By David R. Ferguson Many of the familiar expressions we use today originated in the Bible. One such idiom, “the blind leading the blind,” comes from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 15:14: “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (see also Luke 6:39). As Jesus traveled around ministering in Galilee, He attracted crowds from places near and far, including Jerusalem – the authoritative center of Judaism at the time. The Gospel of Matthew records a scene in which a group of Pharisees and scribes travel from Jerusalem to confront Jesus. These religious leaders were the representatives of Judaism in that day. They were entrusted with studying the Scriptures and guiding God’s people in the ways of the Lord. Without a doubt, these Jewish leaders were receiving reports of miracles and unconventional activities surrounding Jesus’ ministry. They became alarmed that their many regulations, laws, and age-old “traditions of the elders” (Matthew 15:2, ESV) were not being kept. Specifically, they had come to question why Jesus’ disciples were breaking the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before meals. According to their procedures – which, in reality, were human-made regulations and not part of God’s word – Jesus and His disciples were behaving in a way that made them ritually unclean. These so-called spiritual leaders had elevated their legalistic traditions to the point of equality with the commands of God in Scripture, a transgression Jesus was now compelled to confront. Leading up to His description of the religious leaders as blind leaders of the blind, Jesus pointed out how the Pharisees had broken God’s commandments (Matthew 15:3-9). First, He established their hypocrisy – they regularly broke the laws of God while demanding that others follow their human-made traditions. They displayed outward piety but lacked true devotion to God and His word in their hearts. They were rebellious toward God and blind to their spiritual emptiness. When Jesus said of the Pharisees, “The blind lead the blind,” He was emphasizing the foolishness of the situation. Only a person who can see ought to lead a blind person. To be a successful guide to others, one must be able to see where he or she is going. If the blind lead the blind, those leaders are arrogant, overconfident, and in serious denial about their own sightless condition. Jesus knew this was true of the scribes and Pharisees who had come to confront Him. “Guide for the blind” was a common title for Jewish teachers of that day (Romans 2:19). Jesus wasn’t about to let His detractors continue claiming this title when, in truth, they needed someone to lead them. We, too, must be careful not to let our own arrogance and pride blind us to our spiritual condition. We must trust in God and His word.
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com
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By David R. Ferguson
It’s interesting when you study the Old Testament and, while doing so, you recognize its fulfillment coming alive in the New Testament. When Joshua and the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they entered their inheritance. When we come to the Lord in obedient, saving faith, we receive many great blessings on top of having our sins removed. One of the greatest gifts we receive is we are adopted by God as His child legally, which is why from that point onward we become heirs to all that God has. The Apostle Paul writes about this process in Romans 8:16-17 [MEV], saying,“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.” This point Paul makes here is key and essential for us to know. The Holy Spirit of God, which Peter declared on the Day of Pentecost was given to obedient believers at baptism (Acts 2:38), bears witness to our spirit that we are, indeed, part of God’s family! But that’s not all the Spirit of God bears witness to. He also says we are now heirs of God and joint heirs with His Son Jesus! The entire inheritance of God becomes ours as we share it with His Son because we are also God’s child. And that’s very exciting to ponder. But there’s also an “if” attached to this promise, and it’s important. We are children of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in His sufferings. By doing so, Paul says we then will share in His glory. It’s difficult to suffer, but suffering for the sake of Christ is part of our inheritance we have in Him. Paul writes about this in 2 Timothy 3:12 [MEV], saying, “Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Since Christ suffered, then so will we, but for Christians this suffering becomes a great blessing. Jesus spoke of this Himself in His Sermon on the Mount:“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.“Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 [MEV]). Great, indeed, is our reward in Heaven where our Father and Elder Brother await us!
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- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com
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By David R. Ferguson
In Matthew 9:27-31, we read of yet another great miracle on a day comprised of several astonishing miracles Jesus performed in the city of Capernaum so very long ago. As Matthew puts it,27 As Jesus went on from there, two men who were blind followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 And after He entered the house, the men who were blind came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows about this!” 31 But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout that land. From the moment He stepped off the boat that morning, Jesus had been going nonstop performing miracles, and this wasn’t even the last one He would do that day! He had already cured a paralyzed man; a woman with a blood issue that had lasted for 12 years was healed when she touched the hem of His robe; and He had just raised a 12-year-old girl from the dead. All these things had happened that day before He was accosted by these two blind men seeking His aid. Some people naturally wonder why Jesus seemingly ignored the pleas of these two blind men as they cried out to Him. Jesus didn’t stop and heal these men, but instead He entered the house where He was staying without addressing the men. Although we aren’t told specifically why Jesus didn’t speak with these men initially, there are several possibilities that aren’t unreasonable. The first of these could be that Jesus may have been exhausted and simply hadn’t heard them initially as they cried out to Him since there were also many other people following Jesus that day. It may have been that Jesus wanted the men to repeat their request. This is the message Jesus taught in His Parable of the Persistent Widow. God loves His children, and He desires to hear from them often. And yet another reason Jesus didn’t respond immediately to these two blind men may be tied in with His command to them to “See that no one knows about this.” It wasn’t yet time for Jesus to be crucified for the sins of mankind, and the cry these men made of “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” was not just a call for help, it was also a battle cry. The title “Son of David” is a Messianic title, and one the Jews used in their zeal to for a King to throw off their Roman overloads militarily. This wasn’t the mission of Jesus, and He didn’t need any trouble with the Romans. It’s my opinion that Jesus waited until the men followed Him inside the house to heal them for this very reason. |
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com
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By David R. Ferguson In Ephesians 4:15 we are told to “speak the truth in love.” So how do we overcome Satan? We must understand that we are in a battle. We must put on “the whole armor of God.” And we must utilize our spiritual victory plan. That plan is laid out for the child of God in Revelation 12:11 where John wrote, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Look at those things. “The blood of the Lamb” is Jesus’ sacrifice. “The word of their testimony” is what we today recognize as the Scriptures. “And they did not love their lives to the death” is self-sacrifice. So today we can overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb.” The lamb that was slain in the Old Testament era was a symbol of something pure and perfect that took the place of sinners. John the Baptist once saw Jesus approaching and said, “Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” Hebrews 10:4 tells us that “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” Hebrews 10:12 says that Jesus, “after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.” His sacrifice, being perfect (Hebrews 4:15), was able to remove completely the guilt and stain of sin for those who obey Him. There also is “the word of their testimony,” which to us are the Scriptures. Those Scriptures are our spiritual lifeline. They, as it were, turn on a flashlight for us in a world of spiritual darkness (Psalm 119:105). The Scriptures are what make us spiritually clean. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). The Scriptures help us prevent sin in our lives. We hide God’s word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him (Psalm. 119:11). The third aspect in our spiritual victory plan has to do with the fact that we must be willing “not to love our lives to the death.” This means that we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the cause of Christ. We are not talking, of course, about a person going out and doing something foolish that would intentionally harm his body in the name of Jesus. What we are talking about is being willing every single day to give our lives to Christ, and being willing to submit our will to God’s will. The Scriptures teach in Romans 12:1 that we are “living sacrifices.” We are to consider ourselves “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, according to Jesus in Luke. 9:23. The Scriptures teach us that the love of God ought to cause us to die to self daily to live for Jesus. Are you in the battle today to win? Are you aware that Satan is trying to cause you to lose your soul? If so, have you put on the whole armor of God? Are you prepared spiritually to go to battle against the Devil? Are you taking advantage of the spiritual victory plan? Always remain true to God, and fight the good fight of faith.
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com
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By David R. Ferguson
I’m continually amazed and grateful for the many ways God demonstrates His love to us. During my devotional time, I began to make a list of them and want to share them with you. I pray that you will be blessed as you are reminded of His great love. He doesn’t change. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” and Malachi 3:6 says, "I the Lord do not change.” His love is always sure. Seasons change, people change, the world is changing, but God never changes. We can rely on Him. He is faithful. God isn’t moody or fickle. We are. People will love you for a while and then they don’t. But God isn’t like that. He sticks with you. Mom Whenever He asks us to obey Him, He also provides everything we need (1 Thessalonians 5:24). You can trust the One Who calls you to do that for you. He’s our protector. He is our shield. And He is our “always there” protector. “So our hope is in the Lord. He is our help, our shield to protect us” (Psalm 33:20). Iti’s so comforting to know that everything that comes our way has to go through the shield about us before it touches us. He’s always thinking about us. Psalm 139:17 says, “How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many thoughts turn towards me.” This is one of the neatest things. When you think about it, there are over seven billion people in the world, and He still thinks of you and me constantly. He’s able to give us His undivided attention. He’s always with you. This is made abundantly clear in Scripture. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). No matter where we are, God will be there with us. He’s never too busy for us. He never goes away, takes a break, or goes on a vacation. He will always have time for us! When we are in trouble, we can be encouraged. Deuteronomy 33:27 tells us, “The eternal God is a hiding place, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” Those arms are longing to embrace you today as His child, for as John puts it, “God is love” (1 John 4:16).
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- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH. He may be contacted hrough the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.comt
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By David A. Sargent
Dan Richardson lost his battle with cancer. A fervent Christian, he wrote the following to be distributed at his memorial service. Cancer is limited . . .It cannot cripple love,It cannot corrode faith,It cannot eat away peace,It cannot destroy confidence,It cannot kill friendship,It cannot shut out memories,It cannot silence courage,It cannot invade the soul,It cannot reduce eternal life,It cannot quench the Spirit,It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.* “You have cancer.” So many have heard these devastating words. Fear is the most common response. These are sobering, life-altering words. The medical profession has made many advances. We pray for our loved ones who have heard the somber diagnosis. We long to hear the words after surgery and treatments: “You are cancer free.” Even children of God are not immune from this disease. But Dan Richardson’s words remind us of what cancer cannot touch. May his words that are based on Scriptural truths bring strength, comfort, and peace to you, if you are battling cancer or going through some other difficult struggle. Neither cancer nor any other trial in life can touch the spiritual blessings that are found in Christ. That is because Jesus has won for us the victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Unforgiven sin is the only real reason for despair because it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and puts us on the path to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). But God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16) so that we can receive the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7) and the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin and prepare for an eternal home those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9). Are you struggling with the difficulties that plague us in this world? Consider the untouchable blessings that are found in Christ. He died to make these things possible for you. Embrace these blessings on His terms. They will sustain you now and for eternity.
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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
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By David Bragg
Years ago, in an issue of The World Evangelist, G. F. Raines related the story of a terrible head-on collision between two speeding trains. Both trains were barreling down the same track in opposite directions on a foggy, moonless night. Both engineers throw on their brakes in a futile attempt to stop their respective trains. Rescue workers, systematically working their way through the wreckage, discovered "one of the engineers alive and pinned inside the locomotive. He was holding a yellow sheet of paper in his hand and saying with mournful repetition, "Someone gave the wrong orders". The Apostle Paul was very clear that, although the New Testament speaks of various types of baptism, for the Chrisitan age there is but one. We are given but one set of marching orders (Matthew 28:18-20). There is but one action a person can take to wash away sins (Acts 22:16). The Apostle Peter was clear that there is but one action one can take that, when sincere, saves (1 Peter 3:21). We can be clear today, in a world confused by false doctrine, Jesus gave us but one baptism
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David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/
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By Ron Thomas
It has been said that God's riches were given to man at Christ's expense. While this acrostic idea may easily preach (and it is true), it is more accurate to say that God's riches were given to man as the Lord willingly gave up the glories of heaven for the benefit of those He loves (all of us). God's grace, it is our message to a world lost in sin but refuses to think they are guilty of anything as seriously consequential as eternal death. Some will speak as if they “okay” with the idea of going to Hell, but they have no idea about what that means, except to say it can’t be as bad as some harsh Christians say it is. “Anyway, my friends will be there!” They judge their actions as not being worthy of the Lord’s favor, but neither do they care. We are very much aware of how the worldly mind thinks on this or that topic, and we also know the mind of the Lord and His view toward those who reject Him. With this knowledge, what do we do in a sinfully vile world around us? Let us begin by understanding that we must live the life of Christ (Gal. 2:20). Difficult as it may be to do this, even more s- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.como, consistently, we must begin here. Next, be sure we speak the words of Christ. When we speak of His saving grace, how He has given to each of us a hope that none in the world can take away (Rom. 8:24), repeat this message; in time, it will be heard. Third, support those who are serving in capacities that we are not, whether it be as elders, preachers, missionaries, schools of preaching, websites that promote the Lord’s way, etc. Fourth, do you enjoy being with your brethren? If so, then make association with them your priority and not those outside the Lord. Those things / events you value you will pursue, attain, and promote. These are some things we can do, and if we do them with commitment, enthusiasm, and loyalty to the Lord, a difference we will make.
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- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com
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By Rob Redden
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27 NIV). Several years ago, Federal health regulators said they found tiny particles of trash in drugs used to treat rare enzyme disorders. Since the FDA has not discovered any adverse events, the agency is not removing the products from the market because it says there are few alternative treatments. The agency urged doctors to thoroughly inspect vials for particles before injecting them into patients! How would you like to discover you have been injected with trash? What's a little steel, rubber and fiber as long as it makes you feel better? Years ago, when President Nixon attended a ceremony celebrating a high-tech water purification plant that treated water from sewage, he was offered a drink of its 99% pure water. He responded, "No, I'm worried about the 1%!" There are so many people who do not worry about a little contamination. Just a little cheating, a little lying, a little sexual immorality, a little false doctrine are fine if it does not become a major percentage! Like the FDA, we tolerate a little bit of error and worldliness because we have not seen any adverse problems - yet. This is like saying, "I will eat out of trash cans as long as I don't get sick!" How foolish! James tells us our religion must be pure and unadulterated, without spot (Jas. 1:27). Do we use a little "cussing"? What about a little lust? Perhaps a little road rage isn't all that bad! "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" (James 3:4-6 NKJV) We need to be vigilant about the subtle contaminations of our souls that daily attack us. | Rob Redden preaches for the Grover Beach Church of Christ in Grover Beach, CA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - www.groverbeachchurchofchrist.com
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By Dan C. Bailey
The word of God is God's revelation to mankind. God inspired men to write down His word. We read in Il Timothy 3:14-15, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The apostle Paul had personally instructed Timothy. Timothy had the assurance that he was taught the truth. The scriptures are holy because they are from God, they are from heaven. We read again in Il Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The word "inspired" means "God breathed." So when we read the Bible, study the Bible, or preach the Bible, we are reading, studying or preaching from an inspired book. If we do not reverence the word of God, then we do not reverence God. There are many who do not give due diligence to the word of God. We are instructed in Il Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The word of God or the gospel, is God's power to save the lost. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1: 16). It is able to save our souls. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). If we are serious about living right and about going to heaven, we will be serious about studying and learning the word of God. Let us all come to our Bible study classes on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Each class that we attend will increase our knowledge of the word of God. It is God's inspired word! We must take it seriously! It is God's word that will judge us one day. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). That should prompt us to learn more about the word of God. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
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- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home
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