Jane McWhorter

There was an expression used a few years ago that took off in popularity like grass afire. It was seen on bracelets, necklaces, stationery, bumper stickers, etc. There were no words -- just W.W.J.D. The letters stood for

What Would Jesus Do?
 

The expression is not seen or heard much these days, but the words are still powerful.  It is a very good question to ask oneself when considering what to say or do in a given situation. We want to emulate Jesus in every respect.

There is another person I try to emulate. Her name is Jane McWhorter. Her godly life is worthy of imitation. When considering the appropriateness of a word or action, I often ask, "What would Jane do?" I want to imitate her Christlikeness. 

Consider Paul's words,

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Jane helped thousands of women grow in the Lord. She certainly touched my life in many wonderful ways.   My first introduction to Jane was when I heard her speak to women at Freed-Hardeman. Her lessons were well prepared and delivered beautifully. It was obvious that she knew and understood God's word. When she spoke of personal adversity, she exhibited humility, grace, and an immense depth of faith. Her demeanor was noble and quiet. Her character was admirable. I wanted to be like her because she was like Jesus.  Jane passed this life a few days ago, but

she will continue to inspire me and others to be Christlike. Her legacy of faith, hope, and devotion to the Lord lives on. Jesus told the aging John,

Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them

" (Revelation 14:13).

May each of us live so people can say they want to imitate us as we imitate Christ!

Today's Verse:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,that you should follow His steps(1 Peter 2:21).
 
--Teresa Hampton

Best places to hide things

We have had a problem at our church building for the past few years, which
seems to be getting worse instead of better. Folks are leaving doors to
different parts of the facility unlocked. It varies by days of the week and
times of the day. We speculate that folks just don't remember to lock up
after themselves when they leave, but it makes you wonder if there is
something more sinister going on. Could someone outside of our members have
gotten a key?

There is no denying that security has become a major concern in our world
today. Each of us tends to be a little more cautious with our personal
security. We make sure we lock our cars and our homes; we install alarms
(and try to remember to set them). We are told that in our community, crime
has risen by 14% in the past few months, (mainly breaking into homes).

I understand, from those who are suppose to know, that no matter how hard
you try and secure your stuff, there are always weaknesses in your
preparations. Someone who is an experienced thief will find those weaknesses
and exploit them to get you stuff if they really want it.

What are we to do? What can you do, when you've done everything you can to
secure your stuff or even your own safety and it's not enough? Who do you
trust in then?

As a Christian you know the answer already, you trust in God.

I love the story about Thomas Edison when a fire completely destroyed his
research facility. His son found him watching the blaze destroy everything
he had created. Rather than dwelling upon the destruction he told his son,
"Go and get your mother, she'll never see another fire like this as long as
she lives."

He of course picked up the pieces of his life and laboratories and went on
to invent even more wonderful things.

In Matthew 6:19-21 we read: "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where
moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and
thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the
desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)

Maybe we need to stop and ask ourselves, "Just what is it in this world in
which I really trust?" In Matthew 28:20, after giving directions as to what
he expects his followers to do, he makes this promise: "And be sure of this:
I am with you always". (NLT) I will continue to trust in the Lord, the maker
of heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:15).

Russ Lawson

Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

 

John by divine inspiration writes in 1 John 5:3: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." I turn to John 14:15 and hear Jesus as he says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments". I venture to say that there are multitudes of people throughout this world who say they love the Lord. It is easy for an individual to say they love God. The real test of that love is shown in the way they keep or do not keep his commands. Jesus did not say, if you love me you will keep some of my commands. He did not say you will keep a few of my commands. Neither did he say you will keep only those you like and agree with. The inference by our Lord and by John is that we keep "all"of God's commands. How dare someone say they love God and refuse to comply with his plan to save (Rom. 10:17, Heb. 11:6, John 20:30-31, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, Matt. 10:32-33, Acts 8:37, Rev. 2:10) From these verses we learn that God's plan to save man is: Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized for Remission of Sins, Live Faithful until death. It is an exercise in futility for anyone to say they love God and then embrace and teach a way to be saved that does not come from God. If it comes from God, it can be found in his word, the Bible.

 

To say we love God and then not live a life of purity is a practice in deception (1 John 2:15-17, 1 Thess. 5:22,, Matt. 5:8, 1 Tim. 4:12). To say we love God and be inactive, lethargic, lukewarm and lazy in our responsibilities to God, fellow Christians and others will show only our insincerity (Mark 12:30-31, I John 3:11-23, Gal. 6:10, James 2:14-26, 1 Cor. 15:58). We deceive ourselves if we say we love God and then do not cast off the works of darkness (Eph. 5:11, 1 Pet. 2:1-3, James 1:21, Gal. 5:10-21).

 

My friends, Satan is alive and well today (1 Pet  5:8-9). He will spare no effort to divert our hearts away from God. He is content for us to profess a love for God so long as that is all we do. He will sit on our shoulder and tell us that God does not really mean what he says (ask Adam and Eve, Moses, King Saul about that). God means what he says (2 John 9, Matt. 15:8-9). There are no short cuts, no sale days, and no bargain basements when it comes to pleasing God through our love for him. Don't let Satan through some man divert your heart away from God. God says it, I belive it and that forever settles the matter for me. How about you?

 

"Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord…………………"

 

Charles Hicks

 

Why attend church services?

Why Is Attending the Service Such a Problem?

The problem is not an attendance problem! When children miss school, it is usually because of a problem at home. So it is with church attendance. Other problems cause this one.

 The problem is not attendance; it is a faith problem. "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Heb. 3:19.) "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Heb. 4:2.) 

The problem is not attendance; it is a hope problem. "For we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Rom. 8:24-25.) 

The problem is not attendance; it is a love problem. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15.) "Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the God thy heart all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." (Matt. 22:36-38.) Love does not need a command to do things to honor the one loved. 

The problem is not attendance; it is a sin problem. "This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19.) It is a hard thing to come to church right in the sight of Almighty God when one is living a sinful life. They think by staying at home that God will not see them. "Be quiet; don't say his name!" (Amos 6:10.) 

The problem is not attendance; it is a heart problem. "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:21.) Why do seventy thousand attend a football game while it is raining or snowing? Because that is where their heart is. They love the game. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands defile not a man." (Matt. 15:19-20.) Out of the heart, we speak and act. We act out what is in the heart. 

William M. Worthey

 

We don't care what God won't allow, we're going to play our organ anyhow

I have never been a fan of country music. I have known some individuals who
have every single dial on their automobile radio set to a country music
station. The CD's in their glove compartment have popular country singers
such as Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, George Strait, et al. I have
tried listening to Hank Williams and must confess to you that, while he has
some songs that are catchy, for the most part the nasal twang for which he
was so popular simply does not resonate in my ear. So far as lyrics are
concerned, there have been some great country songs over the years that
inspire and uplift. Unfortunately, the devil dominates the thinking and
lyrics of most country singers. The themes of modern day country music have
to do with drunkenness, adultery, and rebellion. They are anti-God and
anti-Christian in the values they communicate. This, of course, is not
limited to country music; most of the modern day music scene is not fit to
listen to and the child of God would do good to simply turn the dial to
another station when such a song is broadcast over the air. Some years
someone asked me, "You know what happens when you play a country song
backward?" When I responded in the negative, I was told, "You sober up, get
your spouse back, all your money is returned to you, and you once again find
joy and peace in your life."

It has been noted by more than one person that if he could choose the music
a country would listen to he could determine the road that nation would
travel [not those exact words, but you get the idea]. Discerning minds
realize that our country is spiraling into the abyss of ungodliness and
immorality. To deny this is to be blind to the evidence. Were you to ask me
why our culture is changing from one of a relative respect for God and His
word to one that not only ignores His word, but openly opposes it, you might
take a look at the lyrics of modern day music, country music not
withstanding.

Some years ago Steven Cline wrote an article titled, "We don't care what God
won't allow, we're going to play our organ anyhow." The country song on
which he based his article was popular at that time, and admittedly, it was
a catchy and cute tune, but the attitude that is manifested in the song is
so typical of today's culture. Here is just a portion of the lyrics:

Mama don't allow no guitar playing around here Mama don't allow no guitar
playing around here Well we don't care what mama don't allow We gonna play
the guitar anyhow

Mama don't allow no fiddle playing around here Mama don't allow no fiddle
playing around here Well we don't care what mama don't allow We gonna play
the fiddle anyhow

Mama don't allow no music playing around here Mama don't allow no music
playing around here Well we don't care what mama don't allow We gonna play
the music anyhow

Brother cline then made the application with regard to instrumental music:
"The rebellious attitude of many in the church toward the use of mechanical
instruments of music in praise to God is growing faster than toadstools in a
dark and damp cellar. So many brethren are deserting the scriptural position
of singing songs of honor to God apart from the instrument and are now
seeking the companionship of denominationalists and digressives who have
long been saying, 'We don't care what God don't allow, we're gonna play our
organ anyhow'" (Power Bulletin, December 1997, page 1).

But the message portrayed in the lyrics of that song have had a much broader
impact in our society. Is it not true that the mind set addressed by brother
Cline dominates our society? It is not just religion; this mindset has
affected everything from the family structure, to the halls of Congress, and
the very seat in the Oval Office of the White House. Every day brings
another revelation (at least from some sources) that our President is simply
ignoring the Constitution in order to pursue an agenda of his own. Muslims
throughout the world are pushing for their own law to rule; liberals are
talking about a Constitutional Convention to rewrite the Constitution;
liberals and modernists are casting off law; and post modernists are
declaring "there is no law."

Scripture abounds with statement after statement of the authority of our
Lord and His word: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in
righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely
unto every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). "I said therefore unto you, that ye
shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in
your sins" (John 8:24). "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
(Col 3:17). "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of
Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both
the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall
judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). "And in none other is there
salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given
among men, wherein we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

I am not so optimistic to think that simply quoting these passages will
change our society's mindset from doing what they want to do, and
immediately start doing what God wants them to do. They must be taught.
Meanwhile, while the world may not care what "mama don't allow" or what "God
don't allow," we will be content with following the teaching of our Lord.
Anything else spells only disaster.

by Tom Wacaster

Billy Ray Harris Kansas City, Missouri

Sarah Darling saw him and had compassion on him. Billy Ray Harris is
homeless and often finds refuge under a bridge in Kansas City, Missouri,
which is also Sarah's hometown. Sarah took out her change purse and emptied
out the contents into Harris' cup. But Sarah later realized that she had
donated much more than she intended.

It wasn't until the next day that she discovered her engagement ring was
missing.

She remembered that she had removed the ring from her hand because the ring
was irritating her skin and placed it into her change purse. With a sinking
feeling, she feared that the ring was part of the contents that she had
emptied into Harris' cup.

She returned to where she had seen Harris, but he wasn't there. She went
back the following day and found him. She approached him and said, "I don't
know if you remember me, but I think I gave you something that's very
precious to me."

Harris responded: "Was it a ring? Yeah, I have it; I kept it for you." He
handed the ring to her.

Sarah was floored - and elated! "I actually feel like I'm especially lucky
to have this ring now. I loved it before. I loved it so much, but I love it
so much more now," she later told a television host.

To show her appreciation, Sarah set up an online fundraiser for Harris. The
donations and praise have poured in from all over the world. In the first
week of the 90-day campaign, over 3,400 donations were made totaling nearly
$95,000.

Adam and Eve lost much more than an engagement ring when they disobeyed
God's instruction (see Genesis 2:16-17). They lost their innocence and
their home in the beautiful paradise of the Garden of Eden, including access
to the tree of life that would have enabled them to live forever (see
Genesis 3, esp. vs. 22-23).

The sin of Adam and Eve has been repeated by their offspring - including you
and me. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans
3:23). And as a result, we also earn the "wages of sin": death (Romans
6:23).

But God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for
our sins (John 3:16). Through Jesus, we can have forgiveness of our sins
and receive the GIFT of eternal life. What was lost in the paradise of Eden
may be regained - through Christ - in "the Paradise of God." "He who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes
I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
Paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7).

God will forgive and give access to the tree of life (eternal life)...
those who place their 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).

Those who "overcome" by remaining faithful to Him will be rewarded with
eternal life in the Paradise of God.

"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to
the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." -
Revelation 22:14

Paradise lost can be regained through Christ - when we submit our lives to
the Savior.

Won't YOU?

David Sargent

What is the best verse in the Bible?

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? One that just seems to fit you? One that seems to give you comfort or solace when things maybe aren't going just right in your life? I think that most of us do have that one verse, or perhaps a few of them that serve us well in our troubling times. I'd like to give you mine and then discuss it for a few moments with you. Perhaps, after our discussion, it will become yours.

What provided me with the impetus for this topic today is something I noted the other day in a little piece written by Bro. Lawson. In it, he cited a scripture and mentioned that it was one of his "favorite" scriptures in the Bible. That immediately brought to mind my favorite verse and the germ of an editorial started forming in my mind and caused me to wonder if everyone had a favorite. Let me share mine with you at this point and then we'll go from there.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (ESV)

I'd like you to consider this verse with me as I sort of dissect it and, by doing so, you'll see why it's my favorite. The first thing we need to look at in this study is the phrase "these things." What are "these things" Jesus has said to them? The short answer is; the words and thoughts found in the preceding verses that He's recently told His disciples for the purpose of preparing them for some soon-to-occur events.  Those "events" of course would be His arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection and His return to heaven.

Part of "these things" was spoken in verse 32 when He told them that they'd be "scattered" and that He'd be left "alone." However, He told them that, even though they would be gone, He would not truly be alone "for the Father is with me."

Also included in "these things" recently spoken by Jesus were some that were very troubling to the disciples. He told them that they'd have "tribulation" because they were followers of Him. That people might even kill them thinking that they were doing a "service to God" in doing so. (16:1-2) In verse 6 He recognizes that His words have caused them "sorrow."

In verse 12 He tells them that He had even more of "these things" to say to them but, right at the moment, "you cannot bear them." When we read verses 16-19 we see that, not only were they sorrowful, they were confused by His words about "not seeing" Him and then "seeing" Him. They pretty much said amongst themselves that "we don't know what He's talking about." In His answer regarding their confusion, He tells them that they'll shortly have "sorrow" but, "I'll see you again and your heart shall rejoice.

As I said earlier, the purpose of Jesus telling them "these things" was to prepare them for the troubling times about to come on Him and them. They needed to know "these things" in order to be able to see them through. That's why He told them "in me you may have peace."

"In me." Let's look at that for a moment too. It's like He's saying; You know who I am. (Vs. 15) You know where I came from and you know where I'm going. "I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father." (Vs. 28)

So, He's saying to them that, knowing "these things," especially their knowledge of Himself, they will "have peace." And, He's talking about TRUE PEACE. The kind of peace that the world can't provide. As a matter of fact, He says what the world provides is "tribulation." And we know from our Bible studies that their "world" certainly did provide them with "tribulation," don't we?

But He wraps up "these things" by telling them to "take heart." The King James Version reads "be of good cheer." When the "tribulations"come, and they will, be strong. Have courage. And then He tells them how and why they can have a courageous heart - "I have overcome the world."

Now, were those words of Jesus only for the disciples there with him at the time? Oh no, they were spoken for all His disciples for all times. "These things" He said to them, He said to us. Because we have to live in this world just like they did. We're subject to its "tribulations" too.

We are many times sorrowful, aren't we? Things happen during our earthly lives that bring us "sorrow." I don't have to name them, you know "these things" as well as I do. Plus, like the disciples there listening to Him, aren't we sometimes confused too? I can't speak for others, but I know that I sometimes get that way.

But, I'm not confused as to who Christ is and why He came to earth. As He told His disciples then, he tells me now that He "came from the Father" and gave His life to save all that believe and obey Him and that He "left the world and has gone back to the Father."

But while I'm here, I know that I'll have "tribulation." Sometimes it's like the old Morton Salt motto, "When it rains, it pours." Yep, this old world is chock full of "tribulation." We've got foreign wars going on with a lot of killings. We've got killings going on in our cities with some of them approaching a domestic war. Many are suffering great financial problems due to our economy. The news lately is all about the "Fiscal Cliff" we're about to reach. Personally, I think we should be more concerned about the "Spiritual Cliff" we're about to go over.

But here's why John 16:33 is my favorite verse of the Bible. Here's what I take from that verse. It doesn't matter where I am, where I might be "scattered," I know that Christ is with the Father and is not "alone" AND I know that I'm "in Him" and that I'm not alone either.

The "peace" that comes with that knowledge is the TRUE peace that the world can't give anyone. It's what gives me the courage to live in this world and face whatever comes my way. It's what causes me to "take heart" because I know who the winner is and it's not the "prince of this world" (John 12:31) it's the "Prince of Peace."

I believe it when He said "I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." I believe that I'll "see Him again" and that my "heart will rejoice."

Myself and all of you will be able to take anything the world throws at us and come out the winner if we "take heart" and remain faithful to Christ because it's "in Him" that we "overcome" too.

Ron Covey