Christ; the fact of judgment;
the glories of heaven; the terrors of hell...before you choose the life of
sin and the death of a sinner.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It's not what you'd do with a million, if riches should e'er be your lot;
But what you are doing at present with the dollars and cents you've got.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A little child, a little star;
A manger rude, a door ajar.
But in that place so crude, forlorn;
The hope of all the world was born.
Our Lord is now rejected,
And my this world disowned;
By the many still neglected,
And by the few enthroned.
Room for pleasure, room for business,
But for Christ the crucified;
Not a place that He can enter;
In these hearts for which He died.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
An addition to the church should mean a subtraction from the world.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
All of us have made mistakes in the service of Christ, but the worst mistake
of all is being made by those who are doing nothing for Christ.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
You can never whitewash yourself by blackening others.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Truth is stubborn. It doesn't apologize to anybody.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
When in doubt, tell the truth.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It never pays to use weak thread when mending your ways.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The church needs workers, not a wrecking crew.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Too many people confuse free speech with loose talk.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Envy provides the mud that failure throws at success.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, how some people must love the
church.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Be the soul support of your children.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
No enemy can come so near that God is not nearer.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Enthusiasm is like having two right hands.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Life is like a boomerang, what you give, you get.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Don't wear you wish-bone where your back-bone ought to be.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things
as they ought to be done.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It is all right to be cautious, but even a turtle makes progress only when
he sticks his neck out.
[by James B. Conant from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin
and from Sycamore Chapen bulletin, Mar. 17, 1996, p. 3]
He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do any.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Too many modern dads worry more about their golf swing than they do about
their offspring.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It is good to have money and the things money can buy. But it is good, too,
to check up once in a while and make sure we have not lost the things money
cannot buy.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin and from the Sycamore
Sunbeam]
A person who has a sound reason needs no alibi.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Many use religion like a spare tyre - only for emergencies.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
There was once a French philosopher who determined to write a better message
than the gospel of the grace of God. He arranged his material and took it
to an old saint to review. After a few days he went to call for it. "What
did you think of it?" he asked. "It is fine," replied the old man. "Then
tell me what I must do to have it universally accepted." "First of all, you
must live it," replied the old man. "Then you must teach it; and, finally
you must be crucified for it and rise again. Then people will believe you."
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A preacher whose congregation regularly spurn seats in the front of the church
was surprised to see one man, a stranger, in the very first row. After the
sermon, the minister asked the man why he sat down in front. The man replied
that, being a bus driver, he wanted to find out how the preacher got people
to move to the rear.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Little things:
1. Helm of a ship (James 3:4),
2. Little fire and tongue (James 3:5),
3. Wisdom from the ant (Prov. 6:6),
4. Power of a doubt (Mark 11:23),
5. A little faith (Matt. 17:30),
6. Little obedience (Gen. 3:6),
7. Little strength (Rev. 3:8),
8. ...despise not small things (Zech.
4:10).
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The heart is a garden;
Where thought flowers grow;
The thoughts that we think;
Are the seeds that we sow.
Every kind, loving thought;
Bears a kind, loving deed;
While a thought that is selfish;
Is just like a weed.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
My son, be this thy simple plan;
Serve God and love thy brother man;
Forget not in temptation's hour,
That sin lends sorrow double power;
Count life a stage upon thy way,
And follow conscience, come what may;
Alike with earth and heaven sincere,
With hand and brow and bosom clear,
"Fear God, and know no other fear!"
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The sun-dial is useless without the shining from above; so the conscience
is a poor guide unenlightened by the celestial truth of God's Word.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A man is not an egotist who thinks he can do a thing, and does it; he is
an egotist who things he can do a thing, and can't do it.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Base envy withers at another's joy; And hates the excellence it cannot
reach.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Fear is more painful to cowardice than depth to truth courage.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Show a good man his error, and he turns it into a virtue; a bad man doubles
his fault.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Let that which is best be for God.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Lost wealth may be restored by industry, the wreck of health by temperance,
forgotten knowledge restored by study, but a lost moment is lost in eternities
record.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Welcome sweet day of rest,
That saw the Lord arise;
Welcome to this reviving breast,
And these rejoicing eyes.
The King himself comes near,
And feasts his saints to-day;
Here we may sit and see him here,
And love, and praise, and pray.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The happiest people are less forgetting and more forgiving.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
As surely as God is good, so surely there is no such thing as necessary
evil.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
God made man to be somebody - not just to have things.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere
except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin also from The Sycamore
Sunbeam, Feb. 12, 1978]
Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
He who stops being better stops being good.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Our prayers must mean something to us if they are to mean anything to God.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Some are atheists only in fair weather.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Did you use this day or waste it?
Was it well or poorly spent
Did you leave a trail of kindness
Or a scar of discontent?
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A man was asked why it was that he managed to get by so well financially
and give so much to the Lord's work. "Oh," he said, "I just keep shovelling
it out and He keeps shovelling it in; and the Lord has a bigger shovel than
I have."
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Take an interest in the future. That's where you will spend the rest of your
life.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The beauty of the house is order;
The blessing of the house is contentment;
The glory of the house is hospitality;
The crown of the house is godliness.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
In life's rosy morning;
In manhood's firm pride,
Let this be your motto,
Your footsteps to guide;
In storms and in sunshine,
Whatever assail,
We'll onward and conquer,
And never say fail!
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The only ones who do not make mistakes are dead people.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It isn't what we say that counts most, but how we say it.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The greatest mischief maker is the human tongue.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
To say, "I'm sorry," denotes strength of character.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Love can last only when both believe in equality, mutuality of interest,
practice of the art of private speaking, and do not take each other for
granted.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
One is never lonesome if one has pleasant thoughts.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Happiness can never be found because it was never lost.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
A college education is no indication of intelligence.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Educated hearts are more important than educated brains.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
We learn more from defeat than from victory.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
To be successful plan you work, and work your plan.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The only time to give advice is when it is asked for.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Health can exist only when one is free from fear, envy, hatred, jealousy
and intolerance.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The only way to keep a secret is not to tell it.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The ability to forget a wrong done is as important as to remember a good
deed done.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
If we don't govern our emotions, our emotions will govern us.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The greatest thing to conquer is yourself.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
Life is a loan from God...see that it returns him interest.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
The best test in all things (dress and amusements included) is, "Lord thou
seest me, and I shall soon see thee."
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
You can never bury your influence.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
It is hard for a man who loses his temper to keep his friends.
[from The Messenger...Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
LITTLE THINGS
These are the things that make life go and make no mistake about it, they make the church go. If we are too absorbed with our big ideas that we have no time to be careful in small matters, we will fail, and should.
It is constantly demonstrated in our work that a small deed, a kind word, a genuine invitation to the meetings of the church, result in the salvation of the souls of men and women. If you are using these small things, you will see eternal dividends from your efforts ere long.
Not the spasmodic efforts build up the cause of Christ, but the constant,
daily affairs and particular attention to them on a year by year basis keeps
it going. Growth is like that, physically, mentally, and also spiritually.
It is slow, gradual, often monotonous, but sure. Be patient, and in due season
we will reap if we faint not.
[From Nelson Church of Christ bulletin.]
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us,
Footprints on the sands of time.
[By Longfellow in Nelson Church of Christ bulletin.]
JUST BE THE BEST
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley - but be
The best little scrub at the side of the rill,
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush, be a bit of grass
Some highway to happier make;
If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass
But the liveliest bass in the lake.
We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew.
There's something for all of us here;
There's big work to do and there's lesser to do,
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail;
If you can't be a sun, be a star.
It isn't by size that you win or you fail--
Be the best of whatever you are.
[By Douglas Wallock from the Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
INFLUENCE
If someone should decide today
To say the words he hears you say;
To do the deeds he sees you do,
To live exactly like you.
If he chose you to be his guide,
If he walked daily by your side,
Would he live as a Christian should,
And go about doing good?
Could he see the Christ in you?
And would it be an image true?
Never distorted nor dim,
That there's no mistaking Him?
Be very sure you lead alright.
Watch and pray by day and night.
You may lift one up where the angels dwell,
Or drag him down to the depths of hell!
[By Willette McGuire from Nelson Church of Christ bulletin]
WISDOM
This is wisdom, maids and men;
Knowing what to say and when.
Speech is common; thought is rare.
Wise men choose their words with care.
Artists with the master touch
Never use one phase too much.
Jesus, preaching on the Mount,
Made His every sentence count.
This is wisdom, maids and men;
Knowing what to say and when.
[by Edgar A. Guest from Nelson Church of Christ Bulletin, vol. 6, no. 11,
April 2, 1978]
SAY SO
Does a neighbor help a little,
As along the way you go--
Help to make your burden lighter?
Then why not tell him so.
Does a handclasp seem to lift you
From the depth of grief and woe,
When an old friend shares your sorrow?
Then why not tell him so!
Does you Heavenly Father give you
Many blessings here below?
Then on bended knee before Him
Frankly, gladly, tell Him so.
[From Christian Clippings in Nelson Church of Christ Bulletin, vol. 6, no.
11, April 2, 1978]
The best tranquilizer is a clear conscience.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
Progress is seldom made without leaving someone behind.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
The Lord put the church in the world -- Satan put the world in the church.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
Keep your temper...no one else wants it.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
We see things not as they are but as we are.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
Character is a victory...not a gift.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
Courageous Christians conquer conflicts.
[from Whangarei church of Christ Bulletin]
THE CHRISTIAN "IF"
If you can go to church when those about you
Are spending all their time in pleasure rides;
If you can worship God and love the service
Although your worldly friends would sneer and chide;
If you can love the weak and erring sinner
And all the while you hate the deed of sin;
If you can point to him the way to heaven
And by your life his soul for Christ can win;
If you can give a part of all your earnings
And help the cause for which our Saviour died,
Although it means a sacrifice to give it
And giving up a pleasure oft denied;
If you can do the work the church is needing
And yet be glad the task is yours to do
While others shirk their duty and unheeding
Pass by, leaving burdens all to you;
If you can daily do unto your neighbor
The things you would have him do to you;
If you can greet the rich man and the poor man
As brothers with no bar between the two;
If you can look with faith through grim disaster
And yet be humble when your skies are fair,
If you can do these things, you'll be a Christian
The greatest name on earth a man can wear!
If the church neglects evangelism, no other organisation will do it!
[from The Truth in Love.]
PROMISE YOURSELF TODAY
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something to them.
To look on the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only
the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your
own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements
of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and to have a smile ready for
every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time
to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, too
happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world...not in
loud words, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the world is on your side so long as you are true
to the best that is in you.
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties, or
you alter yourself to meet them.
[By Phyllis Bottome from 20th Century Christian.]
Mixed in the clay of our lives are numberless, precious treasures. The market
value of each and all of them will always be at a maximum. None of them can
be yours unless you work your own mine!
[by Bobby Hise from 20th Century Christian]
REFLECTIONS
The world is filled with people whose list of values and life-styles do not
make room for...love, prayer, an awareness of judgment, compassion, worship,
involvement, selflessness, the care of children, discipline, redemption,
a word from the Lord, tolerance, freedom, a ministry to persons, servanthood,
a concern for ultimates, conversion of the heart. Where may one expect to
find these priorities if not in the church.
[By Lanny Henninger from 20th Century Christian]
THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BOOKS
"Books are strange things, although untongued and dumb,
Yet with their eloquence they sway the world;
And, powerless and impassive as they seem
Move o'er the impassive minds and hearts of men
Like fire across a prairie. Mind sparks,
They star the else dark firmament."
Many authors are exploring transactional psychology. Jess Lair has written
a book titles, I ain't much, baby--but I'm all I've got. He advocates
self-acceptance and self-love. Here are some excerpts:
"Carl Rogers was right when he said, 'When I accept myself as I am, I change, and when I accept others as they are, they change.'"
"...the trouble with so much love that we get as children was that it was conditional love. I will love you if you get good grades. I will love you if you wear your hair a certain way or a certain length."
"You can't be a better businessman, husband, wife, brother, sister, roommate, son or daughter - than you can be at living. Everything we do is all bound together."
A student of Francis A. Schaeffer, Os Guinness, has written a comprehensive book called, The Dust of Death. Here are some representative quotes:
"Modern Christianity is crucially weak at three vital points. The first is its compromised, deficient understanding of revelation. Without Biblical historicity and veracity behind the Word of God, theology can only grow closer to Hinduism. Second, the modern Christian is drastically weak in an unmeditated, personal, experiential knowledge of God....Third, the modern church is often pathetically feeble in the expression of its focal principle of community. It has become the local social club, preaching shop, or minister-dominated group."
"The...way will not be easy. It will be lonely. Sometimes the Christian must have the courage to stand with the establishment, speaking boldly to the radicals and pointing out the destructive and counterproductive nature of their violence. At other times he will stand as a co-belligerent with the radicals in their outrage and just demands for redress."
"The early Christians were not revolutionary because they roused the slaves
against their masters; this they never did. They were ultimately for more
revolutionary, because in Christ they transcended the old distinctions
altogether. To set slave against master would only have allied Christ to
Spartacus, Marx, and Mao. To transcend the very distinction is to make Christian
freedom the true liberation."
[By Charles Hodge in 20th Century Christian. p. 23-24]
AT DAWN
This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use it as I will.
I can waste it, or I can use it.
I can make it a day long to be remembered for its job, its beauty, and its
achievement;
or it can be filled with pettiness and ugliness.
What I do today is important, for I am exchanging a day
of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, but I
shall hold something which I have traded for it.
It may be no more than a memory; but if it is a worthy
one,
I shall not regret the price.
I should like it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil;
success, certainly not failure.
So here is a day and here am I.
God will not expect more of me than I am capable of giving,
but he will expect my best.
There will be beauty and I must not miss it.
There will be cries of people in distress, and I must
hear and answer.
There will be moments of temptation, but I must not yield
nor be impulsive.
There will be opportunity for good, and I must be ready.
And then when night comes, may I look back without regret, and forward with
a radiant spirit and a thankful heart.
[By Samuel Pugh from 20th century Christian, p. 39]
I would rather attempt something great and fail, than attempt nothing and
succeed.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from
them, and strong enough to correct them.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
It is not in riches that we find contentment, but in contentment that we
discover riches.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
The road to success is constantly under construction.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
Success cannot evolve without the element of failure present. It is not failure
which shapes lives but what is done about the failure.
[by F.C. Ellenburg in Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century
Christian]
Nothing's apt to cost you so much as the living you think the world owes
you.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
It is the character of a brave and resolute man not to be ruffled by adversity
and not to desert his post.
[by Cicero in Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
The trouble with the church is that there are too many people going about
saying, "The trouble with the church is..."
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
A man who enjoys responsibility usually gets it. A man who merely likes
exercising authority usually loses it.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
No matter what scales we use, we can never know the weight of another person's
burdens.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in
eternity.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
Find the thankless heart and you also will find an unhappy one.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
Memory is the mother of gratitude.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
[from Aesop in Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
Lots of folks don't volunteer. They are the ones who can tell those who do
how the job should be done.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
God has never put anyone in a place too small to grow.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
The future is that time when you'll wish you'd done what you aren't doing
now.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
It is easy to give major attention to minor matters.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
The happy people are those who are producing something; the bored people
are those who are consuming much and producing nothing.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
It is easy to be critical. The real test is to come up with constructive
alternatives.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care.
[Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century Christian]
The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues.
[by Marcus Aurelius in Worth quoting by Joe R. Barnett from 20th Century
Christian]
THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER
There are at least three things which are repeatedly mentioned in the New Testament about which Christians need to be certain and confident.
THE NEW TESTAMENT IS GOD'S WORD TO US
We must be certain that the apostles' teaching is God's word to us for us to obey (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:14; Acts 2:42), and not just the opinions of men to be questioned.
THE NEW TESTAMENT IS OUR GUIDE TO LIVING
We must be certain that the apostles' teaching gives us all the information we need to...(Phili. 1:27).
THE NEW TESTAMENT IS TO BE DEFENDED
We must be certain that the apostles' teaching should be promoted (I Pet. 3:15) as God's truth and protected (Titus 1:9) from men's errors.
Unless Christians are certain about these things, they will be "carried about
by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men". Instead, we must "speak
the truth in love and grow up into Christ" (Eph.
4:14-15). Let us help each other.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 11]
BE A SPRING, NOT A SPONGE
Some Christians attend meetings of the church expecting to enjoy it. The
Bible does not tell us that this is the purpose of our meetings.
The main purpose of meeting is because God commands it: (Heb. 10:24-25).
My response to God's command should be to attend, even if some others don't, with the God-given purpose to stimulate and encourage my brethren, even if some don't reciprocate.
Another purpose for meeting is to devote myself to...(Acts 2:42).
God expects me to do this, even if some other don't.
Don't come to the meetings just to soak up things like a sponge. Come as a spring (even if others aren't) just as Jesus wants us to be: (John 4:14).
Be an active giver (a spring), not an impassive obsorber (a sponge), and
then you will truly enjoy God's purpose for you in his church meetings.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 11]
People group themselves in church denominations according to compatible sin.
THE TROUBLE WITH SOME ACADEMICS
(Matt. 11:25)
God denies his truth to those who rely solely on their own wisdom and
intelligence, and he assures simple people who humbly accept his revealed
word that they can know the truth. While not dismissing the value of great
academic studies of ancient languages, it is easy for the non-academic Christian
to be over-awed by the scholarship of learned theologians. We may be prone
to accept the pronouncements of the scholars without using the careful checks
God has provided us in his word.
Always remember the Bereans who were not so awed by the apostle Paul that they did not check his message. Indeed, they are favourably described as carefully...(Acts 17:11).
So, when one picks up a copy of "The Hebrew-Greek key study Bible" and reads that the editor (Spiro Zodhiates) spent 46 years of research in preparation, that he is "a recognized authority on the Greek New Testament", and holds several major degrees in theology and related subjects, one can't help being impressed. However, the disappointment is intense when it becomes apparent that such great scholarship is not security against misunderstanding or misrepresenting God's word. For example, the teaching on baptism, in the comments on I Pet. 3:20-21, reflects a denominational bias making "baptism consequent to salvation" in two full pages of tortuous explanation trying to prove this.
Similar failings are true of many Bible commentaries and it is very important to use these with great discernment, always checking with the scriptures. Indeed, it will soon become apparent that the only safe commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. Thus it is important to acquire a good working knowledge of the Bible by regular reading.
Even among our brethren, scholarship can be a trap for the unwary. In a lengthy article in a recent issue of "Gospel Advocate" a well-respected professor of Bible in an American University presented an argument that the word "quietly" in I Tim. 2:11 means "absence of sound" and not "peaceable disposition". The argument hinged largely on a linguistic interpretation of secular usage of the Greek expression "en hesuchia", from which the word "quietly" is translated in the verse in question.
This is important because the question is whether or not women in a mixed Bible class, for example, may speak.
It was suggested to the professor that it was not necessary to refer to extra-scriptural Greek literature to understand what God's word teaches, and that the meaning of this word, and others, can be determined from its immediate context and usage elsewhere in the Bible. Look up the verses where "hesuchia" has been translated in the New Testament: Luke 14:4; Luke 23:56; Acts 11:18; Acts 21:14; Acts 22:2; I Thes. 4:11; II Thes. 3:12; I Tim. 2:2, 11-12; I Pet. 3:4. The English words used for the same Greek word are "silent" or "quiet" in these verses. Which it means, i.e., absence of sound or quiet disposition, is apparent from the context. See for yourselves that in no case does it indicate the former. Thus, the teaching of I Tim. 2:11-12 is that women are to be quietly subject to the man leading the class, but not voiceless.
Another supposed support for "absence of sound" was suggested by the presence of the Greek preposition "en" before "hesuchia" only in I Tim. 2:11-12. But the same preposition is found before other words in the same chapter without changing their meanings; e.g., "authority" (I Tim. 2:2), "all godliness and honesty" (I Tim. 2:2), "faith and truth" (I Tim. 2:7), and so on.
In reply, the professor acknowledged "you may be right in your contention", but then went on to add that he had sent a student to look up "all the instances in Greek literature for the four hundred year period surrounding the times of the New Testament". Why would he want to do that? Does it suggest that, for the past nineteen hundred years, Bible readers could not know the meaning of I Tim. 2:11-12 unless they read all the Greek literature of the time!
This is told, not to demean the scholarship of worthy academics, but to add
a note of timely caution to the common tendency to take what the scholars
say to be true, despite being sometimes opposed to the clear teaching of
God's word. Sometimes clever people can be blinded by their own cleverness.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 1, Jan 12, 1992, p. 4-5]
ONE IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER!
In everyday life, we don't use this common expression in many situations that really matter.
Need a doctor? One man is not as good an another when you're sick. It is wise to check that the man you see is qualified.
Need food? One plant is not as good an another for nutrition. It is wise to be sure that the plant you choose is not poisonous.
Need water? One liquid is not as good as another to quench your thirst. What looks like water may be kerosene!
There may be similarities in appearance, but that does not suffice. A need
can only be satisfied by a specific remedy. God tells us we need his forgiveness
and salvation - this is what we must have - and only Jesus Christ is God's
remedy for us.
1. One God is not as good as another. Matt. 4:10;
Eph. 4:6.
2. One Saviour is not as good as another. John
8:24; John 10:9.
3. One church is not as good as another. Matt.
15:13; Matt. 16:18.
4. One foundation for faith is not as good as another.
I Cor. 3:11; Eph.
2:20.
5. One head is not as good as another. Eph.
1:22-23; Eph. 5:23.
6. One doctrine is not as good as another. Matt.
15:9; Gal. 1:7-9.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 1, Jan. 12, 1992, p. 9]
HE WILL BE YOUR SANCTUARY
(Isa. 8:13-14)
In Isa. 8, the prophecy concerning the impending
attack by Assyria and Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel is announced:
(Isa. 8:4). In addition, Assyria would threaten
the Southern Kingdom of Judah, (Isa. 8:8).
The people of Israel had turned away from God and sought other alliances and feared their neighbouring nations. But God said to Isaiah...(Isa. 8:12-13).
Hundreds of years later, Jesus urged his followers not to fear men (Matt. 10:28).
The apostle Peter quoted from Isaiah to reassure Christians...(I Pet. 3:14).
The writer of Hebrews quotes from Isa. 8:17-18, and ascribed the statements to Jesus (Heb. 2:11-13). He is our protective brother; he is our sanctuary of safety in a troubled world and in the face of temptation and trials.
As we partake of the Lord's Supper, let us remember that he died on the cross
and was resurrected in order to ensure out salvation and sanctuary. Praise
God and thank him for his wonderful love and mercy towards us in what his
Son has done.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 2, Jan. 19, 1991, p. 6]
WORK, LEARN & PERSEVERE
(Col. 1:9-11)
Work in the Lord (Eccl. 9:10;
John 9:4; Eph.
4:28)
God commands us to work diligently in his service while time is available to us. How well are we using our brief time doing God's work?
Learn from the Lord (Prov. 23:12; Phili. 3:8; II Tim. 2:15)
God commands us to learn of him what we must apply in our lives and teach others. Will we "be ashamed" at the Judgement?
Persevere for the Lord (Matt. 10:22; I Cor. 15:58; Heb. 12:1-2)
God commands us to persevere "without wavering" (Heb. 10:23). Be steadfast in service to God and your brethren. Don't abandon them.
Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 3, Jan. 26, 1992, p. 1]
THE STATE OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN NEW COVENANT TIMES
Within a few years of churches of Christ being established in Jerusalem and other places, the Lord had to correct various sins that emerged in some of those churches (Rev. 2-3). Where are those first century churches today?
The lesson for us is that, while we have come out of the "Babylon" of sin and joyfully worship our Lord in the heavenly Jerusalem to which he has brought us (Heb. 12:22), we must be alert to the same dangers of apostasy and sin which affected the Jewish exiles of Ezra's day and also the early churches.
What were some causes of problems in the early churches?
1. Babes in Christ. Not everyone in the congregation is of the same spiritual maturity. At conversion, we are all "babes in Christ" who need to...(I Pet. 2:2). Regrettably, some do not grow as rapidly as expected (Heb. 5:12-14). And so there will be some who remain "babes in Christ", because they are "men of flesh" and not "spiritual men" (I Cor. 3:1-3). That is, through indifference or worldliness, these church members remain spiritually-stunted and unable to understand spiritual matters.
2. Judaism/Denominationalism. The early church was troubled with Judaizing teachers who were converts to Christianity from Judaism. But these Jewish converts retained some of the outmoded beliefs and practices of their previous religious faith and tried to impose these on fellow-Christians (Acts 15:1ff; Gal. 1:6ff). This was despite the fact that Christ's death and annulled the old covenant and brought in the beliefs and practices of the new covenant (Heb. 8:13).
Similarly, the church today has many members who have come out of the denominations, and some of these are the modern counterpart of the ancient Judaizers, having retained nostalgic links with denominational beliefs and practices not taught in Christ's new covenant. These some have, either consciously or unconsciously, attempted to introduce into the Lord's church.
We need to be ever-watchful against the insidious introduction of false teaching
and practices in today's churches (Acts
20:28ff).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 3, Jan. 26, 1992, p. 5]
SLOW TO ANGER AND ABOUNDING IN LOVE
(Neh. 9:17)
Nehemiah 9 contains a great paean of praise to the Lord, in which the Jews
returned from Babylonian exile acknowledged God's compassion and love for
them. This was true in the fact of recurring disobedience by their forebearers.
God was the great Creator of the universe (Neh.
9:6). He had kept his covenant with Abraham and gave the Israelites the
promised land (Neh. 9:7-8). God had delivered
their forefathers from Egyptian slavery hundreds of years before
(Neh. 9:9-12). He had given them commands, decrees
and laws at Mount Sinai (Neh. 9:13-14). God
did not abandon his people when they did evil (Neh.
9:16-19). He gave his Spirit to instruct them through his prophets
(Neh. 9:20, 30; I
Pet. 1:10-11). God sustained his people and "they lacked nothing"
(Neh. 9:21), and "they ate to the full and
were well-nourished" (Neh. 9:25). They were
taken captives into exile because of continued disobedience but, when they
repented, God "heard from heaven, and in his compassion he delivered them
time after time" (Neh. 9:28).
(Rom. 2:4)
What God did for his people of old covenant times, he also does for his people
in these new covenant times.
Not only have Christians been freed by God from their "Egyptian slavery"
of sin, through responding to the Son of God's terms for spiritual freedom
(Gal. 5:1), but they have also been given his
new covenant to obey (Matt. 28:20). We should
be careful to avoid doing evil, as God's people of the previous dispensation
did evil (I Cor. 10:1-12). But we should thank
God that we "lack nothing" through his loving care for us
(Phili. 4:12-13).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 3, Jan. 26, 1992, p. 6]
JESUS, THE PREACHER - OUR EXAMPLE
Preaching is essential to salvation (I Cor.
1:21)
Jesus told apostles what to preach (Matt.
28:18-20)
We must preach only the teaching of Christ (II John
9)
Jesus spoke as his Father commanded (John
12:49)
Jesus, direct and dogmatic preacher (John 14:6;
Matt. 7:13-14; Matt.
6:24)
Jesus unhesitatingly condemned error (Matt. 15:6;
Matt. 7:21-23)
Jesus unhesitatingly warned of results of rejection
(John 3:36)
Jesus unhesitatingly commanded one way of salvation
(Mark 16:16)
[from the Truth in Love, no. 3, Jan. 26, 1992, p. 9]
THE MINISTER'S MINUTE INTEREST IS DETERMINED BY INVESTMENT
This is one of the obvious facts of life. You only save pictures involving self, friends, family. You look for yourself first in every picture. The reason is simple - investment. We don't go to PTA any more (unless our grandkids invite us!) Little League Baseball was our Spring life for years...but not any more. Interest has always been determined by investment.
The Local church. This all God knows...has! It is a blessing. This is why we have a "church roll". This is why we meet, have a budget, provide ministries. Read Acts 2; Acts 4; Acts 6. The Local Jerusalem church member had a primary accountability to the local church.
"Weekending" is killing the church. Some families are gone 2 to 3 Sundays monthly. Yes, they "go to church". Run in and run out. But they are not responsible there. The Lord's supper is reduced to liturgy. Fellowship is a joke. Our spirituality dies. Our children are lost. Most sadly wonder why!
The Local church is not a "one hour per week worship society". You don't merely "plug-in" on Sundays. It is our personal calendar. Our attendance, contributions, time, talents, and lives belong to the Local church! Where are your interests? Your job? Hobbies? Possessions? Your interest will be where your investments are.
Too many of us are investing too much in jobs - hobbies - houses - cars - recreation - junk! Then we wonder why we have little interest in the Local church! God will not accept crumbs, leftovers, nothing! He will "curse our blessings". So you drop out - this service, then another. Then you drop out of work responsibility. Then you cut your contribution. Then you wonder why you have no interest.
Spectators may have monetary excitement, but never profound interest. The
more time, money, effort you invest in the Local church the more interest
you will have. I guarantee it!
[by Charles Hodge from Mastin Lake Journal reprinted by Sycamore Chapel bulletin,
Jan. 26, 1992, p. 2]
WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME?
(Jer. 6:10-11)
Sadly, Jeremiah made the observation which has been repeated by countless
faithful preachers of the Lord's message since. "Who will listen to me?"
Even God's own people may find the word of the Lord offensive and "find no
pleasure in it." Like Jeremiah, faithful preachers cannot withhold the warning
of God's wrath against disobedience and indifference. Are the ears of my
local fellowship "closed so that they cannot hear?"
(Jer. 6:13-14)
Even those to whom we look to teach and guide us in the right ways of the
Lord, may not be trusted. Instead of urging, cajoling and warning us of our
complacency and compromise in worship, they share our self-deceit and even
encourage us to think we are doing alright (I
Thes. 5:3).
(Jer. 6:16)
But God's people in Jeremiah's day refused, and disaster came upon them.
Their worship was in vain and the Lord rejected them. The people of God in
our day face exactly the same assessment and judgment as the people of God
in Jeremiah's time. Do we say: "we will not walk in it" and "we will not
listen" when God's word is brought to us? Sadly, Jesus asked his
contemporaries...(Luke 18:8).
The church of our Lord is not a denomination, and yet how many think of it
as such despite years of Bible teaching on the subject? How many have no
qualms about identifying with denominations and so worship God in vain because
they happily accept teachings which are "rules made by man"
(Matt. 15:9)?
[from The Truth in Love, no. 8, Mar. 1, 1992, p. 1]
GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD YOUR GOD
(Jer. 13:16-17)
Jeremiah was deeply distressed by the apathy, indifference, disregard,
disobedience and antagonism of the people towards God. It was like preaching
to "a brick wall" - they were so hard and unresponsive. The most difficult
thing to understand was that these people were the chosen race, the descendants
of those who had been miraculously delivered from Egyptian slavery and of
those who had been miraculously granted a new home in Canaan. These were
God's people of the old covenant.
Translate the picture of God's people of the new covenant - the church of Christ. How do we fare in comparison with the people of Jeremiah's day? Do we sit Sunday by Sunday listening to the preaching of God's word with apathy, indifference, disregard, disobedience or antagonism in our hearts? Do our preachers feel they want to weep in secret because of our pride? We may hope for light, but are thick darkness and deep gloom our destiny because we may not humble ourselves and give glory to God? How can we give glory to the Lord our God, if our hearts are far removed from his ways?
We come together as a church each first day of the week in order to break
bread, as our Lord commanded and in remembrance of his sacrifice for us.
But as we partake, are our thoughts confined to the purpose of this memorial
feast? Or do we drift off into other worlds and mechanically "go through
the motions" of sharing in the Lord's supper? Has our worship become habitual
rather than fresh each week? Let us encourage each other to have the right
spirit, taught by God's truth, in our worship of God
(John 4:24). God's love never stales, nor
should ours.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 8, Mar. 1, 1992, p. 6]
DEVOUT BELIEVERS CRUCIFIED JESUS CHRIST
Acts 2:5-36 "Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, DEVOUT MEN...Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ THIS JESUS WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED"
The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Peter to declare that devout believers killed the Son of God. Peter repeated this statement on a later occasion...(Acts 3:12-17).
We sometimes think that it was only the Jewish religious rulers, the chief priests and elders, and the Roman governor, Pilate, who caused Jesus to be crucified. But, among the devout men listening to Peter on the day of Pentecost, there were many who had joined in shouting "Crucify him!" (Mark 15:11-15) seven weeks earlier.
We may also think that, as enlightened believers today, we would not have done such a thing. But remember that even the apostle Peter protested beforehand that he would never deny his Lord (Matt. 26:33), and we know what happened after Jesus was arrested (Matt. 26:69-75).
Regrettably, but it is a fact of life, there will always be some in any large congregation, like the church at Corinth, who remain...(I Cor. 3:3). Such brethren caused much trouble for the apostle Paul and others (II Cor. 10:10; II Cor. 11:26; Gal. 2:4; Phili. 1:15-17; II Tim. 4:10, 14, 16; III John 9-10). And they are a source of trouble in the Lord's churches today. As these Bible references show, sometimes this kind of attitude and behavior springs from ignorance, envy and malice.
Let us help each other to grow...(II Pet.
3:18), so that we become spiritual and, therefore, loving towards our
brethren.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 9, Mar. 8, 1992, p. 1]
WITH TIES OF LOVE
(Hosea 11:1-4)
The recurring theme of the Bible is God's great love for mankind, and another
is man's propensity for ignoring and rejecting God. These facts are demonstrated
in the old Testament history of Israel. "The more I called Israel, the further
they went from me!" While God referred to his delivery of Israel from Egypt
many centuries before, as an example of his great love, God was also foretelling
his great love in his Son's entry into the world to deliver mankind from
sin...(Matt. 2:15). We see then in Jesus the
clear demonstration of God's abiding love in word and deed.
Jesus taught us to walk in him, he takes us by the arms, he leads us with
words of human kindness as our elder brother and shepherd, he holds us to
himself with ties of love, he lifts the yoke from our necks and he bends
down to feed us. What a beautiful picture of God in Jesus Christ! And yet,
do we fail to realise it is Jesus who has healed us? The more he calls us,
do we stray farther away from him? Learn the lesson from ancient Israel and
determine to stay close to your loving Lord.
(John 6:68-69)
While we observe the Lord's supper, let us encourage each other to be thankful
for God's "ties of love" which bind us to him through his Son. The Supper
is a weekly reminder of that love.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 9, Mar. 8, 1992, p. 6]
BE SILENT BEFORE THE LORD GOD! (Zeph. 1:7;
Hab. 2:20)
Turmoil and trouble (Job 3:26).
We live in a world which is full of tumult and trouble and we seem to be
constantly engaged in an unending round of helter and skelter to cope with
life. So many people despair because there are so many demands on their attention
and time, and they have little or no time to relax, reflect and recover.
(Isa. 57:20-21)
It has always been the same, as the quotes from Job and Isaiah testify. Thousands
of years ago, our forebears were also troubled by internal and external problems
day by day. No one is happy about this, so what can we do to counter it?
Silence and serenity. (Psa. 23:1-3)
God tells us that the first thing we need to do is recognise him as our Creator
and Lord. The next thing we need to learn is to submit ourselves to his leading.
When we do this, God restores our souls. How may we do these things when
we allow ourselves to be distracted by so many other interests in our
lives?
Consider how God's prophet, Elijah, was deeply troubled and learned to hear
God in "a gentle whisper" (I Kings
19:12).
(Isa. 30:15)
God tells us that the only way to be saved by him, from the consequences
of a destructive life-style, is to turn to him and rest in him. Only by making
time to be quiet, and trusting God, may we find the strength we need to be
content and joyous.
(Isa. 32:17-18)
Not only is the peace of God to be found by making time to withdraw from
the cares of the world and by turning back to him for guidance, it is also
maintained by working God's will for us and serving him faithfully, according
to his word.
Consider how busy administrator, Daniel, always made time for silence and
prayer every day, even when threatened with death for his unshakeable trust
in God (Dan. 6:1-10).
Pauses for prayers. (Psa. 4:4-5)
Even when we retire at night we should make time for meditation on God and
his word? Do we tire ourselves out so much by the frenzied activities of
the day that we sink before the dulling influence of evening television-viewing
and are too exhausted to give good time to God "upon our beds"?
(Psa. 63:5-8)
Be sure to make time to pray to God and to meditate on his word some time
each day. Make time to praise him when we are joyful and not tired. Being
joyful comes from clinging to God and knowing that he upholds us
(Phili. 4:6-7).
Consider how Jesus arranged his busy life to make time for quiet communion
with his Father (Matt. 14:23;
Mark 1:35; Luke
5:16).
Moments for meditation Deut. 27:9-10
The old covenant people of God had to be silent in order to attend to God's
word and worship. They needed to know God's word to obey. Likewise, Christians
are the new covenant people of God and also need to be silent for the same
reasons. Do we quietly attend to God's word in our meetings for worship as
the first Christians in the Jerusalem church did when
they...(Acts 2:42).
(Psa. 119:97)
It is not enough to give some heed to God's word once a week at Sunday morning
meetings of the church. This may be all the time one can legitimately give
to such meetings [God and I know why I can't attend other meetings of the
church during the week]. Whatever the circumstances, there is no excuse for
the people of God to neglect to meditate on his word daily. We need to. If
we love his word, as we should, we will seek to please God.
(Psa. 62:1)
Some Christians have their priorities misplaced. They wait for many things
in their lives, but seem not to "wait in silence for God only". If we are
so lacking in respect and reverence for God, whom we profess is the sources
of "our salvation", what value do we put on Christ's sacrifice which made
this salvation possible?
Consider how Martha was so distracted by the work at hand that Jesus had
to gently chide her for her misplaced priorities
(Luke 10:38-42).
Consider the apostle Paul (imprisoned in Rome) encouraging his brethren in
faraway Philippi to...(Phili. 4:6-7).
Jesus Christ's invitation to all...(Matt.
11:28-30).
All of us are "weary and heavy-laden" as the result of sin in our lives and
assailing us constantly from the world around us. We may not admit it, we
may not believe there is a solution, and we may reject the one offered to
us by God; but sin is there all the time and is the death of us. Only through
God's initiative in sending his Son into the world may we be relieved of
this weariness and heavy burden, and find eternal rest.
Jesus, God's Son, died for us and took our sins on himself. We cannot know how this effects a remedy for our plight, but we can trust God, who made us, that he knows what is the cure.
When we respond to Jesus' invitation to learn from him, the first thing he teaches the sinner to do is to believe in him (John 3:16; John 20:31). Next, Jesus calls us to repent (turn to God away from sin) and obey him (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:28; Heb. 5:9). Then we submit to Jesus' command to be baptized for forgiveness of our sins and for the salvation God gives (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
When we comply with Jesus' terms for salvation, God adds us to the company of the saved, Christ's church (Acts 2:47; Acts 20:28b). Thus, we are already in his church at this point, and all that remains is for the new convert to meet with other saved people who...(Acts 2:42).
By devoting ourselves to "the apostles' teaching" (the letters of the New
Testament), we learn what God wants of us in our daily lives. The New Testament
letters (like the writings of the Old Testament prophets) were inspired by
the Holy Spirit of God (I Pet. 1:10-12) to
show us how to "imitate God" by "living a life of love"
(Eph. 5:1-2). These scriptures give us everything
God has prescribed to "equip us for every good work"
(II Tim. 3:16-17). It remains for all of
us to be sure we make enough quiet time daily to listen to God and obey
him.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 9, Mar. 8, 1992, p. 2-3, 12-13]
Understanding a person does not mean condoning, it only means that one does
not accuse him as if one were God or a judge placed above him.
[by Eric Fromm]
Painters have tried, sculptors have tried, poets have tried yet all have
failed for only one picture of God has ever been accurately rendered. Jesus
Christ alone is the exact representation of God's nature. In Jesus, God became
a man so that all the human race might see God. God is light, so is Jesus.
As it says in John 8 " I am the light of the
world," said Jesus. God is truth, so is Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the truth".
God is God alone, so is Jesus. God in these last days has spoken to us by
his son (Heb. 1). Therefore you are no longer
in the dark about God when you have met the savior.
[from the book entitled Closer walk New Testament]
The National Geographic is a magazine I thank my parents for. In my youth this yellow color journal would come once a month and I would eagerly devour its pages and use it as a window to other worlds. In one article about 18 months ago was a profile of Polpot's, Campuchea. The sufferings of this extraordinary country in the hands of one man. He had the power in a word of life and death over his people. There is no court of appeal; no recourse. This man had everybody within his grasp. The book of Proverbs says that death and life are in the power the tongue. Those who love it will eat its fruit. What God has done is give us the power of life and death. It is in a very strange place; in our mouths. You can with your mouth bring life or death to any situation by the way you speak. It's an awesome responsibility but it reflects our real nature created in God's image so we can be and are what we speak. What we are to do is reflect him in our speech that brings life to everything and everyone.
I DREW MY CIRCLE AGAIN!
When I first became a member of the church, my circle was very big...for
it included all who, like myself had believed and had been baptized. I was
happy in the thought that my brethren were many...but, having a keen and
observant mind, I soon learned that many of my brethren were erring. I could
not tolerate any people within my circle but those who, like myself were
right on all points of doctrine and practice. Too, some made mistakes and
sinned. What could I do? I had to do something! I drew my circle, placing
myself and a few as righteous as I within, and the others without. I soon
observed that some within my circle were self-righteous, unforgiving, jealous
and proud, so in righteous indignation, my circle I drew again, leaving the
Publicans and sinners outside, excluding the Pharisees in all their pride,
with myself and the righteous and humble within. I heard ugly rumors about
some brethren. I saw then that some of them were worldly-minded; their thoughts
were constantly on things of a worldly nature; they drank coffee, when, like
me, they should drink tea. So duty bound, to save my reputation, my circle
I drew again, leaving those reputable, spiritually-minded within. I soon
realized in time that only my family and myself remained in the circle. I
had a good family, but to my surprise, my family finally disagreed with me.
I was always right. A man must be steadfast. I have never been a factious
man! So in strong determination I drew my circle again, leaving me quite
alone.
[from West Erwin Church of Christ in Tyler, Tex. reprinted in The Outreach,
23 Feb. 1992, p. 3]
THE PREACHER, THE PARTNER & THE LAWYER
The story goes that a rich man once gave $10,000 each to three persons saying: "I want to settle all my accounts when I die. At the time of my death, you may deduct whatever you think I owe you - and throw the rest into my grave."
Sure enough, at his funeral, came his church preacher, saying: "I discovered that you never gave anything to the church - Here, I've deducted 10 percent." And he threw in $9,000.
Next came his partner and threw in $5,000 in dollar bills, saying: "I deducted that amount you owed me."
Finally came his lawyer, proudly saying: "Although you owed me some fees, I am cancelling all fees and returning you the entire amount." And he threw in a CHECK for $10,000.
We smile, because dead men don't cash checks! Yet don't we often treat God
the same way? Our giving is a farce if what we give costs us nothing; it's
not true giving at all.
[from The Outreach, 9 Feb. 1992, p. 2]
WHAT MAKES A GREAT CHURCH?
Not big budgets...but great hearts.
Not tall steeples...but lofty vision.
Not money received...but service rendered.
Not record-breaking attendance...but God's presence.
Not frantic notions...but dedicated action.
Not soft seats and bright lights...but shining examples in our lives.
Not loud talking...but quiet doing.
Not members in beautiful clothes...but members with beautiful lives.
Not preachers with degrees...but teachers with loving truth.
Not things done in the past...but things being done NOW and in the FUTURE.
[from The Outreach, 8 Mar. 1992, p. 3]
God provides food for every bird but he does not place it in their nest!!
[from The Outreach, 8 Mar., 1992, p. 3]
The book of Proverbs is filled with ways to acquire wisdom and we are encouraged to gain her as well as understanding no matter what the cost. (Prov. 3:13-18) Even in self-improvement books which are readily available in bookstores and libraries these days there's a lot to be said about wisdom and understanding for instance a quote about the wisdom of man says: A wise man reflects before he speaks: A fool speaks and then reflects on what he has to say.
Aging is a matter of the mind. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
DO NOT FEAR, FOR I AM WITH YOU
(Jer. 46:28)
God's love is consistently and generally applied with mercy and with justice.
God cannot overlook and dismiss deliberate and determined sinning. This was
especially true of his chosen people, Israel, to whom God sent prophet after
prophet to turn them from their sins. God's patience cannot be tried indefinitely
(Matt. 23:37-38). There must come a day of
reckoning (II Thes. 1:5-10). Our procrastination
is brought to a halt by the termination of God's patience
(Acts 17:30-31). There must be a day of judgment
and our failure to repent before that day can only be met by punishment
(II Pet. 3).
God's justice brought the sentence of death on his disobedient people, but
God's mercy ensured that some would be spared. God's discipline is just and
applied justly; no one can rightly claim that God is unfair or unjust. But
God could not let his disobedient people go entirely unpunished. We cannot
fathom the depth of suffering and pain which God experiences because of our
wilful disobedience. It must be all the more intense because he knows he
must one day punish those who refuse to turn back to him.
(Rom. 11:22)
When we break bread around the Lord's table, let us remind ourselves of God's
Son who died for us so that we might be reconciled to the Father. We can
know his promise is sure - Matt. 18:20. Be
comforted by God's assurance.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 11, Mar. 22, 1992, p. 6]
ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL
(I John 5:14)
Christians must understand what is God's will (Eph.
5:17)
Christ's teaching reveals God's will for us (Matt.
7:21-24)
Christ accepts those who do God's will (Matt.
12:50)
Jesus did his Father's will (John 4:34)
Christians must do God's will (Matt. 6:10;
Rom. 12:2). Just as God's will is obeyed in
heaven, his followers on earth should seek to do likewise.
Know, pray for, and do God's will (Col.
1:9-10)
Stay firm in the will of God (Col. 4:12) There
is no uncertainty about God's will for us if we take the trouble to learn
it from his word and put it into prayerful practice in our daily lives.
According to his will. (Heb. 13:20-21.)
[from The Truth in Love, no. 11, Mar. 22, 1991, p. 7]
TO PLEASE GOD
(Heb. 11:6)
To please God assumes two things:
1. that God exists,
2. That God takes an interest in us.
If we don't believe there is God, or if we don't believe he is interested in us, clearly we can't please him (Rom. 1:18-25).
To come to God requires two things:
1. believe that God exists,
2. Believe that he rewards the earnest seeker.
If we don't believe God exists, or if we don't believe he rewards the earnest seeker, clearly we won't come to him (Acts 17:16-32).
Two opposing attitudes about God's existence:
1. believe in God's existence,
2. Don't believe in God's existence (e.g., atheists, agnostics).
The faith which pleases God is the believing attitude of the degree found in the earnest seeker (Jer. 29:13; Acts 17:11-12)
Two opposing incentives regarding God's promise:
1. earnestly seek God,
2. not seek God (e.g., the ignorant, indifferent, rejecter).
God promises to reward only those who are earnest in their search. This applies
to both
(1) those who are seeking salvation (Acts
2:36-28), and
(2) those who are saved (II Pet. 1:3-11).
[from the Truth in Love, no. 11, Mar. 22, 1992, p. 9]
DON'T "DEBATE" ERROR; CORRECT IT!
(II Tim. 2:23-25)
Brethren sometimes support the idea of truth and error being established
through debating. The problem is that very often debates are tests of relative
debating skills rather than of truth and error. A skilled debater can make
error sound plausible and convincing, while a poor debater may fail to do
the truth justice.
The Bible does not direct Christians to debate religious error, but to correct it - II Tim. 3:16-17.
It is sometimes suggested that the precedent for debating is found in Acts 15:2. But, in the circumstances described, the apostles were inspired men who taught what the Holy Spirit guided them to say (Acts 15:28; John 16:13; Matt. 10:19-20). Thus, in the debate in Jerusalem, the apostles corrected the false teachers with the truth. All brethren present heard that truth (Acts 15:12). As a result, the Jerusalem Church sent a letter to troubled churches elsewhere letting them know the Holy Spirit's instructions in this matter.
Modern "debates" sometimes degenerate into emotional denigrations by each speaker of the other's motives and methods of presentation. This might be "entertaining" for the audience, but it is not edifying. The teacher faithful to God's word should make it clear that his intention is to present truth and thereby correct error, not to submit truth and error to the "vote" of the audience as to which was more convincingly presented.
The scripture truth should be presented plainly and fully and it alone will
convince those of "good and honest heart" (Luke
8:15).
[from the Truth in Love, no. 12, Mar. 29, 1992, p. 1]
THE LORD IS THE ROCK ETERNAL
(Isa. 26:1-4)
This lovely chapter is capable of a number of applications of the principles
mentioned. In the first instance, the "song sung in the land of Judah" was
to be the expression of relief, reverence and adoration of the Jews who returned
and rebuilt Jerusalem following exile in Babylon.
(Neh. 12:43).
In the second instance, it is the expression of rejoicing of the saved who are the "Children of promise" and citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26-28; Eph. 2:19-22; Heb. 11:10; Heb. 12:22-23).
In the third instance, it is the expression of rejoicing in hopeful anticipation of our eternal home in heaven. (I Pet. 1:3-5.)
The Christian now enjoys the peace of God through undeviating trust in him
(John 14:27; John
16:33; Phili. 4:4-9). This is especially
experienced in the sharing in the Lord's supper which reminds us of God's
concern for us. His only Son was prepared to die to save us and so we thank
God in this Supper that he did this great thing. Indeed it is true that he
is our "Lord, The Rock Eternal". Do this in remembrance of our Lord.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 12, Mar. 29, 1992, p. 6]
HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU
(Deut. 31:8)
Moses informed the Israelites (Deut. 31:2).
He then summoned Joshua and, in the presence of all Israel, he transferred
leadership to him with the encouragement to...(Deut.
31:7).
All of God's promises are conditional, and the promise that "he will never leave you nor forsake you" was understood to be conditional on their continued obedience and faithfulness to God. Indeed the Lord said to Moses...(Deut. 31:17).
There is a false teaching prevalent among some religious groups that Christians are "once saved always saved". This is based incorrectly on Bible passages such as Jesus' promise (John 10:28). But Jesus also said...(John 15:5-10). Jesus did not contradict himself, but simply gave the conditions for Christians remaining saved. We are encouraged to...(Heb. 10:23). (Heb. 10:36).
Bearing this in mind, one of the purposes of the weekly observance of the
Lord's Supper is to remind us of his sacrifice for us
(I Cor. 11:23-26;
Acts 20:7; Acts
2:42). As we come to the Lord's table we can be assured
that...(II Tim. 1:7).
[from the Truth in Love, no. 10, Mar. 15, 1992, p. 6]
IT'S YOUR MOVE
I gave you life; but cannot live it for you. I can teach you things; but
I cannot make you learn. I can give you directions; but I cannot always be
there to lead you. I can take you to church; but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong; but I cannot always decide for you. I can
teach you to be a friend; but I cannot make you one. I can advise you about
friends; but I cannot choose them for you. I can teach you about sex; but
I cannot keep you pure. I can tell you the facts of life; but I cannot built
your reputation. I can tell you about "strong" drink; but I cannot say "no"
for you. I can warn you about drugs; but I cannot prevent you from using
them. I can tell you about lofty goals; but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can warn you about sin; but I cannot make your morals. I can love you as
a child; but I cannot place you in God's family. I can pray for you; but
I cannot make you walk with God. I can teach you about Jesus; but I cannot
make Him your Savior. I can teach you to obey; but I cannot make Jesus your
Lord. I can tell you how to live; but I cannot give you Eternal Life.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Apr. 5, 1992, p. 2]
THE MEANING OF LIFE
"We are beginning to see that a full garage, a full pocketbook and a full stomach can add up to an empty life." These were the truthful and powerful words spoken by Dwight Stevenson some years ago. Indeed, there is more to life than "things." In warning against greed, Jesus said...(Luke 12:15).
"Things" have meaning only as we assign meaning. We must have certain "things" to function in this world. However, those things cannot be the foundation of life. At least, not according to scripture. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone." Agur said...(Prov. 30:7-9.)
If we have the "why" to live, the "things" and "how" of life become secondary. Jesus gave some very simple, yet fundamental counsel in Matt. 7:24-27. The way God would have His people live is amazingly simple, but our selfishness complicates the choices before us. If we carefully study Jesus' powerful sermon recorded in Matt. 5-7, we soon realize it is easily understood. This great body of teaching is compounded; however, as we try to arrange it into our already chosen life-style. This approach toward our Lord's teaching never works; it will never result in a transformed life. We must be willing to yield our wills to the commands of scripture.
Peter said that God...(II Pet. 1:4). Then, he argues, we are for this reason to do certain things in our growth as children of God. What God requires will guide and help us to have a meaningful life. What He requires has nothing to do with material possessions, but with what we believe and want to become. Such is what life is about, and what is necessary for us to live in eternity with God.
Assign value to the things God regards as valuable: the golden rule, fellowship,
evangelism, unity, purity, truth, honesty, bearing burdens, strengthening
family ties, and exalting Jesus as Lord.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 25, 1992, p. 2.]
BORED TO DEATH
A suicide note read, "I have had a few difficulties, many friends, great successes. I have gone from wife to wife, and from house to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up 24 hours of the day." The man was Ralph Barton, a well-known cartoonist. He was bored of his empty, meaningless life. He was bored to death!
There are many people in our society that are like Ralph Barton. They are bored with life. They are all trying to fill up their days with something that will bring them happiness and contentment. Most of them are committing suicide. Not all are jumping off bridges, taking sleeping pills, or putting a gun to their heads; but they are committing suicide just the same. They are drugging themselves to death on alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine. They are working themselves to death trying to "keep up with the Joneses." Their worry, mental anguish, and discontent take them to an early grave. There is no suicide note, but they too have been "fed up with inventing devices" to give their life meaning.
There is an answer. There is something in this world that can fill your days with real meaning. I Tim. 6:6 tells us what it is. The word "godliness" means reverence and dutifulness toward God. To reverence God will be to give God His rightful piece in our lives. We must accomplish our intended duty in life before we feel contentment with life. Our intended duty in life is service and reverence toward our Maker.
Solomon, too, searched for ways to fill up his 24 hour day with meaning. He found that knowledge, pleasure, and wealth were all vanity. He finally found the meaning of life wrapped up in God. Solomon's "conclusion" was...(Eccl. 12:13).
The football superstar, O.J. Simpson, said, "I sit in my house in Buffalo and sometimes I get so lonely it's unbelievable. Life has been so good to me. I've got a great wife, good kids, money, my own health, and I'm lonely and bored...I often wondered why so many rich people commit suicide." (People Magazine, June 12, 1978). This man has done many things that the world would call great. Yet he was lonely and bored because he had not done his duty toward God.
Is there a void in your life? Are your days empty and meaningless? There
is only one thing that can fill the void and give you the contentment that
you want in life. That is godliness! Are you fulfilling your duties to God?
Does your life give God reverence? The devices of man cannot fill up our
days, they can only drag them out. Only the pursuit of godliness can remove
boredom and give contentment.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 17, 1992, p. 2]
A knocker never wins. A winner never knocks.
I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.
The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been
made.
I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or
be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, teen visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and
dwarf goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, positions, promotions, products,
or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or
rewarded.
I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer,
labor by power.
My faith is set. My goal is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My
way is rough. My companions few. My God reliable. My mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded,
or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of
adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, potter at the pool of popularity,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, or burn up until I've preached up, paid
up, prayed up, stored up, stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I'm a disciple of Jesus, I must go 'til he comes, give 'til I drop, preach
'til I'll know, and work 'til He stops.
And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me.
[by Neil Anderson]
It's not what I do that determines who I am. It is what I am that determines what I do.
Steps to overcome depression:
1. know who you are
2. understand that God is in control
3. Seek God's forgiveness and forgive myself
4. Get back into the will of God
5. Learn the lesson of praise. Thank God for the victory.
When we have a fault, at first we:
(1) deny it...
(2) anger...It's someone else's fault that I have that fault
(3) bargaining...I'm better in other ways so that should make up for the
fault
(4) depression...feeling like nothing can be done about the fault and it
is all hopeless
(5) acceptance...acknowledge that fault exists.
How to be able to forgive myself
1. Acknowledge the promise of God to forgive me
2. Confess the sin (only the recent sin...not the previously confessed sin.
Don't remind God of sins he has already forgiven and forgotten about.)
3. Thank God for his forgiveness...even if I don't feel forgiven.
4. Refuse to let my mind dwell on the forgiven sins. It is one of the devil's
tricks to keep you down.
I have a close friend in whom I confide (Prov. 18:24; Prov. 27:9) and a wife as one flesh and partner for life (Matt. 19:5-6; I Pet. 3:7; Eph. 5:22-33). But why does Micah 7:5-6 say not to trust a friend or wife?
The prophet Micah lived during the time of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Micah 1:1), some 700 years before Christ. Micah's main message from God was a stern warning against the moral poverty and the social injustices among his people. God intended to punish them (Micah 1:5; Micah 2:1-3; Micah 3:1-12; Micah 7:2).
Read the whole of the book of Micah and see the spiritual depravity of the people of Judah at that time. It is in the context of these grievous sins that Micah referred to the fact that no one, not even their friends and wives could be trusted then. It is a description of the people of that time. It is not intended to be a teaching for all times and situations. But when we look at our present world of injustice, corruption, deceit and hatred, is it so far removed from the conditions of Micah's generation?
But the book of Micah is not all gloom. It also teaches about the holiness
and righteousness of God and what God expects of his
people...(Micah 6:8). And it teaches about the
Messiah who would come and about the kingdom he would establish [fulfilled
in Christ and his church].
[from the Truth in Love, no. 18, May 12, 1991, p. 10-11]
I AM!
(Exo. 3:14)
While tending the flock of his father-in-law, Moses' attention was drawn
to a bush which was not burning up. When Moses approached to investigate,
God called to Moses to halt and remove his sandals because the site was holy.
God reassured Moses that the time had come to take the Israelites out of
Egypt and that Moses was God's chosen instrument
(Exo. 3:12).
Moses was fearful that the people would reject him as they did so long before. What authority could he give them? Then God said to Moses...(Exo. 3:15). Moses was...(Acts 7:35). It was sufficient for God to appeal to himself (for there is no one higher) as Moses' authority to the Israelites - "I AM".
It was that same claim which Jesus made, bringing the angry outburst of "blasphemy" upon him. (John 8:58-59). Jesus' claim to be God was not lost on the Jews who refused to believe him and attempted to apply the penalty for blasphemy (Lev. 24:13-16). (The deity of Jesus is clearly stated in the Bible). Just as God had sent Moses to be "ruler and deliverer" of Israel, so the Father sent his Son to be our "Lord and Saviour" (II Pet. 1:11).
While we share in the bread and the fruit of the vine, representing our Lord's
body and blood given for us on the cross, let us remember that he is the
"I AM" who, himself, died to deliver us from the "wages of sin" and to lead
us into the "eternal life" which is "the gift of God"
(Rom. 6:23).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 17, May 5, 1991, p. 6]
CARING FOR OTHERS : LOVE IS BEING TOLERANT
What does it mean to be tolerant? It means that we are willing to put up with inconveniences, to be forbearing when others are rude or thoughtless, and to allow others to have the preference in any choice.
The apostle Paul wrote his letters in the Greek language and he used the same word when he told the church at Corinth that, although preachers had the right to be paid to preach...(I Cor. 9:12). That is, if some people complained about paying preachers, it might be best to be tolerant and not insist on being paid. So Paul was showing love by being tolerant.
At another time, Paul told the church at Thessalonica that he had become very anxious for news about them so that...(I Thes. 3:5).
In these Bible quotes, we see that the translators have rendered the same Greek word "tolerant" as "forbear" (in I Cor. 13:7), "put up with" (I Cor. 9:12) and "stand it" (I Thes. 3:5). By comparing their use in different verses we get an idea of its true meaning.
Some Bible examples of people who showed tolerance, and showed their love for others, include Abram. When Abram and Lot had large herds and shared the same fields, there was quarrelling between their herdsmen. Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me...separate from me; if to the left, I will go to the right...so Lot chose for himself the valley of Jordan" (the best land) and Abram tolerantly accepted the other land of Canaan (Gen. 13).
Joseph is another good example of tolerance. After his brothers had cruelly sold him into slavery, many years later Joseph rose to great importance in Egypt. When his brothers met Joseph again they were afraid that he would punish them. Instead, Joseph tolerantly said to them...(Gen. 50:21).
We can show tolerance and forbearance when others are nasty or rude to us,
by not reacting in the same way. Instead, we can be as generous as Abram
and Joseph were, and let others have first choice. Then we show the way of
love.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 17, May 5, 1991, p. 7]
LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
(Psa. 122:1)
The devout child of God in every age loves nothing better than to share with
righteous people in worshipping the Lord. In the time of the writer of this
Psalm, "the house of God" was the temple of Jerusalem. But a thousand years
later, Jesus declared that...(John 4:21-23).
Since then, no longer is the place or the building holy or consecrated or sanctified to the Lord as it had been in Old Testament times. Christians, in this New Testament age, are...(Eph. 2:19-22). Here, the apostle Paul described the church, composed of the followers of Christ, as the living temple or house of God now.
Hence, after pointing out that Christians have in Jesus...(Heb. 10:19-25).
One of the great reasons God has given us for "meeting together" is to worship
him in "the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42).
In this we acknowledge our indebtedness to God for the sacrifice of his Son
which obtains for us "the forgiveness of sins".
(Rom. 5:8)
[from The Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 6]
THERE IS NO GOD (Psa. 14:1)
Consider the implications of this statement:
If there is no God,
1. The gospel writers are liars!
They wrote about God with us (Matt.
1:20-23)
They wrote about God's good news for us (Mark
1:14-15)
They wrote about God's Son who came to save us (Luke
1:26-35)
They wrote about God's word among us (John
1:1-14)
2. The New Testament letter writers are liars!
They wrote of grace and peace from God (Rom.
1:1-7)
They wrote to invite us to appeal to God (James
1:1-6)
They wrote to urge us to praise God (I Pet.
1:1-5)
They wrote to invite us to fellowship with God (I
John 1:1-5)
They wrote to defend God's faith given to us (Jude
1-3)
3. Jesus Christ was made a liar!
He said "God so loved the world" (John
3:16-21)
He said "I am come from God" (John
8:42-47)
He said "Believe in God, believe also in me" (John
14:1)
He said "No one comes to the Father, but through me"
(John 14:6)
He said "Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father"
(John 14:9)
Can we be foolish to think Jesus and his apostles lied to us?
[from the Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 9]
OBLIGATIONS, PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
For every person who has been a Christian for some time there are mounting obligations, privileges and responsibilities, associated with a profession of faith in Christ, as time passes.
A new Christian is like a "newborn babe" (I Pet. 2:2). Even then, that person has an obligation to "long for the pure milk of the word, in order to grow in salvation."
The apostle Paul had to rebuke some brethren in the church at Corinth because he could not speak to them as "spiritual men", for they had not grown, but were still "babes in Christ" (I Cor. 3:1ff)
Christians, by passage of time...(Heb. 5:12-14).
Mature Christians teach both by speaking things "according to sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1), and by conduct "according to [apostolic] pattern" (Phili. 3:17).
Let us practise to be good examples in "speech, conduct, love, faith and
purity" (I Tim. 4:12) and so bless others.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 10]
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT JESUS
(I Tim. 3:15)
Every local church has the God-given responsibility to be "the pillar and
support of the truth" wherever each is located.
Jesus described himself as "the truth" (John 14:6) and God's word is "truth" (John 17:17). He gave his apostles this word to tell others and he prayed on behalf of "those who also believe in me through their word" (John 17:19-20).
We came to believe in Jesus through the word of truth his apostles recorded in the New Testament. Thus we also received Jesus' commission to tell others that same truth (Matt. 28:18-20).
As we obey our Lord by meeting together to "worship God in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), let us remember that we have this other command of our Lord to "go and make disciples", like ourselves, and so share in the enlarging of God's kingdom.
Everyone of us can tell some other soul about Jesus. Do it every day, while
we can.
[from the Truth in Love, no. 22, June 9, 1991, p. 10]
A QUILT THAT TAKES A LIFETIME TO FINISH
Looking at a hand-made quilt, I wonder how many stitches it took to sew it together, how much thought and concentration, energy, and even love, went into its making.
Family life is something like a quilt. What is put in - or taken out - is very important in the final appearance of the quilt. Day by day, hour by hour, week after week, year after year, you are putting together your family's "quilt." Little pieces go in, like "morning hugs" from Mother; good hot cocoa in the wintertime; bedtime stories read by Daddy; listening to grandfather pray at the table. These pieces of the quilt are beautiful, sewn in with loving care.
Then sometimes, the stitches are jabbed in - your husband comes home angry because the boss "told him off"; you are sick with a cold and have unexpected company to cook for; your child broke your favorite piece of crystal; you and your husband quarreled. Those stitches, jabbed into the fabric in anger, cannot be taken out of the quilt of family life.
Sometimes the stitches are sewn with shaking fingers - the time the baby was very ill, or your husband lost his job, or your father died - but though shaky, your fingers made strong stitches and pulled the fabric together firmly. You kept on making the quilt. The sad times strengthened you.
There comes a time the quilt is finished. A well-made quilt is much sought after; some are heirlooms passed from generation to generation. The patience, the long hours bent over the frame, the evenness of the stitches, the intricacy and beauty of the design are all admired and highly valued. The worth of a hand-made quilt is very high.
A good family life is much to be desired, too - just like a heirloom quilt.
We are all making our "family quilts," and we need to make sure that what
goes into our quilt will make it a thing of beauty when it's finished. Be
sure the Lord is in your life to help you put in those stitches.
[by Mary Frances Christie from Power for Today]
BE GOOD! BE GOOD! BE GOOD!
Everybody is always telling us to "Be Good!" "Be a good girl for Aunt Cleo." "Be a good boy at the dentist." "Be good on your date." "Be good at college." "Be good to your husband." If repetition built character, many of us would be perfect by now. But we are not! In fact, we sometimes want to "be bad" simply because someone has told us to "be good"!
Telling us to "be good" does not make us good. We continually have feelings and do things that are NOT good. Paul said that...(Rom. 3:23). Even Paul could not "be good," "that which I am doing, I do not understand," he said, "for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate" (Rom. 7:15, NAS). If Paul could not even manage goodness on his own, then why does God give us all of these "be good" admonitions? "Be perfect," "be steadfast," "be holy," "be courageous".... I feel hopelessly lost before I begin!
If you read these "be" meditations with a proud determination to get better every day or with a desperation for self-improvement, you are doomed to guilt and depression by the third day. What can we do then? Paul gives us our only hope: to...(Phili. 3:9). We can "be good" only when we are in Christ! This is why God asks us to be perfect - because we are in him who is our perfection, our peace, our courage, our joy. What a relief! He is our righteousness! We don't have to pretend to be good anymore; we just have to follow him.
Remember the guest who came to the prince's wedding feast in Matt. 22? The king who had prepared the lavish dinner spotted him right away because he came in his own suit! "Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?" the king asked. The fellow had wanted to enjoy the food and the fun, but he felt that his clothes were good enough - he didn't need the celebration suit that the king offered all of the guests!
That is my problem sometimes with these "Bible be's." I want to "be perfect," but I'm hoping that my own perfection (after all, I have a lot of good qualities!) will be good enough. But...(Isa. 64:6). That means that even my own unselfishness is so dirty and impure - so full of mixed motives - that I must take it off in order to put on Christ's unselfishness. You don't wear dirty clothes under a new fur coat! So when Jesus gives me a whole new suit of clothes why should I want to keep wearing my dirty rags to the party?
As you think of these devotions begin taking off your own filthy rags that
you hoped would be good enough, so that Christ can dress you in these fruits
of his Spirit, these gifts of his love.
[by Emily Y. Lemley from Power for Today, vol. 20, no. 4, July-Aug., 1974,
p. 1-2]
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Every person who believes in and obeys Christ's terms for salvation is added by the Lord to his church (Acts 2:38, 47). He or she is then a member of Christ's body (I Cor. 12:12).
Christ's body or church is represented everywhere by Christians meeting as congregations or local churches wherever they happen to be. Hence, in the New Testament, such local groups are identified by the place of meeting on each first day of the week in order to break bread (I Cor. 11:18; I Cor. 16:1-2). At the same time, these local churches worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), hearing his word, joining in prayers and fellowship, and in contributing money for the church's works (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 16:1-2).
Each local church must conduct itself in "a fitting and orderly way"
(I Cor. 14:40) and, hence, each member must
try to be a regular participant (Heb. 10:25)
in order that the church can plan and budget for its work. This is impossible
if Christians try to be members of two or more local churches or members
of none.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 5, Feb. 14, 1993, p. 1]
BLESSED IS HE WHO KEEPS THE LAW
(Prov. 29:18)
God has revealed himself to mankind in nature
(Psa. 19:1; Acts
17:24-27; Rom. 1:1ff)
God has revealed himself to mankind in his Word
(Heb. 1:1-2; II
Pet. 1:21; John 1:14, 10)
God has revealed himself to us in his Son, and he has revealed himself to
us in his Son's sacrifice to save us. God has revealed his new covenant law
for believers through his Son, God's Word to us. As we obey his law in observing
the Lord's Supper today, let us thank him for his promised blessing in so
doing.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 5, Feb. 14, 1993, p. 6]
DOES GOD PUNISH CHILDREN FOR THEIR FATHERS' SINS?
How can Eze. 18:20 and Exo. 34:6-7 be reconciled?
At first glance these passages appear to contradict each other but, since we know God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), so there is a right resolution of this question. And, of course, the place to find the answer is in God's word.
A good illustration of the truth of the two statements (in Ezekiel and Exodus) is found in Num. 14:26-35. God was angered by the sin of the Israelites' grumbling and complaining against him. This came to a head when the spies Moses sent into the promised land brought back a majority report of pessimism. The people heard this and clamoured for another leader to take them back to Egypt! As a punishment for their unfaithfulness, God told the people of Israel...(Num. 14:30-32).
Hence we see that God did not hold the children accountable for their parents'
sin. The parents were punished by being denied entry into the promised land,
but the children would live to benefit from God's promise. In the meantime,
however, the sins of the parents did affect the lives of their descendants
- the children of those Israelites had to live with their parents in the
wilderness for forty years...(Num. 14:33).
God would not split up the families; the punishment on those disobedient
adults was denial of entry into the promised land and, while this punishment
was not visited on their children, as often happens they suffered for their
parents' folly.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 5, Feb. 14, 1993, p. 7]
THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD
(Psa. 84:5-7)
What a beautiful psalm! Read the whole psalm to get the full impact of its
wonderful teaching. It is so true that those who put their trust in God are
blessed, no matter what the circumstances may be. Such people have "set their
hearts on pilgrimage" towards the heavenly Zion and will not be turned back
nor deflected from their goal.
Even "as they pass through the Valley of Baca", a dry and testing place, God's people can convert it into a truly spiritual "place of springs". The apostle Paul's "Valley of Baca" was his prison in Rome and yet he converted that experience into his "place of springs" by writing the inspiring letter to his Philippian brethren, and encouraging them thus...(Phili. 1:7).
With the constant attitude of praise and thankfulness to God, Christians have no need for self-pity in their lives, and they can "go from strength to strength" knowing that each will "appear before God in Zion". Think again of the apostle Paul, writing to Timothy from prison, and confident that...(II Tim. 4:8).
In contemplating our Lord Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross, as we share
in the Lord's supper, let us share also with the many faithful people of
God who "go from strength to strength", trusting in God and being a source
of encouragement to their brethren.
(Psa. 84:11.)
[from The Truth in Love, no. 4, Feb. 7, 1993, p. 6]
WITH YOUR MIGHTY ARM YOU REDEEMED YOUR PEOPLE
(Psa. 77:13-15)
The psalmist cried out to God in a time of distress. Earlier in the psalm,
he had expressed momentary apprehension...(Psa.
77:7). Then he remembered that God is great and God's greatness had been
demonstrated in miraculous power by making a way for Israel to escape from
Egypt through the sea (Psa. 77:10-20).
This one great event so long before, and recorded in the writings of Moses, was sufficient testimony to the greatness of God. The psalmist did not clamour for God to do more miracles to confirm the record or to convince the writer. The record was truth enough to convince the honest soul.
How sad it is that so many people today are not convinced of the greatness and power of God demonstrated in what Jesus performed, recorded in the writings of his apostles. The apostle Jesus loved wrote...(John 20:30-31).
Let that record be convincing for us today of God's greatness and power, without demanding further demonstrations like the Pharisees sought from Jesus (Matt. 16:1-4).
We break bread on this first day of the week because our Lord Jesus commanded
us to do this in remembrance of him (Luke
22:19). We do not remember a dead Christ, but One who was raised from
the dead by God's power (Acts 2:24, 32). Thus
he is our living Redeemer (Titus 2:13-14) who
will be revealed from heaven in due time, "to be glorified in his saints"
(II Thes. 1:7-10). So, in this Supper, Christians
continue to "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes"
(I Cor. 11:26).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 6, Feb. 21, 1993, p. 6]
ARE OTHERS THAN CHRISTIANS APPROVED BY CHRIST?
(Luke 9:49-50)
There are several FALSE implications in this question:
1. That only ourselves and those of our particular fellowship are
Christians:
2. That only those others known to us, and approved by us, are Christians:
3. That all who claim to be Christians are accepted by Christ.
The things to note in Luke 9:49-50 are:
1. Someone was seen to be working "in Christ's name":
2. That person was not of the "inner circle" of the twelve apostles of
Jesus:
3. Jesus said, "Do not hinder him": and
4. "He who is not against you is for you".
Observations
1. Jesus had more followers than the immediate group of twelve
(I Cor. 15:5-6).
2. It was acknowledged that the person was working "in Christ's name", that
is, in accordance with Christ's authority and true to his message
(Mark 16:17; John
8:31).
3. Jesus certainly would not condone teaching and practices contrary to his
own (Matt. 7:21-24;
Matt. 15:3-9).
4. The real test of fellowship today is concurrence with "the apostles' teaching"
(Acts 2:42), commissioned by Christ
(Matt. 28:18-20) and from which there must
be no digression (II John 9-11).
Thus Christ accepts as his followers those who do not "distort the gospel
of Christ" (Gal. 1:6-9).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 6, Feb. 21, 1993, p. 7]
A preacher went visiting one afternoon. He knocked on one door several times, but no one answered. He could see through the window that the TV was on, so he took one of his name cards, wrote "Rev. 3:20" on it and stuck it in the door.
The following Sunday, a woman handed him a card with her name and the following
message..."Gen. 3:10".
[from LaPoynor Church of Christ Bulletin from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar
21, 1993, p. 2]
He that never changes his opinion, and never corrects his mistakes will never
be wiser on tomorrow than he is today.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 7, 1993, p. 2]
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU
If no one but you in the world today
Had tried to live the Christ-like way,
Could the rest of the world look close at you
And find the path that is straight and true?
Ah, friend of the Christ, in the world today
Are many who watch you on your way,
And look to the things you say and do
To measure the Christian standard true.
Men read and admire the gospel of Christ
With its love unfailing and true,
But what do they say and what do they think
Of the gospel according to you?
[from The Outreach, 16 Feb. 1992, p. 2]
No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden
is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear.
Never load yourself so. If you find yourself so loaded, at least remember
this; it is your own doing, not God's. He begs you to leave the future to
him and mind the present.
[by George MacDonald from Power for Today]
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