Ephesians 5:15-16 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Can you think of any better advice to give to a child of God today than that contained in the above passage? It is becoming more difficult with each passing day to live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:11-12). The God we believe in and serve is ridiculed, mocked and scorned by masses of people throughout the world including our own nation. His word is rejected and tossed aside. We are surrounded on every hand with violence, crime, treachery, selfishness, greed, envy, jealousies, materialism, covetousness and immorality (2 Tim. 3:1-5, Rom. 1:22-32, Gal. 5:19-21). The world tugs at our heartstrings constantly (1 John 2:15-17).
It is imperative that we walk this pathway cautiously, watchfully guarding against the possibility of being drawn into a sinful life (Heb. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 10:12-13). We must walk as people whose sins have been washed away (Acts 22:16) and are a peculiar people shining as lights in a world engulfed in the darkness of evil (1 Pet. 2:9-12, Matt. 5:14-16). As a child of God, we are a member of the Lord's church and whatever we say, whatever we do reflects in some manner upon Christ and the church.
It is not easy to live a faithful Christian life in a world steeped in sin and error. In reality, there has never been an age of man in which it was easy to live faithfully. But all is not gloom and doom. We serve a risen saviour and our trust is in him to guide us and keep us safe on this journey. So long as we carefully guard our footsteps and trust him no matter what besets us, we have no cause to fear because he will be us and lead us all the way home (Heb. 13:5, Rev. 14:13). We have the awesome privilege of being able to go boldly before the throne of God and find grace to help us in every time of need (Heb. 4:16). One of the songs we often sing says it so well, "O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day, so when life seems dark and dreary, Don't forget to pray". If we trust and obey, our God will take care of us (Psalms 23).
Those who know me, know that my favorite song is, "I'll Fly Away". "Some glad morning when this life is over, I'll fly away to a home on God's celestial shore". O to be sure, sometimes my heart does become heavy and my footsteps become somewhat slow but I am not afraid because God is my salvation (Isa. 12:2). Today I walk with the King, though he is unseen, but tomorrow I will awake to behold him face to face and I will live on throughout eternity in a land where I will never grow old and joy will never end (Rev. 21:4). The anticipation of that day encourages me to be faithful to my Lord and is sufficient to sustain me in these evil days How about you?
Charles Hicks
Monday, October 28, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
How to find the church described in the Bible
I
am Not a Protestant
It
has troubled me greatly how church of Christ Christians have swallowed the
Catholicized history of religion, how Christians are okay with being classified
as “Protestant.” I have a catholic
friend who kept talking about my “Protestant” religion; one day, I decided to
inform him I was not a Protestant. He
claimed that it is merely a label that means one is not Catholic. You are either a Catholic or a Protestant. What is often not understood is that you are
either Catholic or Protestant only if
the Catholic assertion that the Catholic church was the Church which Christ
built is the truth.
I
challenge every Christian to look into the history of Protestantism. It began in the 16th century by
those who were protesting the Catholic church.
These protestors left Catholicism to begin their own religion in the way
they saw Catholicism falling short of true Biblical principles. To accept the Catholic and secular label that
we are Protestant, simply because we are not Catholic, is to accept the idea
that our religion—the church of Christ—began in the 16th century as
a split (a denomination) from the church which Christ built. This is not the case. The Church of Christ did not begin in the 16th
century with the Protestant movement.
The
Church of Christ did not begin in the 18th century with Alexander
Campbell and the Restoration movement either.
I applaud what Campbell did for the church of Christ in the United
States; however, I do not accept, as my Catholic friend proposed, that he is the
reason there is a Church of Christ because it is simply not true.
The
Church that Christ built—the religion which I follow—was begun by Jesus,
Himself, in the 1st century.
I know this because the Bible tells me.
I do not care what supposed popes have written in the past. I would remind naysayers that history is
written by men—by the victors. The
Catholic religion held massive power in Europe, even into the political realm,
for centuries. Of course they are going
to record into history that they are the first church, the one the Christ
built. That was the entire basis on
which their power was supposedly legitimate.
Then,
I would remind everyone that the Church which Christ built, the one the Bible
describes, does not include a pope, or creeds, or sacraments, or infant
baptism, or confirmation, or purgatory, or instrumental music, or any number of
other things included in catholic and protestant worship. If you are a member of the Church which
Christ built in 33 AD, then you are not a Protestant. You are a Christian. Simple as that. No other classification or label needed.
--Tricia Reno
Are we under the new covenant or the old covenant?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1)
Many of my editorial lessons are inspired by a passage I’ve read while preparing a class lesson and that’s the case here today. Now this wasn’t the first time I’d read the above verse, but on this last occasion it struck a chord in my memory bank, along with some other scripture "chords," and an editorial started forming up somewhere in the few brain cells that I have left. Let me see if I can intelligibly transfer my thoughts onto paper for you.
The basic theme of this lesson deals with "sacrifices" and how they apply to us. And, I’ll try and be as concise as I can in presenting my thoughts. I’ll start off by asking you a question: the Bible tells us that the "New Covenant" is better than the "Old Covenant" so my question is, What makes it better? If your answer is "a better sacrifice" your correct.
Oh, I know the "promises" or rewards (and the punishments) are "better" but they are only better because of the "sacrifice." You’ll recall that under the Old Law the people were required to bring animal sacrifices to the "priests" for various offerings, but for our lesson, we’ll concentrate on the "sin offerings." The reason being was that "blood" had to be shed. Read Lev. 16 regarding these "sacrifices."
As you read the passages that I refer to you and check my veracity, here’s something to think about. Did you ever wonder why the animal to be sacrificed was supposed to be the "best" of the herd/flock? Why they were required to be "without spot" and "without blemish?" (Num. 28 & 29) Think about it - it wouldn’t be much of a "sacrifice" if it wasn’t, would it?
But, if you lived under the Old Law and you did "sacrifice" the very best animal you had, it would still be insufficient to remove your sins. (Heb. 10:4) The only thing your "sacrifice" could do is to be a continual reminder to you of your being a sinner. (Heb. 10:3) It could only advance or roll them ahead until such time as the "perfect sacrifice" came in the form of The Messiah. In the form of Jesus Christ.
Here’s an interesting little thought for you to think about - did that animal do anything to warrant its death? Was it the "criminal" of the flock? No, of course not. It was just the best, the most perfect available at the time of the Old Covenant, but as far as removing one’s sins, it wasn’t good enough to do that. Only the "perfect sacrifice" could absolve man of his sins.
There are many people who believe that "faith" only came to be required by the "New Covenant." Not so. God’s people worked by "faith" under both of the earlier dispensations. "Faith" was required on their part and evidenced by their obedience in obeying what God said for them to do and then in the keeping of "The Law" once it was given them through Moses.
By studying the Old Testament, you can see that "faith" has always been a requirement by God. You can back the Old Testament writings with what’s said in Hebrews the 11th chapter - "by faith Abel....Noah....Abraham....Moses....Gideon....and many others did as God commanded.
You’ll also see by your study of the O.T. that much of the time and most of the Jews were not faithful in keeping The Law. I’m thinking that, as a nation, they would probably compare well with what Jesus said about the "wide and narrow roads" and the "many and the few" who take them. (Matt. 7:13-14)
So then, like God’s people of all times and places, we operate our lives "by faith." In other words: we do as God directs through His Word. Just like Abraham, Noah, Moses and all the rest.
Now, I don’t know how you feel about it, but I’m really glad that we’re not required to make animal sacrifices today. I just can’t see myself dragging a bleating, balking sheep or goat down the aisle to the altar to be slaughtered. Anyone who has ever had to take an animal to a veterinarian might get a remote sense of how animals act in a situation wherein they sense danger of some sort. Add to that picture the fact that there would be many, many others there with their animals, along with the smell of blood and burning flesh, yuck, what a dreadful mental image.
No, I’m extremely and forever happy that Jesus Christ, the "perfect sacrifice" has come and because of that sacrifice on the cross, my sins are "forgiven" and not just rolled forward for another year. That, under the "New Covenant" I’m not required to show my "faith" by physically sacrificing animals to be reminded that I’m a sinner.
But, under this "New Covenant," there is still a "sacrifice" required of God’s People. That "sacrifice" is - US! As we read in our preamble verse from Romans 12:1. In order to remain one of God’s People, we’re required to "present" ourselves (bodies) as a "living sacrifice." And the Apostle Paul says that doing this is our "reasonable service."
Well, that’s not hard to understand, is it? It’s completely understandable that God expects His people to recognize His Son’s "perfect sacrifice" that IS SUFFICIENT to take away our sins. And to live their lives in obedience to Him which continually reminds us of Christ’s "sacrifice."
Remember I mentioned earlier about "better promises and punishments?" Here’s our closing thoughts on this lesson. When we do live our lives here on earth "as a living sacrifice" we’re promised that we’ll live "eternally" in heaven with Him. On the flip-side of that thought, if we don’t serve Him as a "living sacrifice" we’ll also live "eternally" only it will be in a place having very distinct differences from where God, Christ and the saints are.
One last little thought, still using the contrast between the Jews under the Old Law and God’s people under the New. The Jews weren’t always totally disobedient to The Law. Much of the time they were somewhat obedient to God’s commands. Don’t you think that there are many today that are like them, in that they "somewhat" are obedient? That they "almost" present themselves as a "living sacrifice?"
Well, the terrible tragedy seen here is that being a "partial living sacrifice" isn’t going to cut it with God. If you’ve never been, or you’ve "almost" become obedient to Christ, or you’ve "left your first love" (Rev. 2:4) you will not be counted as faithful. In that situation you become a member of a different camp, so to speak. I’m not saying that nor making that judgment. Read Heb. 10:28-31 and see what God says about it.
Ron Covey
Many of my editorial lessons are inspired by a passage I’ve read while preparing a class lesson and that’s the case here today. Now this wasn’t the first time I’d read the above verse, but on this last occasion it struck a chord in my memory bank, along with some other scripture "chords," and an editorial started forming up somewhere in the few brain cells that I have left. Let me see if I can intelligibly transfer my thoughts onto paper for you.
The basic theme of this lesson deals with "sacrifices" and how they apply to us. And, I’ll try and be as concise as I can in presenting my thoughts. I’ll start off by asking you a question: the Bible tells us that the "New Covenant" is better than the "Old Covenant" so my question is, What makes it better? If your answer is "a better sacrifice" your correct.
Oh, I know the "promises" or rewards (and the punishments) are "better" but they are only better because of the "sacrifice." You’ll recall that under the Old Law the people were required to bring animal sacrifices to the "priests" for various offerings, but for our lesson, we’ll concentrate on the "sin offerings." The reason being was that "blood" had to be shed. Read Lev. 16 regarding these "sacrifices."
As you read the passages that I refer to you and check my veracity, here’s something to think about. Did you ever wonder why the animal to be sacrificed was supposed to be the "best" of the herd/flock? Why they were required to be "without spot" and "without blemish?" (Num. 28 & 29) Think about it - it wouldn’t be much of a "sacrifice" if it wasn’t, would it?
But, if you lived under the Old Law and you did "sacrifice" the very best animal you had, it would still be insufficient to remove your sins. (Heb. 10:4) The only thing your "sacrifice" could do is to be a continual reminder to you of your being a sinner. (Heb. 10:3) It could only advance or roll them ahead until such time as the "perfect sacrifice" came in the form of The Messiah. In the form of Jesus Christ.
Here’s an interesting little thought for you to think about - did that animal do anything to warrant its death? Was it the "criminal" of the flock? No, of course not. It was just the best, the most perfect available at the time of the Old Covenant, but as far as removing one’s sins, it wasn’t good enough to do that. Only the "perfect sacrifice" could absolve man of his sins.
There are many people who believe that "faith" only came to be required by the "New Covenant." Not so. God’s people worked by "faith" under both of the earlier dispensations. "Faith" was required on their part and evidenced by their obedience in obeying what God said for them to do and then in the keeping of "The Law" once it was given them through Moses.
By studying the Old Testament, you can see that "faith" has always been a requirement by God. You can back the Old Testament writings with what’s said in Hebrews the 11th chapter - "by faith Abel....Noah....Abraham....Moses....Gideon....and many others did as God commanded.
You’ll also see by your study of the O.T. that much of the time and most of the Jews were not faithful in keeping The Law. I’m thinking that, as a nation, they would probably compare well with what Jesus said about the "wide and narrow roads" and the "many and the few" who take them. (Matt. 7:13-14)
So then, like God’s people of all times and places, we operate our lives "by faith." In other words: we do as God directs through His Word. Just like Abraham, Noah, Moses and all the rest.
Now, I don’t know how you feel about it, but I’m really glad that we’re not required to make animal sacrifices today. I just can’t see myself dragging a bleating, balking sheep or goat down the aisle to the altar to be slaughtered. Anyone who has ever had to take an animal to a veterinarian might get a remote sense of how animals act in a situation wherein they sense danger of some sort. Add to that picture the fact that there would be many, many others there with their animals, along with the smell of blood and burning flesh, yuck, what a dreadful mental image.
No, I’m extremely and forever happy that Jesus Christ, the "perfect sacrifice" has come and because of that sacrifice on the cross, my sins are "forgiven" and not just rolled forward for another year. That, under the "New Covenant" I’m not required to show my "faith" by physically sacrificing animals to be reminded that I’m a sinner.
But, under this "New Covenant," there is still a "sacrifice" required of God’s People. That "sacrifice" is - US! As we read in our preamble verse from Romans 12:1. In order to remain one of God’s People, we’re required to "present" ourselves (bodies) as a "living sacrifice." And the Apostle Paul says that doing this is our "reasonable service."
Well, that’s not hard to understand, is it? It’s completely understandable that God expects His people to recognize His Son’s "perfect sacrifice" that IS SUFFICIENT to take away our sins. And to live their lives in obedience to Him which continually reminds us of Christ’s "sacrifice."
Remember I mentioned earlier about "better promises and punishments?" Here’s our closing thoughts on this lesson. When we do live our lives here on earth "as a living sacrifice" we’re promised that we’ll live "eternally" in heaven with Him. On the flip-side of that thought, if we don’t serve Him as a "living sacrifice" we’ll also live "eternally" only it will be in a place having very distinct differences from where God, Christ and the saints are.
One last little thought, still using the contrast between the Jews under the Old Law and God’s people under the New. The Jews weren’t always totally disobedient to The Law. Much of the time they were somewhat obedient to God’s commands. Don’t you think that there are many today that are like them, in that they "somewhat" are obedient? That they "almost" present themselves as a "living sacrifice?"
Well, the terrible tragedy seen here is that being a "partial living sacrifice" isn’t going to cut it with God. If you’ve never been, or you’ve "almost" become obedient to Christ, or you’ve "left your first love" (Rev. 2:4) you will not be counted as faithful. In that situation you become a member of a different camp, so to speak. I’m not saying that nor making that judgment. Read Heb. 10:28-31 and see what God says about it.
Ron Covey
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Dairy Queen in Hopkins, Minnesota
Joey Prusak has probably seen all kinds. Though he is only 19-years-old, he has worked for five years at the Dairy Queen in Hopkins, Minnesota. Customers come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them, Joey learned, come with few, if any, scruples.
A regular customer who is visually impaired pulled out a debit card recently to pay for his purchase. Unbeknownst to the customer, a $20 bill fell out of his pocket onto the floor. A woman standing behind him in line picked up the bill and put it in her pocket, saying nothing and acting as if nothing had occurred.
Joey saw what happened. He confronted the woman and asked her to return the money. When the lady denied taking the money, Joey asked her to leave the store. He then took $20 of his own and gave to the visually impaired man.
Nothing would have been known of this incident had another customer not sent an email to the store manager, praising Joey for his actions. "It felt like the right thing to do," Joey told his manager. It was apparently an automatic reaction.
What is automatic for us? Taking advantage of a vulnerable individual ("finders keepers, losers weepers") or doing the right thing? Would we do as Joey did?
Paul recognized the standard God has set for all of us: "Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21). The actions of that female customer at Dairy Queen were noticed that day, not only by Joey Prusak and perhaps others, but especially by God. She got away with nothing. And that's always the case; our actions are constantly monitored by the Lord.
Long ago the prophet Micah pondered what it would take to please the Lord. Would burnt offerings be sufficient? Would it take "... thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression ...?" God's response was clear: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:7,8).
The Bible often speaks of God's expectation of us to do what is right toward others. Even though that wallet may have been dropped because its owner was irresponsible, does that give me the right to claim its contents as my own? We should know better.
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise" (Luke 6:31).
Timothy D. Hall.
A regular customer who is visually impaired pulled out a debit card recently to pay for his purchase. Unbeknownst to the customer, a $20 bill fell out of his pocket onto the floor. A woman standing behind him in line picked up the bill and put it in her pocket, saying nothing and acting as if nothing had occurred.
Joey saw what happened. He confronted the woman and asked her to return the money. When the lady denied taking the money, Joey asked her to leave the store. He then took $20 of his own and gave to the visually impaired man.
Nothing would have been known of this incident had another customer not sent an email to the store manager, praising Joey for his actions. "It felt like the right thing to do," Joey told his manager. It was apparently an automatic reaction.
What is automatic for us? Taking advantage of a vulnerable individual ("finders keepers, losers weepers") or doing the right thing? Would we do as Joey did?
Paul recognized the standard God has set for all of us: "Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21). The actions of that female customer at Dairy Queen were noticed that day, not only by Joey Prusak and perhaps others, but especially by God. She got away with nothing. And that's always the case; our actions are constantly monitored by the Lord.
Long ago the prophet Micah pondered what it would take to please the Lord. Would burnt offerings be sufficient? Would it take "... thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression ...?" God's response was clear: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:7,8).
The Bible often speaks of God's expectation of us to do what is right toward others. Even though that wallet may have been dropped because its owner was irresponsible, does that give me the right to claim its contents as my own? We should know better.
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise" (Luke 6:31).
Timothy D. Hall.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
Bogus
bo.gus - adjective, not real or genuine; fake or false
Despite receiving a life sentence for a first-degree murder of an Orlando man in 1998, convicted murderer Joseph Jenkins was released from a Florida prison on Sep 27th.
A week later, Charles Walker, another inmate serving a life sentence for a 2nd degree murder in 1999, was also released.
Investigations have revealed that the documents ordering their release were bogus.
It is not yet clear as to who worked up the fake documents. The paperwork includes forged signatures from the same prosecutor's office and Chief Circuit Judge Belvin Perry. In both cases, the forged paperwork included motions from prosecutors to correct "illegal" sentences, accompanied by orders allegedly filed by Judge Perry, reducing the life sentences to 15 years.
Authorities are on the hunt for the two men to apprehend them and send them back to prison. *
These escape attempts remind us of some bogus ways of which we may be guilty of trying to remove the guilt of our sins.
Yes, we're ALL guilty. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Some try to remove the pain of guilt by trying to do enough good deeds to "make up" for past mistakes. But as Paul Faulkner has written in Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong, "You cannot do enough good deeds to deliver yourself from the guilt of even a single misdeed. It is similar to a man without funds writing a worthless check to satisfy the demands of a $10 million loan" (104). We cannot earn our salvation: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Others wrongly try to "pass the buck" and deny responsibility for their actions. This type of behavior goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve tried to blame their sins on others (see Genesis 3:1-13). Each of us bears the responsibility for his or her actions (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Others wrongly assume that "time heals all wounds" - even the wounds caused by guilt. Time only sears the conscience and hardens the heart (cf. Hebrews 3:13). Ignoring our sin won't make it go away!
The ONLY thing that can remove the guilt of sin from our hearts is the blood of Jesus!
God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for our redemption from sin (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7). Only "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," could satisfy the justice of God and cleanse us from our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19).
"What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
-- Robert Lowry
The blood that Jesus shed in His death on the cross cleanses our sins when we place our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Him for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The blood of Jesus will continually cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
The ONLY thing that can remove the guilt of sin from our hearts is the blood of Jesus! All other attempts are bogus.
Won't YOU submit your life to the Savior so that your sins can be washed away by His blood?
David Sargent,
bo.gus - adjective, not real or genuine; fake or false
Despite receiving a life sentence for a first-degree murder of an Orlando man in 1998, convicted murderer Joseph Jenkins was released from a Florida prison on Sep 27th.
A week later, Charles Walker, another inmate serving a life sentence for a 2nd degree murder in 1999, was also released.
Investigations have revealed that the documents ordering their release were bogus.
It is not yet clear as to who worked up the fake documents. The paperwork includes forged signatures from the same prosecutor's office and Chief Circuit Judge Belvin Perry. In both cases, the forged paperwork included motions from prosecutors to correct "illegal" sentences, accompanied by orders allegedly filed by Judge Perry, reducing the life sentences to 15 years.
Authorities are on the hunt for the two men to apprehend them and send them back to prison. *
These escape attempts remind us of some bogus ways of which we may be guilty of trying to remove the guilt of our sins.
Yes, we're ALL guilty. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Some try to remove the pain of guilt by trying to do enough good deeds to "make up" for past mistakes. But as Paul Faulkner has written in Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong, "You cannot do enough good deeds to deliver yourself from the guilt of even a single misdeed. It is similar to a man without funds writing a worthless check to satisfy the demands of a $10 million loan" (104). We cannot earn our salvation: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Others wrongly try to "pass the buck" and deny responsibility for their actions. This type of behavior goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve tried to blame their sins on others (see Genesis 3:1-13). Each of us bears the responsibility for his or her actions (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Others wrongly assume that "time heals all wounds" - even the wounds caused by guilt. Time only sears the conscience and hardens the heart (cf. Hebrews 3:13). Ignoring our sin won't make it go away!
The ONLY thing that can remove the guilt of sin from our hearts is the blood of Jesus!
God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for our redemption from sin (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7). Only "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," could satisfy the justice of God and cleanse us from our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19).
"What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
-- Robert Lowry
The blood that Jesus shed in His death on the cross cleanses our sins when we place our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Him for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The blood of Jesus will continually cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
The ONLY thing that can remove the guilt of sin from our hearts is the blood of Jesus! All other attempts are bogus.
Won't YOU submit your life to the Savior so that your sins can be washed away by His blood?
David Sargent,
Monday, October 21, 2013
A joyful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22
Many times we get burden with the day to day duties as husbands, wives, sons, daughters, doctors, lawyers, teachers, police that we forget that God is not just a somber mournful lives.
There is joy in the morning when we can see the sunshine, or the rain to water the lawn.
There is joy in the birth of child that is welcomed by parents, grandparents and loved ones.
There is joy when one is made well after sickness, and can walk again.
There is joy when food is given to those in need and hearts are opened to hear that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
There is joy and laughter when old Christians can hear the laughter of young Christians which proves that God is over both young in age and young at heart.
Yes, there is a time where tears, pain and "weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes in the morning...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in the heart" Psalms 30:5, 32:11
There is more joy and laughter each day. Pray for joy and laughter through your day and perhaps as the others see you they desire to learn more of the joy of salvation.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit Psalms 51:12
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ...
a time to weep, and a time to laugh (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).
There is joy in the morning when we can see the sunshine, or the rain to water the lawn.
There is joy in the birth of child that is welcomed by parents, grandparents and loved ones.
There is joy when one is made well after sickness, and can walk again.
There is joy when food is given to those in need and hearts are opened to hear that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
There is joy and laughter when old Christians can hear the laughter of young Christians which proves that God is over both young in age and young at heart.
Yes, there is a time where tears, pain and "weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes in the morning...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in the heart" Psalms 30:5, 32:11
There is more joy and laughter each day. Pray for joy and laughter through your day and perhaps as the others see you they desire to learn more of the joy of salvation.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit Psalms 51:12
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ...
a time to weep, and a time to laugh (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there
FOR YOUR C0NSIDERATION
"Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there." (2nd verse of a great old hymn)
For this week’s editorial lesson I’m going to talk about a subject that we see very little of today, to wit: "Personal responsibility." It just seems to me that, no matter what bad situation people find themselves in - it’s not their fault! And, with all that recently went on in our nation’s capital, what better example of this could we have to illustrate my topic?
All we heard reported by the news media, 24/7, was how bad everything is right now and everyone blaming the other person/s or the other "side" as being the responsible party for the mess we’re currently in. It doesn’t matter who is doing the talking, it’s the other guy’s fault - not mine. When it comes to politicians, if something has back-fired or isn’t working the way it was supposed to, there’s always something or someone else to blame for it.
And, it’s not just the politicians that don’t accept any "personal responsibility" for messes, although I have to say that they occupy the "chief seats in the synagogue" of blame-shifting. Another prime example that I’ve observed many times during my career in law enforcement is criminals and how they play the "blame-game."
When caught, the first thing they plead is "I didn’t do it. You’ve got the wrong person." If that excuse doesn’t hold water or there’s too much evidence against them, they resort to another phase of blame-shifting by claiming they were crazy when they did it. Or, I was too doped up or drunk at the time to know right from wrong so, therefore, I’m not responsible for my actions. Of course, they don’t feel any responsibility for being in their diminished capacity either.
Sticking with the criminals for a bit more, one of their methods, assisted by their lawyers, of course, is to blame society (us) for whatever it was they committed. The common tack that this method takes is to say that they were raised by abusive parents or, that they lived in the poor section of town, thus didn’t have the opportunities to be an honest citizen. They were doomed by society to be a law-breaker. They had no choice, therefore "it’s not my fault."
That type of defense shifts the responsibility for their actions from the individual to the nebulous idea that an unfair world is responsible for the actions of the defendant. What’s really happening when this defense ploy is used is that the responsibility shifts from the criminal to the jury, to society, with the hope that the jury will convict themselves instead of the defendant and exonerate him. Remove any responsibility for his actions.
I have a short side-thought here about the "abuse" angle of shifting responsibility from the individual. My thinking in this regard is, that if parents spanking children during their younger years or depriving them of things they wanted is a valid excuse, I would have been in a penal institution a long time ago and so would have most of my generation.
All of what I’ve said to this point is simply to point out that many people are looking for ways to take the responsibility for their own actions away from them and place it on someone or something else. In the examples that I used you’ll notice that no one is denying that the action or the crime took place, they’re simply denying any "personal responsibility" for that action.
You know what really bothers me about all of this? That many in our society seem to go along with this idea of there being no "personal responsibility" for actions. That there seems to be this idea that if I don’t place any responsibility on other individuals, then they can’t expect me to be responsible either. Could that be a reason we have something called "No-Fault Insurance?"
By now you’re probably wondering how or if I’m going to tie this into a scriptural lesson. I think that I can do so by looking at something found in the 35th chapter of Numbers. Even though Moses didn’t get to go into the "Promised Land," he was given the plans by God as to the way things would be done once the Israelites got there. In this chapter we find the law regarding the "cities of refuge" being received by Moses.
In studying this chapter and the laws relating to the setting up of the "cities of refuge" I think that we can see a "type vs. anti-type" lesson. The "type" of course is the "cities of refuge" and the anti-type being something destined to come later. Here’s some information about those "cities" that we need to understand in order to understand the antitype lesson.
There were six (6) "cities of refuge" to be set up and they were strategically placed throughout the land. They were there so that if a person committed an act that resulted in the death of another person, he could flee to the nearest one and would be safe from the "revenger of blood" AS LONG AS HE STAYED IN THE "CITY OF REFUGE." Now, this did not relieve them of having to face a trial for their actions. They would still be tried and if convicted, be turned over to the "revenger of blood." IE: they still had to face a "personal responsibility."
But, let’s say that they had the trial and the defendant was found not guilty. What happened then was, that he was released from custody and was safe from the "revenger of blood" AS LONG AS HE STAYED IN THE "CITY OF REFUGE."
However, should the defendant choose to leave the "city of refuge" and the "revenger" caught and killed him, no fault was applied to the "revenger." Verse 28 tells why: "Because he should have remained in his city of refuge..." His death at the hands of the "revenger" was his "personal responsibility." It wasn’t the cities’ (society’s) fault for not stopping him from leaving. Can’t you just hear some smart lawyer back then try to make the city responsible by saying that they should have posted someone at the gate to stop him.
Or, maybe plead to the jury that his client was too inebriated to realize that he had staggered out the gate. "Someone" should have been designated to keep him from exiting the city so therefore, it’s not his fault. God said that it was and I’ll go with God’s judgment in this matter. There was absolutely no other person he could shift the blame to for his being slain. As we say in today’s vernacular, "he owns it."
Now for the anti-type. Do we as Christians have a "city of refuge?" A place where we are safe from the world? Remember I said the anti-type was something "destined to come later?" Well, it did. Our "city of refuge" came in the human form of Jesus Christ, but was in reality, the Son of God. HE is our "city of refuge."
Think about it a minute. Whose responsibility is it to make it to the "city of refuge?" OURS! Picture our "city" in the words of the hymn I cited at the onset of today’s lesson:
"Safe In The Arms of Jesus." That’s where we’re safe. Where "sin cannot harm us." Where the "revenger" (Satan) can’t get to us AS LONG AS WE STAY IN THE "CITY."
Whose responsibility is it to "remain in the city?" OURS! Just like the lesson seen in the type; if we leave and perish eternally because of that leaving, whose responsibility is it? Again, OURS! We have no one or no thing to blame it on if we "choose" to leave our "city of refuge." To put it on a personal level - it’s my "personal responsibility" to get into the "city" and it’s my "personal responsibility" to "remain" there. The same applies to you.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey
"Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there." (2nd verse of a great old hymn)
For this week’s editorial lesson I’m going to talk about a subject that we see very little of today, to wit: "Personal responsibility." It just seems to me that, no matter what bad situation people find themselves in - it’s not their fault! And, with all that recently went on in our nation’s capital, what better example of this could we have to illustrate my topic?
All we heard reported by the news media, 24/7, was how bad everything is right now and everyone blaming the other person/s or the other "side" as being the responsible party for the mess we’re currently in. It doesn’t matter who is doing the talking, it’s the other guy’s fault - not mine. When it comes to politicians, if something has back-fired or isn’t working the way it was supposed to, there’s always something or someone else to blame for it.
And, it’s not just the politicians that don’t accept any "personal responsibility" for messes, although I have to say that they occupy the "chief seats in the synagogue" of blame-shifting. Another prime example that I’ve observed many times during my career in law enforcement is criminals and how they play the "blame-game."
When caught, the first thing they plead is "I didn’t do it. You’ve got the wrong person." If that excuse doesn’t hold water or there’s too much evidence against them, they resort to another phase of blame-shifting by claiming they were crazy when they did it. Or, I was too doped up or drunk at the time to know right from wrong so, therefore, I’m not responsible for my actions. Of course, they don’t feel any responsibility for being in their diminished capacity either.
Sticking with the criminals for a bit more, one of their methods, assisted by their lawyers, of course, is to blame society (us) for whatever it was they committed. The common tack that this method takes is to say that they were raised by abusive parents or, that they lived in the poor section of town, thus didn’t have the opportunities to be an honest citizen. They were doomed by society to be a law-breaker. They had no choice, therefore "it’s not my fault."
That type of defense shifts the responsibility for their actions from the individual to the nebulous idea that an unfair world is responsible for the actions of the defendant. What’s really happening when this defense ploy is used is that the responsibility shifts from the criminal to the jury, to society, with the hope that the jury will convict themselves instead of the defendant and exonerate him. Remove any responsibility for his actions.
I have a short side-thought here about the "abuse" angle of shifting responsibility from the individual. My thinking in this regard is, that if parents spanking children during their younger years or depriving them of things they wanted is a valid excuse, I would have been in a penal institution a long time ago and so would have most of my generation.
All of what I’ve said to this point is simply to point out that many people are looking for ways to take the responsibility for their own actions away from them and place it on someone or something else. In the examples that I used you’ll notice that no one is denying that the action or the crime took place, they’re simply denying any "personal responsibility" for that action.
You know what really bothers me about all of this? That many in our society seem to go along with this idea of there being no "personal responsibility" for actions. That there seems to be this idea that if I don’t place any responsibility on other individuals, then they can’t expect me to be responsible either. Could that be a reason we have something called "No-Fault Insurance?"
By now you’re probably wondering how or if I’m going to tie this into a scriptural lesson. I think that I can do so by looking at something found in the 35th chapter of Numbers. Even though Moses didn’t get to go into the "Promised Land," he was given the plans by God as to the way things would be done once the Israelites got there. In this chapter we find the law regarding the "cities of refuge" being received by Moses.
In studying this chapter and the laws relating to the setting up of the "cities of refuge" I think that we can see a "type vs. anti-type" lesson. The "type" of course is the "cities of refuge" and the anti-type being something destined to come later. Here’s some information about those "cities" that we need to understand in order to understand the antitype lesson.
There were six (6) "cities of refuge" to be set up and they were strategically placed throughout the land. They were there so that if a person committed an act that resulted in the death of another person, he could flee to the nearest one and would be safe from the "revenger of blood" AS LONG AS HE STAYED IN THE "CITY OF REFUGE." Now, this did not relieve them of having to face a trial for their actions. They would still be tried and if convicted, be turned over to the "revenger of blood." IE: they still had to face a "personal responsibility."
But, let’s say that they had the trial and the defendant was found not guilty. What happened then was, that he was released from custody and was safe from the "revenger of blood" AS LONG AS HE STAYED IN THE "CITY OF REFUGE."
However, should the defendant choose to leave the "city of refuge" and the "revenger" caught and killed him, no fault was applied to the "revenger." Verse 28 tells why: "Because he should have remained in his city of refuge..." His death at the hands of the "revenger" was his "personal responsibility." It wasn’t the cities’ (society’s) fault for not stopping him from leaving. Can’t you just hear some smart lawyer back then try to make the city responsible by saying that they should have posted someone at the gate to stop him.
Or, maybe plead to the jury that his client was too inebriated to realize that he had staggered out the gate. "Someone" should have been designated to keep him from exiting the city so therefore, it’s not his fault. God said that it was and I’ll go with God’s judgment in this matter. There was absolutely no other person he could shift the blame to for his being slain. As we say in today’s vernacular, "he owns it."
Now for the anti-type. Do we as Christians have a "city of refuge?" A place where we are safe from the world? Remember I said the anti-type was something "destined to come later?" Well, it did. Our "city of refuge" came in the human form of Jesus Christ, but was in reality, the Son of God. HE is our "city of refuge."
Think about it a minute. Whose responsibility is it to make it to the "city of refuge?" OURS! Picture our "city" in the words of the hymn I cited at the onset of today’s lesson:
"Safe In The Arms of Jesus." That’s where we’re safe. Where "sin cannot harm us." Where the "revenger" (Satan) can’t get to us AS LONG AS WE STAY IN THE "CITY."
Whose responsibility is it to "remain in the city?" OURS! Just like the lesson seen in the type; if we leave and perish eternally because of that leaving, whose responsibility is it? Again, OURS! We have no one or no thing to blame it on if we "choose" to leave our "city of refuge." To put it on a personal level - it’s my "personal responsibility" to get into the "city" and it’s my "personal responsibility" to "remain" there. The same applies to you.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What it means to be dead in sin
You Are Dead
Donald Miller Jr. was declared legally dead in 1994. He had vanished from his home eight years earlier. Miller, 61, told Hancock County Probate Court Judge Allan Davis, that he disappeared in the 1980s because he had lost his job and he was an alcoholic. His ex-wife claims that he vanished because he owed $26,000 in overdue child support payments. Miller lived in Florida and Georgia before returning to Ohio around 2005.
He said his parents told him about his "death" when he came back to the state.
Miller went to court this week to ask the Probate Judge to reverse the 1994 ruling that declared him legally dead. He wants to obtain a driver's license and reinstate his Social Security number.
But Judge Davis, admitting that this is a "strange, strange situation," turned down his request, citing a three-year limit for changing a death ruling. "I don't know where that leaves you, but you're still deceased as far as the law is concerned," the judge said. *
Consider...
Because of our sins, YOU and I are dead! The Apostle Paul diagnosed the condition of those in Ephesus before God saved them: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air" (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Even so, WE are dead in our transgressions and sins - separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), under the condemnation of death (Romans 6:23), and completely unable to resurrect ourselves!
Despite our sins, however, God loves us and has provided the Way for us to have eternal life.
To those who were dead in their transgressions and sins, the Apostle Paul wrote: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were DEAD in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).
Because of His great love for us, God sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14).
He suffered the "death penalty," so that you and I can have eternal life! "He died for us so that... we may live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
God has promised to raise those who are dead in their transgressions and sins when they place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
The Apostle Paul explained to Christians in Rome how God had raised them up: "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).
We are dead in our transgressions and sins but God provides eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.
Won't YOU submit to the Savior so that He can give you new life?
David Sargent
Donald Miller Jr. was declared legally dead in 1994. He had vanished from his home eight years earlier. Miller, 61, told Hancock County Probate Court Judge Allan Davis, that he disappeared in the 1980s because he had lost his job and he was an alcoholic. His ex-wife claims that he vanished because he owed $26,000 in overdue child support payments. Miller lived in Florida and Georgia before returning to Ohio around 2005.
He said his parents told him about his "death" when he came back to the state.
Miller went to court this week to ask the Probate Judge to reverse the 1994 ruling that declared him legally dead. He wants to obtain a driver's license and reinstate his Social Security number.
But Judge Davis, admitting that this is a "strange, strange situation," turned down his request, citing a three-year limit for changing a death ruling. "I don't know where that leaves you, but you're still deceased as far as the law is concerned," the judge said. *
Consider...
Because of our sins, YOU and I are dead! The Apostle Paul diagnosed the condition of those in Ephesus before God saved them: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air" (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Even so, WE are dead in our transgressions and sins - separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), under the condemnation of death (Romans 6:23), and completely unable to resurrect ourselves!
Despite our sins, however, God loves us and has provided the Way for us to have eternal life.
To those who were dead in their transgressions and sins, the Apostle Paul wrote: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were DEAD in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).
Because of His great love for us, God sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14).
He suffered the "death penalty," so that you and I can have eternal life! "He died for us so that... we may live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
God has promised to raise those who are dead in their transgressions and sins when they place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
The Apostle Paul explained to Christians in Rome how God had raised them up: "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).
We are dead in our transgressions and sins but God provides eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.
Won't YOU submit to the Savior so that He can give you new life?
David Sargent
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Proverbs 13:3
Proverbs 13:3 “He that
keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have
destruction.”
The ability to talk is
one of our great blessings if it is not misused and abused. There are a number
of passages that deal with the use of the tongue among which we find the
following: Prov. 10:11, 19, 31-32, Prov. 26:20-28,, Matthew 12:34-37, Eph. 4,
25, 29, 31 and, of course, that great passage from James 3:1-12. I love the
advice given by the Preacher in Eccl. 3:7—“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a
time to keep silence and a time to speak.” Have you ever spoken something
before really thinking and then immediately wished you could reach out and pull
those words back into your mouth?
When we talk about our
speech, we are talking about something that is a true index to our faith and
commitment to our Lord. Make no mistake about it, our speech can betray us. (
Mk. 14:70, Matt. 26:73). The words that flow from our mouths will indeed testify
to who we are and what we are. With words spoken, we can promote peace,
harmony, love, unity, obedience and strength. Or we can kindle strife,
contention, error, destroy unity and peace.
One of the hateful and
abominable things listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 is a lying tongue. Paul makes it
clear that the child of God must be truthful (Eph. 4:25, Col. 3:8-9). Solomon
tells us that lying lips are abomination to the Lord (Prov. 12:22). Closely
aligned with lying words are those of a deceitful nature (Jer. 9:8, Ps. 120:2,
Job 27:4). These are words that are spoken to mislead, words to cause someone to
believe something that is not true or to not believe something that is true.
Following closely on the heels of deceitful speaking is that of tale bearing
(gossip) Leviticus 19:16, Prov. 11:13, 1 Pet. 4:15). Madam “Don’t You Tell”,
Mrs. “I have heard”. Brother “Rumor” and Brother “They Say” have been around for
a long time and unfortunately they are often found among us. We are to avoid
these people (Prov. 23:19). Lend them your ears and you become guilty of their
conduct. A long time ago, I do not remember where or when, I came across these
words: “If there were no gossipy ears, soon there would be no gossipy
tongues”
We need to use our power
of speech to glorify our Lord. Speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). Speak
that which edifies (Eph. 4:29). Speak words of kindness (Prov. 15:1, Eph. 4:32).
Speak words of encouragement. Speak words of truth (John 8:32, 17:17, Col.
3::17, Eph. 4:14-15, 25, Acts 26:25).
It is only fitting to
close this Bible Thought with the words of Psalms 19:14: “Let the words o my
mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my
strength, and my redeemer”.
Charles Hicks
Sunday, October 13, 2013
"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Heb. 13:8
If I told you that the inspiration for today’s editorial stems from the most prominent subject dominating the news media right now what would you guess that to be? You’re absolutely correct - I’m going to talk about ObamaCare. Now, before you tear this message into shreds and run screaming for the exits, stay with me a few more moments and let me explain how and why I’m going to use this subject.
First off, I’m not going to discuss the "plan" itself, nor will I talk about the merits (or lack of) the President’s plan. I’m only going to use it as an example of "man-made" plans in comparison with "Divine-made" plans. Let’s just call this lesson today: ObamaCare versus JesusCare and do a little policy comparing.
Starting with the "man-made" plan let me just ask you a simple question and say that, if you possess either a radio or TV or read a newspaper, you should most likely know the answer. Is ObamaCare the same for everyone? Or, asked in another way: Do the rules apply equally to all?
Here’s a couple more questions regarding this "plan." Has it been changed since it’s inception to be more convenient for some people or entities? Is this "plan" prejudicial in any way? The correct answers to those questions, in the order asked is: question 1 - NO! Question 2 - NO! Question 3 - YES! And, question 4 - YES!
Now I’m not picking on this particular "insurance plan" anymore than I would any other "man-made plan." It’s just that this one is sort of the epitome of the way man thinks and operates when devising "plans" and is certainly the hottest example available for comparison to the way God plans and operates.
OK, now, for the rest of our time and space here, let’s look at the "Divine, God-made, insurance plan" for mankind. We can ask the very same questions about it that we just asked about ObamaCare. "Is it the same for everyone?" Answer: YES! "Do the rules apply equally to all?" Answer: YES! "Has it been changed since it’s inception to be more convenient for some people or entities?" Answer: NO! "Is this plan prejudicial in any way?" Answer: NO!
I hope that you noticed that the answers to God’s plan, which I refer to as "JesusCare," are exactly opposite of the answers to ObamaCare, our "man-made" plan. With God’s plan, which I’ll also call the "Gospel Plan," there are no "exemptions" given for a selected class of people. There are no "waivers" issued to any special entities or individuals.
In the "Gospel Plan" everyone plays by the same rules, is required to meet the same qualifications and receives the same benefits as everyone under the "plan." Notice, I didn’t even mention the "benefits" when I discussed the "man-made plan" but it’s observably apparent that different people receive different benefits, isn’t it?
For the rest of our lesson, let’s look at the "application form" for enrollment in "JesusCare." First requirement: the applicant must "believe in Christ." "For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for they that come to Him must believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek after Him." (Heb. 11:6) Also see further proof of this in Acts 16:31 and Romans 5:1
The second requirement is: the applicant must "repent of their sins." "Repent ye and be converted that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19) You see by this requirement that unrepented sin on the part of anyone disqualifies them for coverage by God’s plan. There are no "exemptions" to this clause. Proof of this can be found in Luke 13:3 and Acts 17:30.
The third requirement in the "JesusCare" plan is: the applicant is required to "confess their faith in Christ." "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom. 10:10) When you go to Acts 8:37 you can read the exact words of that confession: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
The fourth requirement for applicants of the "Gospel Plan" is one that "perfects," or serves to complete, the other three. In other words, it’s the finishing touch to the requirements and has to be done or else the application process is incomplete. If only the first three requirements are met, the policy is not in effect. The fourth one, "baptism," is what validates the others.
In the unequivocal words of the Holy Spirit, written in Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned." Other instructions regarding baptism can be read in Acts 22:16: "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Some other passages that speak to the importance of this requirement can be seen in Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 3:26-27 and 1Pet. 3:21. Please check those out.
Only when these requirements have been met is our policy under "JesusCare" in force. There are many other "plans" out there in the "religious realm" that purport to have the benefit of salvation without including the above requirements. Just like many have reported regarding the "fine print" of "ObamaCare" a very rude awakening will come to those who have "bought into" any "man-made plan" that promises salvation as its benefit.
Now, lest you think that once you’ve successfully applied for "JesusCare" that’s all that you have to do, allow me to set you straight about that. In insurance parlance, you have to pay premiums. We have to "worship" together (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:25). We have to "work" or be of "service" as spelled out in 1Cor. 15:58 and Rom.12:11)
We have to strive to keep ourselves "pure" in order to be pleasing to God and to keep our policy in effect. Matt. 5:8 and James 1:27.
The keeping of our "JesusCare" policy in effect is not a hit or miss operation. It’s not something that requires only a limited attention on our part. No, we have to be "faithful" -for how long? "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10) What that requirement entails is the keeping of "His commandments" and the keeping of which is what shows our "faith" to be active. Not just talk.
What are the benefits of being enrolled in "JesusCare?" How about "forgiveness of sins?" (Eph. 1:7) How about being able to having an "advocate (intercessor or comforter) with the Father." (1Jn. 2:1-2) We’re in "communion," we have
"fellowship" with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. (1Jn. 1:3 and 2Cor. 13:14).
But, the best benefit of all: "Salvation!" The reason this benefit is available to anyone, regardless of who they are, what they are and wherever they are, is because the "Author" of "JesusCare," was the "perfect" sacrifice that enabled the "Plan" to be available. Read what it says in Heb. 5:8-9. When you go there and read that you’ll see the only ones who qualify for His Plan: "all them that obey Him."
Ron Covey
Friday, October 11, 2013
Hebrews 5:12
Each of us, if we have lived any time at all on this earth, have faced struggles and difficulties. We sometimes face challenges to our life and to our faith. It's part of living on this earth isn't it?
I kind of liked what one fellow said who had faced many challenges in life. He said, "They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. At this point I should be able to lift a car." In reality, we understand (hopefully) that it's not a physical strength that is gained, but a spiritual strength, a stronger faith, the ability to trust God more to carry us through the challenge
Every day I talk with people who have a new challenge in their life. Sometimes it is a health issue, sometimes a relationship issue; sometimes it's a faith issue. We would like to think that whatever the problem, whatever the challenge it would make us stronger wouldn't we. However, we know that isn't really how it works don't we?
Yes, that is the ideal, but we know that it doesn't always work that way does it? We all have seen people who have left God, left his church, left following the guidance found in God's word. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5:12, KJV)
For some folks, challenges move them away from trusting in God, while others are moved to trust more in him than they ever have before. One of the most powerful and encouraging passages regarding our trials in Christ comes from the apostle Paul who knew all about challenges. Notice what he has to say about it: "Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one, for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one, for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:33-39)
The choice is really yours to make. Will life's challenges weaken your faith or make you stronger?
Russ Lawson
Thursday, October 10, 2013
"Maintaining The Memorials"
Everyone is talking about the government shutdown (I wrote about
it last week in
this venue). But who is doing anything about it? Chris Cox is. His story is
spreading across the nation, and is sure to inspire many others. He describes
himself as the first member of the Memorial Militia.
Chris has been seen this week in Washington, D.C. pushing a lawnmower in areas
around the Lincoln Memorial, the World War 2 Memorial, and other such sites.
No, he's not a government employee; they've been shut down. But Cox refuses to
sit idly by while weeds and vandals spoil our nation's memorials.
He's not a local resident, either. He lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
According to Google Maps, that's eight hours and over 500 miles away. This man
is obviously dedicated to his mission.
Sadly, officials have told Cox that he can't continue doing this (bureaucracy!),
and Cox has complied. Nevertheless his example speaks volumes about noble
American citizens and the monuments that most of us wish to see honored and
preserved.
Monuments are mentioned in the Bible. One can be found in Joshua 4. After
Israel had safely crossed over the (miraculously) parted Jordan River, the Lord
ordered stones to be taken from the riverbed and stacked in a pile. Why? "...
that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come,
saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'" (Joshua 4:6). What a teaching
opportunity, not unlike children today who tour the World War 2 Memorial,
learning of the sacrifices of a previous generation!
The greatest monument of the Bible, however, is portable in nature. It consists
of a small piece of unleavened bread and a swallow of grape juice. What?! Yes,
we're referring to the Lord's Supper, an event you'll find celebrated each
Lord's Day throughout the world.
Jesus Himself instituted this memorial. In Luke 22:19 we read: "And He took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" He then gave them the
cup, containing the grape juice found at Jewish Passover feasts, which He said
symbolizes His blood.
Christians have been maintaining and honoring this memorial since the founding
of the church, as evidenced by Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and other
passages. To neglect this memorial is to risk forgetting the price paid for our
redemption. That is an event we must never forget!
--Timothy D. Hall
this venue). But who is doing anything about it? Chris Cox is. His story is
spreading across the nation, and is sure to inspire many others. He describes
himself as the first member of the Memorial Militia.
Chris has been seen this week in Washington, D.C. pushing a lawnmower in areas
around the Lincoln Memorial, the World War 2 Memorial, and other such sites.
No, he's not a government employee; they've been shut down. But Cox refuses to
sit idly by while weeds and vandals spoil our nation's memorials.
He's not a local resident, either. He lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
According to Google Maps, that's eight hours and over 500 miles away. This man
is obviously dedicated to his mission.
Sadly, officials have told Cox that he can't continue doing this (bureaucracy!),
and Cox has complied. Nevertheless his example speaks volumes about noble
American citizens and the monuments that most of us wish to see honored and
preserved.
Monuments are mentioned in the Bible. One can be found in Joshua 4. After
Israel had safely crossed over the (miraculously) parted Jordan River, the Lord
ordered stones to be taken from the riverbed and stacked in a pile. Why? "...
that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come,
saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'" (Joshua 4:6). What a teaching
opportunity, not unlike children today who tour the World War 2 Memorial,
learning of the sacrifices of a previous generation!
The greatest monument of the Bible, however, is portable in nature. It consists
of a small piece of unleavened bread and a swallow of grape juice. What?! Yes,
we're referring to the Lord's Supper, an event you'll find celebrated each
Lord's Day throughout the world.
Jesus Himself instituted this memorial. In Luke 22:19 we read: "And He took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" He then gave them the
cup, containing the grape juice found at Jewish Passover feasts, which He said
symbolizes His blood.
Christians have been maintaining and honoring this memorial since the founding
of the church, as evidenced by Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and other
passages. To neglect this memorial is to risk forgetting the price paid for our
redemption. That is an event we must never forget!
--Timothy D. Hall
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