Author: Tim

Tim lives in central Florida and is an Instruction Design Team Leader, Sales Learning Services, Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products for The Walt Disney Company.
Posted on

A Mother’s Day by Aaron Beard

Mothers of faith instill faith in their children and are praised by God for their godly service (2 Tim. 1:5). As we honor our mothers today, please notice some of the things with which a mother’s day ought to be filled.  

A mother’s day is:  

A day of joy. The day of giving birth to new life is a great day of joy and gladness (Jno. 16:21). Yet, even while motherhood brings joy it is also attended with sorrow. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had great sorrow as she witnessed her son Jesus being horribly mistreated (Lk. 2:34-35).  

A day of love. Godly mothers seek the welfare of her children before herself. She “watches over the ways of her household” with love (Prov. 31:27). Blessed is the family whose mother wraps her children in the security of warm affection and constant care (Titus 2:4).  

A day of instruction. Mothers are daily teachers of the next generation. Her words, values and character are instilled in the hearts and lives of her children. Mothers, be careful to teach your children “with wisdom” and the “law of kindness” (Prov. 31:26).  

A day of devotion. Hannah devoted herself to giving her son Samuel to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:11, 22, 27-28). Your children will not be Christians by accident. Mothers, you have a tremendous part in the faith of your children. If you are not devoted to God it is unlikely your children will be. Set them a godly example every day. They will “rise up and call (you) blessed” (Prov. 31:28).

Posted on

Diligent or Lagging by Tim Dooley

In Romans 12, Paul offers a number of short exhortations to his readers. The King James Version translates the first part of verse 11, “Not slothful in business.” The Christian should be diligent for his employer, but the context this verse has more to do with the business of the church.

We sing a song, “I want to be a worker for the Lord.” Do we mean those words when we sing them? Do we truly want to “be busy every day in the vineyard of the Lord, Of are we just giving lip service?

All disciples are to be actively engaged in the work of the Lord’s church. We should be busy making disciples Matthew 28:19), encouraging each other (Hebrews 10:24-25), and helping the needy (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27).

We do not always see the fruit of our labors, but we must not give up. If we are mocked or rejected or persecuted by those around us, we keep obeying God (1 Peter 2:19-20). The things we do in the name of the Lord are not done in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we never lag in diligence when it comes to the Lord’s work.

Posted on

What It Means to Forgive by Gene Taylor

Forgiveness is more than just speaking the words. It must be sincere and from the heart. It must be patterned after the forgiveness God has granted to us. It must be accompanied by actions which befit true forgiveness.

Forgiveness involves a kind attitude all animosity and hatred. All bitterness, anger, abandoning – wrath, clamor and evil speaking should be put away (Eph. 4:31). We can hold no grudges. One must deny the impulse to get even and seek to do the forgiven one good.

Forgiveness involves forgetting (Heb. 8:12), but what does it mean to forget? It is impossible for a person to completely obliterate the wrong from his mind. Rather it means to not hold the person accountable for it anymore. When forgiveness is granted that should end the matter. It should never again be dredged up or held against the one who.
has been forgiven.

Forgiveness should be given by the “golden rule” (Matt. 7:12). One should always be willing to forgive– even at repeated offenses. Matthew 18:21-22 has the apostle Peter asking, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Posted on

The Tomb Was Found Empty

Excerpted from: The Tomb Was Found Empty, Wayne Jackson

Christ’s resurrection is attested by the empty tomb: the women found it empty; Peter and John found it empty; the angels said it was empty; the Roman guards terrifyingly declared it to be empty; the chief priests believed it was empty; the grave clothes were evidence that it was empty; and even modern skeptics reluctantly agree–it was found empty.

On resurrection Sunday, Jesus Christ was seen by: Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-10); by the other women (Matthew 28:9-10); by two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32); by Peter (Luke 24:34); by the apostles (with Thomas absent) gathered in the upper room (Luke 24:36 John 20:19).

Over the next 40 days (Acts 1:3; cf. 10:41; 13:31), the Lord was seen by the apostles (with Thomas present, John 20:26-31); by seven apostles at the Sea of Galilee (John 21); by his disciples in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20); by 500 brethren at once (1 Corinthians 15:6); by James (1 Corinthians 15:7); by those who saw him ascend to heaven (Acts 1:9-10); and “last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared unto me [Paul] also” (1 Corinthians 15:8; cf. Acts 9:3-7, 27).

Therefore, Peter preached Jesus Christ, “whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:24, 32).

Posted on

Don’t Take Credit for God’s Gifts by Kevin Cauley

In Deuteronomy 8:17, we read, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.” Moses was speaking to the children of Israel about what would happen after they entered the land of Canaan and began to experience all the wonderful blessings that waited for them there. The temptation would be that they would begin to think that they earned these blessings because of their own righteousness. The next verse (18) says, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Do we face the same temptation today? 

Like the Israelites, we can sometimes forget that God is the One from whom all blessings flow, and we can begin to think that we have earned these blessings through our own righteousness. We should never forget Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Remember what Jesus said, “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty” (Luke 17:10). I am so thankful that Jesus always got it right, and that through Him I have my salvation. Now, I can put my faith and trust in Christ to save instead of my own ability. Doing this means that I will obey Jesus, and that His grace will cleanse me of my sin (1 John 1:2. Let’s remember the warning Moses gave the Israelites and never think to take credit for God’s gifts.

Posted on

SOME LESSONS FROM CHURCH HISTORY Adapted from Wayne Jackson

The church of Christ was born in troublesome times. The of those early disciples soon plunged them into grievous Peter and John were imprisoned and whipped (Acts 4, 5). bold and uncompromising preaching that was characteristic persecutions.

Shortly thereafter Stephen became the first martyr (Acts 7:60). Apparently his death triggered the “great persecution” (Acts 8:1), which subsequently came upon the church 

For the following two and one half centuries, the church of God was literally bathed in blood. Thousands of saints were tortured and murdered in the most inhumane way.

Though the atrocities of this period were dreadful indeed, the persecutions were not without secondary benefits to the cause of the Savior.

First of all, the hardships tempered those who were truly converted to Jesus. Secondly, it “weeded out” much of the hypocritical element which plagued the church. And thirdly, it prevented insincere people from identifying with the people of God. As one historian has put it, “One effect of the trials through which the Christians of that period passed was a purified church. The persecutions kept away all who were not sincere in their profession.”

In spite of the tribulations, the church grew with marvelous rapidity. Scholars estimate that there were possibly some sixty million Christians by the end of the second century A.D.

Posted on

The Law, Pattern, and Nature of God by Tim Dooley

There has been so much misunderstanding about the nature of God and His law among men that the simple truth isn’t always so apparent today even among the children of God. The law of God in the Old Testament (i.e. the Law of Moses) was not about vengeance, but justice. It was in great part God’s way of protecting the helpless and innocent, providing for the needy, and blessing the righteous. He gave the children of Israel a pattern to follow in all things. As God continued to direct His people through Moses He gave them very detailed plans so that they would be able to fulfill His will. Stop and think of just how thoughtful the God of heaven is who does not leave His people without guidance and instruction.

He too has given us a law for justice, protection ,provision, and blessing, as well as a pattern to follow that we may remain in a covenant relation-ship with Him. Indeed, if we love the Master, and our families, we will allow Him to pierce our ear, and we will serve Him faithfully forever (Ex.21:5-6). How sad it is when anyone turns from the Lord’s instruction and leans on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Be thankful, be obedient, and be faithful!

Posted on

Justified by Works? By Tim Dooley

We are justified by our works! That’s right. Despite what many in the religious world might profess, the Bible clearly states that men are justified, “by their works.” This has even led some to question the authenticity of the book of James. However, the overarching message of the New Testament supports this idea. The difficulty often lies in the misunderstanding between works of “merit” and works of “faith” or “righteousness.

No one who knows the Scripture will ever say that one merits or earns salvation by their works. But likewise no sound teacher would say that works of faith are non-essential. James says one must: Be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”.

“Lay aside all filthiness and overflowing of naughtiness.” – A work of faith.

Receive the word. – A work of faith. 

“Be doers of the word.”- Works of faith. 

Continue in works of faith.

Care for the needy. – Works of faith.

Keep yourself unspotted. – Works of faith.

Faith without works is dead and cannot save. Show me your faith without works. I’ll show you my faith by my works. How does your

faith shine by what you are doing? Remember, the goal is to hear the Lord say, “Well DONE!” Be obedient, and be faithful.

Posted on

“Bruised For Our Iniquities” (Isa.53:5) . . . Kevin Cauley

One of the great lessons of the Mosaic Law is that a holy God cannot dwell among an unholy people. Yet God desires to dwell with His people, and the people with God. How? 

God must make provisions to remove their iniquity, the cause of their unholiness In Israel’s day, God did this through the tabernacle and the priesthood. Notice God’s statement to Aaron in Numbers 18:1. “So the Lord said to Aaron, You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood.”

Iniquity here is basic moral failure and the punishment associated with it. The priesthood and the tabernacle were to assume the punishment for moral failure for the nation of Israel. But who lived in the tabernacle? God did! The whole setup was designed to show that ultimately God desired to take the punishment for our sins, and then one day, He actually did it in the person of Christ Jesus. Hebrews 10:12-14 Sstates this truth: “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

The priesthood and the tabernacle lead us to Jesus! In fact, everything in the Old Testament points us to Jesus. Paul taught us, “Therefore the law uwas our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

Posted on

Trusting Self Leaves No Room For God

For all the things that the Lord did for the Israelites, they rejected Him again and again. Consider Nunmbers 14:11: “Then the Lord said to Moses: How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?”

Sometimes we hear people say, “If I had lived during the time of Christ, I would have believed!” Would we have? Listen to the words of Jesus to those who saw all the miracles He did: “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead”(Luke 16:31).

There is never enough evidence for the person who believes in self instead of Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Jeremiah 10:23 declares, “O Lord, I know the way ofman is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

The problem is that we trust self instead of Christ. Self-trust is behind all our discontents, and it is why the Bible repeatedly tells us to put our faith and trust in Jesus-so that He can help us! Overcoming self means letting go of self and believing in Jesus alone.