Category: Bulletin Articles

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).

THE BALLAD OF FORT MCHENRY

David Bragg

On the evening of September 13, 1814 an Americạn diplomat found himself stuck on a British vessel watching a fierce bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. The state of affairs looked grim. As he spent the night detained by the enemy, Francis Scott Key looked out across the waters towards the American fort. But with the dawn of a new day the American cause found strength. The flag still waved above the fort. That morning, on the back of a letter he happened to find in his pocket, Key began to compose a poem that would be finalized within a week. He called it “The Defense Of Fort McHenry.” Over the space of many years the beloved song would grow in popularity as it was sung in patriotic settings and, in 1862, at a major sporting event. The patriotic tune would also be sung to inaugurate the first World Series game in 1903 (www.pbs.org). Many attempts were made to have it adopted as America’s official national anthem, but that would not happen until March 3, 1931 when President Herbert Hoover made “The Star-Spangled Banner” America’s song.

For Christians of every generation the familiar words penned by Key have special meaning: “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom/nation (Phil. 3:20). As such, our freedom is purchased with the precious blood of Jesus (Acts 20:28). Our spiritual liberty demands courage, the willingness to stand up for, and suffer if necessary for, the cause of Christ. It requires courage to live faithfully in the kingdom of the saved.

GOD: OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

Joe Slater

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. . .” (Psalm 46:1-2a). God is our refuge, our place of shelter in life’s storms. Danger isn’t always physical; our adversary walks about as a roaring lion seeking to devour us. Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us fromn the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).

God is our strength. Our own strength will fail us, but God’s strength never will. Not just our physical strength but our moral and spiritual strength may be taxed to the breaking point by whatever trials and temptations we are facing.

God is a very present help in trouble. He is not distant from us or unconcerned about us. Even people who do not know Him are objects of His care, as Paul told the philosophers in Athens, “He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:27-28). That being true of people in general, how much more should we have confidence He is present with us, especially during difficult times?

Therefore, we will not fear. Since God is our refuge, our strength, and a very present help in trouble, why would we fear? When Jesus’ disciples became afraid, He said, “Oh you of little faith! Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Little faith is often our problem, too. We find ourselves saying with the man in Mark 9:24, “Lord,I believe; help my unbelief!”

Your trials aren’t the same as mine, but we all encounter trials that put us to the test. Let’s remember that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. So, let us not be afraid, but confident and strong in the Lord!

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