What Prayer Does

By Edd Sterchi Prayer amplifies our feelings,         certifies our relationship,         clarifies our desires,         dignifies our Christianity. Prayer exemplifies our commitment,         fortifies our faith,         identifies our needs,         intensifies our emotions. Prayer justifies our belief,         magnifies our hopes,         notifies our Father,         nullifies our fears. Prayer pacifies our worries,         ratifies our conviction,         sanctifies our lives,         satisfies our longings. Prayer signifies our thanksgiving,         solidifies our duty,         testifies our adoration,         verifies our security.

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

I Know Whom I Have Believed

By Dale J. Babinsky     As Paul was giving his final instructions to the young evangelist, Timothy, he wrote, “For this reason I also suƫer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12NKJV). Let us notice a few things about this particular verse.     First, Paul said that he knows whom he has believed. Paul does not have any doubt about the God that he serves. From the time that Paul first saw the light on the road to Damascus and spoke to our Lord and Savior, he never turned away. Paul was steadfast in his faith, even with all of the trials he had to endure (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Paul knows God, and we can know God too. He has left us suffcient evidence (Rom. 1:20).     Second, Paul is convinced that God is able to do anything He desires. God is all powerful. He is the God who spoke all of creation into existence (Gen. 1). He is the God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). He is the God who was gracious to Paul by giving him a second chance, when he was persecuting God in his pursuit of Christians (Acts 9:1-5). God wants to give us a second chance also. He is able to cleanse our sins in the precious blood of His Son. He is able to make us whole.     Third, Paul has committed something to God. Like Jesus on the cross, Paul has committed his spirit, his soul, his very existence into God’s hands. Paul trusts that God is able to keep his soul well guarded. Peter also spoke of God’s ability to keep our inheritance in heaven under guard (1 Pet. 1:3-5). For those who follow God, their inheritance is reserved. No thief will break in and steal it, and rust will not corrupt it. It is ours, if we will obey and remain faithful to God.     We, like Paul, can have confidence in God. We can believe. We can know that He is able. We can trust Him with our very souls!

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/

One Hope

By Clifton Angel     When you strip away all of life's desires, all of life's distractions, and all of life's demands, there is only one thing that matters most: our preparation for life after death. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27). For this reason, Solomon concluded: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Eccl 12:13–14). Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor 5:10). This life is temporal, but after the Judgment Day is eternity. And we only have "one hope" (Eph 4:4) for spending eternity in the bliss of heaven. Without hope, eternity will be spent in the place called hell (1 Th 1:7–9).     "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4). Simply put, our one and only hope is Jesus Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet 1:3). The Muhammad of Islam cannot provide hope. Joseph Smith of Mormonism cannot provide hope. The Pope of the Catholic church cannot provide hope. These and other false teachers like them may get your "hopes up," but they cannot provide the one true hope of Ephesians 4:4. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).     But what is this calling? "Even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4). Often, I hear individuals speak of "their calling." Many times it is used in reference to someone who devotes their life to preaching. Many times it is used to reference an occupation they love and enjoy and so it must be "their calling." God's providence is real, but He’s not moving us around like board game pieces. The “calling” of Ephesians 4:4 is something God has already provided and it is the SAME for every person who is called—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, "He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Th 2:14).     Jesus provides the "one hope." The good news of His loving sacrifice and gift of eternal life is also the saving message which "calls" us to this "one hope." And it is our obedience to the call which gains us access to this blessed hope. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11–13). Have you obeyed "your calling" to the "one hope?"

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

Doubts About God’s Message

By Joe Chesser     Even the best of men may sometimes be unsure about a message from God. Zechariah the priest was such a man. His story is found in Luke 1.     Both Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (1.6). That’s impressive. You’d think that a man described in this way would never question what God says. Apparently he never questioned what God said in the Law. He kept that blamelessly. But, when Gabriel, an angel who stood in the presence of God (1.19) appeared to him with a personal message of good news from God (1.19), Zechariah’s strong faith and commitment was shaken.     You see, Zechariah and Elizabeth were “both advanced in years” ... and childless (1.7). Why did Gabriel’s message from God shake him up? Because the message was that God had heard their prayers, and that they would have a son (1.13). Unbelievable! Shocking! Zechariah wondered how could they have a child since they were both so old (1.18)? Things like that just don’t happen. So, Zechariah’s response to Gabriel was, “How shall I know this?” (1.18).     As we look back on this story we may wonder, “How dare he doubt both the message and the messenger? And especially after they had been praying for God to give them a child?” But he did, and because he did, even though he was otherwise a righteous and obedient servant of God, God struck him with silence until John was born (1.20).     There are some encouraging lessons in this story, as well as some warnings.     God’s plans are unstoppable. Even though Zechariah doubted Gabriel’s message, God’s plan for John to be born and do his marvelous work was fulfilled. Human doubts do not prevent God’s purposes.     Faith in God’s message is essential. Sometimes we need God’s consequences in order to take God at His word. We can learn from Zechariah to always trust what God says (Proverbs 3.5-6). Disbelieving God’s word is a sure way to unpleasant circumstances.     God is patient and merciful. Zechariah learned an invaluable lesson. God is patient with our weaknesses and uses our struggles to teach and grow us spiritually. God is patient with us, and we need to be patient with God (Isaiah 40.28-31).     God’s timing is perfect. We know Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a child, likely for years, with no answer until the angel appeared. God chose them in their old age for John to be born at just the right time for His plan. Trust in God’s timing, even when it feels delayed. God’s timing is always perfect, even when it does not fit into our schedules.

- Joe Chesser worked for years with the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO. Now retired from full time preaching, he may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com

Love Conquers

By Andrew Beasley       What is the greatest command? Jesus instructs that it is to love God, and that the second greatest is to love one’s neighbor as himself (Matt. 22:36-40). Paul in his discourse on spiritual gifts throughout chapters 12, 13 and 14 of 1st Corinthians teaches that spiritual gifts will eventually fade and three things will remain of which love was the greatest (1 Cor. 13:13). John, in his gospel account, records Christ noting that it was the bond of love between the Father and humanity that led him to send His only Son that we might have eternal life (Jn. 3:16).     It is no secret that if anyone had cause to hold and to harbor a grudge it would be God toward mankind. Moses records that God repented of making man because of their wickedness in the time of Noah (Gen. 6:6). Hosea, through inspiration, uses his relationship with his adulteress wife as an analogy for how the Hebrew people were treating God by their continued rebellion and repeated engagement with pagan idol worship. Yet God loved us so much that despite all of this He sent His son. These examples help to emphasize what Paul instructs in Colossians 3:14, that it is love that overcomes hardship and offenses. It is the bond of love between brethren that conquers the seemingly impossible, just as it was the bond of love that conquered sin and death.

- Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

"True Wisdom: Beyond Age and Anger"

By Jeff Arnette      Consider Elihu—a younger man who has been silently observing the heated exchanges between Job and his three friends. Elihu, in his respect for their age, initially refrains from speaking, as he believes it’s fitting to allow his elders the first opportunity to offer their wisdom. His restraint demonstrates a principle deeply embedded in the culture of the time and echoed throughout Scripture: respect for elders and an openness to their experience. However, Elihu’s respect does not imply blind acceptance of everything the elders say. This brings up a crucial balance between honoring those older than us and exercising discernment in what we accept from them.     Respect for elders remains an essential value. In 1 Peter 5:5, we are reminded to show deference to those who are older, as their experiences can offer valuable lessons. Yet Elihu’s approach highlights that age does not inherently confer wisdom or righteousness. In this case, Job’s three friends, despite their years, have failed to bring truth or insight, as they accuse Job without any concrete evidence. Their accusations lack depth and compassion, proving that wisdom is not solely the result of age but also of character and a heart aligned with God’s truth.     Elihu’s response to both Job and his friends is also fueled by righteous anger. He is frustrated with Job’s insistence on absolute innocence and equally disturbed by the baseless accusations of Job’s friends. While anger is often viewed as sinful, Scripture provides a nuanced view. In Ephesians 4:26, Paul advises that we can “be angry and not sin,” indicating that anger can be righteous when it arises from a desire for justice and truth. However, this anger must be controlled, ensuring it does not lead us into sin.     Finally, Elihu’s words remind us that while age can be a source of wisdom, it’s not an infallible guide. True wisdom comes from God, who grants it to all who are open and willing to learn, regardless of their age. As John 14:26 emphasizes, God teaches and guides us through His Spirit, leading us into truth. By remaining humble and teachable, we position ourselves to receive God’s wisdom and guidance, allowing His word to shape us throughout every stage of life.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

Our Greatest Challenge

By Joe Chesser     I feel confident that all of you reading this know very well Jesus’ prayer in the Garden the night before his crucifixion: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will ” (Matthew 26.39). We know as a human in this critical hour, Jesus asked the Father if something else could be done instead of what he knew must be done. The thoughts of betrayal, torture and crucifixion were overwhelming. We can somewhat understand how he felt. Who wouldn’t? How often have you asked God to change dreaded circumstances?      Yet, what we need to remember is that it was also as a human that he chose to do the will of God regardless of how difficult that would be. Yes, as God he knew what was coming. In just minutes he would be betrayed and taken away like a criminal. He would have to endure an all-night illegal trial that would include mockery and torture. He knew he would be nailed to a cross the next day and die six hours later. He knew what doing the will of God meant for him personally.  That makes his decision to do God’s will even more impressive.     My point is this: following Jesus means doing the very same thing Jesus did. It means denying ourselves of what we would prefer and doing what God wants regardless of how difficult that may be for us personally. Let Jesus’s words burn indelibly in your heart and mind: “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. ”     We are tempted to resist this by arguing that “we cannot possibly measure up to Jesus’ example to such a degree. Afterall, we are just humans.” Yes, that’s true. But Jesus knew we were just humans who love to justify ourselves when he said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7.21-23). Obviously doing good things in the name of the Lord is not the same as doing the will of the Father.     Consider one more statement from Jesus to us: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9.23).     From what Jesus said, and especially from his example in the Garden, if we truly want to follow Jesus, we must do the will of the Father, even when we had rather do something else. Discipleship is a huge challenge, and our greatest challenge is dying to ourselves. The only way to follow Jesus is by keeping our eyes on him (Hebrews 12.1-2).

-  Joe Chesser worked for years with the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO. Now retired from full time preaching, he may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com