Author: Tim

MY NEIGHBORHOOD

Al Behel

I liked Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Millions of children around the world sat at his feet and marveled at the simple things. Fred Rogers receiveda star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When he received the award he wore his usual sweater and tie. Reporters expected him to talk about his infamous television program. Instead, he talked with them about why we are on this earth-not to amass fortunes or tO make a big name for ourselves. According to Mister Rogers the important things are the little things, the small acts of kindness that make our world a better place.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught that a real neighbor is not identified by credentials or religious ideologies, but by the simple acts one does toward those in need. According to Jesus, the world is our neighborhood and everyone in it is our neighbor. Our challenge is to do small acts of kindness to each person we meet. It’s the simple things that make the difference.

How many times each day do we meet a “neighbor”, someone to whom we can show kindness? How many opportunities do we miss because we have other commitments, or because that neighbor is different from us and we are not moved to action? Scripture tells us that Jesus “went about doing good.” Every day He touched lives with simple acts of kindness. He spoke kind words to social and moral outcasts. He held children in his arms, went home with tax collectors and sinners, and encouraged the hearts of the down-trodden. He told the disciples that to see Him was to see God. And that’s how others see God in us.

We are often stalled by our belief that God is looking for big things in us. Sure, there are big challenges we must meet, but most of life is not about big things. It’s the little things we routinely do to others that opens their hearts and shows the beauty of God’s grace in us.

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Prq STANDING STILL, GOING FORWARD

Joe Slater

The Israelites felt boxed in at the Red Sea. Mountains loomed in both sides with the water ahead. Pharaoh’s host was closing in behind them. Where could they go? As they had done before and would do again, the people complained, blaming Moses for leading them to disaster.

“Do not be afraid,”” Moses exhorted them. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13). Not long ago they had witnessed the Lord’s power over Pharaoh and his idols in ten plagues that devastated the land of Egypt. Oh, how quickly we forget!

There is a time to stand still. But two verses later God ordered Moses to tell the children of Israel to go forward” (14:15). But wait! “orward led straight into the water! No worries– the Lord will simply part the water. You’ll go through on dry ground. Problem solved!

We, too, must stand; and we, too, must go forward. “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). As a soldier must stand and fight, so we must engage in spiritual warfare. The Lord fought for Israel (Exodus 14:14), and He will fight for us too!

ol Yes, we must stand– but we must also go forward! Even the great apostle Paul acknowledged that he had not yet “arrived.” “But one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14).

The goal is up ahead. Let us stand still (remain calm), stand fast, and go forward! Soldiers of Christ, arise and put your arm on! Via Bulletin Gold

PRAYING FOR THE SICK

Gerald Cowan

How does God respond to us when we pray for somneone who is having health issues and other issues? How are they blessed2 Will God always answer our prayers for others?

We are taught to pray for one another when we have health issues, including spiritual health as well as physical health (James 5:13, 16). The promise of spiritual healing seems firm, assuming that both the praying one and the one prayed for act in penitent faith (James 5:16). We do offer prayers and intercessions for others (1 Tim. 2:1-4), We are not told that all our requests for others will be granted, or that prayers for ourselves will invariably be granted. We can be sure that asking is essential. Some things we do not get because we do not ask (James 4:2), but the request itself is not sufficient. Unwavering faith is also essential (James 1:5-6). We are also told that improper motives will prevent any positive answer to our requests (James 4:3). There is still more: the mind and disposition – the faith and inclination toward God – of the person prayed for must be considered too. God will not override the will of the person we pray for. We may pray for changes in the person, not only physical but mental and spiritual as well, that the person himself resists, refuses and does not want.

Our faith is tested in that we pray for good things to happen and sometimes those good things do not happen. We pray for bad things not to happen, or to be taken away, but those things come and do not go away. God answers every prayer of His faithful people, but sometimes the answer is and must be NO. Any prayer answered in the affirmative for the faithful provides strength to endure what cannot be changed or what God does not change (1 Cor. 10:13). But even when we do not understand and when we do not get a yes answer, we keep on praying – we do not faint or give up on God (Gal. 6:9-10).

LORD MAKE ME GOOD – PERIOD

Edd Sterchi

Many people who want a relationship with God often add qualifiers to the mix. They want the Lord to make them good, but with a stipulation added. Here are a couple of examples: * Lord, make me good, but not yet.” These people want to live in sin as long as possible. They want to be able to sow their “wild oats” and then for God to save them before they die. Lord, make me good, but not completely .” These folks want to have the “best of both These worlds”. They want to be saved, but also still want to hang on to certain sins.

But we should simply say to God “Lord, make me good.” (Notice the period at the end.) We should say that with no modifiers and with the attitude of doing what God wants us to do and fully trusting Him to make us good and good righteous. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)

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WHO’S NUMBER ONE?

Joe Slater

“I have to look out for Number One!” That’s another way of saying I must concern myself first and foremost with my own interests. After all, ifI don’t, nobody else will – right? Far too many Christians have yielded to that worldly philosophy. Paul lamented, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ” (Philippians 2:21).

What does it mean to seek the things of Christ? The prior two verses tell of Timothy’s genuine care for the welfare of the brethren at Philippi, in sharp contrast to the self-seeking attitude of virtually everyone else. To act in the best interests of Christ’s people is to seek the things of Christ.

Earlier in his letter Paul had exhorted the Philippians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:4). That’s the very thing Jesus did, as shown in 2:5-8. Leaving heaven in order to give Himself to die on the cross as the supreme atonement offering required extreme humility and the endurance of unspeakable pain. Jesus did it because it was in our best interest.

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to “seek first your own interests (i.e. look out for Number One). Instead, He said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” How seriously do we take Him when making decisions? Do we think first of what benefits the cause of Christ? Do we consider what impact (for good or for ill) our decision has on other people? The title of this article asks, *Who’s Number One?” As the statement “I have to look out for Number One” is commonly used, Number One is you. Let’s switch that around and make Jesus “Number One.” Let’s seek the things which are of Christ!

PAY ATTENTION TO THE ADJECTIVES Edd Sterchi

It’s been a long time since I have been in English class. I sure do wish I had paid better attention then -I honestly believe that it would have greatly improved my Bible reading and study today. One aspect of grammar I do not remnember studying much is the adjective (I must have slept through that whole semester!). An adjective is “a word used to describe or modify a noun,” such as “white’ in the phrase a white house.”

Now that our English primer is over, let’s go to the Bible. I wonder sometimes if we pay too much attention to the nouns and too little to the adjectives when we read the Word of God. Contemplating the adjectives can bring the message of the Scriptures into ful flavor.

Take for example 1 Peter 2, where we read that each Christian is a stone (v.5), house (v.5), generation (v.9), priest (v.9), nation (v.9), and person (v.9) of God. While these should hold great meaning for us, please don’t skip over the adjectives. Pay attention to what they add to the text. Christians are living stones, spiritual houses, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His own special people.

Through the sacrifice of Christ, God is the one who can make us alive, immortal, elect, important, blameless, and exceptional. Because of this, it shouldn’t be hard to remind ourselves of another adjective in 1 Peter 2 – that of concerning His “marvelous light” (i.e. salvation), and that should give us reason to “proclaim the praises of Him.” (v.9).

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SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER BE SORRY FOR

Gerald Cowan

Being honest with God.

Always telling the truth.

Your faith in Christ.

Living a pure life.

Acknowledging and repenting of sin.

What you give to the Lord’s cause.

What you do in service to Christ.

Doing your best.

Hearing before judging.

Thinking before acting.

Being patient.

Being courteous and kind.

Helping a fallen brother.

Being merciful.

Correcting those who are in error.

Being willing to forgive.

Being loyal to the church.

Standing upon your principles.

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WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN?

Joe Slater

The question in the title could be asked of moms as well as dads, but since our country celebrates this Sunday as “Father’s Day,” we’ll focus there. You’ve heard the cliché “like father, like son.” Scripture also recognizes the tendency of sons to imitate their fathers and even previous ancestors (Acts 7:51).

So, dads, what do you want for your children? For your grandchildren? Are you teaching them by word? I hope so! But the effect of your words will be diminished unless you lead by example!

Do you want your children to learn and obey the gospel? (How could any father not want his children to become Christians?) Have you, yourself, confessed Christ as Lord and been immersed into Him?

Do you want your children to meet regularly with the brethren? You know what’s right, and you know it goes far beyond a single hour on Sunday morning. Your children will imitate your example above your words.

Do you want your children to put God first? Yes, even before ball games? birthday parties? fishing? hunting? golfing? God holds you responsible not just to tell them what is most important, but to show them!

Do you want your children to serve others joyfully? When last did you take them with you to visit someone homebound? (What a bright spot that puts in everyone’s day!)

Do you want your children to be evangelistic? If you don’t set the example, the secular world will most definitely teach them, keep your religion to yourself!” The list goes on endlessly. What do you want for your children?

SCHOOL’S OUT (OR IS IT?)

Joe Slater

If school isn’t already out for you, it soon will be. For most who read this, formal “school” has been out fora long time! (Years? Decades?) But is school ever really out for a Christian? The very word disciple” means a learner/follower. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must be learning His will constantly. Paul told Titus that the Christians in Crete should “earn to maintain good works” (Titus 3:14). The same apostle told Timothy (in Ephesus) that the brethren should learn to honor and care for their widowed parents (1 Timothy 5:4). Even those with the supernatural gift of prophecy were to use it in such a way “that all may learn” (1 Corinthians 14:31).

Whoever said, “When you stop learning, you stop growing” was right! At least 125 times the New Testament uses some form of the kindred words teach and “doctrine.” Jesus taught; the apostles taught; other Christians taught. And if teaching is to accomplish anything good, someone must be learning! Be assured that Satan and his crew are busy teaching lies and corruption. May it never be that we would surrender the field to them! To the contrary, we must be teaching and equipping others to teach. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). “School” is in session! It always will be until the Lord returns. You have responsibilities both as a student and as a teacher. Don’t be a drop-out!

WORDS

Joe Slater

Via Bulletin Gold

Jesus and the inspired New Testament writers had far more to say about our speech (words, tongue) than about baptism or the Lord’s Supper. That takes nothing away from the importance of immersion or communion. It simply exposes the need to pay heed to what we say.

Is this a salvation issue? Listen to Jesus: “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). “Idle” literally means without work.” We speak idle words when we’re too lazy to do the work of thinking frst. We carelessly “shoot from the lip!” We would do well to “start brain before engaging mouth.” It’s hard work to control our speech. James observed that “no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Though we can’t tame it, we must control that terrible tongue! “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless”” (1:26).

Paul exhorted, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Apply that to your keyboard too! Take a second look before you send that post on social media. Are you glorifying God when you post vulgar words? Surely your vocabulary isn’t so limited that you can’t make your point without using crude language! “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6).