The Blessedness of Giving                                         December 17, 2023

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

Why is this true?

Because it makes us more like our heavenly Father.  “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” (James 1:17-18; see also John 3:16-17)

Because it makes us more like Jesus Christ, who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28; see also Isaiah 53)

Because it makes us more like the Holy Spirit, who guided the apostles “into all the truth” (John 16:13), “so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (I Corinthians 2:12-13), who “also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Because it helps us to be less self-centered.  “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5), because love “does not seek its own (interests only)” (I Corinthians 13:5).

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Is that blessedness, our sense of how much we are blessed, and our desire to be a blessing, reflected in our weekly monetary contributions?  Our conversations of concern for others?  Our acts of kindness toward the needy, sick, and hurting?  Our desire and willingness to share the saving gospel of Christ with the lost?  In all, give and be blessed.

By Jeremy Paschall (Adapted)

5 Views of Baptism:  What View Do You Hold?      December 10, 2023

Jesus stated nearly 2000 years ago, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  To the simple, unbiased and unprejudiced mind, Jesus’ statement is very clear and easy to understand.  It is as easy to understand a doctor’s statement, “He who eats his food and digests it will live; but he who does not eat will die.”  All of us would easily understand that unless we eat and digest, we will die!  However, for those who have allied themselves with human creeds and have been depraved with worldly wisdom, Jesus’ simple statement becomes confusing and contradicting.  Although the Bible ALWAYS places water baptism (in Jesus’ name) before salvation, men have sought ways to undermine His authority and confuse the simplicity of our Lord’s teaching.

ATHEIST’S VIEW

For example, the atheist would say, “He who believes and is baptized will NOT be saved.”  He has rejected the existence of God and the authority of the Bible.  Unbelievers believe there is no God, yet one would have to be “God” himself to prove such a position.  For one to know that there is no God, he would have had to have been everywhere, seen everything at once and know all things!  Yet Jesus had him in mind when he said, …he who believes not shall be condemned,” and again, “he who does not believe is condemned already” (John 3:18).  Truly “the fool has said in his heart ‘There is no God'” (Psalms 14:1).

UNIVERSALIST’S VIEW

The Universalist approaches the scripture with the bias that God is a God of only love and therefore He can never condemn anyone.  They say, “He who believes NOT and is NOT baptized shall be saved.”  While such a faith accepts the actuality of God, it rejects His word and leaves, nonetheless, a corrupt and misguided picture of Deity.  Warning!  “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

CATHOLIC’S VIEW

The Catholic comes along and teaches, “He who believes NOT and is baptized shall be saved.”  I say this as a former Catholic who was sprinkled as a baby.  Catholics baptize babies because of the erroneous view of inherited sin (Ezekiel 18:20); however, Bible baptism was NEVER administered to babies.  Jesus taught that babies are safe (Luke 18:15-17).  Notwithstanding, subjects of Bible baptism must have first believed (see again Mark 16:16), yet faith comes by hearing the word of the Lord (Romans 10:17).  How can a baby believe when they cannot understand the word of the Lord?  Can they also confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37)?  False doctrine makes us believe unbelievable things!

PROTESTANT’S VIEW

Then the Baptist comes and says. “He who believes and is NOT baptized shall be saved.”  Yet is this what Jesus said?  Is it Deity’s view?  No amount of human manipulation will change the eternal truth of Mark 16:16.  Beware, all of these “NOT’S” are formulated by men in the devil’s “tale” to cheat your soul!

JESUS’S VIEW

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).                                                                  By Steven J. Wallace

And Then It Is Winter                                                  December 3, 2023

I wonder where all the years went!  I know that I lived them all.  You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.  It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate.  Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.  But here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.

How did I get here so fast?  Where did the years go and where did my youth go?  I remember through the years seeing older people and thinking that they were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But here it is!  My friends are retired and getting gray.  They move slower and I see in them an older person.  Some are in better shape and some are in worse shape than am I, but I see the great change.  They no longer are like the ones I remember who were young and vibrant – but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we would be.  Each day now I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!  And, taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it is mandatory because if I don’t on my own freewill, I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do the things that I wish I had done but never did.  But, at least I know that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last, that when it’s over on this earth, it’s over.  A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets.  There are things I wish I hadn’t done and things I should have done.  But there are many things I am happy to have done.  It’s all in a lifetime.

If you are not yet in your winter, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think.  So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly!  Don’t put things off too long!  Life goes by so quickly.  Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not.  You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of life.  Live for today and say all the things that you want your friends and loved ones to remember.  And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past (and that they will forgive you for the things you should have done but didn’t).

Life is a gift to you.  The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. 

Make it a fantastic one.                                                  -Author Unknown

How to Avoid A Spiritual Failure                                      November 26, 2023

In his final hours in Rome, awaiting an inevitable execution, a very lonely apostle Paul suffered some additional heartbreak.  “Demas,” he wrote, “hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10).  We are left to speculate as to the particulars-what dread fears or powerful allurements led this faithful friend and co-worker to abandon the kingdom of God and to forsake his burdened brother.  It was not as though he had fled the field at the first approach of trouble.  During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome Demas had evidently been a steadfast companion (Philemon 24; Colossians 4:14).  Now, unexpectedly, this heart-mauling betrayal and desertion.

Paul said that Demas “loved this present world.”  The “world” is many things.  John describes it as a way of thinking where lust, materialism and pride abound (I John 2:15-16).  What was it that got to the faithful Demas?  Was it fear of death or imprisonment?  Or was it something more subtle like a nostalgic longing for the old easy ways free of constant warfare?  We are not told which one of these undid Demas but one of them found its mark.

Breaking points can come to us too if we are not very careful.  A deep hurt we cannot find it in ourselves to forgive.  A disappointing marriage.  Failures with our children.  Lost health or prosperity.  Anything we had never imagined happening to us.  And often it’s just plain prideful stubbornness.  At any rate, don’t ever say you’d never do what others have done.  You’ve never been all the places you could be.  Peter learned a valuable lesson about that (Matthew 26:31-35).  It is far better that we know our weaknesses and watch and pray that we enter not into temptation (Matthew 26:41).  Satan loves an arrogant and self-confident man.

Another lesson to be learned from the failure of others is that those who at last go back, at first look back.  Departures of apparent suddenness are really the end of a process.  Our Lord warned that those who put their hand to the kingdom plow and look back longingly at the world are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).  The disciples who go back are those who first begin to cultivate again the values of the world and like the Israelites in the wilderness grow nostalgic amid their trials for the fleshpots of Egypt.  They forget, of course, the galling bondage that accompanies the fleshpots of Egypt.  These are the ones who gradually cease to meditate upon God’s word (Psalms 1:1-2), then become prayerless (James 4:1-2) as God and Christ seem far away.  First men cease to study, then to pray, and, finally, to care.

Sometimes this all begins as a casual flirtation, a few little compromises dismissed as harmless.  Too much time with worldly companions (I Corinthians 15:33), too much interest in a job (I Timothy 6:9-10), too much concern with being accepted and making our mark in the world (I Peter 5:5).  Finally, it becomes a passionate love affair that makes us heedless of the injury we do to our Savior, ourselves and others.

Satan is the master of the “short step” method.  Slow change is more effective in producing spiritual collapse than sudden departure.  The danger of alerting the victim to what is happening is eliminated.  We can be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12-13).  Warning flags need to start flying the moment we feel the slightest ebb in commitment.  Beware of the spiritual slow leak.

The unfailing answer to this kind of spiritual failure is the daily discipline of an uncompromising dedication which admits of no exceptions and makes quick and humble redress for every transgression.  Burn all your bridges and press on to the heavenly mark (Philippians 3:7-14).  And if, in spite of everything, you happen to stumble badly, don’t let despair destroy you.  Remember that everyone who has faltered has not ultimately fallen.  We can all thank God for that.  John Mark’s disgraceful desertion in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13) was not the end of him because he didn’t allow it to be.  Paul sent for him during his last hours (II Timothy 4:11) and the Holy Spirit chose him to record the gospel story.  We don’t have to be like Demas.  In the mercy of God we have the privilege of being like John Mark or Peter, and, yes, even Paul.                   By Paul Earnhart

Jesus’ Family Tree                                                     November 19, 2023

          Someone said, “Don’t shake the family tree too hard because some fruits and nuts may fall out.”  I’ve found that to be true in my own family history research, and it holds true in the genealogy of Jesus too.

          I wonder how many people, as they begin reading the New Testament, just skip over the first seventeen verses of Matthew.  Whew!  All those begats!  All those difficult names!  Why do we care about them anyway?

          Among many other reasons, we ought to learn about those people because they show that our God uses less-than perfect people to accomplish His perfect will.

          Human wisdom would have Messiah’s family tree filled with pure, spotless ancestors.  Some people think we shouldn’t even mention the character flaws exhibited by some in Jesus’ pedigree.  However, doing so isn’t disrespectful; it’s honest!  Scriptures portrays even its heroes “warts and all.”

          “Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar” (Matthew 1:3).  Tamar had been the wife of Judah’s two sons, both of whom died.  Judah didn’t keep his promise to give her to his younger son when he came of age, so Tamar dressed like a harlot and duped Judah into getting her pregnant.  Despite their obvious moral failures God used these people to bring the Messiah into the world.

          “Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab” (Matthew 1:5).  Rahab’s background as a Gentile and a harlot in no way prevented God from accomplishing His will despite her flaws.

          “David the king begat Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6).  We all know the sad and sordid account of David and Bathsheba.  But despite their glaring defects they are listed in Jesus’ genealogy.

          This doesn’t excuse anyone’s sin or make it okay!  Quite to the contrary, it demonstrates the universal need for a Savior.  Jesus came to save sinners.  That includes His own blood kin.  And it included you.

By Joe Slater

The Problem With Envy                                              November 12, 2023

          Have you ever looked at another person’s possessions, happiness, or success and said, “I wish that was me.”?  If we’re honest, we’ll admit we have all said it at one time or another.  The problem with envy is that when we compare ourselves to others, it can cause us to be dissatisfied or even miserable with our present status.

          Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying, “Envy is pain at the sight of another’s good fortune, stirred by those who have what we ought to have.”  God’s word does not fall short when it comes to warnings against the sin of envy.  Here’s a sample:

• Envy caused the first murder (Genesis 4:5)
• Joseph’s brothers envied him because of his dreams (Genesis 37:1-11)
• King Saul envied David because of his victories (I Samuel 18:6-9)
• Don’t envy evildoers and sinners (Psalms 37:1)
• Envy is rottenness to the bones (Proverbs 14:30)
• Envy of another’s skill and hard work is vanity (Ecclesiastes 4:4)
• The chief priest envied Jesus, delivering him to Pilate (Mark 15:9-10)
• The Jews envied Paul’s successful preaching (Acts 13:45)
• Christian love never envies (I Corinthians 13:4)
• Christians should never envy each other (Galatians 5:26)

          The opposite of envy is rejoicing at the blessings and success experienced by others (I Corinthians 12:26), literally “Rejoicing with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).  We must congratulate and express our happiness at the good fortune of others, while remaining content and godly which within itself is great gain (I Timothy 6:6).

By Jay Launius

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The Great Commission bids us make disciples, not merely believers. 

Jesus was out for disciples, not just “joiners.”

(Vance Havner)

Must You Tell Everything You Know?                            October 29, 2023

            Perhaps you’ve read “Anne of Green Gables” (or seen the videos, or both).  “Tales of Avonlea” is a follow-up series of made-for-television programs featuring some of the same characters in the same quaint little town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island about a century ago.

            One of the many recurring themes in both the books and the television shows is the propensity of people to gossip.  What someone said or did decades ago is hashed and rehashed.  Who was seen with whom, and what it might mean, becomes grist for the rumor mill, replete with speculation, arguments, exaggeration, and an abundance of jumping to conclusions.  Ironically, not even church diminishes the desire to dredge up dirt.  No sooner have services concluded than the backbiting begins anew in their Sunday best!  Of course, the author presents it in such a way that we say, “Shame on them!  I would never do that!”  But is that always true?

            “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13).  Someone protests, “But everything I said is true!”  Let’s suppose that’s true.  The question is, “Must you tell everything you know?”  Even if something is true, you might do better to keep it quiet.  What if some salacious scrap of scandal surfaced about you?  Would you want anyone who learns of it to broadcast it to the world?

            Someone smarter than I recommended three tests before speaking: 1) Is it true? 2) Is it kind? 3) Is it necessary?  I have a hunch that heeding those three tests would result in far less gossip.

            “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases” (Proverbs 26:20).

            You really don’t have to tell everything you know!

By Joe Slater

God is On the Throne, Not On Stage                          October 22, 2023

The God we serve is an august, spiritual being both deserving and desirous of our deepest respect.  Though describes in Scripture as a friend to man (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23), He is not some sort of “good buddy” to joke with or about.

Our God is still on the throne (Psalms 45:6); His ways remain higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9), and His authoritative Word still promises to judge us in the Last Day (Revelation 20:12). 

No measure of self-appointed, flippant familiarity with the God of heaven detracts one bit or whit from His inherent majesty.  Our God is eminently worthy of our reverence; thus we must serve Him “acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).  Truly, reverence is the ‘very first element of religion.’

Moreover, our periods of public worship should express this spirit of reverence.  “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all about Him” (Psalms 89:7).  Worship performed “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) suggests a demeanor of awe and reverence.

We agree that our worship services should be permeated with expressions of joy and thanksgiving – they should not come to resemble a congregational visit to the dentist, but neither should the reverent worship of our heavenly Father be confused for a carnival or rock concert.  Regardless of where, when, or by whom the worship is performed – it must be characterized by reverence and decorum.  “Let all things be done decently and in order ” (I Corinthians 14:40).

The worship assembly is not the proper setting for screaming, whistling, clapping, and stomping the feet in response to a speaker’s message.  We do not gather to pay homage to men but to worship God.  We do not come together as we would at a football game or a band concert; we come to worship God.  We do not assemble with the intent of being entertained; we come to worship God.  Any assembly of saints with the intent of worshipping and praising the God of heaven should reject that which emphasizes the carnal emotions and minimizes the spiritual man.  An outsider should be able to attend one of our assemblies and see a marked difference between the worship of God and a stage show performance.

In the realm of worship, zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2) paves a dangerous road toward pagan, fleshly-oriented, and riotous assemblies.  Most of our denominational neighbors have long gone this route, with services geared more toward entertaining man than worshipping God.  May we learn to temper our joy in Christ with a Christ-like reverence for things holy.  And may we teach our children so.

Remember, our God is on the throne – not on stage.

By Dalton Key

Apathy                                                                      October 15, 2023

Problems facing the body of Christ are many and varied.  The devil opposes us with persecutions, false doctrines, and all kinds of fleshly temptations.  But one of his most successful devices is apathy – an attitude of indifference which afflicts Christians and eats away their zeal like a cancer.  It is highly contagious and, if unchecked, is fatal to the souls of men and women.  In many areas, it has now reached epidemic proportions.

The word “apathy” is an interesting word, coming from the Greek “apatheia” which means without feeling.  In English we have the word Pathos which means strong passion.  The prefix “a” negates the original meaning and identifies absence.  So apathy means without feeling; no passion; without fervent spirit.  The simple meaning is well expressed by “Who Cares?”  The Lord is not pleased with apathy.  Christ had rather we were hot or cold rather than existing in that nauseating middle of being lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-17).  Indifference was the problem with the church in Laodicea.  To that dead congregation, Jesus said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold or hot; I would that you were cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spew you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).  How many church of Christ are in that same condition today?

Unbelief is the basis of apathy.  “Beware, brethren, lest there should be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God,” (Hebrews 3:12).  “…be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, inasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Ingratitude is the fuel of apathy.  Paul describes the behavior of sin in terms of people who knew God in some superficial way, but “did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful,” (Romans 1:21).  One cannot spell apathetic without the word pathetic.  Inaction is the behavior of apathy.  If you do not care, you do not act!  All through the book of Acts, the saints who carried on the work of the Lord were those who believed, cared, and loved.  Inaction and lack of initiative id evidence of apathy.

Indifference is the attitude of apathy.  Attitudes are hard to hide.  If you don’t care about the things of God, it is hard to conceal that.  If you are unconcerned about the lost, that will be seen in your inaction towards them.  Silence is the language of apathy.  If you don’t care, you probably will not say anything.

Spiritual apathy is a choice.  In part, it denies (consciously or not) that God is actively involved in our lives.  It admits that nothing much will change – despite the presence of the powerful Spirit within us – and that, in the current state of things, there’s nothing much to get excited about.  Spiritual apathy takes things for granted – even the gift of life – and says, “Why bother?”  Why bother worshipping?  Why bother praying or reading God’s word?  Why bother having fellowship or giving?

Let us rid ourselves of this terrible disease.  It insults heaven, disgraces grace, abandons the lost, gives great occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme, and crucifies once again the Son of God.  The cause of Christ deserves the very best we have to offer.

When we spend more time watching TV and playing ball than we do studying and teaching the word of God, are we not indifferent?  When we find time to go to the movies and other places of entertainment, but not to visit the sick and erring, are we not indifferent?  The time has come for us to wake up and get to work.  Our indifference will send us to eternal hell!                    By an elder of the Hew Hope church of Christ

Gratitude                                                                      October 8, 2023

It has been said, “Thankfulness is a thread that can bind together all the patchwork squares of our lives.”  Life is filled with a variety of seasons and emotions.  There are times of happiness and sadness.  There are times of frustration and relaxation.  There are times of sickness and health.  Yet, through it all, we can find reasons to be thankful.

The life of Jesus is a wonderful example of this.  Did Jesus have a life free of trouble?  Absolutely not.  Think of all the things about which Jesus could have complained.  He lived in a sinful world and suffered in the ways that we suffer.  He wept.  He was hungry.  He was thirsty.  Unfortunately, He dies the horrendous death on a cross.

The Lord’s Supper provides a glimpse of Jesus’ gratitude.  “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me'” (Luke 22:19).  Notice Jesus gave thanks for the bread which is intended to signify His body which will be hung on the cross.  Jesus could have been resentful.  But, instead, we see gratitude throughout His life.

Although life is certainly filled with difficulties, the Christian perspective provides a major lens through which to understand life.  This why Paul writes, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14).  The cross and resurrection provide a different view of the world.  We do not grieve as those who have no hope.  Rather, we realize that God is “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).  We live as those who are a “new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17).

Gratitude is about our focus.  When we focus on the ways in which we are blessed, we are appreciative.  On the other hand, when we focus on the ways in which we perceive that we are lacking, we will live with ingratitude.  Every day provides an opportunity to be either grateful or ungrateful. 

Here are a few things that might help us lean toward a life of gratitude:

• Consider taking time every day to note the many things that are worthy of your appreciation.  You might even want to write them down.
• Tell someone why you appreciate him or her.
• Think about a current hardship in life.  Even within the hardship, reflect on something for which you can be thankful.

We have so many reasons to be filled with gratitude.  We just need to slow down to notice them.  When we do, we can’t help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness.

By Bryan Nash (Adapted)