Keep Your Head Right

Keep Your Head Right

Stephen Brown taught swimming and diving for a number of years. He tells
about a young boy named Billy. Billy had watched so many professional
divers and wanted so much to dive like them that he refused to take time to
learn the basics. Time after time Brown tried to help Billy see that the
most important thing about diving was to keep his head in the proper
position. If his head entered the water properly, Brown explained, the rest
of his body would enter the water properly - at least, more properly than it
had been.

Billy would dive into the pool, do a belly flop, and come up grinning, "Mr.
Brown," he would shout, "were my feet together?"

"Billy, I don't care whether your feet were together or not," Brown shouted
back. "Make sure your head is straight, then everything else will work
out."

The next time Billy would stand on the edge of the pool and really
concentrate. Then he would dive and, once again, make a mess of it. "Mr.
Brown, were my hands together?"

"Billy," Brown would groan in frustration, "I'm going to get you a neck
brace and weld it onto your head. For the hundredth time, if your head is
right the rest of you will be right. If your head is wrong, the rest of you
will be wrong."*

The way that we live our lives has everything to do with our "heads" - the
way that we think, the values that we set, and where we place our focus.

We need to "get our heads right."

Here is a Scripture to help us: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2
NIV).

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

He is our Great Example. "For to this you were called, because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1
Peter 2:21).

He is the Savior. He "endured the cross" and died for our sins so that we
can be saved from our sins and live eternally with Him in heaven (1 Peter
2:24). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one can go to the Father
except through Him (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). If we will
continue to "fix our eyes on Jesus" and dedicate our lives to following Him,
He will continue to cleanse us from sin (1 John 1:7-9).

As we embark upon a new year or whatever time we have left, let's "get our
heads right." Let's fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him.

Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* From Stephen Brown, When Being Good Isn't Good Enough, Nashville: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, as quoted by www.thedisciplers.com.

Do You Believe?

Do You Believe?

Several years ago, my uncle, Allen Dixon, relayed some thoughts shared by
Dave Simpson, a pilot and a trainer of pilots for Fed-Ex. Simpson had
shared the thoughts in a devotional on a Wednesday evening with the
Germantown church of Christ in Memphis, TN. Here is my uncle's summary of
Simpson's anecdote along with some additional insights:

In a past year, Dave was flying over Greenland on an especially spectacular
night for Aurora Borealis. The brightness was such as to create an illusion
that one could reach out and almost touch some of the glowing, flickering
lights.

He and his co-pilot on that flight were discussing some spiritual matters.
Dave learned that the co-pilot had grown up "in church," but, as an adult,
had drifted away toward unbelief. At one point Dave exulted over the
Northern Lights display: "How can there not be a God?"

After a moment of silence, the other pilot responded: "You know, I think you
must be right!"

A somewhat similar scene is in a 2008 move: "The Bucket List." The lead
actors are on a flight together. One, a man of faith, sits next to a cabin
window, viewing what appear to be Northern Lights.

The other man's world view does not include God nor life after death. His
friend asks him, in effect, what might result if he should find out he is
wrong about his atheistic viewpoint. The unbeliever thinks for a moment,
then replies: "If I'm wrong, then I win." If eternal life happens to exist,
he seems to assume that it will be a universal gift. His friend follows
with a thought-provoking answer: "I'm not sure that it works that way."

In the movie storyline, such statements by the believer, along with his
integrity/manner of life; in time have a profound, life-changing effect on
the unbelieving friend.

At the close of the article, which Allen had printed on a 4x8.5 inch slip of
paper that could be easily shared with others (his intention), he encouraged
the reader to "read in your Bible: Psalm 19:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; John
12:44-50." Allen also included an invitation to meet with the Germantown
church and information regarding some television productions in which a
viewer can "study and search the Scriptures."

My uncle Allen was keenly interested in pointing others to God. He would
write articles based on current events or historical anecdotes and make
application to the Good News of Jesus. He printed the articles and shared
them with others in different settings: at restaurant tables for his waiter
or waitress, in the hands of grocery store cashiers, and other unique
places.

Allen wanted nothing more than for others to know that Jesus, God's Son,
died on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved and live eternally
with Him in heaven. Allen wanted others to know how to respond to God's
offer of salvation and eternal life by: placing their faith and trust in
Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed)
into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). My uncle encouraged
Christ followers to continue to live faithfully to the Lord (Revelation
2:10).

With his words and with his profound manner of life, my Uncle Allen pointed
others to Jesus. Because of him, many - including me - have seen Jesus more
clearly.

My prayer is that others - including you - may be influenced by his example
and others to examine the evidence, search the Scriptures, discover the
Savior, and follow Him.

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of my uncle, Allen Dixon (January 29, 1932 - December 8,
2021). Until we meet again.

Library book returned after 110 years in Idaho

Overdue

When I first read the title of the article, I thought to myself, "I'd sure
hate to pay that fine." The title of the article is: "Library book returned
after 110 years in Idaho."

110 years overdue. How much was the fine? When the book - the "New
Chronicles of Rebecca" by Kate Douglas Wiggin - was last checked out of the
public library in 1911, in Boise, Idaho, the fine for overdue books was 2
cents per day. "With a fine of two cents per day for 110 years, whoever
checked out this book would owe $803," reported Boise's Carnegie Public
Library in a social media announcement. The report continued: "Thank
goodness the Boise Public Libraries are now fine free!"

The book by Wiggin was a sequel to her first fictional novel "Rebecca of
Sunnybrook Farm." Both books were published in the early 20th century (1903
and 1907) and followed the life of Rebecca Rowena Randall, who grows up in
rural Maine.

The person who returned the book has not yet identified himself or herself.
But the library is overjoyed to have received the old book. *

Our sins put us in debt to God (cf. Matthew 6:12). The "fine" (penalty) for
our sins is overdue: "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Our "fine" cannot just be dismissed. The penalty must be paid; justice
demands it.

God loves us and desires to save us. But the "fine" must be paid. None of
us has the resources to pay the fine for our sins. So, God paid the fine
for us. That is grace - glorious grace.

"For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
[you and me] might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians
5:21

"He paid a debt He did not owe
I owed a debt I could not pay
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace"
Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay."

God will pay the debt of sin 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). The blood
that Jesus shed for our sins will continue to cleanse from sin those who
continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

My sin has incurred an incredible debt before God. I can't afford to pay
it. Thank God, I don't have to. Jesus paid the debt for my sin with His
own blood. He will pay yours, too, if you will only submit your life to
Him.

Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Library book returned after 110 years in Idaho"
by Cortney Moore of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

What is a Moomin?

Dining Alone?

If you don't like to dine alone, some restaurants in Japan are providing an
alternative. At these restaurants, you can dine with a Moomin.

What is a Moomin? They originated in Finland, but they are also popular in
Japan. Mitchell Dillon provides a description: "Moomins are a family of
white, anime, hippo-like characters created by Finnish illustrator and
writer Tove Jansson. They've been around for decades, and have increased in
popularity around the world, especially in anime-obsessed Japan, where
Moomin House Cafes are catering to the solitary diner."

At one of these restaurants, you can sit with a giant, plush toy Moomin so
you don't have to be by yourself. *

Will sitting with a big, cute, plush Moomin really satisfy one's need for
companionship?

The truth is: even dining with real people doesn't satisfy our greatest
needs.

Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman at a well outside of Sychar in the
middle of the day. She was shocked when Jesus, a Jew, asked her for a drink
of water from the well, because Jews did not associate with Samaritans at
that time (John 4). The woman experienced greater shock when Jesus, a
complete stranger, told her about her marital situation: she had been
married five times and was now living with a man (John 4:16-18).
Apparently, this woman had been trying to quench her thirst for
companionship and fulfillment in relationships with men. But she wasn't
fulfilled. Now, perhaps so she can avoid people and their snide comments,
she has come in the heat of the day to draw water. Jesus offers her living
water. If she will accept the living water that He offers, she will never
thirst again (John 4:13-15). What Jesus is offering is a saving
relationship with God that is the only thing that can satisfy the deep
longings of the human heart.

Just as He did to some lukewarm Christians, Jesus offers a wonderful
invitation: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with Me" (Revelation 3:20). He is offering intimate, fulfilling, eternal
communion that satisfies our deepest longings forever.

Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). But God loves us so much
that He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John
3:16; Romans 5:8). Through Jesus, we can have salvation, deep and abiding
fellowship with God, and eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Jesus saves and abides with those who place their faith and trust in Him
(Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him 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 abide with those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9).

Dining with a Moomin can be a unique and even enjoyable experience. The
same can be said for dining with a person. But only Jesus can quench our
deepest longings for salvation, abiding love, and eternal fellowship.
Mitchell Dillon astutely wrote: "A Moomin might fill an empty seat, but only
Jesus can fill an empty heart."

Won't YOU "open the door" to Him through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "The Anti-Loneliness Café" by Mitchell Dillon in
www.freesermonillustrations.com and "Moomin, Japan's 'anti-loneliness' cafe,
goes viral" by Francis Cha of CNN, www.cnn.com.

How to be saved from sin

GOD’S SIMPLE WAY OF SALVATION

 

From time to time, at least twice a year, I try to present to my readers God’s amazing, gracious, and simple way of salvation as set forth in the New Testament.  Since it has been several months since I have posted this, I thought that now would be a good time to do so.  Nothing in this will be new to most of my readers, but I hope that they may use it as an evangelistic tool and forward this edition of “Hugh’s News & Views” to friends, neighbors, and family members who are not New Testament Christians.  Think of the joy that would come if just one soul learned the truth, obeyed it, and was saved!  We must all be faithful in sharing the gospel and its saving truth with as many as possible.

 

A number of my readers have never obeyed the gospel and are therefore in a lost state (II Thessalonians 1:6-10).  I have a deep and sincere love for them and their souls and a compelling desire to share God’s wonderful plan of salvation with them.  I want all of them to hear and understand the pure gospel of Christ, as opposed to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).  I want all of them to know God’s simple way of salvation as opposed to corruptions of that way by the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men (Matthew 15:8-9; II Timothy 4:3-5). The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” is a travesty of what God’s word teaches about salvation.  I urge all to read all the passages cited in this essay. 

 

Salvation begins with the recognition that one is a sinner, and therefore lost and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3).  God, in His matchless grace (His graciousness), gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead that we might be saved.  This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-5).  And it is this gospel that is God’s power to save those who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:16-18).  Now follow these simple Bible steps.

 

HEAR THE GOSPEL.  Christ commissioned the teaching and preaching of the gospel in all nations to every creature until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  No one can be saved without hearing the gospel.

 

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.  The gospel is God’s power to save those who will believe it (Romans 1:16).  Without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Christ declared, “For if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah, the Savior of the world, hf) you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

 

REPENT OF ALL SIN.  God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  To repent means to change one’s mind, leading to a change of actions and a change of spiritual direction in one’s life.  If one is in Nashville, TN and wants to go to Birmingham, AL but finds himself on I-65 North headed toward Louisville, KY, he must turn around, get on I-65 South, and head in the opposite direction.  Spiritually, one must do this with reference to the direction of his/her life.  That is repentance.  One must turn from following Satan to following Christ.

 

CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST.  One must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV]).

 

BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN.  Christ made baptism a condition of salvation from sin.  He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a).  In the New Testament sinners were told, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38).  Baptism is an immersion in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).  Those who have only been sprinkled or had water poured on them (either as infants, children, or adults) have not been scripturally baptized.  Those submitting to human substitutes for God’s divine ordinance and those being immersed to “unite with the church” but not in order to receive the remission of their sins (or some biblically synonymous reason) need to make their calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10-11).

 

LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE.  Add to your life the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-9).  Avoid the works of the flesh and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  Continue steadfastly (Acts 2:42).  Do not forsake the assembly of Christians for Bible study and worship (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25).  Abide in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9). Always abound in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).  Be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

 

These are the divine actions that every accountable being must take in order to be saved from sin, enter into a right relationship with God, be added to the one church (body) of Christ, and maintain a right relationship with Him.  Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). I want all to understand and obey God’s simple way of salvation. “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man given in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

Hugh Fulford

 

Where were you on 9/11?

"Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?"
-- Alan Jackson

It's been almost 20 years since that horrific day on 9/11/2001 when two
planes hijacked by terrorists struck the Twin Towers in New York City
causing them to collapse. 2,977 lives were lost that day as a result.

Do you remember where you were that day when you received the news? I was
in a waiting room at Providence Hospital. Everyone in the room was watching
the lone television in the room in horror and disbelief.

Stephen Siller, a firefighter for Brooklyn's Squad 1, had just finished a
shift and was on his way to play golf when he received news of a plane
hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He immediately returned
to Squad 1 to get his gear. He drove his truck to Brooklyn Battery Tunnel,
put on his gear, and got out on foot to help others when he lost his life as
the buildings collapsed.

"He died the way he lived, serving others," said Stephen's brother, Frank
Siller. "If given the choice all over again he would run through that
tunnel and give up his life for others, I have no doubt in my head and my
heart. He would do it again."

Frank, 68, recently began a 500-mile walk in memory of his brother. He is
calling it his "Never Forget Walk." He began his six-week journey at
Arlington Fire Station 5 in Washington, D.C. He plans to travel through six
states ending at Ground Zero to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day,
including his brother's. "My personal goal is to make sure people never
forget," Siller told FOX News.

Frank founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of his brother. The
non-profit foundation builds mortgage free homes for injured veterans and
first responders and for families who lost a loved one in the line of duty.

May we never forget another walk that another Person took that culminated in
Him giving His life for others. The walk took place on the road to Calvary.
The One who walked on that road carrying His own cross was Jesus, the
sinless Son of God. The walk ended at the hill called Golgotha, where Jesus
was crucified for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). That place was Ground
Zero where heaven and hell met. Jesus gave His life as payment for the sins
of the world. Three days later, He arose triumphantly from the grave!
Heaven defeated Satan!

Jesus died the way He lived, serving others. "For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many"
(Mark 10:45). Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection provided our victory
over sin and death, if we will only accept His offer on His terms.

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 those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

There are walks made to never forget the sacrifice of others. May we never
forget the walk that Jesus made to Ground Zero where He gave His life for us
so that we might live.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Brother of FDNY firefighter who died 9/11 walks
more than 500 miles in his honor" by Jeanette Settembre of Fox News,
www.foxnews.com.

.

Paul Harvey. Good day!

Good Day

"Paul Harvey. Good day!"

Do you remember hearing this ending of midday radio broadcasts? I do. This
was the way Paul Harvey would conclude his radio broadcasts such as "The
Rest of the Story" followed by his "News and Comment."

Harvey was once asked by Guideposts Magazine to write about his faith in
Christ, his "testimony." He agreed to do so, and in the article he wrote
about when he was baptized.

Harvey revealed that he had received almost every possible award for
broadcasting yet he still felt empty inside. All of this changed on one
very good day.

One summer while on vacation, Harvey and his wife decided to go to church
services. That wasn't something they always did. They ended up in the
Sunday morning service of a tiny church in Cave Creek, Arizona. Only about
a dozen people were present.

Harvey said there was a good spirit about that place. For some reason he
began thinking about John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave one
and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life." He said, he liked the "everlasting life" part. He
thought he believed in Jesus, but he had never publicly acknowledged it or
been baptized. He felt that there was still something that was missing.

When the preacher got up, he announced that his sermon was going to be about
baptism. Harvey said, "I yawned. But as he started talking about it I
found myself interested. He talked about the symbolism behind it. He said
it symbolized surrender to Jesus Christ. He insisted that there was nothing
magic in the water. But he said a cleansing took place inside when you
yielded yourself to Jesus."

Harvey said that he surprised even himself when he stood up and walked to
the front when the preacher offered an invitation to be baptized. He
describes what happened: "The preacher had said there was nothing magic in
the water. Yet as I descended into the depths and rose again I knew
something life-changing had happened." Harvey went on, "The change this
simple act made in my life is so immense as to be indescribable. Since
totally yielding to Him in baptism, my heart can't stop singing. Also,
perhaps because baptism is such a public act and because one's dignity gets
as drenched as one's body, I discovered a new 'unself-consciousness' in
talking about my beliefs."

Baptism is part of saving faith's response to what Jesus did for us on the
cross. Jesus paid the price for our redemption from sin by dying for our
sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give everlasting 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). Then, as we
walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us
from all sin (1 John 1:7-9).

It is a "really good day" when one surrenders His life to Christ in baptism.
And now you have. the rest of the story.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Three Baptism Stories" by Roger Thomas,
www.sermoncentral.com.

Who is Theophilus in the Bible?

 

CERTAINTY: THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

 

In reading the divinely inspired historian Luke—both his account of the life of Christ (the Gospel of Luke) and his account of the history of the early church (the Book of Acts)—it is interesting to note how often he uses the words "certain" and "certainty."  One would have to read these great portions of scripture with a blind eye to miss the emphasis that Luke places on the concept conveyed by these two words.  (Luke, incidentally, was second only to the apostle Paul in the written amount of the New Testament). 

 

The word "certainty" is defined as "firm conviction that something is the case."  "Certain" has two meanings: "1) know for sure; established beyond doubt; 2) specific but not explicitly named or stated."  This second definition denotes a definite person, place, event, thing, or time, as opposed to something imprecise, vague, or foggy.  While some may find it boring and repetitious, a tracing of these words in Luke's writings can be a profitable and reassuring venture for those who want to be certain of their faith and of their relationship with God.  Follow along with me this week on this somewhat different kind of journey through the Gospel of Luke.  (Next week, D.V., we will make a similar journey through the Book of Acts).

 

The original recipient and reader of the Gospel of Luke was a man by the name of Theophilus (Luke 1:3).  The name Theophilus means "lover of God.  Luke's gospel account was addressed to Theophilus in order "that you may know the certainty of those things in which you have been instructed" (l:4). In the first chapter Luke references "a certain priest named Zacharias" who would become the father of John the Baptist (1:5).  In "a certain city" Jesus cleansed a leper (5:12), and on "a certain day" He healed many people (5:17).  In 6:2 "certain of the Pharisees" questioned Christ about His treatment of the Sabbath. Reference is made to "a certain centurion's servant" (7:2) and "a certain creditor who had two debtors" (7:41). 

In chapter 8 we read of "certain women" (2), "a certain day" (22), and "a certain man from the city who had demons" (27).  Chapter 9 tells of "a certain man" who said that he would follow the Lord wherever He went and Jesus' follow-up teaching concerning the cost of doing so (57-58).  In chapter 10 "a certain lawyer stood up and tested" Christ (25). Jesus related a parable involving "a certain man," "a certain priest," and "a certain Samaritan" (30-33)—the beautiful parable of "The Good Samaritan."  At the end of the chapter Jesus enters "a certain village" where "a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house" (38).  Marvelous lessons are learned from these people and events.  Great certainty is established by them.

 

In Luke 11:1 Jesus "was praying in a certain place."  "A certain woman from the crowd raised her voice" and blessed the Lord (11:27).  "A certain Pharisee" invited Jesus to dine with him (11:37ff). "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully" (12:16).  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard" (13:6).  "Certain of the Pharisees" came to Jesus and warned Him of Herod's intention to kill Jesus (13:31).  "A certain man" who had the dropsy was in the presence of Jesus (14:2).  "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many" (14:16).  "A certain man had two sons," leading Christ to relate the tender and touching parable of the prodigal son (15:11ff). 

 

"There was a certain rich man who had a steward" (16:1).  "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day" (16:19).  Every day there was laid at his gate "a certain beggar named Lazarus" who was in need of help from the rich man (16:20).  In "a certain village" Jesus was met by ten lepers (17:12).  Jesus spoke a parable about "certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (18:9).  "A certain ruler" asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (18:18). "A certain blind man sat by the road begging" as Jesus entered Jericho (18:35).  If we fail to take note of these people, places, and events and the lessons that arise out of them, the less certainty we will have of our faith.

 

Christ delivered a parable about "a certain nobleman [who] went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return" (19:12).  "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time" (20:9).  "Certain of the Sadducees who deny that there is any resurrection" came to Christ and presented him with a preposterous scenario in an effort to trap Him and "force" Him to admit that there is no resurrection (20:27ff).  "Certain of the scribes answered and said, 'Teacher, You have spoken well.'" (20:39). In 21:2 Jesus saw "a certain widow putting in two mites." "A certain servant girl" saw the apostle Peter sitting by the fire with the enemies of Jesus (22:56).  Barrabas "had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder" (23:18-19).  At the crucifixion of Christ, a Roman centurion was moved to proclaim, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" (23:47). "Certain other women" came to the tomb of Jesus "bringing spices which they had prepared" (24:1).  Two disciples spoke of "certain women of our company, who were at the tomb early" (24:22).  "And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said" (24:24).

 

Far from being mundane and boring, the preceding texts show that from His birth to His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus dealt with real people in real time.  He engaged in real acts, was involved in real situations and real events, and taught real truths and real principles.  Just as Theophilus, the original recipient of the Gospel of Luke could "know the certainty of those things in which [he had] been instructed," so Christians today can have that same certainty.  As Luke records elsewhere (quoting the apostle Paul), "This thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). 

 

Hugh Fulford

David Urey

The Mission

David Urey was desperate. He, his wife, and their son were involved in an
automobile accident in West Virginia. Urey suffered only minor injuries but
his son suffered a concussion and his wife had a broken back and a severe
scalp injury. Mrs. Urey was also in her fifth month of pregnancy.

A surgeon at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV, told Urey he could
perform basic surgery to keep his wife alive, but she needed to see a
neurosurgeon as soon as possible. The closest one was 150 miles away at
Georgetown Hospital, and Urey's wife would probably not survive if
transported by ambulance, the doctor said.

Searching for a helicopter to airlift his wife to D.C., in desperation Urey
called the White House. He was able to explain his situation to Gen. James
Hughes, President Richard Nixon's military aide. Gen. Hughes called Lt.
Col. Abe Wolson to see if the President's helicopter could make the round
trip to WV and back to Georgetown Hospital so Urey's wife could have the
life-saving neurosurgery. Lt. Col. Wolson said that the flight was possible
so the order was given.

The rescue mission was successfully completed. "The outcome was that Brian,
their son, fully recovered from his head injury in a few weeks. Mrs. Urey
gave birth to a normal baby boy and she eventually recovered," Wolson said
proudly. *

Because of our sins, we were in a fatal condition, unable to save ourselves,
and desperately in need of rescue (Romans 6:23).

Although our sins are an offense to Him, God loves us so much that He sent
His only Son to rescue us. This divine rescue mission would demand that
Jesus give His life to pay the price for our redemption from sin (1 Peter
1:18-19). Jesus willingly laid down His life for our salvation, so that we
might live (John 10:17-18).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn away 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 those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

The Apostle Paul extolled the glory of this rescue mission as he opened a
letter to Christians in Galatia: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from
the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:3-5).

Jesus came to rescue YOU. He will save you, if you will only accept His
offer on His terms.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Abe Wolson recalls one mission worth 20 years of
service" by Don Moore in www.donmooreswartales.com.

What do pastors do?

 

WISDOM FOR PREACHING AND MINISTRY: THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

Preaching is a high and holy calling.  Nothing excels it or is more important.  The apostle Paul declared: "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (I Corinthians 1:21).  That message, of course, is the gospel of Christ, God's power to save those who will believe it and act upon it (Romans 1:16; 6:16-18).  Paul Rogers, who preached for the Lord's church in Centerville, Tennessee for almost 50 years, observed: "God only had one Son and He was a preacher."

 

Much knowledge, love, compassion, courage, and wisdom must characterize the faithful and effective preacher.  God's word is the greatest source of these resources, not the wisdom of men.  "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (I Corinthians 1:25).  The man who would gain true wisdom as a preacher must do so from God, not from man.  Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with choice words of spiritual counsel for preachers.  This week we will look at some Old Testament wisdom on preaching, next week we will examine some New Testament texts on preaching.  We will be as brief and as succinct as possible and make as little comment as possible, hoping that the reader will read the texts listed and draw from them the wisdom to be found in them.

 

Though not referenced in the Old Testament itself, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was a preacher who proclaimed a powerful message of warning and judgment to those who were ungodly (Jude vv 14-15).

 

Likewise Noah, in the tenth generation from Adam, was "a preacher of righteousness" (II Peter 2:5).  While the Old Testament says little about the specifics of Noah's preaching, Peter provides some of the details and the results of Noah's preaching (I Peter 3:20).  The great thing about Noah is that he did "according to all that God commanded him, so he did" (Genesis 6:22).

 

Moses urged Israel not to add to the word of God or to take from it, nor to turn aside to the right hand or to the left (Deuteronomy 4:2; 5:32).  This same wisdom was passed on by the Lord to Joshua, Moses' successor (Joshua 1:5-9) (By all means, read these texts).

 

The prophet Samuel's message to rebellious king Saul was: "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (I Samuel 15:22-23).  Preachers must have that kind of boldness today and call for strict obedience to the will of the Lord.

 

When Micaiah was instructed by king Ahab's advisors to tell Ahab what he wanted to hear Micaiah boldly declared: "As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak" (I Kings 22:14).    Preachers must be motivated by such courage today.  They must not "cut" the message to please the hearers.  Instead, they must faithfully declare the word of the Lord.

 

Of Ezra it was said, "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10).  Note the order of Ezra's ministry – seek the Law of the Lord, do it himself, teach it to others.

 

Nehemiah, when tempted to compromise with the enemies of God, said, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down" (Nehemiah 6:3).  Pay attention, preacher friend.

 

Of the power and sweetness of God's word, the Psalmist wrote: "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:103-104).  Do we today hate every false way?

 

Further, the Psalmist said, "Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:128).  "Your word is very pure; therefore your servant loves it" (v. 140).  "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever" (v. 160).  "My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness" (v. 172).  What great wisdom for those of us who preach!

 

The wise man penned these words of wisdom: "The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell (Sheol, footnote) below" (Proverbs 15:24).  "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (16:18).  Sadly, in over 60 years of preaching, I have seen those words fulfilled many times by elders, deacons, teachers, and preachers in the Lord's church, as well as among the members. "Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (23:23).

 

" 'Comfort, yes, comfort My people!' says Your God" (Isaiah 40:1). What a tremendously important role for the faithful man of God today!  People need to be encouraged and comforted by the preaching of God's word.

 

"Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).  What another tremendously important role for the faithful man of God today!

 

God charged Jeremiah with these words: "See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10).  Faithful preaching is both positive and negative, it is not all just "make me feel good about myself."

 

When he became discouraged, Jeremiah said, "Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him (God), nor speak anymore in His name.'  But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary from holding back, and I could not" (Jeremiah 20:9).  Talk about motivation!

 

God's words to Ezekiel contain wisdom for preachers today (see Ezekiel 2:5, 7).  His charge to Ezekiel in essence is no different from His charge to all faithful gospel preachers today (Ezekiel 3:17-21).  We too are watchmen.  We too must warn the wicked of the consequences of their lifestyle. To his credit, before Ezekiel began his ministry "he sat where they sat" (3:15).  Preachers today need to "sit where their hearers sit" and understand the things their hearers experience.  It is called empathy, identifying with our hearers.

 

God's charge to Jonah was to go to Nineveh "and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" (Jonah 3:2, KJV) – wise words on preaching if such were every spoken!

 

Haggai's preaching was to urge God's people to "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 5:1).

 

Perhaps the crowning piece of wisdom found in the Old Testament for preachers is this: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). 

 

The above is but "the hem of the garment" of what the Old Testament has to offer in the way of divine wisdom and counsel for faithful and effective preaching and ministry today.  May we who preach heed the words of Haggai to Judah: "Consider your ways!"

 

Hugh Fulford

 

 

 

The Church of Christ

Celebrate the Church of Christ!
Study!
Ephesians 3:1-7

THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S GRACE:

    Paul was preaching and teaching that Gentiles could become Christians and Jews could become Christians and they all became Christians based on the exact same requirements! The church of Christ, Paul writes there in 2:20, is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone!

    Preaching and teaching that message is the “stewardship of God’s grace” Paul is talking about here in chapter 3. But it’s not hard to learn God’s word. It’s not hard to learn the unfathomable riches of Christ and the administration of God’s plans to bring the church of Christ into existence. All we have to do is study. There is nothing especially complex or complicated about learning God’s word. If you have a 6th grade education, you can understand - you have the ability - to understand everything in the Bible that you need to understand. God saw to it that His administration of His plans was fairly simple to understand.

HOW DO WE LEARN ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S GRACE:

    “by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief” (3:3).

    “Revelation” means a “revealing,” an “uncovering,” an “explanation.” So Paul says that God’s plan to save man through a body of believers was a mystery in the OT times, but now, God has explained that mystery! He has “uncovered” the mystery.” He has “revealed” that mystery.

    But, let’s keep reading… “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (3:4). The Holy Spirit does not give us insight into the mysteries of Christ in a direct way. The Holy Spirit revealed that mystery to the apostles and then, when I read his writings, then I can have his insight into that mystery.

    “in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (3:5).

    In other generations, from the time of Adam and Eve until the time of John the baptizer, people did not know and understand how God was working to save man in this body of believers through Jesus Christ. But, Paul says, it has now been revealed to His holy - specially set apart - apostles and prophets by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

    Let’s finish this paragraph before we make a few other observations: “to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power” (3:6-7).

    Paul says again that God graciously called him to preach the gospel and God gave Paul miraculous power to use along with that preaching.

    You and I can and should study the Bible to have the same insight into the mystery-revealed wisdom of God which is consummated in the church of Christ. When we do that, we can know what are the qualities of the Lord’s church. 

    As we begin this series on qualities of the NT church that distinguish it from the yellow-pages churches, we begin with the need for each of us to be students of the word of God. Be diligent. Accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). 

Your fellow-servant in Christ,

Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York

No Longer Missing

Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York, went missing on May 2. His family had
no knowledge of his whereabouts. An intense search ensued. Approaching two
weeks since he went missing, his family had begun giving up hope.

"You get to day 13 and you start wondering," Cole's father, Steve, told
WIVB. "You wonder and you start getting a couple negative thoughts in your
head like, 'Alright, why hasn't he been seen? Where is he?'"

Finally, Geise was spotted by a former classmate. Lyaness Batista-Benett,
who was working as a shift supervisor at Wendy's, saw Geise walk in the
restaurant last Saturday evening. "I've known Cole since second grade,"
Batista-Benett said. "I saw him walk in and it instantly brought upon this
feeling. It's him!" Others in the restaurant also recognized Geise from the
police notices that had been posted throughout the area in abundance.

Some who recognized Geise followed him at a distance and called the police.
Geise, who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, had been
hiding out in an abandoned house. Police picked him up safely and notified
his parents. Later there was a happy reunion for the Geise family at the
police station.

Because of our sins, we've "gone missing." We were created to be in
fellowship with God, but our sins separated us from Him and all the
blessings He intends for His children (Isaiah 59:1-2). Like lost sheep, we
have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6).

But God loves us so much that He sent His Son to seek and to save us (John
3:16; Luke 19:10), like a Shepherd seeking lost sheep.

In order to save us from sin, the Good Shepherd had to lay down His life
(John 10:17-18). He died for us so that we might live (1 Thessalonians
5:10).

If we will submit our lives to the Shepherd, He will save us and bring us
into a heavenly, eternal fold (John 10:10; Romans 6:23).

Jesus said, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost
sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his
shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together
and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in
the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent"
(Luke 15:4-7).

The Good Shepherd 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 keep safe those who continue to walk in the
light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Lost sheep, won't you come home to the Shepherd?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Good Samaritans reunite New York man with family
2 weeks after going missing" by Peter Aitken of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

Type O Negative blood

The Universal Donor

If you ever find yourself, either by virtue of illness or injury, in need of
a blood transfusion, you'd better hope your local blood bank has a good
supply of a compatible blood type.

According to INFO PLEASE:

Human blood is grouped into four types: A, B, AB, and O. Each letter refers
to a kind of antigen, or protein, on the surface of red blood cells. For
example, the surface of red blood cells in Type A blood has antigens known
as A-antigens.

Each blood type is also grouped by its Rhesus factor, or Rh factor. Rhesus
refers to another type of antigen, or protein, on the surface of red blood
cells. Blood is either Rh positive (Rh+) or Rh negative (Rh-). About 85% of
Americans have Rh+ blood.

Blood types become very important when a blood transfusion is necessary. In
a blood transfusion, a patient must receive a blood type that is compatible
with his or her own blood type - that is, the donated blood must be accepted
by the patient's own blood. If the blood types are not compatible, red
blood cells will clump together, making clots that can block blood vessels
and cause death.

Type O Negative blood is considered the "universal donor" because it can be
donated to people of any blood type.

Because of our sins, each of us is in a fatal condition, "for the wages of
sin is death" (Romans 6:23). We need a type of "blood transfusion."

God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins
(John 3:16). The blood that Jesus shed in His death has paid the price for
our redemption from sin: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus is the only "universal donor," for only the sinless Son of God could
pay the price for our sins with His blood (1 John 2:2).

In order to have His cleansing blood applied to our lives, we must place our
faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The
blood of Jesus continues to cleanse the child of God from sin as he
continues to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

"The life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). Our physical
bodies can't live without blood. Even so, salvation and eternal life are
found in the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23).

The Apostle Peter wrote to Christians: "For you know that it was not with
perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the
empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter
1:18-19).

Won't YOU appropriate the cleansing blood of Christ through your trusting
obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Blood Types" in www.infoplease.com

.

Mart Green ministry investment officer of Hobby Lobby

That the World May Know

Mart Green is the ministry investment officer of Hobby Lobby and founder of
Mardel Christian & Education, a book store and education supplier with a
Christian focus. Green is involved in a mission to help translate God's
Word into every language in the world, so that each and every person can
read the Word of God in his/her own language.

In a recent article in www.foxnews.com, Green shared an encounter with a man
that renewed his focus of trying to get the Bible into every country and
language:

I'd been supporting a painstakingly laborious Bible translation project in
Guatemala and began to question my "return on investment." It seemed to me
I'd put a considerable sum of money into a project that would benefit just a
few hundred people, or a few thousand at most.

To be honest, I was a bit cranky when I got off the uncomfortable 10-hour
bus journey to attend the ceremony marking the completion, at last, of the
translation of the Bible into the Eastern Jakaltek language - an endeavor 40
years in the making.

Then I saw Gaspar - and my life changed forever.

Gaspar, one of the local people, was sobbing with sheer joy as he took the
Bible, his own Bible in his own language, into his hands. I'd never held a
Bible like Gaspar did - as if he were grasping the most precious item in the
world.

Now, how will you hold your Bible?

The Bible is the most precious item in the world because it is God's Word.
In its pages, God reveals Himself to us. We can read and study about who
God is and know His will for us. Through the Scriptures, we learn how much
God loves us: that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins so
that we can be reconciled to Him and live with Him for eternity in heaven
(John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

God has revealed in His Word that He 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's Word teaches that as we continue to walk in the
light of His Word that the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all
sin (1 John 1:7-9).

In his research, Green learned that "more than a billion people - speaking
some 3,800 different languages - have little or no access to the Bible in a
language they can clearly understand. More than 2,000 languages don't yet
have a single verse of Scripture." So he has resolved to do something about
it, so that the world may know God and His will for our lives.

"This movement is especially significant as we remember that heaven and
earth meet at the point of God's Word," says Green. "The Word became flesh
and lived among us - Jesus, the Living Word - giving you and me the hope of
everlasting life through His resurrection, and leaving us with the great
commission to share the Gospel with every creature and make disciples of all
the nations (Matthew 28:16-20)."

Please pick up your Bible. Think of Green and Gaspar. Treasure the Word of
God. Read it and heed it. It will change your life, forever.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Mart Green: Mission of biblical proportions -
this is how we're taking God's Word to every corner of the world" in
www.foxnews.com, accessed April 16, 2021.

I Know Why You're Here

I Know Why You're Here

Kevin Blue writes about an experience that a friend experienced one summer
while he was ministering among the poor on a six-week urban project with a
religious organization in Los Angeles, California. Blue writes:

Part of his assignment was to spend time in a convalescent home in the
central part of the city... This convalescent home was smelly, understaffed
and poorly kept. Few residents had visitors. For a new guest arriving to
serve the residents, it was very awkward. Some residents were mentally ill;
some were not responsive at all. Others were even hostile. Members of
Johnny's team were struggling in the first few days with why they had been
called to serve there. "Why are we here?" "This is depressing." "We can't
do anything to help." Such remarks began to be made openly.

One day, after Johnny had been there for about a week, an elderly woman
slowly walked up to him in the hallway where he was standing. She drew
close and pointed a finger at him. "I know why you're here," she said in an
accusatory tone. She paused as my friend looked at her, wondering what this
was about. Realizing he didn't know what she meant, she went on. "I know
why you're here," she said again. "You're here because God wants us to know
he hasn't forgotten about us."

The woman turned and shuffled away. Johnny was stunned. Another team member
was so moved she nearly cried on the spot. By the end of that summer, many
of that team cried as they left the friends they had made, because in many
of those relationships they had found something of the kingdom of God. *

Imagine someone walking up to Jesus during His earthly ministry, pointing
his finger at Him and saying, "I know why You're here. You're here because
God wants us to know that He hasn't forgotten about us."

That statement is true.

Jesus came to this earth to reveal God to us (John 1:14). He came to reveal
the love God has for us (John 3:16). He came to show us that God has not
forgotten about us and that He has not abandoned us because of our sins. In
fact, Jesus came to save us from sin.

Jesus stated the reason for His coming: "For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). In order to save us, He had
to die on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).

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 those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

One day, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him. He said
(essentially) to Jesus, "I know why You're here." John said, "Behold! The
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

Jesus came to inform us that God has not forgotten us. He came to save us.
He came to save you.

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life by submitting your
life to Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* Kevin Blue, Practical Justice: Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World,
InterVarsity Press, 2006, as quoted in www.thepastorsworkshop.com.

"Easter Miracle Landing" of King Air by Doug White

Learn how Doug White landed a King Air plane on Easter weekend in this 15 minute video:   https://bit.ly/31uDVQl

 

Hear Doug describe some of what he experienced here:  https://bit.ly/2QOHNJV

 

challenges for substitute teachers

Not Forgotten

Substitute teachers can face many challenges. Sometimes they can be taken
advantage of or be the recipients of some student pranks. Some substitute
teachers, however, are deeply respected and make a profound and lasting
influence on the lives of their students. Jose Villaruel, affectionately
known as "Mr. V" by his students, was one of those beloved substitute
teachers in the Fontana (CA) Unified School District.

One of Mr. V's former students, Steven Nava, recently re-connected with his
former teacher. Nava has many good things to say about Villaruel. He said
Villaruel always acted like a "family figure" to his students.
"[Villarruel] was just someone that kind of wanted you to stay on and guide
you on that right path." Nava added: "Mr. V has influenced [me] . to be a
better person. He's taught me to have that drive and that 'never give up'
attitude whenever facing a struggle in my life and that's what's helped me
be the person I am now."

Those powerful lessons from his teacher were re-emphasized when Nava was
recently reunited with him in Fontana. Nava saw Villaruel rummaging in his
car, recognized him, and stopped to ask how he was doing. Mr. V, now
77-years-old, opened up to his former student about his struggles. He had
been living in his car for the past eight years trying to make ends meet.
The pandemic had made his situation worse because he had not had
opportunities to work as a substitute teacher to supplement his Social
Security income. He had been sending most of his money to help care for his
sick wife who was living in Mexico.

Nava, 21-years-old, was heartbroken to see his beloved teacher going through
such a difficult time and vowed to help. Nava created a GoFundMe account
and asked his followers on social media to help Mr. V. In just a few days,
thanks to the generosity of people throughout the world, Nava was able to
raise $27,000 for Villaruel. He presented a check for that amount to Mr. V
on his 77th birthday. With the money, Villaruel was able to pay off some
debts and prepare to return to his family in Mexico.

When we were destitute and alone due to our sins, Someone came to our
rescue. That Someone was Jesus, the Son of God. He paid our sin debt by
dying on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He invites us into
His family in which we can be under the watchful care of the Father and
enjoy fellowship with other members of God's family, the church. When our
situation is bleak and hopeless due to our sin, Jesus offers grace and life,
eternal life.

God will save, add to His family, 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 prepare for a heavenly home those
who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Alone and struggling because of sin, we have not been forgotten. God loves
us and desires to save us. And He will, if we will only submit our lives to
Him in trusting obedience.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "California substitute teacher living in car gets
surprise $27,000 check on 77th birthday from former student" by Daniella
Genovese, www.foxnews.com.

Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes, www.cbsnews.com

The GOAT

He is called "The GOAT" of NFL quarterbacks, the "Greatest Of All Time."
Tom Brady has many stats to back up the title, including 7 Super Bowl rings.
The latest ring he earned as he led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in
Super Bowl LV, at the "ripe old age" (in NFL player standards) of 43.

Back in 2005 after Brady led the New England Patriots to their and his third
Super Bowl win, CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed Brady.

During the interview, Kroft asked Brady to reflect on his successes: "This
whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned
about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?"

In his response, Brady said, "Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and
still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot
of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my
dream, my life. Me, I think: '.It's gotta be more than this. I mean this
can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And
what else is there for me?"

"What's the answer?" asked Kroft.

Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew."

Now in 2021, after winning a record 7 Super Bowls, I wonder if Brady is
still asking these questions and searching for answers. I hope so.

Mr. Brady, I think there is something greater out there for you. It's not
about what you know, but WHO you know.

The "Who" that can answer these deep questions in life is Jesus Christ.

Yes, I am a preacher and I'm supposed to say that. But if I don't believe
it, I'd better not be preaching it.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to this earth to
reveal God to us, and to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross.
He did this so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with
Him in heaven.

And, Mr. Brady, I believe that He is the Answer to your questions about what
life is all about.

I believe Jesus when He said, "I have come that you may have life and have
it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus is the key to the abundant life now
and eternal life to come. The abundant life now is experienced through the
spiritual blessings that Jesus gives to us when we submit our lives to Him -
blessings such as forgiveness, peace that surpasses understanding, joy that
isn't based on circumstances, a love that doesn't quit, and hope that
extends beyond this life.

Mr. Brady, I hope you are still searching and I hope that you will
investigate Jesus. Read about Jesus in the Gospel accounts. Observe His
life and teachings. If you study His life and teachings with an open heart
and mind, I believe you will reach the same conclusion that I and many
others have reached: Jesus is the Greatest Person Who has ever lived on this
earth. And although it cost His life, Jesus offers the greatest gifts to
all who will accept them on His terms: the abundant life now and eternal
life to come.

Here is how we accept His offer, according to the ones that Jesus
commissioned to share the Good News: 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 those who continue
to follow His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Mr. Brady (and anyone else reading this article), I believe abundant life
and eternal life are found in Jesus. Please see for yourself. I believe
you'll find something greater than winning 7 Super Bowls.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3" from 60 Minutes,
www.cbsnews.com.

Dr. Richard Selzer

It Still Works

Dr. Richard Selzer wrote about a report that he gave after a surgery he
performed on a young lady had left a lasting blemish:

I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face postoperative, her
mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one
to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now
on. The surgeon had followed with religious fervor the curve of her flesh;
I promise you that. Nevertheless, to remove the tumor in her cheek, I had
to cut the little nerve. Her young husband is in the room. He stands on
the opposite side of the bed and together they seem to dwell in the evening
lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and
this wry mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously,
greedily?

The young woman speaks. "Will my mouth always be like this?" she asks.

"Yes," I say, "it will. It is because the nerve was cut."

She nods and is silent. But the young man smiles. "I like it," he says,
"It is kind of cute." All at once I know who he is. I understand and I
lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with greatness. Unmindful,
he bends to kiss her crooked mouth and I am so close I can see how he twists
his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still
works. *

Our sins have marred the image of our souls. We have "missed the mark" in
many ways (Romans 3:23) leaving scars that glaringly reveal our mistakes.

But when Jesus looks at us, His gaze is one of love. He loves us anyway,
scars and all. He came to us and died on the cross for our sins so that we
may be made whole in His sight (1 Peter 2:24). Despite the mistakes of our
past and our future, His grace still works. He has never stopped loving us,
and He never will.

Accept His offer of love, grace, and life. Place your faith and trust in
Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess His sweet and glorious name (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ and He will cleanse your soul (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Then continue to follow Him faithfully, and He will continue to cleanse you
from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).

Marred by sin, we come face to face with Jesus. Though it cost Him His life
to pay for our sins, He looks at us with love and mercy, longing for us to
accept His offer of salvation and eternal life.

"Bring Christ your broken life, So marred by sin; He will create anew, Make
whole again.
Your empty, wasted years, He will restore, And your iniquities Remember no
more."
-- T.O. Chisholm

And when we accept His offer, we realize that we have encountered God - a
loving, gracious God.

-- David A. Sargent

* Richard Selzer, M.D., Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery, 1978,
pp. 45-6 as quoted in www.sermonillustrations.com.

The historian Xenophon

Observe Him

 

The historian Xenophon states, that when Cyrus had taken captives including a young prince of Armenia with his young and beautiful wife, they were brought before the tribunal of Cyrus to receive their sentence.  The warrior inquired of the prince what he would give to be reinstated in his kingdom.  The prince replied that he valued his crown and his liberty at a very low rate, but that if the noble conqueror would restore his beloved wife to her former dignity and possessions, he would willingly pay his life for the purchase.  The prisoners were dismissed, to enjoy their freedom and former honors; and each was lavish in praises of the conqueror.

 

“And you,” said the prince, addressing his wife, “what did you think of Cyrus?”

 

“I did not observe him,” she replied.

 

“Not observe him!” exclaimed her husband, “upon whom, then, was your attention fixed?”

 

“Upon that dear and generous man,” she replied, “who declared his readiness to purchase my liberty at the expense of his life.” *

 

May I direct your attention to the One who gave His life for you so that you can be saved from your sins and look forward to eternal life in heaven?

 

His name is Jesus.  He is the Son of God.  He is the One that died on the cross for your sins and for mine.  He died for us so that we might live.  He took upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that we can be saved.  Peter reminded some “suffering saints” of what Christ has done for them:  “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

 

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 those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV

 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace”

-- Helen H. Lemmel

 

Won’t YOU turn your eyes upon Jesus, accept His offer of salvation, and follow Him all the way to heaven?

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

* Source: Practical Bible Illustrations From Yesterday And Today, Richard A. Steele, Jr. and Evelyn Stoner as quoted in www.ministry127.com.  Verified in “History of Iran: Cyropaedia of Xenophon; The Life of Cyrus the Great.  Book 3, Section 1, as quoted in www.iranchamber.com.

 

David A. Sargent, Minister

 

Shonda Lemon United States Postal Service

A Caring Carrier

Shonda Lemon has worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal
Service for eight years in the city of Chicago. While delivering mail to
individuals, she has built a relationship with many of the recipients,
especially some senior citizens who live alone. 89-year-old Helen Iwanski
is one of those senior citizens that Lemon has befriended. In the last four
years, the two have exchanged short, friendly conversations. Lemon has
tried to make it easier for Iwanski to handle her bundle of mail more easily
by wrapping a rubber band around it.

But for three days in a row last month, Iwanski had not picked up her mail.
Lemon was very concerned.

Lemon told Fox Television Stations' Stephanie Weaver that she knew Iwanski
lived alone, didn't have children, and hadn't traveled anywhere in years, so
she called the police to do a wellness check on January 14.

Police found Iwanski on the floor in her home. She had fallen and had been
lying there for several days.

When a police officer told Lemon that Iwanski had fallen but was alive, she
broke into tears. "I began to cry, because it was a rejoicing moment for
me, knowing that I had assisted her in [saving] her life," Lemon explained.
"And, ya know, it was just the pain and thought of what she may have been
going through for those three days on the floor."

Iwanski was admitted to a local hospital and is currently regaining her
strength at a rehab facility. She is incredibly thankful for her caring
mail carrier.

"My Aunt [Helen Iwanski] sends her love and appreciation to Shonda for being
there for her. She said she will be forever grateful for Shonda caring
enough to call the police," said Mary Mason, Iwanski's niece.

Each of us has "fallen" because of our sins. We are helpless and cannot
save ourselves.

But God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to rescue us
(John 3:16). Jesus had to give His life for us to pay the price for our
redemption from sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He "gave Himself for our sins to
rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and
Father, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:4-5 NIV).
Jesus cared enough to carry the burden of our sins upon Himself (1 Peter
2:24), to save us.

If we will only accept His offer of salvation, He will cleanse us from sin
and give us eternal life (Ephesians 1:7).

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 those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

You have fallen, but Somebody has noticed and Somebody cares. The God who
created you wants to save you from sin. He sent His Son to rescue you.

Won't YOU accept His offer by trusting and obeying Him today?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Chicago USPS mail carrier helped rescue
89-year-old woman who fell and couldn't get up" by Lucas Manfredi,
www.foxnews.com.

Mark 12:37

"The Common People Heard Him Gladly"

When Jesus taught in the temple "the common people heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37).

The gospel of Christ is God's power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16), but those most receptive to His message have always been commoners. Jesus even gave thanks to God, saying "that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Matthew 11:25). Salvation is not reserved for the college educated, for captains of industry, or the crowned heads of Europe. The word of God is most appealing to those who prefer simplicity. Paul remarked, "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

That common people could hear Him gladly indicates the Lord spoke to them in a way that was simple to comprehend. He didn't dumb it down for them, but neither did he speak over their heads. The message is meant to be understood, which is why God commanded the prophet Habakkuk to "Write the vision and make it plain" (Habakkuk 2:2). When the people of Judah returned from captivity and restored proper worship, Ezra's assistants "read distinctly from the book, in the law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading" (Nehemiah 8:8). Sound doctrine doesn't impress the audience with the preacher's eloquence (1 Cor. 2:1-5); it just communicates God's word in a straightforward fashion. When this is accomplished, common people will gladly hear it.

- by Bryan Matthew Dockens