By Dan Jenkins
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall be raised.” Are there any words more comforting than these? We sing about it, and our hearts are filled with comfort. If there is no resurrection, we are of all men most miserable; our lives have been wasted, and we should have lived our lives by the philosophy of “let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die.” Many have heard the following words and have been blessed every time they sang them.
By Wayne Jackson
In his parting address to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Paul prophesied, I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch …” (Acts 20:29-31). Elders have a sober responsibility of guarding the flock against grievous wolves. Within such a framework, a number of things are necessarily implied.
By Brad Harrub
Forgive me, for sometimes I do not think about how hard it is for you to come to worship. I take for granted things like putting on clothes and driving to the church building. I rarely think about how much pain you endure in getting in and out of a car or sitting on a hard church pew.
While you may fret about whether your hair is too thin or whether you are too slow, I want you to know what I see. I see love-love in a form that Jesus wants me to see it. Words cannot adequately describe your beautiful warm smile and the love you show for everyone in our church family. Your hugs are like being wrapped in a blanket of love—something I desperately need in the hustle and bustle world we live in today. I see a person who has weathered many years and truly knows the things that are important in life-a lesson that I’m still learning.
By Dan Jenkins
Solomon, the wisest man of the Old Testament, had so much to say to young people about their lives. A quick search of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes shows that he mentions child, children, son, sons, young and youth over 85 times in these books.
Evidently one of the purposes Solomon wrote these books was to give instruction to his children. He uses the expression “my son” 23 times. He wanted his son to live a life filled with wisdom. Take time to think about his closing words to young people found in Ecclesiastes chapter twelve.
By David Phillips
Recently, a gospel preacher’s popular blog site featured an article under this title: WHY WE NEED TO STOP TELLING PEOPLE THEY’RE COMMANDED TO GIVE. That’s surely an attention-grabber. However, two separate members of our congregation have come to me, asking my thoughts on the article. After talking with them, it was apparent that they were left with an impression from the article that made them a little bit uncomfortable. After reading the article, I too was left with the impression that the writer wanted me to conclude that there is no New Testament command to give, and that if one doesn’t want to give, it’s okay. Let me quickly say that I believe that if the question were put to that writer in this very simple and direct way, he would likely say, “No, it’s not okay not to give.” At least I hope that would be his position, because I believe the New Testament makes it clear that generous and sacrificial giving is an essential part of the Christian life, without which we cannot go to heaven.
By Dan Jenkins
Near the entrance of Gethsemane, He left eight of the apostles and then took Peter, James and John closer to the place where He was to pray. He left this “inner circle” and “…went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed” (Matt. 26:39, KJV). He went further than others— He always did—and told us to do the same.
In the Sermon on the Mount, He talked about going beyond where others would go. When compelled by a Roman soldier to carry supplies for a mile, Jesus said we should go a greater distance and carry it two (Matt. 5:41). If someone thinks he needs our tunic, Jesus said we should go the greater distance and give him our outer garment as well. He went further, and so should we.
By Donnie Bates via The Daily Bread
No, this week’s article is not about Bugs Bunny! As is the case with most preachers, I suppose, my ministry has been full of opportunities to sit with, cry with, encourage and minister to families suffering through the hospitalization of loved ones, frightening diagnoses and heartbreaking prognoses. And, like every other person on the planet, I’ve had to deal with the same things in my own family. Sickness and death are a part of life in this world and we have to deal with it, but sometimes it gets really, really hard to know how. Unfortunately, there is no magical incantation that I mutter that takes all the pain and anxiety away. I do, however, have some encouragement that will make the pain and anxiety somewhat easier to bear, I think.
By David Phillips (Adapted from Tyler King’s article in Daily Bread, October 17, 2019)
Very likely, many of us have never considered all the little parts and pieces that have to come together in order for one of our worship services to happen. But by the time you walk in the door and grab your bulletin from the table, shake a hand or two and find your favorite seat, many hours of effort, by several different people have already been in motion. They’ve been planning, preparing and providing for the efforts needed in order for the entire group of worshipers to be properly equipped and taught and led through what many of us consider to be the most important thing we do regularly. Worshipping God sets the tone for the week, and it shouldn’t be done haphazardly.
By Fenter Northern
What is a congregation of the Lord? That is a valid, challenging question that must be settled according to scripture. One of equal importance is: when is a congregation functioning as the body of Christ? What then, makes a congregation the church of Christ?
The answer is so biblically basic there should be no need to ask members of the church of Christ those questions, especially overseers in some congregations, but today there is. “For also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves.”
By Dan Jenkins
Many know of that time when the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah who was seriously ill. The message was simple. Isaiah told the king that he was to die. “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Kgs. 20:1). When the prophet departed, Hezekiah prayed so fervently to God that before Isaiah had left the palace God told the prophet to return to the king and deliver the message that his life would be lengthened fifteen years. There are some vital truths we must learn from the details of this wonderful story.