A New Year, A time for change

A New Year. A Time For Change

We are told in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a
time to every purpose under the heaven." In other words, things change,
sometimes when they need to, sometimes not, sometimes to our liking,
sometimes not.

Somewhere in the late 90's I began to write and sent out my Messages From
The Heart Articles. I began sharing them with friends, who shared them with
other friends who passed them on to others. Request came to me via email to
add them to my list of folks who would receive my writings. It has never
been a big mailing list, only a couple thousand people, but I like to think
(from the feed back I receive) that it has blessed some who have read my
thoughts. So for somewhere around 15 years I have been sitting in front of
my keyboard and letting God lead me in my writing of around 1,000 articles.

About a year ago I ask any who would like to continue receiving my writings
to sign up for my blog post as I was considering stopping my email posting.
A total of 14 people signed up. Once again I have struggled with the ongoing
expense and time required to maintain my mailing list and have determined to
stop sending out Messages From The Heart via email. I will continue to write
and post my thoughts on my blog. (By the way, when you subscribe it still
comes to your email address, it just doesn't cost me anything.)

So thank each of you who have written to encourage me through the years, you
have been a blessing to me with your kind words. I intend for this to be my
last Messages From The heart mailing. You can subscribe to my blog by
signing into: http://messages-from.blogspot.com and there is a link on the
page to sign up. It's free, just like now, just in a different format.

May God Bless each of you in the coming year with all good things which come
from Him.

Russ Lawson

God spoke to me

The Lord Spoke to Me

At one time the word of God was found in human vessels, inspired men, the apostles and prophets of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1; 4:6-7; Ephesians 3:1-5). The Holy Spirit revealed to them God's thoughts and God's words (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). The holy apostles and prophets worked mighty signs, wonders, and miracles to confirm the divine message they brought (Mark 16:17-20; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

But these same apostles and prophets wrote down these inspired - God-breathed - words in books (Ephesians 3:1-5). These books were gathered together in one, the New Testament, which, along with the Old Testament compose the Scriptures, the writings from God commonly called the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Peter 3:14-16). Now the word of God is found in an inspired book, the Bible, which is completely sufficient to supply all our spiritual needs (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When someone claims, "God spoke to me," he is claiming the gift of prophecy. But that gift has ceased, and all divine truth for men has been revealed, confirmed, and recorded in the Scriptures. If you're having a hard time making a difficult decision, look for guidance from the Scriptures and pray for wisdom to do what's best (James 1:5). But don't confuse your opinions or feelings for divine revelation. Divine truth doesn't come from a human mind; it's found in an inspired book. Your feelings are just your feelings, and all they prove is that you feel that way.

This reminds me of a true story Robert F. Turner used to tell. A woman came to him asking him to perform her wedding ceremony. Upon discussion he found she was unscripturally divorced. He said he couldn't perform the ceremony. She left but later returned and announced, "Brother Turner, God spoke to me and said it's OK, you can perform my wedding ceremony." Unfazed, he inquired, "Well, did He write it down for you?" "No," she replied. "Well," Brother Turner announced, "God spoke to me too. But He wrote it down for me." And He read to her Matthew 19:9. If God didn't write it down for you, He didn't speak to you.

- by Keith Sharp

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Doctor Ephraim McDowell

A Painful Operation

In 1809, Dr. Ephraim McDowell’s examination of a patient revealed that she had an abdominal tumor which would soon kill her.  Though abdominal surgery was unheard of in those days, the woman finally persuaded the doctor to operate.

            The surgery lasted for twenty-six minutes and the twenty-two pound tumor was successfully removed.  Since there were no anesthetics back then, the pain involved was almost unbearable.  Why, then, would this woman so forcefully insist that the doctor inflict such agony on her?  Quite simply, because she preferred the pain to its alternative - death.

            One of the most painful examinations that any sincere seeker of truth must experience is the self examination which God requires of all men (II Cor. 13:5). 

            Our goal should be to examine our life with the same objectivity that God uses in evaluating our character.  Since He knows about us (Heb. 4:13), and since His “gauge” is the only accurate one, we should relish any proper correction in our life that is necessary.  If the exam reveals a flaw in my character, and if I want to avoid spiritual death, I will gladly accept the correction.  If I want to die, I can simply ignore the warnings or refuse to take the examination.  It’s that simple.    

– by Rick Duggin

 

Contentment

Have you ever noticed how the world promotes dissatisfaction? We are constantly bombarded with something newer and better that will make our lives complete once we buy it. If we listen to the world, we will always be comparing the lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and we will always be dissatisfied. Paul had enjoyed the benefits and pleasures of life, yet he could give them all up and still be filled with the joy of the Lord. His contentment did not depend on his environment but on his obedience to Christ (Philippians 4:11). Contentment frees you to enjoy every the good God has given you (James 1:17). Work hard to be grateful for all that God has given you.

- by Kyle Campbell

 

Six Questions For Young People

1. What kind of son or daughter will I be? The world says, “You are only young once, so enjoy it in every way you can.” This is easy for most to accept because they want freedom from restraints. However, young people should be obedient to God and to their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3; Proverbs 10:1; 13:1).

2. What kind of character shall I develop? It takes no planting, watering, or cultivating to grow weeds, nor does it take effort to grow worthless character.  Careful attention and diligent effort are required for noble character (Ecclesiastes 7:1; 1 Timothy 4:12).

3. Who will I choose as my friends? Good friends promote good morals and vice versa (1 Corinthians 15:33). Avoid the crowd that drinks, dances, uses profanity, and ridicules people who serve God.

4. What will be my occupation? In far too many instances, too much emphasis is placed on money (Matthew 16:26). Furthermore, one must be careful to choose an occupation that is honorable and legitimate. Dishonest gains and get-rich schemes must be avoided (Proverbs 16:8).

5. Who will I marry? If there is ever a place for clear minds and true ideas, it is in marriage. God’s laws must be understood, respected, and heeded (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Marriage is for life (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Marry someone who will encourage you in the way of salvation.

6. What will I do with my life? If you have never obeyed the gospel, you should answer, “I will be a Christian” (Luke 9:26). If you are already a Christian, you should answer, “I will be faithful” (Matthew 24:12-13).

- by David Riggs

 

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America"

 

Last Tuesday marked a momentous occasion for our nation in the annals of politics.  Next Tuesday, November 11th, marks another momentous occasion for our nation too.  I think that it's now time to leave the realm of politics and take our editorial time to pay honor to those who actually deserve that honor and recognition.  Far more so than any politician.  I'm speaking, of course, about our military veterans from all the wars in which our country has been engaged.  

 

I know that there are many people who never served in the military and I do not fault them for that.  However, I do believe that those who did share something between them that the non-servers can never feel and that's a comradeship forged by those who were in the arena together.  Way better than I can say it is some words offered by an unknown commander and I'll repeat them for you here.  He said......

 

"I know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite.  Not to tell stories or look at old pictures.  Not to laugh or weep.  Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped of their humanity.  I did not pick these men.  They were delivered by fate and the military.  But I know them in a way I know no other men.  I have never given anyone such trust.  They were willing to guard something more precious than my life.  They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me.  It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.  As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day.  I am sure when I leave this world my last thought will be of my family and comrades....Such good men."

 

I can assimilate with those words plus, I had the reward of again sharing those emotions with my fellow policemen in my civilian career.  There is a like bond between the police who serve on society's front lines, so to speak, and the military men and women.  It's a bond that can only be understood by someone who's "been there."

 

I also have another editorial thought regarding veterans that I'd like to make mention of.  Some of you may have seen an article in a recent edition of our local newspaper about a lady whom most people never knew about - Pamela Murphy.  But, I can assure you that many veteran's either know her or know of her.  I recall an article about her from back in 2010 and I'd like to share a few things about her life with you today.

 

Pamela was the widow of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WW2.  Most of us recall that he went on to become a movie star and that he died in an airplane crash in 1971.  What most don't know though is that, at the time of his death, he had squandered millions of dollars on gambling, bad investments, and sad to say, other women.

 

Upon her husband's death Pamela had to move from their spacious ranch home into a small two-bedroom apartment where she raised their two boys.  Because of having to pay off her husband's debts, she took a job as a clerk at the Veteran's Hospital in Sepulveda.  She spent the next 35 years there working full-time.  She retired in 2007 at the age of 87.

 

It was said of her that "Nobody could cut through VA red tape faster than Mrs. Murphy."  They also said that she never called a veteran by his first name.  They were always referred to as "Mister" because of her respect for them.  Reportedly she was reprimanded on a few occasions for shepherding a veteran into a doctor's office because they had been waiting longer than she thought they should have.  But, that didn't matter to Pamela.  Only her boys mattered and to them, she was "their angel."

 

The reporter who wrote the article in 2010 said that he once asked her to be the focus of a Veteran's Day column for all of her work at the hospital.  He said that she just "Shook her head" and said "No, honor them, not me" as she pointed to a group of veterans waiting in the hallway.  "They're the ones who deserve it."

 

In 2002 something interesting happened that speaks to the respect and esteem in which "her boys" held her.  Her job was to be eliminated due to budget cuts as she was considered "excess staff."  The veteran's certainly did not consider her job of helping them get service as being "excess staff" so they held a giant rally at the hospital gates for her and what do you know?  The VA administration decided that her job was necessary and not "excess."

 

Even after retiring, she couldn't give up on "her boys."  She showed up at a conference regarding "homeless veterans" because she wanted to see if there was something she could do for them, too.  She died peacefully at her home on April 8, 2010 at the age of 90 years.

 

Well, what spiritual lessons can we gain from considering our military veterans, the words of the unknown commander and Pamela Murphy?  I can think of a few, and I imagine you can do likewise.  Anyway, here's mine.

 

I once read the following that is said to be the definition of a veteran: "A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America." Brethren, that is a great example of earthly type honor.  But, let's look at this word "honor" as seen in some Bible passages.  I think that you'll easily see the connection between earthly honor and spiritual honor.

 

First, let's notice the words found in Prov. 22:4 "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."  (ESV)   And, spiritually speaking, the righteous, those who "fear God and keep His commandments" know which "life" they'll be honored with.  I particularly like the last part of John 12:26 where Jesus says, "If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."  (ESV)

 

Romans 13:7 tells us that we are to give "honor to whom honor is owed" (ESV) and that makes me think that if we owe "honor" to our veterans for our earthly lives, how much more "honor" do we owe Jesus Christ and The Father for our eternal lives.  So, we "honor" those due it in our earthly life, but we understand that our greatest amount of "honor" is due God.   Paul probable said it best with these words: "To the King of ages immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen!  (1Tim. 1:17)

 

In the words of the commander, I'm brought to these thoughts: soldiers and policemen trust their earthly lives to each others keeping and that's no small thing.  But Christians trust their eternal lives and souls to God's keeping and that's the ultimate thing.  And, if reunions of veterans are considered great events, how much greater will be the reunion in heaven with all of our "family" and those faithful children of God from all ages.

 

As to thoughts from Pamela Murphy, she is the earthly epitome of Rom. 13:7 in that she always gave "respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."  In the practical sense, as shown in the proverbs of Solomon, I think her life epitomizes what we read in Prov. 21:21 "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor."

 

If you have the opportunity next Tuesday and you know a veteran, just simply tell them "Thank You."  They deserve at least that from all of us.

 

Ron Covey

Bible tips on how to live life

• Keep your heart soft (Eph. 4:32).
• Have hands that are willing (Neh. 2:18). 
• Have feet that are ready (Eph. 6:15).
• Maintain an open mind (1 Chr. 28:9). 
• Turn your face toward Him (cf. Job 22:26). 
• Strengthen your back (cf. Nah. 2:1). 

 

What will the future bring?

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE

I don't know about you, but I sometimes get concerned about the future. I
don't know if I actually worry about it, but sometimes it is close to that.
I am concerned about the state of our world; I am concerned about the
financial condition of our country; I am concerned about what the government
will or won't do to the stability of our country; I am concerned about what
kind of world our children and grandchildren will have to live in; I am
concerned with how things will turn out in our lives as we grow older.

Again, I am concerned, but don't worry about it. Every day, just as perhaps
you do, I strive to turn my future over to God. Sometimes I successful,
sometimes I'm not.

I recently read a quote from Corrie Ten Boom that said, "Never be afraid to
trust the future you don't know, to a God you do know". I don't know about
you, but from time to time I need to be reminded of that fact! Don't most of
the issues in our lives have a direct relationship to our reliance upon God
or our relationship to him? Who is it we turn to in times of trouble, is it
our friends and family, our co-workers, or do we first think of God. Your
answer to that question may explain your success or failure in some of your
struggles.

I am endeavoring every day to rely more upon God regarding my future.
Shouldn't we really be able to trust the future to our God we know? In the
scripture we read: "God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I
forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) So, if we know this promise and know the one
who made the promise, how can we not trust our future to his hands? David
said of God in Psalm 31:15, "My future is in Your hands".

We have read the words, we know the promise; we know the one who made the
promise, now it is time for us to live like we believe the promise. Stop
worrying about that which you can't change or can't direct yourself and turn
it over to God.

Russ Lawson

What does curmudgeon mean?

THE BLOOD MOON AND THE CURMUDGEON

Last night we had a total Lunar eclipse which is a wonderful event to
behold, however in our area it was visible at 4 O'clock in the morning.
There has been some discussion about the event being "a sign from God,"
which I think shows a great lack of understanding for biblical prophecy and
events. So, No I definitely don't think it was a sign from God, other that
to show how wonderful the universe he created works.

Now my wife is into those kinds of events and enjoys them more that I. She
talked about getting up to watch the Lunar Eclipse and I told her, "Well,
don't wake me; I'm going to be a bit of a Curmudgeon about it."

Now the dictionary defines "Curmudgeon," as a person (especially an old man)
who is easily annoyed, sometimes easily angered and who often complains or
grumbles." I don't know if I fit into all of those areas of description, but
if you wake me up at 4 A.M. I do tend to be a bit annoyed and grumble about
it. The funny thing is; that I'm often up at 4 A.M. working in my office,
but if I happen to be asleep I like to stay that way.

As things would happen, I woke up at 3:50 A.M. and thought seriously about
trying to go back to sleep. I know that once I wake up, it is very difficult
for me to shut down my brain and go back to sleep. However, I also thought
about how happy seeing these events makes my wife of 47 years (who just
happened to be sound asleep). I thought you have a choice; you can be a
curmudgeon or be a blessing to her. So, as gently as I could, woke her up
and asked if she would like to go out and look at the moon with me.

We pulled on some warm clothes and went out and stood in our front yard
watching the moon and as we watched we saw a shooting star flash across the
sky in front of the moon (another one of her favorite things). We watched
for a few minutes and went in, hugged and kissed and she went to bed and I
went to my office.

OK, what's my point? It is that we have a choice in how we act and how we
relate to other people. After 47 years we still do the things Newly Weds do.
We hold hands, hug and kiss often, fix one another's tea and coffee, massage
sore muscles, go shopping for cloths together and in general do the things
that love demands. even getting up at 4 O'clock in the morning to watch the
moon.

Notice this interesting modern translation of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is
never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high
opinion of itself, love has no pride; Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no
thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of
evil; It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; Love
has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping
all things." (BBE)

How about you, have you been a bit of a curmudgeon lately? Maybe it's time
to turn things around and remember what love is all about.

Russ Lawson

Football was never my gift - Jesus was

"From the Ash"

David Ash has loved to play football since he was a child.

Mike Finger reports: "Outside the 15th Street Church of Christ in Temple,
there's a bush where he used to begin his Sunday mornings by hiding a
football. As soon as the service ended, Ash would tear off his church
clothes - he usually had planned ahead and wore his play clothes underneath
- and headed straight for the ball."

"It was a lot faster to get it out of the bush than to ask my dad for the
keys to the car," Ash said. "So I had the maximum amount of time to play
with it."

That love for football - and a lot of talent to go with it - helped David
Ash achieve what many young football players could only dream about: he
became the quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns.

But last September, he suffered his first concussion in a game against BYU.
Then, two weeks later, he suffered more concussion symptoms in a game
against Kansas State. He sought to work through these issues, but after the
first game of this season against North Texas, he suffered dizziness and
headaches for seven days.

His doctors suggested that he may have to consider giving up football. And
as painful as it was, David Ash made the decision to end his football
career. He announced his decision in a news conference this past Monday. He
said that although it was not an easy decision, he was "at peace" with it.
He had no regrets in his career at UT in which he started 22 games and
passed for 4,728 yards. "I wouldn't change any of it," Ash said.

Now listen to this young man who has had to give up one of his dreams,
something that he has loved since he was a child. "I'm not a victim, I'm a
victor," he said on Monday. "Football was never my gift - Jesus was!" *

He's right. Of all the talents, blessings, and "gifts" that come from God
(James 1:17), the greatest Gift of all is the gift of His Son Jesus, who
died on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7).

Without Jesus, we would ALL be lost in our sins and headed to eternal
destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Yet, because God loves us so much that He
gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins, we can have forgiveness and
receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

We must accept God's Gift on His terms by placing our faith and trust in
Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized into Christ
for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all
our sins (1 John 1:7).

From the "ashes" of his outstanding football career, David Ash understands
that the greatest Gift is Jesus.

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

Won't YOU acknowledge that great truth by submitting your life in trusting
obedience to the One who died for you so that you might live?

David A. Sargent

6 Woes from Isaiah 5

1. Value property more than God (vs. 8,9)
2. Live for partying and drinking (vs. 11,12)
3. Scoff at the sin and judgment (vs. 18,19)
4. Call evil good, good evil (vs. 20)
5. Are wise in their own eyes (vs. 21)
6. Think they are so strong that wickedness is no threat (vs. 22)

 

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Ebola virus disease

"Life-giving Blood"

The World Health Organization reports that Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a
severe, often fatal illness in humans. The WHO states that the virus is
transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population
through human-to-human transmission. Although great precautionary measures
are used, we've witnessed recently how some doctors and caregivers working
in West Africa have contracted the virus. The most recent case of an
American aid worker catching the virus is Dr. Rick Sacra.

Sacra, 51, has been treating patients on and off in Liberia for 15 years.
In August, he went back to Monrovia, the national capital of Liberia, to
help deliver babies. While there, somehow he contracted the Ebola virus.

On Friday, September 5, Sacra was flown to Omaha, Nebraska in a special
medevac plane. He has been given two experimental treatments, one of which
consisted of blood plasma from another American aid worker, Dr. Kent
Brantly, who caught Ebola in Liberia but has recently recovered.

Michaeleen Doucleff reports, "Brantly was treated for Ebola at a hospital in
Atlanta back in August. Doctors gave him and his co-worker, Nancy Writebol,
the experimental drug ZMapp. Both of them recovered from Ebola. But it
still isn't known [for certain] whether ZMapp helped them... The idea is
that Brantly's blood contains Ebola antibodies, which could help Sacra's
immune system fight off the virus."

Isn't it wonderful? A physician gave some of his blood to help save the
life of another physician.

Now consider... SIN is deadly (Romans 6:23), and we "all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Unless a remedy is supplied,
it will lead to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

A Remedy has been offered and is available to all who will accept it. There
is another physician - the Great Physician, Jesus - who gave His life and
His blood to save US from sin. "In Him we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"
(Ephesians 1:7).

The blood of Jesus will cleanse and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38). The blood of Jesus will continue to
cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

The Great Physician gave up His life-giving blood to save us from the fatal
"disease" of sin. Through His blood, we are cleansed. Through His blood,
we have eternal life.

Won't YOU be washed in the cleansing blood of Jesus by trusting and obeying
Him?

David A. Sargent

What modern American life is really like

What A Wonderful World
by Tom Wacaster

Since the mid 1920's our nation has been fed a steady diet of humanism, evolution, and atheism. Every attempt has been made to get Jehovah God "out" of the picture, and put man at the center, and science as the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful "god" that instructs, enlightens, and informs. The particular point of focus in the battle for the minds of men has been our educational system. For the past sixty years the liberal, humanistic, anti-God haters have dominated the class rooms of our public education system. Consequently we are witnessing the collapse of moral integrity and Biblical ethics that were the mainstay of our society for the previous 200 years. The battle has been waged in the class room as both sides of our present cultural war have sought to get the upper hand and capture the minds of our youth. There are signs, however, that the pendulum is beginning to swing back toward center. From one end of our nation to the other, states are taking a closer look at "intelligent design" as a plausible explanation of the origin of our universe and man. Some States now require that evolution be taught as a "theory" and not scientific fact. Others, such as Kansas, have introduced "intelligent design" into the classrooms of their public schools. Of course the media, along with liberal organizations such as the PTA and NEA, are refusing to go down without a fight. When one watches the main stream media it is rather astonishing that those being interviewed are extremely biased toward anything that has any religious overtones to it, in spite of the fact that evidence abounds for intelligent design and against evolution. I am fully aware that the politically correct notion is that "anybody who has any intelligence at all" knows that evolution is a fact, and Genesis 1 is nothing more than "myth." But for just a moment, let's forget about being "politically correct," and lets put on our thinking caps and consider the evidence that points to design as the only logical explanation for this world, the universe, and mankind. Physicist Paul Davies, in his book God And The New Physics, observed: "It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers, has been rather carefully thought out.The seemingly miraculous concurrence of these numerical values must remain the most compelling evidence for cosmic design." Even the most hardened of atheists (such as the late Carl Sagan) have admitted that the conditions on our planet are "just right" to sustain life. It is an undeniable fact that the balance of the fundamental laws of physics are such that our universe appears to have been "fine tuned" in order to provide a place for life to exist as we know it. So much so, in fact, that one noted scientist observed that "it appears as if this world was actually created in order to prepare a place for man to dwell." Lee Strobel likens it to the following:

"I like to use the analogy of astronauts landing on Mars and finding an enclosed biosphere, sort of like the domed structure that was built in Arizona a few years ago. At the control panel they find that all the dials for its environment are set just right for life. The oxygen ratio is perfect; the temperature is seventy degrees; the humidity is fifty percent; there's a system for replenishing the air; there are systems for producing food, generating energy, and disposing of wastes. Each dial has a huge range of possible settings, and you can see if you were to adjust one or more of them just a little bit, the environment would go out of whack and life would be impossible. What conclusion would you draw from that?"

While science has, to a large degree, been dominated by non-believers, we are seeing a new generation of scientists who are taking a closer look at the evidence. Over the past three decades scientists have discovered that just about everything about the basic structure of our universe is balanced on what one has called, "a razor's edge for life to exist." Noted atheist turned believer, Fred Hoyle admitted, "Someone has been monkeying with the physics." The gravity or our world, the location of the earth in relation to the sun, the moon and other planets, and even the eco-system of this world in which we live all "scream" that some intelligent mind was behind it all. Let's borrow one example from Lee Strobel's book, The Case For A Creator:

The [cosmological] constant, which is a part of Einstein's equation for General Relativity, could have any value, positive or negative.[A]stronomical observations show that the cosmological constant is quite small, very much smaller than would have been guessed from first principles.The fine tuning has been estimated to be at least one part in a hundred million billion billion billion billion. That would be a ten followed by fifty-three zeroes. That's inconceivably precise. Put it this way. Let's say you were way out in space and were going to throw a dart at random toward Earth. It would be like successfully hitting a bull's eye that's one trillionth of a trillionth of an inch in diameter. That's less than the size of one solitary atom.

When we consider the conditions that go into making our world a suitable place for human habitat, we stand amazed at the intelligence that it demonstrates. We are awed at the God Who could so "fine-tune" our world so as it make it a suitable place for human life. Indeed, ours is a Wonderful World! Only the "fool" would say, "There is no God." He is a fool for the simple reason that he has the same evidence staring him in the face, and still refuses to see God.

Consider the beauty of our world from another standpoint. Most of us think in the concrete rather than the abstract. Consequently something is beautiful, amazing, astonishing or astounding only if we can see it with the eyes. I read about a group of Geography students who studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they each considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes: Egypt's Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter's Basilica and China's Great Wall. While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are...to touch and to taste, to see and to hear . . ." She hesitated a little, "and then to run and to laugh and to love." The more I thought on her answers the more I came to appreciate the value of those things that we can never touch with our hands. Perhaps it would do us good, from time to time, to stop and seriously consider the truly great "wonders" of the world.

When winning isn't really winning

I have known some people in my lifetime for which winning an argument is one
of the most important things they can do. They are not secure unless they
get the "last" word in or make the last jab. The problem is that even though
they may win the argument or at least silence the one they are arguing with,
they may be the looser in the long run.

Have you every asked yourself; just what winning that argument cost you?
What about the respect of others, friendships, your ethics, your sense of
well being or your ability to sleep nights?

I received the following story from some unknown author that kind of fits
right about here. "Last year I replaced several windows in my house and they
were the expensive, double-pane, energy efficient kind. But this week I got
a call from the contractor complaining that his work has been completed for
a whole year and I had yet to pay for them.

Boy or boy did we go a round. Just because I'm old doesn't mean that I am
automatically stupid. So, I proceeded to tell him just what his fast talking
sales guy had told me last year, "that in one year the windows would pay for
themselves." Well, there was silence on the other end of the line, so I just
hung up and I haven't heard from them again. I guess I must have won "that"
argument."

Now I know that the story is probably just that, "a story," but after I read
it I chuckled and felt good for the fellow for being so witty. At least I
did until I started to think more about it. Maybe you did too, but think
about it for a moment. The fellow in the story may have won the argument and
even saved a bunch of money and you may be saying, "That's right! He was
able to win one!" But what was the cost to his integrity? What about the
contractor who had to pay for the windows and the labor? What does our
reaction to the story say about our value system, our honest our sense of
right and wrong?

There is a simple scripture that fits here, yet one which we don't use
nearly enough. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 that we are suppose to live in
such a way that people can see our good works and glorify the Father. He
also said that we are to treat others, as we would like to be treated
ourselves.

How about it, is it time to re-think your value system, your sense of right
and wrong, your ethics? My prayer is that God will open the eyes of our
hearts and help us to daily take on more of His values.

Russ Lawson

Freedom of speech threatened in America

Freedom of religion and freedom of speech threatened in America!

OK, I admit it, hearing the story below upset me. How far can our world go
in trying to suppress our Christian rights to freedom of religion? Why am I
upset let me share what is happening in our country.

Dateline Tennessee:

Kendra Turner says a teacher at Dyer County High School in Tennessee has
banned her and her classmates from using Church speech in the classroom.

A 17-year-old was suspended from school after telling a fellow student
'bless you' after they sneezed.

But she didn't think it was that big of a deal when a fellow student
sneezed, and she used the common expression.

Turner said, that the teacher said, "We're not going to have godly speaking
in my class, and that's when I said we have a constitutional right." The
teacher said "Kendra was being disruptive," is demanding her constitutional
rights.
Kendra says she doesn't want any trouble for the teacher, but wants it known
that 'it's alright to defend God'. 'It's our constitutional right because we
have a freedom of religion and freedom of speech."
In all honesty to me it seems that it is the teacher and principle, perhaps
the school board who needs suspended. Kendra is right! The constitution does
guarantee us the right of free speech and the freedom of religion. How has
the educational system (in some places) gone so horribly wrong as to think
that they can overthrow the constitution? It's time that "we the people"
stand up and be counted. Elections are coming, officials can be voted out or
in by us. The root of the problem is that many say, "Yes, someone should do
something. just not me!" Do you realize that only a small percentage of
those who have the right to vote actually do vote? Then those who don't take
the time to make their voice heard where it will count, complain about the
lack of change.

You may think that all of the letters you write and calls you make to those
in power over you and your children make no difference and they may not. But
when you give up the fight in your small corner of the world, who is going
to take it up? You matter! Your voice is important! Be the burn under the
saddle, be the flea that continues to bite and irritate talk with your
friends and when the time comes get out of your easy chair and out from in
front of the television and vote your conscious. The simple truth is that no
one can do it for you.

Russ Lawson

Let us vote and allow the majority to rule

YOU AND ME GOD, AGAINST THE WORLD

Have you ever felt like the whole world is against you? Some times it feels
that way doesn't it. Even if you are right and know you are right, the world
often is really not interested in what is right, they only want what they
want anyway.

This little story kind of puts things in perspective.

A preacher had been having trouble with his congregation. It seemed they
could agree upon nothing, and controversy filled the air until meeting on
Sunday itself, became an area of conflict, and unhappiness filled the
church. The leaders of the congregation organized a meeting of 10 elders and
the preacher. They met in the conference room, sitting about a magnificent
mahogany table. One by one the issues were dealt with and on each issue it
became more and more apparent that the preacher was a lonely voice in the
wilderness.

The leader of the meeting said, "Come, Preacher, enough of this. Let us vote
and allow the majority to rule." He passed out the slips of paper, and each
man made his mark. The slips were collected and the president said, "You may
examine them, Preacher. It is 11 to one against you. We have the majority."

Whereupon the preacher rose to his feet, "So", he said, "You now think
because of the vote that you are right and I am wrong. Well, I stand here,
and he raised his arms impressively, and call upon our Holy God to give us a
sign that I am right and you are wrong."

Suddenly, there came a frightful crack of thunder and a brilliant flash of
lightning that struck the mahogany table and cracked it in two. The room was
filled with smoke and the elders were hurled to the floor.

But the preacher was untouched, his eyes flashing and a grim smile on his
face.
Slowly, the speaker for the elders lifted himself above what was left of the
table. His hair was singed, his glasses were hanging from one ear, and his
clothing was in disarray. He said, "All right, 11 to two. We still have the
majority."

I'm reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:15-18 writing
about a man named Alexander. He wrote to Timothy: "You too should be on your
guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first
defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be
held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so
that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles
might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will
rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly
kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Paul said, he stood all alone for the truth of God's word, but he also
understood that "the Lord stood" at his side. I can promise you (from
experience) that at times, if you stand for truth, for purity, for
righteousness, at times it will seem that you stand all alone. Never forget
that God is with you always.

Russ Lawson

Isaiah 42

IT'S TIME TO MAKE A CHOICE

Technology, isn't it great all of the things we can do now with our
"electronic devices"? I have just recently been dragged reluctantly into the
world of "Texting". I hardly ever use it, I prefer to speak to someone on my
phone, but I understand that it is the preferred choice of communication for
millions of people. I'm just not sold on it yet. A good friend recently had
a questionable experience with her text messages.

She was trying to communicate with her hairdresser about having her hair
colored. The hairdresser sent this message regarding her choices: "Do you
want to stay blind or go with another shade?" Of course the hairdresser
meant to say "blond" instead of "blind," but it got me to thinking about
making choices.

There are so many in our world who choose to stay blind when they have a
chance to see. Of course I am speaking about being spiritually blind. Many
of us scratch our heads in confusion as we try to understand why so many
people refuse to accept the love of God into there lives. They struggle
blindly in the world looking for a peace that cannot be found there, yet
this is not a new problem. It goes back to the beginning of creation. It
seems that people have always looked anywhere they could, except to God for
what is missing in their lives. Yes, even Jesus had to deal with this. When
talking to his disciples about their lack of understanding he said, "Do you
have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you
remember? (Mark 8:18).

Maybe it's time that we understand that it is time to make some serious
choices in our lives. Our choices are more important that whether or not to
be blond this month or not. Our choices are whether or not to serve God or
not. And don't try to avoid the issue, because it is truly your choice and
it has eternal consequences.

Isaiah 42:6a-7 tells us about God being: " a light for the Gentiles, to open
eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the
dungeon those who sit in darkness". That's what the coming of Christ did,
but he doesn't force anyone to accept his offer, it's truly your choice.

Russ Lawson

Prayer - asking, seeking, knocking

Asking God

I was going through some old files today and ran across the following
saying, "Never is there a knock at Heaven's gate, that it is not heard in
Hell and the devil rushes out to silence it." That saying has a lot of
meaning if you stop and think about it for a moment. When is the last time
you "knocked at heaven's gate?" What am I talking about? When is the last
time you talked with God? When is the last time you spent time praying and
communing with the ruler of the universe? If you want to have a relationship
with God and have the power of heaven on your side, then you have to spend
some time "knocking on heaven's gate" in prayer.

Understand this, the more you pray, the more Satan is going to fight against
you. When things don't seem to go the way you want, it doesn't mean
necessarily that God has refused you, but perhaps that Satan is just working
harder to stop you from seeing the answer. I have a friend (George) who one
time told me, "If you are having problems you must be doing something right,
otherwise Satan wouldn't bother you. he doesn't care about those he already
has." Peter says it well in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone
to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that
your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of
sufferings."

So keep these things in mind and continue to "knock," maybe even bang on
heaven's gate. God hears us and will listen to us if we take time to keep
our lives in tune with him. John 9:31, "We know that God does not listen to
sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will".

My prayer for you is that you will continue to "knock on heaven's gate,"
often, repeatedly, again and again trusting that our Father will hear you
and grant your requests.

Russ Lawson

The free mp3 sermon podcast

is now part of http://www.meetup.com/members/157573182/ (this is an interesting web site, but it does seem to require users to PAY to create a group).  If you could find a "free" option for meetup, please post it here.  Thanks!

The "difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."

Grenada or Granada?

Grenada or Granada? Does the difference really matter? It does if you're
trying to reach one instead of the other!

A Maryland man is suing British Airways after the airline flew him to
Grenada rather than his intended destination, Granada. While the spelling
difference may be slight, the geography isn't. Grenada is a country located
in the Caribbean Sea; Granada is a city in the country of Spain.

The passenger first noticed a problem when the electronic flight monitor
showed his flight from London to Spain heading west over the Atlantic toward
the Americas. He asked a flight attendant, "Why are we headed west to go to
Spain?" he said.

"His response was: 'Spain?' We're going to West Indies,'" the passenger
reported.

It was a booking mistake off by one letter but spanning nearly 4,000
miles.....

A U.S. judge noted that the situation reflects the wisdom of Mark Twain's
comment that the "difference between the right word and the almost right
word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." *

Consider TWO ways and TWO destinations:

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that
leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is
the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who
find it." - Matt 7:13-14

The WIDE gate and easy way is the way of sin that leads to destruction.

The NARROW gate and difficult way is the way that leads to eternal life.

Our sins condemn us, but God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on
the cross for our sins so that we might receive salvation and the gift of
eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Jesus "opened the way" to heaven
through His atoning sacrifice. Actually, Jesus IS the Way! "I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -
John 14:6

God will save and give eternal life to those who 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). Those who
continue to seek to follow the "difficult and narrow way" are assured that
they will continually be cleansed by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

"The most important thing for a human being is to arrive at the proper
eternal destination. If we don't get this destination right, nothing else
matters." - J. Randall Matheny

God said of Israel, "If only they were wise and would understand this and
discern what their end will be!" - Deuteronomy 32:29. We also need to
identify the road upon which we are traveling and consider its destination.

Grenada or Granada? The wrong destination can spoil a vacation. But even
more importantly, it can have eternal implications.

David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Man Sues Airline After Landing in Grenada Rather
Than Granada" by Hasani Gittens of www.nbcnews.com and "Grenada or Granada,
or Does It Matter?" by J. Randal Matheny in Forthright Magazine (7/14/14) at
http://forthright.net/.

The church at Thessalonica

Thessalonica

 

1)      Have we ever wondered approximately how many miles the apostle Paul travelled for the sake of Jesus?

2)      He travelled about ___________ for the gospel.

a)      In Acts 16 we find Paul and Silas being jailed for preaching the gospel.

b)      Philippi was the city where these men had been beaten and confined.

3)      Acts 17:1 says Paul and Silas traveled to some additional places and then came to Thessalonica.

a)      Paul was an inspired man; God guided him in his preaching and teaching.

b)      In spite of being an inspired apostle who could work miracles, 3 Sabbath days were used.

c)      Thessalonica gives us an example to try to teach others little by little – continue to persist.

d)     Verse 4 in this chapter – READ  

e)      Verse 3 of Acts 17 – READ  

f)       Paul went on the offensive.  He "opened and alleged.  He went to the people and affirmed some things."

g)      Verse 5 of Acts 17 – READ  

h)      The message of the gospel angered some people.

4)      The only way a Christian can avoid non-Christians is by staying silent about God and the Bible.

5)      If we love the Lord, this is something we cannot do.                 

6)      Verse 6 tells us Christians like Paul had "turned the world upside down."

 

7)      Thessalonica should be a name we associate with dedication.

a)      If being a Christian means reasoning with people who are rebellious to the truth, so be it.

b)      If serving Christ means extra wear and tear on our physical bodies, OK!

c)      If following Jesus means enduring false charges (verse 7), we will not relent.

d)     If our choice is stand up or sit down for Christ, we must stand up.

e)      If we are called on to speak up about the Lord or shut up, speak the truth in love.

 

8)      The current state of affairs in America is conducive to silencing Christians and destroying their faith.

 

9)      Thessalonica is a place that reminds us to offer all we have been entrusted with to Jesus Christ.

10)  Is this how we are trying to live our lives?

    

                

 

 

    

    

 

    

 

 

 

    

      

    

 

 

Best Father's Day's gifts

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH FATHER'S DAY?

Father's Day is traditionally a day on which we recognize the efforts of our
fathers to provide for and care for their families. Many make this a special
day with a special breakfast, phone calls to those who are separated by
miles or visits if you are near. Perhaps taking them out to eat and even
gifts to recognize them. That's great and I am thrilled that so many are
able to do that, it is as it should be. Deuteronomy 5:16 told the
Israelites (and the example travels on to us) "Honor your father and your
mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long
and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving
you."

There are inherent in this day some problems, the first of which is that
there are those of us whose fathers have passed from this life and we can no
longer let them know how much they were appreciated. That brings with it
another set of problems, as we sometimes get buried under a load of guilt
called, "I wish I had". "I wish I had been a better son/daughter". "I wish I
had told them." We can honor them by simply remembering them and living a
life that would show honor in our own lives.

Then there are some whose fathers are abusive, non-caring, unloving or have
even deserted their families. It's hard to show love to someone like that.
How do you love the unlovable?

And then there are some who never knew their father at all, perhaps they
died or departed or refused to accept the responsibility for them before
they were ever born. That brings about a position of choosing in our lives.
Choosing whether to love them (or at least not hate them). The Greek word
used most in the scripture for love is "agape" which literally means to
desire the best for someone. It doesn't have the meaning of embracing or
even desiring to be with someone, but to truly hope that all things work out
to their good, which of course would be for them to have their life right
with God, no matter what their situation.

So, sometimes even our fathers are unlovable, they are not perfect, in fact
sometimes they mess up big time and then what are we to do? Maybe we should
ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" You see, God loves the unlovable;
("But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still
sinners, Christ gave his life for us." Romans 5:8 BBE) Would you think then
that he would expect you and I to do anything less, not just on Father's
Day, but all days.

Whatever your situation, I pray that you will honor your father while you
have him with you. If you can't do that, then love them with a love that
hopes for the best for them in their relationship to God.

Russ Lawson

Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little mouth what you say, for the father up above is looking down in love, be careful little one what you do

BE CARFUL

There is a children's song that goes something like this: "Be careful little
eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little
mouth what you say, for the father up above is looking down in love, be
careful little one what you do."

It's difficult some times to watch and control all aspects of your life
isn't it? Sometimes we slip up and things just kind of slip out, but then
maybe that's in part due to what we put into our lives.

A friend tells a story about her family growing up. They were the typical
post war family with good values and good morals. They however had a
parakeet that spoke and would pick up words from anyone indiscriminately.
They hadn't worried about the occasional off color word the bird would
repeat, until the day the preacher visited.

The humorist Will Rogers said, "Live your life so that you would not be
ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."

There is an interesting passage found in Psalm 101:3 which says, "I will set
no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside;
it shall not cleave to me."

A modern translation says it this way, "I will refuse to look at anything
vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do
with them." (NLT)

I am convinced that a great part of the weakening of the moral values in
America (and the world) lays on the shoulders of Hollywood, on the movie
makers or the television show producers, of those in decision making places
who have lost all concepts of morality, of right and wrong and of good and
evil.

We heard just this past week about a young man who went on a killing spree,
and it seems from all of the evidence that he was in part trying to live the
life of a character of a movie.

At some point we must begin to take responsibility for the things we put
into our lives. The things we see, hear and speak are important. Yes, you
have the ability and the duty to refuse to watch some of the movies and
programs that are presented to you by our media. Why, because you will be
held accountable for what you put into your life. Jesus said in Matthew
12:34-36, of some folks who thought they were good, God fearing people: "You
brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right?
For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person
produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person
produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you
this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you
speak." Is it really important what you put into your life? Yes! Because it
will come out either by accident or in the final judgment.

Russ Lawson

Story Is that bull safe

Hold me.

The ministerial student was home on spring break and walking his farm girl
sweetheart down a country lane on a beautiful spring afternoon. He was
explaining how he was growing in faith and learning to trust God more for
his safety.

Ignoring his philosophic meanderings, she cooed, "Look at the pretty flowers
in the field." At that the young man, (trying to impress her), jumped over
the fence to pick some of the flowers for her. Just then he spotted a huge,
mean looking bull a short distance away. "Is that bull safe?" the boy asked
his girl. "Yes," she replied, "I'd say he's a lot safer than you are right
now."

Who do you trust when the unexpected comes your way in life threatening your
safety? Did you expect to be involved in sin? Did you expect to be separated
from God? Did you expect to be in a place of danger or a place of
uncertainty in your life?

There is an old song called, Safe in the arms of Jesus that has these words
of comfort: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast; There by
His love o'ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest." In the second verse it
continues: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from
the world's temptations; Sin cannot harm me there."

How many of us know the comfort of being held in someone's arms. How many
times has your spouse just wanted to be held, or perhaps your children or
grandchildren wanted to snuggle in your arms? It's a special connection
isn't it?

In Luke 15 we have a wonderful story of a young man who thought he had his
life planed out and suddenly awakened to the face that he was no longer
safe, he was alone, separated from his family and his security. He decides
to admit his mistakes and go back to that place of safety. We read in Luke
15:20, "And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still far
away, his father saw him and was moved with pity for him and went quickly
and took him in his arms and gave him a kiss."

The father in the story represents God and the young man represents anyone
in the world who has left him and wants to go home again. God takes him in
his arms and gives his safety, comfort and love. Is there an unexpected
bull in the field where you are standing or are you in a safe place? Could
it be that it is time to go home to God the Father and be held in his arms
of safety?

Another hymn comes to mind and its words carry a tremendous message. "Why do
you wait, dear brother, Oh, why do you tarry so long?... What do you hope,
dear brother, to gain by a further delay? There's no one to save you but
Jesus, There's no other way but His way." Maybe it's time to ask Jesus to
hold you, what do you think?

Russ Lawson

Paul preaching till midnight

A MAD RUSH TO THE CLOCK

I have to tell a true story on myself. In the past I have shared with our
church that while ministering in Africa it was not unusual for me to speak 1
to 2 hours on Sunday morning (It was the custom there). This past Sunday
morning I was teaching the adult bible class and time literally got away
from me. I normally keep an eye on the clock in the back of the building so
that I can judge the time left in class. I always make sure to stop in
plenty of time for folks to get settled for our worship service which
follows.

This week I keep looking at the clock and thinking, time sure is going slow
this morning, but I was so involved in the class I didn't really think
anything about it. Finally after I had covered more than the material I had
planned I looked at the watch on my wrist and saw I had gone 10 minutes past
where the class should have stopped. The clock on the wall had stopped.

I did make a couple of observations about this. First, everyone there was
very gracious to me and my being "long winded". Second, there was a mad rush
to get new batteries in the clock before I got up to preach!

Now, is there a spiritual application to this happening? The first that
comes to mind is about Paul preaching till midnight and a young man dying
from it, but there has to be more to it than that! How about Mark 13:31-33,
where Jesus says we need to keep better track of the time gives us. He
points out: "Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never
disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will
happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father
knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay
alert and pray!"

Keep track of time is a problem for many of us, especially when we are
covered up with so many demands for our time in this world. It's easy to
loose track of the things which are really important isn't it. Let's make a
special effort not to do that in our lives, because as Jesus said, "no one
knows" just how much time we have left.

Russ Lawson

Dealing with stress

In 1999, 36 year old Akira Hareuya filed bankruptcy for his electrical
contracting business. He immediately bought a pair of boxing gloves and went
out on to the streets of Tokyo with a plan. He knew that there were lots of
very stressed people on the streets of Tokyo so for $9 a minute he would
allow people to punch him. To further deal with their stress they could yell
at him as they punched him. The report said he made about $200 per day doing
this.

Have you ever had to deal with stress? It's a reality of life isn't it,
everyone has some kind of stress about something. How about you, how do you
deal with your stress? Some folks seem to do just fine; they let the stress
that enters their lives just roll over them, not seeming to affect them at
all. But, then there is the rest of us who don't cope quite as well
sometimes. Actually, I've found that how I deal with stress varies quite a
bit and is sometimes even coupled with my physical condition. If I am not
feeling well, then things seem to bother me that at other times would be no
problem at all.

I think the same principle can be applied to us on a spiritual level also.
If we are strong spiritually then we are not nearly as stressed as when we
struggle spiritually. Have you ever been to a meeting of your church family
or maybe a special meeting where lots of folks attended where you were
especially uplifted? Maybe you came away feeling that you could handle
almost anything that the world threw at you; depression wasn't an issue,
because you were so high on spiritual adrenalin.

Now we know that God's word encourages us to meet with other Christians and
that we are to encourage each other at all times. Why is it then, that when
we are stressed, depressed and discouraged, that we stay away from church
meetings and other Christians? In my experience it is because others seem so
perfect, so godly; so spiritual, that it makes us feel even worse about
ourselves. Now if that is true, then we have a real problem with our
perceptions of others, because I have yet to meet anyone who is not
struggling with something; we just are not aware of it. Paul writes in
Romans 3:23, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious
standard."

What about getting rid of stress, how do we do it? Well, personally I'm
still working on that, but I have a direction to go in my life. Paul writes
in Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about
everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God's peace will watch
over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus." (NIrV)
I'm working on bringing more of God into my life all of the time through
study, prayer and association with others of like mind. What about you, do
you have a plan?

Russ Lawson

Easter Sunday

WHEN YOU WONDER IF IT IS WORTH IT

Coming up in another week is "Easter Sunday". Easter is day when many folks
who never darken the door of a church during the year will come and worship
with other Christians. As I talk with various minister friends of mine,
inevitably the discussion drifts towards the current challenges facing our
congregations. Of course one of the challenges never seems to change, that
is the challenge of filling folks with the desire to be with the church when
it meets. This is not a new problem or likely to be one that is ever solved
completely, but should it be considered a problem at all?

We worry a lot about numbers now days, perhaps more than we should. Now, I
know that we have to have enough interest and attendance in our churches to
pay the bills if we want to keep the doors of our meeting places open. But
let's not become so focused on that aspect that we forget what we really
need to be doing, which is to be an example of Christ as well as a light to
the world.

One of our members recently shared a story from Guideposts with me. It seems
that a church couldn't get a teacher for the teen class. The attendance in
this class had dropped to pretty much zero most of the time, but one person
volunteered to step in and at least be a "warm body" in case anyone
attended.

Several weeks went by and no students showed up for class, then one Sunday
three young people came to class. The volunteer teacher discussed a subject
that touched a cord with these visitors and gave them hope for a difficult
life. Another morning, one lone young woman showed up and they had a one on
one discussion of Jesus and his nature.

Some weeks no one showed up, but when they did, this volunteer teacher touch
lives, sometimes, one at a time. Helping them see God as being real, not
just a story in a book.

I can't help thinking back to Abraham dickering with God for the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrah. God was going to destroy them, but Abraham got God to
agree to spare them if there were just 10 righteous souls to be found in the
cities. (Genesis 18:32) What is the value of ten souls or even one soul?
When do we stop counting people and start seeing souls? Maybe you need to
show up for the church meetings or worship assemblies, "Just in Case," God
gives you an opportunity touch someone's life. Maybe it's worth it after
all! What do you think?

Russ Lawson

Free audio sermons

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Rickey Wagoner Regional Transit Authority

Saved by the Book

Rickey Wagoner, a driver for the Greater Dayton [Ohio] Regional Transit
Authority, said he stopped his bus to check a mechanical problem around 5
a.m. Monday (2/24/14) when three men approached him. A struggle ensued.
Wagoner was short three times - two times in the chest and once in his leg -
and stabbed in the arm. He was able to wrestle the gun away from his
attackers, and they fled.

Wagoner called 911 reporting the incident and the injuries he sustained. He
was taken to the hospital and released the following day! How could he
recover so quickly - especially since he had been shot twice in the chest?

The two bullets fired at his chest had been slowed by a book of paraphrased
Bible verses that he was carrying in his shirt pocket. Wagoner said in his
911 call that he felt two shots to his chest and that he felt like he'd
"been hit with a sledgehammer." Police later reported that two
small-caliber bullets hit the booklet called "The Message," which has Bible
verses in contemporary language, and were found lodged inside the book.

That Bible book saved his life! The Bible can save OUR lives, too!

Observe James 1:21-25: "21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant
wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to
save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a
doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was
like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and
perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be
blessed in his doing."

Our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and is FATAL (Matthew
7:13-14). But "the Book" (the Bible) informs us that God loves us so much
that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1
Peter 2:24). Through Jesus, we can enjoy the forgiveness of our sins and
receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).

In order to accept His offer of salvation, we must "plant" the Word by
receiving and believing the message that Jesus, the Son of God, died for our
sins. We must place our faith and trust in Him and His perfect sacrifice
(Acts 16:30-31). We must "put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness"
through our repentance (Acts 17:30-31). Then, confessing our faith in Jesus
(Romans 10:9-10), we must be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then, as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all
sin (1 John 1:7).

Receive it, believe it, and obey it and you will be "saved by the Book" -
for the Book tells us about Jesus who "took the bullet" for our sins and
died in our place so that we might have forgiveness and receive the gift of
eternal life.

Won't YOU implant the Word in your heart and be saved by Christ through your
trusting obedience?

David A. Sargent