They All With One Accord                                          April 14, 2024

Have you ever been in a worship service and all of a sudden, you’re thinking about a Honda Accord?  Perhaps you’ve experienced this brain tease, when a verse is read from the book of Acts about the Christians being gathered together in “one accord.”  One accord?  What does that mean?

The expression “one accord” is used 11 times in the book of Acts.  It comes from a compound Greek word that combines the words for “same” and “mind,” to literally mean “the same mind.”  The word is used to emphasize the “unanimity” of the early church.  They were not all sitting together in one Honda Accord, but they were so unanimous in their devotion to the Lord that maybe they could have figured out a way to fit.

Let’s consider the usage of this word in the book of Acts.  First, note that the early Christians were not the only ones who acted in unanimity.  The enemies of Christ themselves acted “with one accord.”  Those who heard Stephen preach “cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord…and stoned him” (Acts 7:57-58).  The same occurred when the Jews in Corinth “with one accord rose up against Paul” (18:12), and when the Ephesian mob “rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions” (19:29).  In each of these instances, the people were of “the same mind” and “same purpose” and “unanimous” in their actions.

When the enemies of Christ ally together in attacks against Christians, guess what Christians need to do?  They also need (and will) ally together, with the same mind, to stand against such attacks, defend the gospel and further the cause of Christ together.  Take note of some other times in Acts when Luke employed this expression.

The early Christians “with one accord” came together “in prayer and supplication” (1:14) and “raised their voice to God” (4:24).  How often today do we come together “with one accord” for the purpose of praying to God?

The early Christians “with one accord” came together to enjoy fellowship and food with one another (2:46).  How often today do we take the initiative to get a group of Christians together “with one accord” just to be with each other and enjoy each other’s company?

The early Christians “with one accord” came together in one place to “speak” God’s word (5:12; cf. 8:6) and to send chosen men out with a message to the churches (15:25).

God still wants His church to assemble and behave “with one accord.”  So, are you “in” the accord or not?

David Sproule, Palm Beach Lakes, Florida

Flying Blind                                                                                     April 7, 2024

Our son is a pilot in general aviation.  He flies for business trips and for pleasure.  He recently got his IFR rating.  For those who aren’t familiar, that means Instrument Flight Rules, in other words he is now rated to fly at night and in other limited visibility situations.

Personally, I think it’s almost terrifying, and I grew up flying!  Imagine you are flying along on a beautiful, sunny day and suddenly you find yourself in dense fog, rain, etc.  You literally cannot see anything outside the plane but gray or black.  It’s as if you closed your eyes or turned off your headlights while driving at night.  Countless plane crashes have happened simply because the pilot could not see anything.

Enter the instruments, as in Instrument Flight Rules!  His plane is equipped with several instruments that tell him where he is, where the ground is, where the mountains are, where other planes are and where the airport is.  Flying blind still seems weird to me, but after he explained to me the details of how it works, I get it!  The instruments can “see” into the future, ten feet, ten miles, ten seconds, or ten minutes or even more.  And they can get you safely to the airport!  The instruments are the lifeline, IF one knows how to use them.

It’s the same way in life.  We cannot see ten minutes or even ten seconds into the future.  But God can and He can get us safely to life’s airport, whether that be next week or eternity.  But I must know how to use His instrument, His written word.  I am totally amazed how many Christians will read the paper, read online news, watch TV and attempt to “see” what’s happening, but seldom if ever spend deep, quality time reading God’s word, which is our instrument panel for flying blind – into the future.

In John 6:68, Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”  Paul knew how it works – in Romans 1:16 he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Aircraft instruments get us safely to the airport when we can’t see what’s happening.  As the aircraft instruments get us to the flight pattern at the airport, God’s word gets us to our final destination when we can’t see the future.  Paul wrote, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”  (II Timothy 1:13).  Never make God your co-pilot, He must be your pilot!  He is the captain of our faith (Hebrews 2:10, KJV).  Use the instrument of Scripture to get safely home.

By Ray Wallace

The Resurrection is the Why                                                  March 31. 2024

“Why should I remain a Christian?  The church has so many hypocrites in it.  I have been mistreated by Christians who don’t seems to care about me as a person.  And some Christians have conflated American political party views with what the Bible teaches and it reflects poorly on all of us.  Christians are worldly anyway, so what’s the difference?  The church just doesn’t care for people and is more interested in rights than service.  Why shouldn’t I leave it?  Why shouldn’t I walk away from God?  Give me a good reason.”

These are objections and reasons we sometimes hear from those who are on the verge or who have already walked away from the Lord.  There are others, too, but these represent what I have seen and heard.  What do we say?  What is the answer?  Why should we stay and continue to serve the Lord?  The answer is…

The resurrection of Jesus.  This is the why.  This is the reason.  If it is true, then everything else that one thinks works as an objection could never justify walking away from God.  If the resurrection didn’t happen, then the way of Christ is false (I Corinthians 15:12-19).  If it did happen, then we are responsible for the implications that should be affecting our lives in vital ways.  Paul said it: “And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised” (II Corinthians 5:15).

I do not doubt that there are hypocrites among God’s people, or that some churches have mistreated people, or that some have abused political platforms, or that some are worldly and more interested in personal rights.  I’ve seen and witnessed all of this, and we ought to show compassion on those who have suffered mistreatment.  But these do not mean that the resurrection is false.  These do not mean that walking away from the resurrected Lord is justified.  If the resurrection happened, then Christ is indeed Lord and we are accountable to Him.  Period.  No other reason could justify walking away from Him.  The resurrection is the hinge issue.

Perhaps adjustments need to be made regarding one’s associations (I Corinthians 15:33).  Perhaps by our own commitment we can show others by example how they ought to be living and acting.  Whatever we must do to serve the Lord, let us do it, for the resurrection is the driving truth as to why we need to remain faithful to Him.  He was raised and He is Lord.  How others treat me does not change that conclusion.  How hypocritical some may be does not show Jesus wasn’t raised.

“But you don’t understand what I’ve gone through.”  Maybe, maybe not.  None of us should be assuming what others have gone through.  That’s not the issue, however.  If Jesus was raised from the dead, then whatever else we may say, we must acknowledge Him as Lord and act accordingly.  “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord.  You serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).  Remember that Jesus was treated poorly.  If others treat us poorly or we have some bad experiences, then show people what living a resurrected life for the Lord looks like.  Perhaps they will repent and turn to Him.  Because:

The resurrection is the reason for the existence of the people of God (Acts 2).

The resurrections is the basis for any hope we may have (I Peter 1:3-5).

The resurrection is the grounding for our resurrection (Romans 6:3-6).

The resurrection means that we know our work in the Lord is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58).

The resurrection is the proof that we will stand before God in judgment (Acts 17:30-31).

The resurrection is the reason we ought to be living as those who have been born again: buried with Him in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life, “For if we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:4-5).  When people mistreat, abuse, or act hypocritically, that is not the fault of the risen Jesus.  Rather, it only shows that we have not allowed His resurrection to have the kind of impact in our lives that it ought to have.  Instead of walking away from the resurrected Lord, we need to be turning back to Him so that we are no longer living for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised.

No negative personal experiences change the truth of the resurrection.  Feelings do not change facts.  Christians acting poorly do not extinguish the truth of Jesus.  Again, whatever we must do to serve Jesus, do it, for it all hinges on His resurrection.  If it did not happen, then walk away.  If it did happen, we must cling even closer to Jesus as Lord so that we have life in His name (John 20:30-31).

I believe Jesus was raised.  That’s why I stay.                                             By Doy Moyer

“DO THIS” = “DON’T DO THAT”                          March 24, 2024

Without controversy, one can declare that God does not change (Malachi 3:6).  But what many may not realize is that the same is true of God’s spiritual principles.  Among these is the exclusive nature of God’s “positive” commands, that is, “When God says, “Do THIS” it means, “Don’t do THAT.”  Let us briefly consider the clearest possible example of this spiritual truth.

Leviticus 10 opens with the account of the divine execution of two men who were in charge of the incense-burning portion of Old Testament worship (Vs 1a), which, naturally, required fire.  But the fire they offered on this occasion is said to have been “strange” (Vs 1b/ASV) to God, or “unauthorized” (ESV) by God.  That kind of statement naturally leads the reader to ask this question: “Why was this fire ‘unauthorized?’  What was it that made this fire ‘strange’ in God’s sight?”  According to the Holy Spirit, the reason it was “unauthorized” is because it was “fire that (God) had never prescribed for them” (Vs 1/ESV), fire “which He had not commanded them (to make)” (Vs 1c).

When it comes to the manner in which we worship God: if it is not in His word, it better not be in our worship.

This terminology is extremely significant for it was NOT that God said, “You shall NOT make that kind of fire,” and that these two men who made that kind of fire anyway; rather, God had simply said, “You shall make THIS kind of fire,” and, therefore, to make any other kind of fire was sin.  Unfortunately for these two men, they did just that: they made “Fire B” when God had prescribed “Fire A,” and He repaid their fire with a fire of His own (Vs 2).  Not one Israelite would have failed to get the point.  You and I had better “get it,” as well!  He didn’t have to specifically condemn or prohibit every single particular thing of which He disapproves.  All He has to say is “DO THIS,” and everything which the mind of man could possible imagine besides “THIS” is direct rebellion against the word of God.

The spiritual principle that resulted in the death of Nadab & Abihu has not changed.  When it comes to the manner in which we worship God: If it is not in His word, it better not be in our worship.  For, if we want our worship to be acceptable to God, we “must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

By Seth Myers Via Bulletin Gold

What True Fellowship Involves                                 March 17, 2024

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?”  (II Corinthians 6:14-16a, NKJV)

Even though written in the negative, I believe we can examine this text and extrapolate many positive aspects of true fellowship which come forth clearly in the words used.  So here’s what true fellowship involves:

• Yoked together.  True fellowship involves being linked together for the purpose of being productive.  Fellowship operates best when people work closely together for a common cause.
• Fellowship.  True fellowship involves companionship and comradery (which is the definition of the Greek word translated “fellowship”).  Fellowship is formed when people are truly together.
• Communion.  True fellowship involves close, personal association with one another.  Fellowship is strengthened when personal connections are made.
• Accord (harmony, NAS).  True fellowship involves unity, harmony, and peace.  Fellowship grows when people get along.
• Part (share, ESV).  True fellowship involves sharing and partaking together.  Fellowship blossoms most beautifully when everyone does their part.
• Agreement.  True fellowship involves being one in thought, belief, expression, effort, and outlook.  Fellowship moves forward when there is common ground.

Truly, true fellowship is wonderful.  Take a look at the above list again and note  all the benefits of true fellowship.  Resolve to do your part to be in true and total fellowship with Christ and His church.                                                                                        

By Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold

Depression Management                                                      March 10, 2023

Depression is something that tugs at the heart of each and every individual at one time or another.  The causes are many and varied in nature that bring about the depressive state.  Those who are Christians are not immune to being affected by a depressive condition.  Moods may vacillate in degree and form.  We may swing from normal ups and downs to mild mood disturbance, to borderline clinical depression, to moderate depression, to severe, and some even experience extreme.  Most of us will deal with the first two levels.

The question is, “How do I manage my depression?”  Most people have lost sight of their purpose or personal goals to meander around  in somewhat a lost or confused state.  Our daily activity schedule becomes garbled and we feel as if we are flailing and running at an accelerated pace; yet accomplishing less. 

Reidentifying our goals and managing our time can assist us with feeling productive again.  Some focus on negatives and the bad things that are happening with them presently and lose sight of the big picture.  Imagine positive thoughts and opportunities and avoid lethargic cycles and habits.  Keep in mind some Biblical perspectives that can be of benefit during depressive times.  It is true that “as one thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).  We have been promised, “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full” (John 16:24).  When we do what is right, “the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).  Here is a good one, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).  We are to avoid being conformed to this world in which we live, but are to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).  Paul reminds us “to be Spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

Common sense would recommend that we have adequate sleep habits, eat properly and receive some physical exercise.  Overcoming even mild cases of depression requires some discipline and deliberate effort on our behalf.  Much energy and effort are required to break some harmful cycles that we may be experiencing in life, one of which being depression.

The good Lord is stronger than any and all emotional strains that tend to immobilize us and prevent us from the doing of good.  One final admonition, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalms 27:14).                                                                                               By Mike King

Things That Matter                                                    March 3, 2024

We want to leave things for our children upon our passing.  Why?  Our children want things to remember us by, our children wants things so they will remember their childhood, and our children want things that will sustain them through the difficult years of adulthood.  What should we leave our children?

A good name: Solomon said: “A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).  We know riches can be taken, but the reputation of a faithful Christian cannot.

A good memory of a Christian Home:  In Luke 15:11-32 the Prodigal Son was wasteful.  When he realized his plight, his memory caused him to make the long trip home.  Why?  The influence of a Christian Home is powerful in the minds of our children.

Personal example: It is important to tell our children what is right, but it is equally important to demonstrate.  Our actions and words must match.  In a world full of confusing pathways, the last thing our children need are mixed signals of what their parents stood for spiritually.

A good education:  Luke 2:52 is the perfect education…Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and Man.  We recognize our children must be vocationally proficient, but more importantly, they must be spiritually prepared!

A true faith in God!  Our children must own their faith.  Have we prepared them to explain why they believe what they believe?  Does their belief come from Scripture or tradition?

We will leave things to our children.  Choose to leave things that matter!

By Allen Jones (Adapted)

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“A good name is better than a good ointment

and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:1)

The Christian’s First Love                                            February 25, 2024

When people first became Christians, they usually are very excited about being saved.  They want to go out and teach the whole world.  They are burning with zeal.  They love the Lord and want to share Him with everyone (cf. Acts 9:17-22).  A true disciple has given himself to the Lord, to be taught and used in His service (Luke 14:33; Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:1-2).  Such a one will never grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).  He will remain fervent in spirit in serving Christ (Romans 12:11).

In the first century, the Christians at Ephesus somehow had lost their first love (putting Christ first in all their considerations and setting their chief concerns on Him and spiritual things – Colossians 3:1-2).  They taught the truth (Revelation 2:2) and would not tolerate false teachers.  They patiently persevered and did not grow weary (Revelation 2:3).  They labored in His cause, yet they had lost their first love.

We see that people can teach the truth and perform the acts of worship outwardly in a correct way, but still not do these things with the proper attitude of the heart.  Every act of obedient service to the Lord must be done out of genuine love for Him (I Corinthians 13:1-3) or it is useless.

If we teach or do anything in service to Him only as a sense of duty and not because we truly love Him, it will not be acceptable to Him.  This is truly an important lesson for Christians to learn.

Another lesson we must learn is that we must serve the Lord by “abiding” in His teaching: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31). 

Finally, let us fully understand that “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (II John 9-10).

By Mike Riley

Courage to Do Right                                                    February 18, 2024

Courage is the antidote to uncertainty, fear and anxiety – a few of the strikingly powerful human emotions that can rob us of abundant joy and purposeful direction (John 10:10).  In trying times, we must first be committed to do the right thing.  The courageous aspect of this commitment is evidenced by Peter and the apostles as they faced the intimidating threats of the Jewish Council and said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Again, when Peter exhorted Christian wives to be submissive to their husbands in a Godly and gentle manner, he cited the example of Sarah, who obeyed her husband, calling him lord.  Then, he goes on to explain how they could share in her likeness by doing right “without being frightened by any fear” (I Peter 3:1-6).

Later in the same chapter, Peter widens his scope to all who might “suffer for the sake of righteousness”, saying, “do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…” (Vs 14-15).

It’s amazing how someone who denied the Lord three times in rapid succession should have so much to say on the subject of courage! (Matthew 26:69-75).  Clearly, there is a remarkable difference between the man who denied the Lord in HIs hour of crisis and the man who boldly spoke out for God in the face of great opposition.

Courage evaporates in the presence of discouragement.  Even then, we must focus on doing the right thing, trusting God to work things out according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  We must follow the example of David who, in spite of unbelievably discouraging circumstances, found a way to encourage himself in the Lord (I Samuel 30:6).  Communing with God in prayer and study is essential along with finding creative ways to “encourage one another” (Hebrews 3:13).

By Glen Elliott

Buried With A Bible                                                    February 11, 2024

Years ago, when the tomb of Constantine was discovered, archaeologists found his remains situated in a most unusual manner.  Apparently, he had been positioned sitting on his throne with a crown on his head, a scepter in his right hand, and a Bible on his lap.  What they discovered was that his crown had fallen from its place, his scepter from its bony clasp, but, the Bible was still in his lap opened to Matthew 16:26: “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

God’s word deserves our utmost respect and devotion.  David prayed, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalms 119:11).  Jeremiah spoke of a time when God’s people would have His teachings written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33).  When God’s word is written on our hearts, His teaching will be put into practice into our lives.  Only an open Bible can accomplish this purpose.  What good is owning a genuine, hand-sewn leather edition of the Bible if it is never opened and read?  Many Bibles, opened on Sundays, are unused the rest of the week.  They might as well be left on the pew until the next Sunday.  Too many have buried their Bible in a grave of misplaced priorities.  One day, when their tomb is uncovered, their beautiful, seldom used Bibles might as well be opened to Matthew 7:23: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

It will be too late to open the Bible when we have been laid to rest.  Hebrews 9:27 reminds us “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…”  Diligent study and faithful application of God’s word in this are necessary for His approval in the next (II Timothy 2:15; James 1:25).  It may be a fitting gesture for a faithful Christian to be buried with his Bible; but the thing which first be buried is the old man of complacency and neglect.  That must happen is this life as we open our hearts to the power of God’s word, remembering that it is not a Bible enclosed in our coffin, but a transformed life that reminds others that our hope was grounded in Jesus and His word.

By Glen Elliott