By Hardie Logan
It is often stated, “To be like
Jesus, one will do evangelism”. And all too often I hear the
emphasis for church growth is put upon the people instead of
allowing God to give the increase as He wills (Acts 2:47).
But when I read the New Testament, I do not find where Jesus
went to the Gentiles to evangelize. In fact, the nearest I
find to it is where Jesus met the woman at the well who was
a Samarian (John 4:9-24). Even with the woman, it might be
argued that she might be the Jew married to a Gentile.
Another issue arises with Matthew 15:24, “ But He answered
and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel."
The purpose of Jesus was to seek
and save the lost of the house of Israel, i.e. the lost
Jews. He was not sent to evangelize the Gentiles and thus we
do not find any record of Him evangelizing the Gentiles. So
to be like Jesus, one would actually spend time seeking the
lost sheep of the “house of Israel today”, which is the
church.
Next, take the writings of Paul.
All 13 books, well 14 if Hebrews is included, were written
to the church or about how to live in the kingdom of God,
the church. Basically, evangelism, as people normally teach
it, is not the basic teachings of these books. Bring in the
books of Peter, Jude, James and this thought still rings
true. The teachings of the books are basically about how to
live in the Kingdom of God, which is the church.
Even the book of Revelation gets
involved in this. In chapters 2 and 3, where the seven
churches of Asia are talked about, not once do we see that
Jesus chastised those churches for not evangelizing. Instead
what we do see is that they were chastised for the way they
were living.
Yet out of all this, we continue to
hear more preaching about what we do than about what we
believe. Evangelize, Evangelize, Evangelize. And yet in many
of our congregations, they are dying from within, not from a
lack of evangelizing. Just think about the generation of
kids that we do not have now.
Take a look at Ephesians 4:11-16.
Could this be the key to real sustainable church growth?
Could it be the kind of church growth that our Lord wants
from us? Could it be that we are to have responsibility for
being our “brother’s keeper” in helping our brother grow to
be useful to the church?
The purpose of elders, deacons,
teachers, and such may be to help others to find their
talent and then help them to develop that talent so they are
a useful part of the body. Ephesians 4:16 puts it into
perspective…”from whom the whole body, joined and knit
together by what every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part does its share, causes
growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
- Hardie Logan preaches for the Marshfield church of Christ,
in Marshfield, WI. He may be contacted at
xnman01@gmail.com
By Edd Knight
That may strike you as a ridiculous
question, but before you answer, consider these things.
Jesus has endorsed heaven as the most desirable place to be
after this life. For most Christians the word of Jesus is
the ultimate recommendation. But what do you think it will
really be like? A desirable place to Jesus Christ might
actually be a little uncomfortable for some professed
Christians. The Bible is not really explicit or detailed
about the activities that will take place in heaven.
Some envision heaven as a place of
rest, an eternal spit and whittle club where they recline in
the shade of a tree and visit nostalgically with old
friends. Now, the real problem with that line of thought is
that the idle Christian will probably not make it to the
heavenly rest, and God would surely not force the energetic
Christian to sit in the shade and drift off into eternal
boredom. So surely there will be some activities to engage
in. If you really speculate on heavenly activities, it may
cause you to wonder if it is where you really want to go.
Do you have trouble getting to
church services a couple of times a week? Does it seem a bit
too much? Suppose you get to heaven and they have
worship assemblies every day. How would you like that? Are
you irritated when your preacher goes beyond the time you
have allotted to him? Can you visualize spending eternity in
heaven with that long-winded guy, and having him preach to
you every day? Do you not care to sing praises to God in
excess of the customary three songs – and “no new or
difficult songs” ever to be sung? All that singing and
praising and worshipping of God in heaven might be too much
of a stretch for your soul. Do you find fellowship
activities boring and time consuming, something that keeps
you from doing your own thing on your own schedule? In
heaven God’s servants will serve Him. Do you resent having
assigned work to do?
The list of questions could go on
and on, but probably the severest test would be getting to
heaven and finding people there that in your judgment have
no right to be there. Are you willing to take a chance on
that?
Do you really want to go to heaven?
Maybe considering the only other alternative
destination (it is called hell) will help you make up your
mind. But if you really want to be in heaven, it greatly
behooves you to prepare for that eventuality now. It is not
a choice you can make when life ends – you will not be given
a preview of heaven and hell at that time and allowed to
decide which one you really want. The choice has to be made
while you live. Actually there is only one choice for you to
make. If you do not choose heaven and prepare yourself for
it, then the default choice of the only alternative to
heaven is automatic.
Of course, if you love Christ, the
church – the people and the activities of the church – you
are ready for heaven and all it portends.
- Edd, Knight; via
The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Dongola
church of Christ, Dongola, IL. Gerald Cowan serves the
congregation as minister. He may be contacted at
Geraldcowan1931@aol.com
We hear of and see a number of things
being promoted today. Some are good and some not so
good. Some are scriptural and others are not. One,
however, is really impressed as he reads the Galatian
letter to see that Paul surely promoted unity among his
brethren.
I do not guess anybody would think he
would promote unity on anything less than a Bible basis.
But Paul wanted these brethren to know what real unity
was. Take a look at this. “There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”
(Gal. 3:28). So there is no question about the fact of
unity. They occupy the position of unity in Christ and
Paul wants to do all he can to protect the unity they
have. How then, will Paul seek to promote unity? What
will an apostle’s approach be to such a vital matter?
For one thing, Paul would help them
see the price of division. Listen as he says, “But if ye
bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another” (5:15). That sounds to me like
Paul is saying they can self-destruct or destroy one
another. Like two violent and vicious animals who cut
and claw one another until both are disabled beyond
recovery. Paul wants his brethren to see that their
inward division was too high a price to pay.
One sees this sort of thing in some
divorces. Both parties go into court with the intent to
destroy the character and good name of the other. When
they emerge from the conflicts both are decimated. The
children are left bewildered and confused and are caught
between their hearts and heads. Respect for and
confidence in the parents is shaken and shattered. That
is the price one pays for division.
But what could prevent such division?
Well, in the first place, one could never allow himself
or herself to act like an animal. Such conduct is
manifest in the works of the flesh (5:19-21). But if we
give way to the flesh it is obvious we are not led by
the teaching of the Spirit. We will take the carnal
approach and that means we are no different than the man
of the world.
However, we can solve the problem of
the fellowship of the saints by promoting the fruit of
the Spirit in the saints. Where this is found you have
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, and self control (5:22-23).
How would you like to be in a
situation where only those kinds of folks were found?
You say, I would love to be there. That is exactly what
every congregation of the Lord’s people is supposed to
be, no more and no less.
Such would surely promote peace.
- Winfred Clark; via the
Belvedere Beacon, the weekly bulletin of the
Belvedere church of Christ, Belvedere, SC. Ken
Chumbley preaches for this congregation, and he may be
contacted at their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org
By Rick Woodall
What should be the
deciding factor in determining whether the Good News of
the Gospel should be silenced? Is there a proper moment in
history that we need to postpone proclaiming the truth? I
recall a scripture when religious leaders of the day were
becoming more than concerned about the activities of the
Apostles in the book of Acts.
“Then the high priest and all his
associates, who were members of the party of the
Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the
apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the
night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail
and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he
said, "and tell the people the full message of this new
life." – Acts 5:17-20
It was a time of primary concern.
The high priest and the associates were burning in envy
because the current events. These followers of Christ were
presenting a new message to the people. It was an
announcement of hope. This message was not a
halfhearted proclamation. It was the full message that
well defined a new life of the likes no one had ever heard
of before. The Gospel could be observed in the lives
of Gods messengers. Even officially authorized custody
could not stop the persistent doctrine of truth.
My gift reminds me that in today’s
world the “Good News” remains bad news to several that
will not respect the authority of the scriptures. Here is
some wonderful advice.
“Preach the word; be instant in season,
out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
But watch thou in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make
full proof of thy ministry.” - 2 Tim 4:2-5
The message is still a new objective
for many. The Gospel is still promising a new life. Since
that is the case many are yet trying to influence
individuals in other directions. Before you get too bored
let the scriptures speak.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of
strange teachings.” - Heb 13:8-9
The message is the same. The adversary
is still pulling misleading tricks out of his bag that
include suspicion, envy and doubt. We need to keep telling
the people the full message of this new life.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your
enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking
for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the
faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the
world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. – 1 Pet
5:8-9
- Rick Woodall is the minister for the Yorktown Road
church of Christ in Logansport Indiana. His weekly
devotional message, Life Thoughts, can be found through
this address:
http://mysite.verizon.net/yorktownroadchurchofchrist/
By Raymond Glendinning
No one likes change! I remember finding the first gray hair on my
head; I couldn't get it pulled out quick enough. Now if I were to pull
the gray, I would be bald! Time not only calls for, but demands
change. If all that changed was the color of my hair, then I could live
with that, but as you know that is not all that changes. I'm not as
slim as I used to be, not as fast on my feet (or my mind) as I used to
be, and those ten minutes (reviving) naps, now turn into hours. The
1:00 a.m. bedtime hour now sounds better at 11:00 p.m. Of course I
could react to all this change by becoming a member of the "mid-life
crisis" club, but that still doesn't solve the problem. To make it, I
just have to accept change. That does not mean I have to like it, but
since it is outside my control I will just have to learn to live with
it.
In the church there are changes taking place. I am not talking or
considering changes that seem to be doctrinal. I am talking about the
cosmetic changes. You see, it is not within anyone's power to change
the doctrine. That is God's business and if He wants it altered that's
fine. But since it says in His word His ways are unchangeable, I don't
expect His plan for man's salvation to be changed on dot! However,
methods are changing.
Church buildings are not what they used to be (remember the days of
no air conditioning, or even worse, remember the days of two-hour
services). Church meetings have changed. Remember the times we had
two-week (that is as far back as I go) gospel meetings? Now we read of
churches having one-day meetings, some of which are on Sundays which
really doesn't make it much of a special occasion. They just give the
preacher the day off, and bring in a special speaker for the day. Some
of the songs we sing are different from what we are used to, and some
even put them on overhead projectors instead of using songbooks.
People today don't dress up the way they used to to go to church
(remember those special Sunday clothes?). Preaching also has changed.
Some preachers have got away not from book, chapter and verse, but the
way they use book, chapter and verse. Instead of using numerous texts
that people left not remembering, some preachers now use a handful of
texts, but they explain them in such a way they play on your spirit the
rest of the week. Leadership within the church has changed. Elderships
have moved from being a board of directors to being shepherds, and
caring for the welfare of God's people.
How do we react to all this change? There are some who go into
"this is all new, and we have never done this before" crisis. They get
all upset and dig their heels in, also challenging someone to drag them
into modern times. They seem to forget that they at one time were the
agents of change. We may not like all the changes we are beginning to
see, some even make us uncomfortable, but the fact is change is
inevitable! Methods of proclaiming the unchanging gospel have, and
always will go through periods of change. I, like you, have witnessed
methods that overstepped the boundaries laid down by God, and they have
flourished for a while, but then because a Source of life were not in
them, they died their death. Let us all give God the credit for
"snuffing" out the methods that do not meet with His approval. He is
still in control! Let us also realize that change does not mean one is
on the slippery slope of apostasy. I have heard it said many times that
"all this changes is leading the church astray."
Have the changes that you have made over the years led the church
astray? Why then make the judgment on others who have just continued
what you and others before you begun? Surely they love the Lord and His
church as much as anyone before them, or why else would they have
stayed with it? The only thing threatened by the change of methods in
proclaiming God's word is our traditions and our comfort zones, and in
the scheme of eternal things they don't amount to a "hill of beans." If
we have book, chapter and verse, then speak up and speak out in
opposition to the changes that are not scriptural. But, then, if we only
have "well, I don't like it," be like me with my gray hair and realize,
having it beats the alternative of not living long enough to go gray,
or just going bald! Change beats death!
- via the online newsletter, Seed, "sent on occasion to ministers,
church workers, and others articles, illustrations, and other aids for
bulletins, sermons, Bible class lessons, or personal study." Visit
http://biblesays.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=91556
By David Shannon
We often sing the beautiful hymn, “I need thee every hour.”
The song was written by Annie S. Hawks. She was a young
mother of 37 who was overcome with a feeling of closeness
one day while doing her daily household chores of
motherhood. She knew she needed God at all times. Late in
life she stated she didn’t know how true the words were
until she had fallen under the shadow of great loss. She
knew again, she needed Him every hour.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every
hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come o Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose
their power when Thou art nigh. I need Thee every hour, in
joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain. I
need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will; And Thy rich
promises in me fulfill. I need Thee every hour, most Holy
One; O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son. Do you really
believe you need God every hour?
Many wouldn’t dream of living
without their technology. Many are convinced they need it
every day and even every hour. Have you seen the look on
someone’s face when the suggestion is offered to do without
TV for a week or tell a cell phone or internet addict to do
without these items for a week? Encourage a PDA junkie to
withdraw for a week. The point isn’t that they are wrong;
simply think of the dependency we have on these things. Now
ask the question, “Are we dependent on God?” The other day I
received the following e-mail:
I wonder what would happen if we
treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones? What if we
carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we
turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we flipped
through it several times a day? What if we used it to
receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like
we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as
gifts? What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it
in case of an emergency?
We need the Lord every moment. Do
we know it? The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm
23:1).
- David Shannon; via
The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert
City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle
preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
By Michael Johnson
Most of us have sung this song for
all of our lives. Bible classes and Vacation Bible Schools
were the primary places we sang it. We still sing it today.
We sing it most days at Little Hands Preschool. I always
follow it by asking how many books are in the Bible? How
many books are in the New Testament? How many books are in
the Old Testament? It is refreshing to know how many of them
are retaining those numbers.
We are blessed with Bible teachers
who really are Bible teachers. The Bible has been at the
center of our education ministry. It begins in the infant
class as the teachers pass around a Bible to those infants
who are aided to touch it with their hands. By song and
action, these little ones learn early the value of the
Bible. We have even heard that sometimes the first word of
some is Bible.
This Bible emphasis continues
through our adult classes where dedicated teachers glean
great lessons steeped in Scripture. They are guided well by
the team that plans and assigns the various topics. Truly,
the Bible is the center of our education ministry. We “read
and study and then obey, the B-I-B-L-E.”
The authority of the Bible is the
foundation upon which all of this is built. We hold to the
view that whatever God permits, licenses, or authorizes is
what we are going to practice and teach. If we have no
authority for a teaching or a practice, then we do not and
will not engage it. We “stand alone on the word of God, the
BI-B-L-E.”
Psalm 119 is a song of David about
his view of the word of God. He declared that it was “…a
lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (verse 105) Only 8
verses out of 176 do not contain one of these words:
precepts, law, ordinances, word, commandments, statute,
judgments, or testimony. The Bible is our only eternal guide
for life. Let us continue to teach our precious young ones
and all the rest of us this valuable lesson.
- Michael Johnson; via
The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert
City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle
preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website:
http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
By David Lipscomb
Division in the churches is
painful. It wrings the heart with anguish. But God asked,
"Can two walk together except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3).
This is a strong declaration that they cannot. It is true as
applied to both God and man. Can you walk with God unless
you agree with Him? He claims to be the Lord, the only Ruler
of the universe. Can you walk with Him while you insist on
making laws and changing His order? It also applied to man.
Can two walk together when one insists on going another way?
Often, those we love must force us
to the choice as to whether we will cling to God or go with
them. If we love God better than we love them, we will cling
to God and His ways. If division must come, let it come
along the lines of love and loyalty to God. If we separate
from others and do not walk with God, another separation
must come. Separation after separation must come until the
lines of cleavage run with the line of loyalty to God. Until
division along this line is reached, divisions must continue
and multiply. As soon as, and not until, divisions along
this line is reached, the union with God and those true to
Him will be permanent.
God is directing these things and
does all things well. All we have to do is to stand true and
firm to God and His word all along the line, and leave
results with Him. We can do nothing else. We are poor and
foolish and weak; God is wise and strong. Our only hope is
to walk with and be true to God in all things. "For there
must be also heresies (divisions) among you, that they which
are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Corinthians
11:19). Divisions must come until we are all willing to be
led by God.
- Via the weekly bulletin of the Coldwater church of Christ
in Coldwater, MS. Clifton Angel serves as their preacher and
he may be contacted through that congregation's website:
http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
By Joe Chesser
We live in a society that basically believes, “It’s all
about me.” Almost every message that advertisers use promotes “me.”
Check them out and see if I’m right. Pamper yourself. Please
yourself. Protect yourself.
No wonder so many marriages are breaking up. No wonder so
many people are having a difficult time at work. No wonder there’s so
much crime and overcrowded prisons. No wonder there’s so much
mud-slinging in politics. No wonder there’s so much road rage. No
wonder children are so difficult to control. No wonder there are so
many lawsuits. No wonder there are so many people crying that their
rights have been violated. No wonder there are so many churches being
split.
One of God’s irrefutable laws says that whatever you sow,
you reap. We are seeing the vivid results of sowing the seeds of
self-centeredness, and it’s not pretty.
However, God’s law of sowing and reaping works both ways.
If we actively sow seeds of selflessness and service to others we will
definitely reap a different harvest. What we see in Jesus, and what
actually cost him is life, is that God is not happy with
self-centeredness in any realm of human existence: not in the home, not
in the workplace, not in the church. So, Jesus repeatedly taught us
that Christianity is not about “me,” it’s about others.
The greatest command is to love God (not self). Mark 12:29-30
The next greatest is to love our neighbors (not self) Mark 12:31
We are to die to ourselves Luke 9:23
We are to bless those who persecute us Romans 12:14
We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition Philippians 2:3
We are to consider others better than ourselves Philippians 2:3
As much as we are bombarded by advertisers, politicians,
educators, and even clergy to “look out for #1,” it will be difficult to
believe and practice the teachings of Jesus that it’s “not about you.”
But we must.
Yet, here’s the blessing. When we learn to do things the
way Jesus taught and lived, we learn that putting others first is the
best thing we can do for ourselves. There’s nothing on earth to compare
to becoming like Jesus!
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland church of Christ, Fruitland,
MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.cofcfruitland.com/
By Tim Childs
A mechanical instrument is an inanimate object. Since it is
non-living, it is therefore unable to comprehend any messages from its
maker. It does not entertain any rational thoughts to communicate to its
maker. A mechanical instrument never expresses appreciation to its
maker for making it in the first place, or to its owner for taking good
care of it. It has no spirit with which to convey gratitude for its
owner cleaning it, or protecting it from bad weather, or from abuse by a
pet or small child.
The members of our body are to be used faithfully as instruments of
righteousness (Romans 6:13). While God wonderfully created man [not only
physically, but also spiritually (in his own image)], including his
heart and his lips whereby he may praise God, every mechanical
instrument is inferior simply from the standpoint it is man made. God is
able to use the instruments he has made and sanctified for his service,
i.e. our hearts and tongues (our composite being). "By him therefore
let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the
fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15).
In worship man communicates messages from his spirit to God who is
the infinite Spirit. These messages must convey our deep humility and
submission to his Divine authority. God is God. I am not God. God is not
a man, and so his thoughts and ways transcend our own. God has
communicated through command and approved example what he expects of his
people who follow Christ. Christians are not at liberty to tinker and
play with what he has called for. With respect to music, according to
Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, the only instrument to be employed
in Christian worship is a grateful heart in tune and in step with him.
In the exclusive employment of vocal music, we are in the blessed
company of Jesus who sang with his disciples, the Apostles who sang with
the first Christians, and the church (being guided by the Holy
Spirit/given all things pertaining to life and godliness) that Jesus
established throughout the Roman empire.
One might listen to an organ, or a full orchestra play all day and
he would never hear the first intelligible thought. He would never learn
anything about God, Jesus, his Son, the Holy Spirit, the church, or
about faithful Christian living and service. One would never be edified
in the biblical sense, nor encouraged to patient steadfastness in the
Lord. He would never be reminded of the home for which we long and how
beautiful heaven must be. Therefore, we will be content to “sing with
the spirit,” and “the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
- Tim Childs preaches for the Hillcrest church of Christ in Baldwyn,
MS. He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.thelordsway.com/hillcrestms
By Larry Miles
In Ephesians 1:3 Paul wrote these words, “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” The Christian is a
heavenly person. He is not “of this world.” Philippians 3:20 tells us
that we are “citizens of heaven.”
What does this mean to the Christian? It means that we do not let
the things of this world, which are anti-God, dictate how we live. We
have been called out of a kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the
Lord Jesus (Col. 1:2-14). The Word of God is our constitution,
especially the New Testament. We find in its pages how to live and act
as “citizens of heaven,” and enjoy all the blessings in Christ!
Jesus said that He came to give us the abundant life. We should
desire all that the Godhead has for us. Paul told the Colossians that
we should “seek the things that are above.” We must, therefore, strive
to conduct our lives with a heavenly emphasis. We need to renew our
minds spiritually.
We have received these spiritual blessings so that we can praise
God! The Lord has promised to equip us for service so that we can reach
the lost and strengthen the saved. These blessings that we have as
“citizens of heaven” are to help us grow daily in “the grace and
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
We cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. We need the help
of the Lord at all times. Satan is out there “as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.” Because of that, we need the assurance
that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
Christians should seek everything God has for us so that we can be
equipped to live for Him, always learning from the Word of God, and
being active in His service while we look forward to the time when the
Lord returns for His Church to take us home to the full reality of the
Heavenly kingdom.
While we have been promised all the blessings today, one day we
will enjoy them on a higher scale when we see Him face to face. If we
avail ourselves of all that He has for us and use the blessings to bring
glory to Him, we will let our light shine for Him.
- Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY and publishes "Larry's Lines"
several times a week. Copyright 2009. Visit his website:
http://larryslines.com/
By Ricky Butts and David A. Sargent
On January 13, 2012, the Costa
Concordia, a cruise ship, hit rocks off the coast of island
Giglio when it was brought too near to the shore by the
captain of the ship, Francesco Schettino. The captain claims
he was instructed to venture near the shore in the move
called a ‘salute’ by a manager of the ship’s owner.
However, Costa Crociere’s chief executive, Pier Luigi
Foschi, put back the blame on the captain claiming that
Schettino did not have the approval to change the course and
was going too fast at 16 knots to be so close to shore.
“A ‘salute’ — or ‘sail-by’ as it's
also known — loosely refers to taking a cruise ship closer
to shore to give passengers and/or land-based onlookers a
thrilling view,” explains Chris Gray Faust. This
“salute” turned out to be no thrill at all – the death toll
is currently at 15, with 24 people still missing, including
seven that have not yet been identified – not to mention the
loss of the ship itself.
Schettino told magistrates that his
Costa superiors had insisted on the move, which took
Concordia within 150 meters of Giglio, to please passengers
and attract publicity, reported Reuters. Foschi has
asserted that Schettino's diversion, which led to the
sinking of the ship, was "unauthorized, unapproved and
unknown to Costa."
According to another cruise line,
Princess Cruises, “salutes” or “sail-bys” are against
policy. Media relations manager, Karen Candy, stated:
“There is a voyage plan that is briefed to Deck and
Technical Officers several days before the transit… It is
not deviated from to get closer to land or to greet
residents." *
When the Costa Concordia deviated
from its course, it brought tragic – even fatal – results.
The Bible warns: “There is a way
that SEEMS right to a man, But its end is the way of DEATH”
(Proverbs 14:12).
But you and I are guilty
all-too-often of deviating from the course in order to
“salute” and engage in some selfish, sinful desire.
James 1:13-14 describes the process of venturing dangerously
close and then into sin and the penalty: DEATH! We sin
and consequently “shipwreck” our lives!
But God loves us so much that He
sent Jesus to come to our rescue! Jesus died on the
cross to pay the price for our sins so that we might be
saved from sin and have eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians
1:7).
In order to accept God’s offer of
salvation and life through Jesus, we must place our faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
Having made wrong choices in the
past and thus placed yourself on a “sinking ship,” won’t YOU
“take hold” of the Savior’s offer through your trusting
obedience?
- Ricky Butts and David A. Sargent; David A. Sargent,
minister for the church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile,
Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional
entitled
Living Water."
To learn more about this excellent resource contact David
via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org
* Information gleaned from: “How common are cruise ship
'salutes?'” By Chris Gray Faust, Cruise Critic contributor.
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10237611-how-common-are-cruise-ship-salutes
The road to success is always under construction,
Few people travel the road to success without a puncture or two.
Life is not so much a matter of position as of disposition.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.
The best vitamin for making friends: B1
Nobody raises his own reputation by lowering others.
He who throws mud loses ground.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Lost time is never found again.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
Some people develop eye strain looking for trouble.
A hard thing about business is minding your own.
Triumph is just “UMPH” Added to try.
Success comes to those who make it happen, not those who let happen.
Frogs have it easy, they eat what bugs them.
Children need more models than critics.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime.
If the going gets easy you may be going downhill.
Don't let yesterday use up today.
The future is purchased by the present.
Ideas won't work unless you do.
Jumping to conclusions can be a bad exercise.
A ship in harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
Failure is the path of lest persistence.
Hard work is the yeast that raises the dough.
Patience is counting down without blasting off.
Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
Some folks won't look up until they are flat on their backs.
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
Friend: one who knows all about you and likes you just the same.
Make friends before you need them.
Money talks and often just says, "Good-by".
Birds have bills too and they keep on singing.
Forbidden fruit is responsible for many a bad jam.
God's retirement plan is out of this world.
A good example is the best sermon.
The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice.
Minds are like parachutes, they function only when open.
No man knows less than the man who knows all.
It’s nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Live as you wish your kids would.
Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion.
Past failures are guideposts for future success.
One lacks courage to start has already finished.
A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.
If others have sinned, you need not mention it.
When looking for faults use a mirror not a telescope.
We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.
The greatest of all faults is to imagine you have none.
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
He who forgives ends the quarrel.
Having a sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
Smile, it takes only 13 muscles, a frown takes 64.
Of all the things you wear your expression is the most important.
Kindness: a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Heaviest thing to carry, a grudge.
Everyone has 20/20 hindsight.
A bad conscience has a very good memory.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
The best way to cheer yourself up is the cheer somebody else up.
You have to choose happiness, it doesn't choose you.
Failure to prepare, we prepare to fail.
Don't learn safety rules simply by accident,
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
Break a bad habit, drop it.
Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.
If you're going in the wrong direction, God allows U turns.
Success is ... more attitudes than aptitude.
Your favorite attitude should be gratitude.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
Procrastination is the thief of time.
Two-thirds of promotion is motion.
One thing you can give and still keep - is your word.
Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.
Success comes in cans, failure comes in can't.
Well done, is better then well said.
The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.
After all is said and done, more is said than done.
You are rich according to what you are, not according to what you have.
Your interest should be in your future, you're going to spend the rest of your life there.
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Be like a postage stamp, stick to one thing till you get there.
Anger is a letter short of danger.
Men give away nothing so freely as their advice.
Positive thinking is better than negative.
Kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
If you don't care where you're going, any road will get you there.
Put your goals in writing, if you can't put it on a sheet of paper you probably can't do it..
The best way to determine what motivates people, ask them.
Not doing more than average is what keeps the average down.
There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm.
Where you come form isn't as important as where you are going.
Be yourself, who else is better qualified.
Man-made Religion Says: The New Testament Says:
"One way is as good as another." There is only one way (John 14:6)
"One faith is as good as another." There is only one faith. (Eph. 4:5)
"One church is as good as another. There is only one church. (Matt. 16:18)
"We are all going to the same place." Not everyone religious will be saved. (Matt. 7:21)
Jesus has a question for those practicing man-made
religions:
"...why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do the
things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
- Selected; via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church
of Christ in Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their
website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org
Watchmen! stand upon your stations;
Blow the trumpet loud and long;
Preach the Gospel to the nations,
Warn the just away from wrong.
See the day is breaking;
See foundations shaking,
When ramparts rise, be strong,
When ramparts rise, be strong!
Watchmen! greet the nearing glory
Of the great Messiah's reign!
Tell the risen Savior's story,
Tell it once and o'er again;
See His love revealing,
See the nations' healing:
New life among the slain,
New life among the slain!
This poem is an adaptation of song lyrics from the
1800s. Do you think I have a right to attach my
name to it? Get the goods on the original lyrics
here, compare the two, and tell me what you think:
http://wp.me/pbYlo-PN
- J. Randal Matheny edits and writes UPLift, an
inspirational ezine. He
may be contacted here: .
When reprinting this
material, please include the following:
Copyright (c) 2012 J. Randal Matheny
All rights reserved. You may forward the
email to friends as is. You may not alter
it in any way or remove any text or
attributions.
By Douglas Mallock
There may be nothing wrong with you,
The way you live, the work you do,
But I can very plainly see
Exactly what is wrong with me.
It isn’t that I’m indolent
Or dodging duty by intent;
I work as hard as anyone,
And yet I get so little done,
The morning goes, the noon is here,
Before I know. The night is near,
And all around me, I regret,
Are things I haven’t finished yet.
If I could just get organized!
I oftentimes have realized
Not all that matters is the man;
The man must also have a plan.
With you, there may be nothing wrong.
But here’s my trouble right along;
I do the things that don’t amount
To very much, of no account,
That really seems important though
And let a lot of matters go.
I nibble this, I nibble that,
But never finish what I’m at.
I work as hard as anyone does,
And yet, I get so little done,
I’d do so much you’d be surprised,
It I could just get organized!
By C. M.Callan
I have a friend that told me
about one of his uncles. It seems as if every time
the family got together, you could count on him making
this statement to all that would listen. “There
are only two things that are important in this life;
church and family, nothing else matters.”
Some might argue that it should
be “God and family,” and I understand the reasoning
behind that. However does not “church”
include God? Yes, the first commandment is to love
God, but you cannot love God if you are not a part of
His divine church. (I John 1: 3-6). So then church
does include God and also fellow believers. God
welcomed us into His family when we were reborn in
baptism. What a glorious family, with Christ our
elder brother who sits on the throne with God and all
the saints that have gone before leading the way, we
should all feel the security of the love of other
Christians and give God the praise.
Christ reminds us that we need to put
the kingdom (church) before every thing else, including
family. (Luke 14:26-27) But, this does not
mean that Christ thought family was unimportant.
Christ even made preparation for his mother’s care as he
was being crucified on the cross. Every command of
God regarding marriage and family was apparently given
to strengthen the family unit. God condemns those
who commit adultery, and God says divorce is wrong,
because it destroys the family unit. From the very
beginning of time God promoted the family as a sacred
institution. (Genesis 2:24)
The sad thing is, as a nation we have
rejected both ideas. Our government has thrown God
out of every building they have the power to do
so. It has now become the accepted norm by many,
that living together without marriage is ok and that sex
is just something you do if you feel like it, no matter
who it is with. Have we lost our mind? Satan
is laughing all the way to hell and back.
I think my friend’s uncle was right
on target. We need more people shouting this and
living it. It starts by putting God back into our
families and then in our community and then the nation.
PS: It is strange that when
many of the people that have rejected God and family,
get in trouble, the first person they turn to is God
followed by family!
- C. M.Callan serves as an elder of the
church of Christ in Rotan, TX. He may be contacted at drcall@sbcglobal.net
