Making the most of your time, because the days are evil

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Each day we live, we must be careful as to how we walk this pathway of life. This is an age of sinful indulgences. It is a time in which the temptation to be like the world around us, filling our heart with desires that have the potential to endanger our physical well being and most certainly place the eternal well being of our soul in danger are ever present.

Today we are seeing all kinds of things soundly condemned in God's word being accepted and promoted (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:3-4; Rom.1:24-32). Purity of life is openly discouraged (1 Tim. 5:22; Phil. 4:8). We are subjected every day through books, magazines, movies and television those activities that encourage and promote the homosexual life style and tell us that the use of alcoholic beverages and adultery are normal and beautiful activities. We are witnesses to man changing the truths of God into lies. We are seeing men and women engaging in same sex intimate sexual relationships and this has now given rise to the acceptance and promotion of same sex marriage. Now, add to this all of this transgender foolishness. In the beginning God created male and female  (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:3-4). Only 2 genders, not three, four or more. Wishing to be, wanting to be, pretending to be will not change a man into a woman or a woman into a man. Take note that in the beginning that marriage union was one husband (man) and one wife (woman) Gen. 2:20-24.

We should be concerned about the hatred, evil speaking, corruption and gross immorality that is sweeping across America today. It may not be popular or politically correct to point out error, to always call sin by its right name  but it must be done. We must proclaim from our pulpits and teach in our class rooms that it is sinful to engage in any practice that is contrary to God's word regardless of who is promoting it or engaging in it and even if our government is commanding it (Acts 5:29).

We have the everlasting presence of God in our lives (Psalms 139:1-12; Hebrews 4:13; Hebrews 13:5) and he is in control of all things. Our instructions are to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age as we look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus2:12-13).

Charles Hicks

I have a mind (phronema) to mind (phroneo) the things of the Spirit

 

Sillion = furrow:  the mind is an amazing thing. I saw this French word the other day and recognised it as a word I had to translate from French in the 1963 Leaving Certificate. Why did I still remember this word? It's incredible.

 

Someone greeted me the other morning with: "I hope you decide to have a good day." Decide to have a good day. Set your mind on it.

 

The mind is a remarkable gift from God. You can accomplish the extraordinary with it.

 

Make up your mind how you will live, and then maintain that mindset.

 

Your mindset is either God and His will or self and selfish desires.

 

The spiritual mind focusses its attention on spiritual things.

 

You cannot have faith unless your mind decides to believe. Faith doesn't just happen.

 

The verb phronéō is derived from  phrḗn, "the midriff or diaphragm; the parts around the heart." It means properly, to regulate or moderate from within, as one's inner-perspective (insight) shows itself in corresponding, outward behavior. Phronéō essentially equates to personal opinion fleshing itself out in action.

 

This idea is difficult to translate into English because it combines deep feelings with mental awareness. It is a studied perspective on something, not simply a quick or passing thought. It is developing an attitude as a result of careful thought.

 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:5-11

 

In the midst of his great discussion about the relationship between the believer and God in Romans 8, Paul introduces a word which occurs only in this chapter in the New Testament. It is the noun phronēma (vv. 6(2x), 7, 27). The cognate verb phroneō, in contrast, occurs many times (once in Matthew, Mark and Acts and the remainder in Paul's correspondence) and means "think, hold an opinion; set one's mind on; develop an attitude based on careful thought" (BDAG, 1065-66). In Matthew and Mark it only occurs in the stinging rebuke delivered by Jesus to Peter: "you do not have in mind(phroneis) the concerns of God, but merely human concerns" (Mark 8:33). Both terms etymologically derive from the noun phrēn which means "the process of careful consideration, thinking, understanding" (BDAG, 1065).

 

The ending of the noun phronēma, i.e. –ma, occurs in Koine Greek as a way to derive nouns from verbs, specifying "the result of the action for the most part" (Blass-Debrunner-Funk, section 109(2), page 59). So in the case of phronēma it would express "the result of thinking, holding an opinion; setting one's mind on; developing an attitude with careful thought." Thus we find it used to describe a person's mindset or disposition, understanding about a matter, a studied perspective, or an attitude of some kind — determined, opinionated, etc.

 

When Paul first uses this term in Romans 8, he employs it as part of the contrast between a life controlled by "human sinful nature, i.e. the flesh" describing an unbeliever, and a life controlled by the Holy Spirit, i.e. a believer. The former generates death and the latter offers life (8:6). He then notes that the phronēma of the human sinful nature (sarx) is hateful to or hostile to God (8:7). Finally he declares that God knows the phronēma of the Spirit (8:27). However, he introduces this usage by employing the cognate verb in 8:5 where he affirms that "those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on (phronousin) what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit (have their minds set on [Paul does not repeat the verb in the second clause]) what the Spirit desires" (NIV).

 

The noun phronēma has a long history in Greek literature, so Paul is not coining a new term here. It has little exposure in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (only in 2 Maccabees 7:21; 13:9). Rather a cognate noun phronēsis has much more usage, occurring in stories about Solomon (1 Kings 3-10) and Daniel (1-5) and generally in the Wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach). It renders Hebrew terms describing understanding or wisdom. According to 1 Kings 5:9 Yahweh gave Solomon "discernment (phronēsis) and very great wisdom (sophia)  and volume of mind like the sand that is by the sea" (translation of the Greek text). A similar pattern of usage occurs with the adjective phronimos. According to Wisdom of Solomon 6:24 "a sensible (phronimos) king is the stability of a people."

The usage of phronēma in 2 Maccabees illustrates well its essential meaning. The writer describes the perspective

of a mother whose seven sons are tortured and killed in one day because of their loyalty to the Jewish law (7:21). He describes her encouragement to her sons as "filled with noble spirit/disposition (phronēmati)." The capacity of this term to be used negatively occurs in 2 Macc.13:9. The author describes Antiochus Eupater as "the king who had become barbarous in his thinking (tois…phronēmasin)," using this to explain his attempts to attack the Jewish nation and the temple. It describes understanding that shapes perspective and disposition, but in this case with potentially devastating results for God's people.

 

Philo uses this noun extensively, particularly to describe Jewish leaders such as Abraham, Joseph and Moses, as types of people who act with noble understanding and spirited-disposition because of their knowledge of God, despite their circumstances. Moses, for example, even though he was slated to become lord of Egypt (in Philo's perspective), rejected this position because of the harsh treatment of the Israelites and "his own nobility of soul and magnanimity of spirit (phronēmatos)" (Moses I, 149). Moses' defense of Jethro's daughter at the well "argues a spirit (phronēmatos) of no petty kind" (Moses I, 51). "Spirit" in these contexts would equate with our expression "disposition, perspective, attitude" generated and influenced by certain knowledge.

 

          http://moments.nbseminary.com/archives/149-a-disciples-mindset-phronema-romans-86727/

 

We conclude with some more Scriptures that emphasise the mind in the life of a Spirit-filled Christian:

 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalms 139:23-24

 

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" 1 Peter 1:13  = Be mentally prepared for Jesus' return!

 

The Message

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives.

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:1-17

 

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" — 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

 

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are

a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 1 Corinthians 14:37-38

 

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians4:2-9

 

Though Peter's mind and heart were set on Christ, he still experienced a sinful lapse in his life as a Christian. Galatians 2:11-21. Even the strongest Christians can surprisingly fall into sin, but repentance sets it right.       

 

David Carr

Shaped by the Master

Shaped by the Master

Cubby Sellers recently described some projects that he enjoyed with his dear friend, Elton Love: "I
went with Elton a few times to cut some wood. Most people would think that we were cutting
firewood. But with Elton, after the tree was cut down, he would look at the end of the log to see
how the grain of the wood looked. Then he would measure the length he wanted, make a mark, and we
would cut it again. Then he checked the grain again at the both ends, made his mark, and cut it so
as to split the log length-wise. We would repeat this process until we had all the wood he needed.

Later he would take a piece of that wood, place it onto his wood turning lathe, and work with it for
some time. All the while, woodchips and sawdust would be flying all around him. And then as if
some magic had happened, he would have a beautiful hand-turned wooden bowl. The wood grain was
clearly in view and stood out beautifully. Then I understood why Elton had looked at the end of
that log and made the decision about which way to make to cut to split the log.

Elton taught me how to take a plain old piece of firewood and turn it into something beautiful, a
piece of hand-turned wooden art. Those were some good times that we shared together and the
woodturnings that we made are artworks that I will cherish forever."

Notice again Cubby's statement: "Elton taught me how to take a plain old piece of firewood and turn
it into something beautiful, a piece of hand-turned wooden art."

I love that statement. I love it because it reveals one of Elton's incredible talents. I also love
it because it reminds me of the Master Carpenter, Jesus Himself.

Jesus was the son of a carpenter and likely was taught the trade by His earthly father, Joseph.
Think about how, like Elton, Jesus would have been taught to look at a piece of wood and "turn it
into something beautiful, a piece of hand-turned wooden art." What houses did Jesus help build?
What types of furniture, perhaps?

But it was PEOPLE in which Jesus was most interested. He could look at a person and see what he or
she could become with His skillful hands.

Here's an example: when Andrew brought his brother, Simon, to Jesus, Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which is translated, A Stone)" (John
1:42).

"Jesus looked at him" - and He saw what Simon was, what He would do - including the blunders he
would make - but also what He could make of Him. Jesus saw that He would make Him into a "Rock" in
the kingdom, a powerful proclaimer of the Gospel, the Good News (see Acts 2).

Jesus took "an old piece of firewood" and made it into a wonderful piece of art. He did that for
Peter. He wants to do that in each of our lives. And He will, if we will only submit ourselves to
Him in obedience to His will. He will conform us into His own image (Romans 8:29). That is the
greatest Image of all.

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Now, He lives to mold us into His image (2
Corinthians 3:18).

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). He will
continue to cleanse from sin and mold the lives of those who continue to submit to His will (1 John
1:7-9).

Won't YOU submit your life to the hands of the Master Carpenter so that He can save you and mold you
more and more into His image?

-- David A. Sargent

P.S. In loving memory of my friend and brother in the Lord, Elton E. Love. I love the work that
Christ did in his life.

Both Islam and Mormonism started because they didn’t respect what God had already revealed

 

 

Because one can see something wrong in the practice of Christianity, the way to fix it is not to start your own religion by writing a book, but to go back to the authority and pattern in the Scripture that exists and to bring about change from there.

 

Christianity already existed in Arabia in the early 7^th century when Islam began, and it already existed in revivalist America in the early 19^th century when Mormonism started.

 

Joseph Smith claimed he asked God to show him the true church. But instead of going back to the New Testament pattern for the true church, Joseph Smith made up a cock and bull story about translating gold plates the angel told him to dig up. And where are those gold plates so we can go and check Smith's story? Ah, er … they were taken back to heaven when Smith had done his translating!! How convenient!

 

Muhammed was troubled by the idolatry he saw in his people in Arabia, and also by the poor leadership he saw in the church that existed there. But again, if he had understood that what God wanted was in applying the New Testament that was already available, he wouldn't have made up this story about an angel revealing the new religion of Islam.

 

Even the way in which the Qurʾān was supposedly written should leave any reasonably intelligent person with huge doubts about the accurate transmission and preservation of the original.

 

Muhammed was illiterate, and so he dictated his claimed revelation to various people, and this was either written on bits of paper, or other material, or memorised by close friends, before the whole thing was finally collated. The New Testament, on the other hand, was inspired all the way – in the original revelation, and in the writing. Even where memory was a factor, the Holy Spirit supernaturally brought facts back to the memory of the writer.

 

Furthermore, the New Testament was confirmed as being of divine origin through signs and miracles that pointed the investigator back to God as the originator. You see this in Mark 16:15-20, with examples in Acts 2, 10 and 13.

In the conversion of the Governor of Cyprus, Paul's miracle helped convince the governor of Jesus' teaching. See Acts 13:6-12. Jesus himself said if you don't believe what I say, believe the miraculous works I do. See John 5:36 and 10:37-38. Simply offering, "Of course God wrote it! Who else could have?" as a proof, as both Muslims and Mormons do, won't convince those looking for real evidence that God is the author. Muhammed admitted that neither he nor his helpers performed any confirming miracles.

 

The Bible of course never asks this question because,

a) it is not a proof at all, and

b) the author of the New Testament knew that others would indeed write their own books for their new religions!!

 

The Old Testament had predicted that an end would come for prophecy by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem after the atonement late 1^st century.

 

"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator." Daniel 9:24-27

 

Therefore claims of God raising up new prophets, centuries after the fulfilment of Daniel 9, must be false. There are no later prophets, and there are no other divine Scriptures. The Bible is the complete and final revelation.

 

Authority in God's religion does not reside in churches, as the Roman Catholic church teaches, nor in certain individuals. Authority in the church resides in Christ who has all authority in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Peter 3:22, and in the Scriptures God has given us.  The Scriptures do not bow to the church; the church must bow before the Scriptures.

 

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15

 

The church neither authorises truth nor originates truth; it holds up the true word of God to the world. 2 Corinthians 4:1-13; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Timothy 3:15. Nor does the church become the infallible interpreter of truth, 2 Peter 1:20-21, but has teachers who work hard to handle properly and faithfully what God has given us. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Colossians 1:25-29; 2 Timothy 2:14-15.  Whether Joseph Smith, Muhammed, the Pope, ourselves or anyone else: truth is found by going back to the word Jesus revealed in the beginning, John 16:13; 1 John 2:24, and building from there. Ephesians 4:14-16; Colossians 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:13-17; James 1:18-22; Jude 3.

 

David Hunter

 

In my Father's house are many mansions

 "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

 It's June, 1952 and I have just graduated from high school full of knowledge and wisdom. I have a burning desire to cast off the restraints of a good home I have enjoyed for 18 years. It's time to flee the coop, freedom, freedom, I'm off to see the world. I enlist in the United States Navy. A few days later I find myself in a little out of the way place outside San Diego, California, a place called Camp Elliot. Friends, it did not very long for me to realize how minor those restraints were in that good home I had left behind. Over the course of the next four years there were many long, hard, weary and often painful days in which thoughts of that wonderful home became the antidote that helped make those days bearable. Many years have passed since those days of long ago yet one thing remains the same, namely, those long, hard, weary, often painful days  still find their way into my life and must be dealt with. It is the thought of a beautiful home, not earthly but heavenly, that lightens the load, lifts the spirit, puts a smile on my face and allows me to go on my way rejoicing (1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Phil. 4:4-7; Gal. 2:20; Rev. 14:13). I pray this is a premise that holds true in your life as well.

 Life on this side of eternity is grand, exciting and most interesting. Enduring hardship along with the good times is just a part of life. For various reasons, our lives will sometimes be a trail of tears making this a difficult, troubling journey. When we have the hope of that eternal dwelling place prepared for us reigning in our hearts, we will overcome and one day gain the greatest victory imaginable (2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 6:18-19; 1 Cor. 15:57).

 More and more I think about going to that land of fadeless day where for ceaseless ages there will be no pain, heartache, sickness, pain or tears (Rev. 21:3-4). It is this thought that makes the few remaining days I have left here much easier. How about you?

 "Coming home, coming home, Nevermore to roam, Open wide thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home". With all my heart, I believe that being able to say, "Lord, I'm coming home", will lighten the load of any day and lift us up to higher ground.

Charles Hicks

28 Bucks

28 Bucks

After the worship service was over, Wes Bucknell, member of the Memorial Road Church of Christ in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, approached the minister who had preached that morning, Phil Brookman, and
said, "You owe me 28 bucks."

I'm sure Brookman wondered why. Here's the rest of the story.

Brookman preached that morning from 1 Corinthians 12 about how the church should function as one
body with many parts. Brookman noted how easy it is in the 21st Century for Christians to live
separate lives - and to fail to see the need for the kind of unity Paul advocates. Even shopping
has become depersonalized, Brookman said. Instead of going to Wal-Mart and interacting with other
humans, one need only say, "Alexa, order toilet paper."

Also listening to the sermon online at home (with one of her children who was sick) was Bucknell's
wife, Bethany. When Brookman said, "Alexa, order toilet paper," Bethany heard a polite female voice
in her bedroom say, "OK. I've added it to your cart." The voice was that of her Amazon Echo
speaker. Bethany picked up her phone. She looked at her Amazon account and there it was: an order
for a package of 60 double rolls of Angel Soft Toilet Paper. Cost: $27.45. She cancelled the order
but not before texting a screenshot of the order to her husband who was in worship with the Memorial
Road church.

That's why Wes told Brookman that he owed him 28 bucks.

That's impressive. As Erik Tryggestad noted: "When Phil Brookman preaches, even Alexa listens - and
dutifully obeys." *

This illustrates the power of the spoken word. Modern technology has also increased that power.
This can be used for tremendous good.

For example, if you own an Alexa device, you can say, "Alexa, open Billy Lambert." When you do so,
Alexa will pull up the Getting to Know Your Bible show in which Billy Lambert preaches Gospel
lessons. You and many others can listen to Bro. Lambert preach lessons from God's Word. You and
many others can hear how to obtain a free Bible Correspondence Course that can help the student know
more about God and His Will for our lives.

The Gospel is powerful. The Apostle Paul wrote: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for
it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek" (Romans 1:16).

Sin destroys, but Jesus saves! That's the Good News, the Gospel. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. We all
sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). That puts us on the path to destruction
(Matthew 7:13-14). But God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our
sins (John 3:16). Through Jesus, we can be forgiven of our sins and receive the gift of eternal
life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).

The Good News is that 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). God will continue to cleanse from sin - by the precious blood of Jesus - those who continue
to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

This makes me want to say, "Alexa, tell everyone about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" You and I need
to help share the Good News.

Have YOU obeyed the Gospel? If not, won't YOU?

Then, let's share the Good News with others - even if it costs us 28 bucks or more.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Alexa responds to minister's call, orders toilet paper" by Erik
Tryggestad in The Christian Chronicle email newletter, February 19, 2019,
www.christianchronicle.org.

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid"--John 14:27

Peace is defined as a state of tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; freedom from fear, terror, anger or anxiety; quietness of mind. Peace is that which brings to our weary body a calmness, a restfulness that enables us to successfully overcome whatever affliction, temptation or adverse condition we encounter on the sea of life.

How beautiful are the words of our Lord spoken to his disciples in John 14:27. Living below in this old sinful world with all its trouble, strife and unrest socially as well as politically would  be a miserable existence without the peace which Jesus gives reigning  in our heart. Words from one of our grand old songs says it so well: "Peace, peace; with sorrows surging around; On the bosom of Jesus naught but calm is found". I love to sing: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul".  When the peace Jesus gives keeps our hearts and minds, our journey will be a safe one and we have nothing to fear (Phil. 4:7).

He who could rebuke the wind and still the storm tossed sea of Galilee by simply saying "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:35-41), can surely protect and deliver you and I from any storm we encounter on our sailing toward the haven of rest we see in the distance. Things of this world, pleasure, fame, wealth, possessions, do not, yea cannot bring into our lives a lasting peace that will endure the test of time. Man with his words of praise and flattery will fall woefully short of being able to impart to us a peace that will lift the burden of a heart that is sore troubled. False religious doctrine promises a peace that it cannot give because it cannot meet the eternal need of our soul. The only peace that meets both the physical and spiritual needs is the peace that comes from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Psalms 29:11; Psalms 23).

Love his law, keep his commandments and let the peace of God rule in your heart (Psalms 119:165; Proverbs 3:1-2).

Charles Hicks

Life Can be Good and it Can be Abundant - Now and Forever

If you happen to live in a prosperous country, and follow a few common-sense rules, then you and your family and friends can have a pretty good life – whether or not God is important to you.

God has made it this way. It can be a wonderful world. What a wonderful world!

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  Matthew 5:45

Yesterday it was sunny, today it is raining. God has created our universe and everything in it. We all share in the natural things of life, both the sun and the rain, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.

Jesus was making the point that the children of God should be different than the rest of the world. We all experience like circumstances, but as Christians we are to rise above our circumstances.

He closes out His teaching at the end of Matthew 5 this way:

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48  (bibleornot.org)

But what if you live in a poor country, where war and disease are prevalent, and where peace and joy elude you?

How can we turn such a life into something worth living?

Jesus provides an answer:

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:7-18

There are many who offer quick fixes, and temporary help, but when the going gets too tough, or for the long haul, these people aren’t always there to help you. God uses people to help us, but in the long run we need more.

Jesus said that He came to lay down His life for His sheep.

Yes, there was someone who came into our world with the sole intention of living, dying and then living forever … for us. Yes, he did it for us! For all of us, if we are willing to accept Him.

Jesus died for us to gain eternal life for His followers. And the whole world could be followers if they wanted.

The proof of eternal life was His resurrection from the dead.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18

Anyone who can predict his own death and resurrection, and then pull it off, has to be taken very seriously.

But it’s why he did this that is really powerful. Jesus died and rose again to life, in order to set us free from our sin and guilt, so that we could live with Him forever. It’s part of God’s plan that goes way back. Here’s the whole story:

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith …

… 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all

men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where

there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the

transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 4:13,22-5:17

You trust someone who knows what he’s talking about and who’s on your side. And that trust – that faith – goes all the way back to a promise that God gave to Abraham thousands of years ago, and then fulfilled that promise in Jesus – the descendant of Abraham through whom the promise would be realised. Jesus came as the fulfillment of a divine plan. Salvation unto eternal life, to all who believe and obey, is the result that flows from that fulfilled promise in Christ. A promise that takes care of our inability to live right on our own. Oh how we need that!

That’s why that Scripture above from Romans goes so far back in history. Faith in Jesus today connects us to God’s promise to Abraham in 2000 BC. God moved history to make it happen! What a God! What love!

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14.

Jesus is such a unique person. Jesus knew what he was talking about because he spoke only God’s words.

That He’s on our side is evident in His dying to take us to heaven.

Who else do we know who’d do that for us? Who could do that for us?

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus can free us from the huge burden of sin and guilt that weighs us down. We’re tired and we need rest.

Jesus promises to take us where He Himself came from, and where he went after his resurrection: to heaven forever. Eternal rest.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3.

Look at the assurances in that promise of heaven. Jesus would not lie to us. He wasn’t that sort of person.

Jesus gives us lots of commandments to follow so that we can live, in this world, the kind of life that He knows brings rewards for us.

His commandments are not onerous, because, if obeyed, they promise us the best life ever! In giving us His rules to live by, Jesus is inviting us to share in the greatest life of all: God’s life. Rules keep us on the right track, and God’s strength carries us through every setback, for Satan will always try to disrupt and destroy everything good.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11

 

If King David could say those beautiful words in Old Testament times, long before Jesus came along, how much truer are they today, now that Jesus has come and fulfilled that Law!! Matthew 5:17

 

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:28-32

 

Free from sin and guilt; free from uncertainty; free from unbearable burdens; free to live; free to love. Forever

 

David Hunter