Friday, January 31, 2025

Who Determines Religious Authority


By Glen Elliott 


    Our nation is suffocating under the death-grip of anarchy. Disrespect for authority is evidenced in everything from civil disobedience to parental permissiveness. We are following the worldview so prevalent during the turbulent biblical period of the Judges. Scripture describes those days as a time when “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Even in the church there are many who discount the certainty of biblical revelation. But, if truth cannot be known, then Jesus was mistaken in asserting that it has the power to set us free from our sins (Jn. 8:32). However, the truth can be understood and is the basis of all religious authority (Eph. 3:4; 1 Cor. 1:10).

    God, the Father, has given all authority to His Son, Jesus (Mt. 28:18). At Christ’s transfiguration, we read of a voice speaking out of the cloud which enveloped the disciples, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt. 17:5). Jesus has all authority to speak to men today concerning religious faith and practice (Heb. 1:1-2). We must pay heed to His words as those which will judge us on the last day (Jn. 12:48). God had promised centuries earlier to raise up a prophet like Moses from among their countrymen, saying, “I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him” (Dt. 18:18–19). This prophecy, quoted by Peter in Acts chapter three, is fulfilled in Christ.

    Christ’s authority resides in the New Testament. Knowing that He would soon leave His apostles by way of the cross, Jesus promised to send the Spirit of truth so that they could teach and preach the gospel without error (Jn. 14:26: 16:13). The apostles and prophets, who wrote the New Testament, did so as they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak from God (2 Pet. 1:21). Like those early hearers in Thessalonica, we must accept the Word of Christ as God’s message (1 Th. 2:13). The things written by inspiration are the Lord’s commandments and provide all authority for religious faith and practice.

    The councils, creeds, and dogmas of men provide no legitimate authority in religious matters. Nor is there any authority inherent in our own subjective preferences and opinions. The only authority in matters of religion is the Word of God. We must not shudder at the thought of submitting to His authority; but humbly submit, obeying from the heart His Word which alone has the power to save us from our sins and deliver us safely to the eternal paradise of God (Jas. 1:21; Rm. 6:17-18).


 
- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/



Can We Join the Church


The Bible doesn’t say anything about joining the church. The church had its beginning on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus. On that occasion, Peter and the rest of the apostles were moved by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem. Their message convicted the people of having crucified the Son of God. When these believers interrupted the sermon and asked what they needed to do, Peter replied, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2:38). In verse 41, we learn that “those who had received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Penitent believers who were baptized were added to the Lord’s church that day. In fact, verse 47 goes on to say that “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The King James Version of the Bible translates it this way: “and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

    Man cannot establish entrance requirements or initiation rites for being added to the Lord’s church. While we can join various religious denominations, we cannot join the Lord’s church. God adds to His church every penitent believer who is baptized for the forgiveness of sins. We are not voted into the church. God adds us to His church. God’s church is comprised of all who have done what God said to do in order to accept God’s grace by faith. In addition to belief, this includes repentance and baptism. Later in the New Testament, Paul spoke of how the Corinthians had come into the body of Christ. He said, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).

    Anyone of accountable age and aptitude can become a member of God’s church. But one cannot join the Lord’s church. Only God can add a person to His church when he or she has submitted to His requirements for salvation. Why not be added to His church today and be truly numbered with the saved?


 
- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/



Unity in the Body of Christ


By Glen Elliott

    The church is not so much an institution as it is a living organism. It is referred to in Scripture as “the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). This analogy teaches us several very important truths about the unity of the body.
    First, because the church is the body of Christ, it must have a head to direct, guide and control its various functions. The Bible teaches us that “Christ is the head over all things to the church, which is His body…” (Eph. 1:22-23). Just as the physical body operates in obedience to the directive impulses of the brain, so also Christ’s spiritual body, the church, operates in harmony with Christ’s directives expressed through His written revelation. Whether physical or spiritual, when the body fails to obey its head, the result is chaos and confusion. It is not God’s fault when Christ’s body becomes divided; it is simply man’s failure to live under the headship of Jesus Christ. After all, “God is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33).
    In addition to a head, a body must also have a harmonious membership. Each member of the body has an important function (1 Cor. 12:14-27). When the smallest member fails in his or her assigned duty, the whole body suffers. The body is a finely tuned organism and its members must cooperate with one another, working together toward a common goal. Functional unity in the church is not just a nice thing when it happens, it is an essential ingredient to be sought after with great fervor and intensity (Rm. 14:19; Heb. 12:14).
    Let us emphasize again that a body must be unified. Disunity among members frustrates the purpose and intention of the body. Christ’s fervent prayer was for His followers to be one (Jn. 17:20-21). But upon what basis shall believers unite? Only on the basis of Christ’s headship and our willingness to place our lives in submission to His will. Only on such a foundation can we be united as members of Christ’s spiritual body, the church.


- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/




Is God in Control


By Glen Elliott

    The rapidity with which major events happen in today’s world and the quickness with which information is conveyed to us is truly amazing. Though the details are sometimes inaccurate or misleading, our need to place our trust in the Lord becomes crystal clear. God is our only trust and He is in control to work all things for good to those who truly love Him (Rm. 8:28).
    Is God really in control of world events? Yes. Is He responsible for the actions of sinful men? No. But, we can be assured that He does work providentially to bring about His ultimate purpose. How can we know this is true? Because the Bible tells us so.
    In the days of the prophet, Daniel, the “wise men” of Babylon were threatened with death unless they could both reveal the contents and interpret the meaning of the king’s dream. By revelation from God, Daniel was able to reveal the secrets of the king’s heart and save the lives of the king’s advisors. In thanking God for the revelation he had received, Daniel prayed, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings…” (Dan. 2:20-21). It is God who changes the times and the epochs—who removes and establishes kings. In other words, God is in control of human history.
    Those in positions of authority today have a sacred trust from the Lord. There “is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rm. 13:1). Paul goes on to say that those who resist authority are opposing the ordinance of God. The only time we are obligated to violate the laws of the land is when those laws are contrary to the will of God. In such cases, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Governing authorities are God’s servants for good, a responsibility which must be taken seriously. Otherwise, if they prove unfaithful to their trust, God will in His own time, remove them from power. The rulers of the kingdoms of the world are accountable to the great King of the universe.
    When things appear to be spinning out of control, remember God’s overruling providence. As the psalmist said, “we will not fear, though the earth should change, and…the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (Ps. 46:1-2). Place yourself in the hands of the living God. He is in control of the universe. Why not give Him control of your life?

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/



Washed in the Blood


By Glen Elliott 

    We live in a society blessed with great material prosperity. A person living just one century ago could hardly imagine the lifestyle we often take for granted. Where there is a need, there is usually a product to meet that need. Even doing laundry has become high-tech. We have many products designed specifically for the care and cleaning of our clothing. If truth be known, there is little difference between many of the products vying for our attention. One may be about as good as another. However, when it comes to spiritual cleansing, there is only one agent that can purify the soul – the blood of Jesus Christ.
    Scripture tells us that “all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). God’s cleansing agent of the soul is blood. However, not just any blood will do the job. The blood of bulls and goats, so prominently displayed in Old Testament sacrifices, could never take away sin (Heb. 10:4). It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from our sins (1 Jn. 1:7). In the book of Revelation, when John saw a vision of souls before the throne of God, he asked, “Who are these?” In answer to his question, he was told that these were those who had “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). The blood of Christ provides spiritual cleansing. We could hardly imagine anyone washing their linens in blood! But, when it comes to spiritual cleansing, only the blood of Jesus can purify our spiritual garments so as to make them white as snow (Isa. 1:18).
    All who desire spiritual cleansing must turn to the blood of Christ. How do we make contact with the death of Christ and, thereby, gain the benefit of His blood? Paul tells us that we are “justified by faith” (Rm. 5:1). In verse nine, we are told that we are “justified by His blood.” Putting the two verses together, we rightly conclude that we are justified through our faith (trust) in the blood of Christ. Or, we could say that our hope is grounded in the fact that Jesus died and shed His precious blood on the cross for us. Such faith leads us to be baptized into Christ whereby we are also united with His death and raised to walk in newness of life (Rm. 6:3-5). But, let us never forget that it is the blood of Jesus that answers our most urgent need – our need for spiritual cleansing.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/




Thursday, January 23, 2025

Did the Prophets Say Christ Would be “Called a Nazarene”?


By Bob Prichard


    After describing the birth and early years of the life of Jesus, Matthew tells us that Joseph, having obeyed God by going down to Egypt, returned to Galilee, to Galilee, “and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23). There seems to be a problem, however, in that there is no Old Testament prophet who said, “He shall be called a Nazarene,” and the city of Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament.

    Some have suggested that Matthew meant a Nazarite, rather than a Nazarene. A Nazarite took vows of holiness, never cutting his hair, avoiding any contact with dead bodies, and generally living a very austere life. Some of the prophets did refer to the holiness of the Messiah, but none said He would be a Nazarite. John the Baptist may well have taken a Nazarite vow, but Jesus, who was called a glutton and a winebibber, and who touched the dead to bring them back to life, would not have been a Nazarite. Surely Matthew understood the difference between a Nazarite, one who had taken a Nazarite vow, and a Nazarene, one who was from the city of Nazareth.

    A more likely explanation for Matthew’s statement that “He shall be called a Nazarene” lies in a play on words, specifically the Hebrew word “branch,” that would have been very obvious to the Jewish readers who were the target of his gospel account. Matthew stressed that Jesus was “the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1), as he showed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the words of the prophets as the One who was the promised Messiah-King. The Hebrew word for “branch,” neser is very similar to the root word of Nazareth. Isaiah had prophesied of the Messiah, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). Of this Branch, he said, “the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). The prophet Zechariah said, “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (Zechariah 3:8).

    Matthew’s statement, “that which was spoken by the prophets” (2:23), is a general statement, not necessarily indicating that any of the prophets specifically said, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Elsewhere, when Matthew speaks of fulfilled prophecy, and he has a specific quotation in mind, he names the prophet, or says “the prophet,” rather than “the prophets.” His general statement indicates that a general teaching of the prophets was that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene.

    There is significance in being called a Nazarene. To be a called a Nazarene was to be called “from the backwoods,” to be unsophisticated. When Philip told Nathanael, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth,” Nathanael commented, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46).  Many of the prophets said the Branch, coming from humble beginnings, would be despised and rejected by men. Jesus was treated as a “Nazarene” by the religious authorities of His day.


 
- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.


Faith and Morality


By Glen Elliott


    The Bible begins with the beginning. And, in that beginning, lies the basic premise around which to build our lives. Morality stands or falls on the basis of one unalterable truth: “God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). It is faith in God as our Creator that gives purpose to our lives. Without faith, we are aimless drifters with no hope beyond the grave.

    When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he spoke of the evidence for God’s existence as displayed in the material universe. He said that what is “known about God is evident…for God made it evident….For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through that which has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rm. 1:19-20). Ignorance is no excuse for unbelief. God has provided, through His creation, evidence of His eternal power and divine nature. This argument is closely tied to that which was used by the Hebrew author who said: “Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Heb. 3:4). Because of its order and design, a house demands an architect and builder. In spite of what a future homeowner might wish, a house does not build itself! Infinitely more complex than a house is the universe. Its builder and designer is God.

    But some will ignore the evidence and refuse to give honor to God as their Creator. Refusing to acknowledge God or render thanks to Him for His blessings, they will exchange the truth of what they know about God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (Rm. 1:21-28). Such a rejection of God is followed by a downward spiral into moral depravity (Rm. 1:29:31). Though included in Paul’s description of their wicked behavior, the besetting sin of the Gentile world was not homosexuality, murder, or idolatry. Their great sin was rejecting God. Everything else was the result of their refusal to honor Him as Creator.

    It is to our shame that we have allowed godless atheism its stranglehold in our society. Rejecting God as Creator, we have paid the price in moral confusion and wicked behavior. The tide will not be stemmed until we have restored faith in God as our basis of morality. Morality is not inherited from our forefathers. It is not decided upon by popular opinion polls. Morality is founded upon our belief in God. God will hold us each accountable for the lives we choose to live (Eccl. 12:14). Without God, there is no basis for determining right and wrong. And, where there are no absolutes, there is anarchy. Pray that we, as a nation, will turn our eyes back to God as our Creator and to Christ as our hope for everlasting life. 


 
- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/



The Hardest Drive


By Adam Faughn


    It’s the most difficult drive I regularly make and, sometimes, I force myself to make it.

    It’s the drive near–or through–a neighborhood that I used to get invited to, but haven’t in a long time. It’s the drive near–of by–a house that I used to frequent, but haven’t in a long while.

    And I have no idea why.

    But it’s the same kind of drive that many Christians make in various neighborhoods in every location every day, so this is not really about me or about any particular house.

    So many Christians work and pray and visit and try to help a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling, only to see that Christian fall away and not worship or be involved any longer. Sometimes there is an explanation given, but, more often, there is none–or not much of one. All those Christians are left shaking their heads and asking what they could have done differently. Should I have said something sooner? Did I do something wrong? Did I forget something important? Did I try too hard to win them back? Was I pushy or not pushy enough?

    And now, on a daily commute or a regular trip through town, they drive by the house or the neighborhood. Each time, they wonder if they should stop, or if doing so would do more harm than good. Many times, they shed a tear, or at least feel emotions deep within. They think about texting or calling when they get near the neighborhood, but question themselves each time, wondering if it will help or if it will push that person even further away.

    And it hurts. It hurts deeply.

    It hurts for one reason: that’s a brother or sister in Christ, and you love them more than maybe even they realize. You’d do anything to help them get to heaven, and you have no idea what to do. Every time your wheels turn even within a block or two of the house, you wonder if today should be the day you try again…or if they even care any longer.

    And it makes it the hardest drive of your day.

    Brother or sister in Christ, don’t ever make someone else have to feel that way. Stay connected to your church family. Be involved. Show love and care. Return those texts or calls, even if it takes a few minutes of your time that you aren’t sure you have. That Christian loves you and just wants you to go to heaven. Realize you would do the same if the roles were reversed.

    Oh…and have them over sometime, even if just for a glass of lemonade or to watch a game. That drive is sweeter than can be imagined because the bonding of Christian family is like no other relationship on earth


 
- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith


Power


By Joe Slater


    Here in Texas the electrical power grid is either operating perfectly or in imminent danger of catastrophic collapse, depending on whose propaganda you’re reading. Our recent extremely hot summer and even more recent record-setting cold snap both taxed the grid. I have no solutions to offer here.

    We depend heavily on power. Let the electricity go out a few hours (or days) and you realize anew just how reliant we are. I even purchased a generator to use if we are without power for more than a few hours. It won’t run the whole house, but it can keep the refrigerator and freezer from letting the food thaw and ruin.

    But what if I can’t get any more gasoline for the generator? Then I’m back to square one. Yes, it’s important to have access to power!

    Being connected to the power of God ought to concern us more than the electrical grid. Christ’s gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). No matter how powerful you might think you are, your own power can’t save you from your sins.

    God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). That’s not our power but His! But it will work through you when you are connected to it.

    Our “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). Confidence in the electrical grid may or may not be justified; but God’s power never fails, and it is always available to those with an obedient faith.

    Stay connected to the power!


 
- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com


Looking to Jesus


By Jared Green


    The Letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were struggling in their faith. Dealing with oppression from those around them, some of these Christians were considering leaving their faith in Jesus and returning to the familiar, more comfortable religion of Judaism. Using evidence from the whole of Scripture, the letter’s author makes the case that Jesus is superior. Jesus is supreme over the angels (chapter 1), he is the founder of salvation (chapter 2), he is greater than Moses (chapter 3), he is the great high priest (chapters 4-9), and his once for all sacrifice offers true forgiveness (chapter 10). 

    Following the in-depth, doctrinal evidence concerning the superiority of Jesus, the author makes a plea for faithfulness that begins by pointing to the faith of Old Testament spiritual heroes such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and more. Following this list of faithful men and women, the author makes what is, in my opinion, the letter’s greatest appeal to faithfulness. 

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

    As the author argues, there is no better example of faithfulness amid trial than that of Jesus Christ. When faced with the most shameful, humiliating, and painful death imaginable, Jesus endured the cross. He was able to endure “for the joy that was set before him,” and because he endured, he is now “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured because of the hope and joy of the future, and because of his faithful endurance, we have been offered salvation. Amidst life’s trials, may we always look to Jesus as our supreme example. As the author goes on to say, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3). God loves you, and so do I.


 
- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com


Monday, January 20, 2025

I'm Not Ready Yet


By Bill Brandstatter

    I was talking to a lady once about the second coming of Christ. She stated, “I am not ready yet.” I thought about what that statement revealed and what it can tell us.
    First, being ready is not on my terms, but on Christ’s. I must do what He wants me to do. His word will be the basis for judgment (Jn. 12:48). I cannot get ready by my own merit or standard. Jesus warned us to be ready and on the alert. To be ready means I have made the proper preparation. Preparation requires effort. To the persecuted Christians in the first century, Peter encourages them to “add to your faith” (2 Pet. 1:5).
    Second, being ready being watchful. The Bible uses the term “watch” to describe the day of the second coming of Christ. He will only come back once. We don’t know when, only the Father knows. If I am watchful in anything, I am on guard. I watch those items which will damage me. I watch to make sure the items I need are the ones I have. Watching for the second coming of Christ works the same way. Jesus used this term. Watch means to be on the lookout or to be aware of what is going on around us.
    Third, being ready doesn’t mean we wait till the last minute. Too many people have a lot of “baggage” they want to get rid of before Christ comes back. I am convinced that if the Bible gave us an exact time the Lord would return, there would be some who would wait until a split second before to get things right; but we are not told the time; therefore, any minute we wait could be the last minute.


- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/




In Whom Do You Trust


By Bill Brandstatter

    There are times in our lives when we must trust other people. As a small child, I trusted my parents to provide for my needs. When I started working, I trusted my employer to give me a paycheck. When I have medical needs, I trust a health care professional. Sometimes, I may question a decision that is made. I might decide not to take a recommended procedure. I might decide to refuse treatment; but, ultimately, I have to put my trust in someone else.
    What about our spirituality? I must trust what God says. I might not like what He says. l may decide not to do what He says, but, ultimately, we will all stand before Him (2 Cor. 5:10). We will be judged by what we knew and what we obeyed (John 12:48). Many people trust themselves for spirituality. They make up their own rules and ideas about what it means to be spiritual. Often those ideas are far from God’s. The apostle Paul described some who “Became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). He also mentioned that they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (Rom. 1:28).
    I must trust God for any information about heaven. God is the source of all information about Himself, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Christianity, Heaven, and Hell. God says not everyone is going to heaven (Matt. 7:21-24). God says just professing Him will not get a person to heaven (Matt. 7:21). God indicates that just prayer will not save (John 9:21; Isa. 59:1,2). God tells us that baptism is a must to be saved (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). God tells us that baptism is a burial (Rom. 6:3). Whom do you trust regarding these matters?

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/



No Room for Jesus

By Bill Brandstatter


    In the book of Luke, we have a record of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Mary is ready to have a child. They go to an inn and there was no room for them. So, they spent the night in a stable where Jesus is born and laid in a manger. There was no room for Jesus in the inn. I wonder if room could have been made if the owner of that inn would have known that the Savior of the world was going to be born there.

    We have more information today than the owner of the inn did. We have information about Jesus before and after the manger. We know that He existed in heaven with God from eternity (John 1:1-4). We know that in many aspects He was equal with God (Phil. 2:6). We know that He left heaven to come to earth like all of us have done (Phil. 2:8). Then He died on the cross for us. (Phil. 2:8). Yet, with all this information available to us, some still do not have room for Jesus.

    Those who want to teach salvation according to man’s desires and expectations have no room for Jesus. Jesus included His blood and baptism in the plan of salvation. He stated that His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28); but He also included baptism in salvation (Mark 16:16). Those who eliminate or minimize baptism have no room for Jesus.

    Those who want to be married many times for many different reasons have no room for Jesus. Jesus was asked a question: “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matt. 19:3 ASV) This question was based on some of the teachings of certain Jewish rabbis who said it was okay. This question was asked by Jews. It addressed an issue the Jews had dealt with for many years. Jesus took them back to the beginning of God’s plan for marriage. (Matt. 19:4; 19:8) Jesus does allow one reason (Matt. 19:9). But God’s desire and Jesus’ point is that one man should be married to one woman for life. Those who cannot accept this teaching have no room for Jesus.

    Those who hate others have no room for Jesus. The world is full of prejudice and hate. Jesus preached a message of love to those who hated. He told the Jews to love their enemies (Matt. 5:45). His Golden Rule message of Matt. 7:12 commands that we should treat others like we want to be treated. In our day of intolerance and hate in many circles, there is no room for Jesus.

    Do you have room for Jesus? He wants you to take up your cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). He may want you to give up family to follow Him (Matt. 10:34). Hopefully we all have room for Jesus.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/




What the Church Offers


By Bill Brandstatter

    Too many folks look upon church attendance as being secondary to anything else on their schedule. They are not opposed to religion. They may even look upon it as a vital part of life; but they have no conscience against neglecting it. Perhaps the attitude is: “I’ll go to church if nothing comes up, or if I am not too tired.” But to stay away because we have so many other engagements or because we have so little strength left is like staying away from the dinner table because we are too hungry to go to the table. The Bible tells us that this was not uncommon in the first century. The writer of Hebrews notes “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some...” (Heb. 10:25a).
    What then does the church have to offer that a person cannot get anywhere else? One man said, “I do not go to church anymore because I can get what the church has to offer in better form elsewhere.” When the church gets into the business of offering the world what the world already has, it is in the wrong business, and is not the church of the New Testament. The mission of God’s church is to save souls (Luke 19:10; Mark16:16; Acts 8:4). God’s power for saving souls is in the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). It is the mission of the church to preach the gospel.
    The church offers a family atmosphere to believers not found elsewhere. The early church was said to be “together and had all things common.” (Acts 2:42) Each member of the church is important. The church is to offer assistance to the believer in need (1 John 3:17). The church is where the saved are (Acts 2:47). Their names are enrolled in heaven (Heb. 12:23). Where else can men have fellowship, communion with God and associations that they have in the church? In what other institution can we find the same assurance? Where else is offered the hope of everlasting life?

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/




Giving and Receiving


By Bill Brandstatter


    This is the time of year for giving and receiving. Many are buying presents and will wrap them in nice paper. The gift is expected to be received from the giver. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Act 20:35) God gives more and in greater capacity than we can imagine (Eph. 3:20). James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from about and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17) (NKJV). God is the greatest giver and man is the greatest recipient of God’s gifts.

    The greatest gift ever given was Jesus. John 3:16 is the greatest gift passage in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV)

He gave the greatest gift--"His only begotten Son."

He gave to the greatest number of people--"the world."

He gave a gift that would last--“should not perish.’

He gave a gift that keeps on giving--“everlasting life.”

    God gave the gift; man must receive the gift. God has done His part, man must do his. Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Jesus also stated, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) Jesus again stated, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32) Jesus stated after His death, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) God has given salvation to all who obey His Son. (Heb. 5:9) Salvation comes in a package that is neatly wrapped. If we open the package, we will receive His gift. Have you received His salvation gift?


 
- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/



Saturday, January 11, 2025

Two Upcoming Holidays that Baffle Me


By Donna Faughn

 

    We are in the hap-hap-happiest time of the year, or so they say. Some of the people I’ve seen lately don’t appear to have gotten the memo.

    I’m a huge fan of Thanksgiving because families gather and spend time together and just enjoy good food and one another’s company, but Thanksgiving is not one of the holidays I’m writing about.

    The two holidays that baffle me are Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas with our family. We exchange gifts, eat too much, sing, and play games together. That isn’t the topic for this post.

    What baffles me is that, all over the place, mention is being made that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” While I don’t believe that Jesus was born in December (and history proves this to be true), I am forever grateful that He was born, lived a perfect life, and was willing to sacrifice His life for all of mankind. What baffles me is that people who don’t follow His teachings or worship Him any other time of the year are comfortable saying, “Jesus, is the reason for the season.” Do they really know who He is and what He stands for? Are they aware that He sacrificed His life for them? Do they even think about Him the other 364 days of the year?

    I’m also baffled by the fact that one week later many of them will attend parties celebrating the New Year. Many of those parties will involve dressing immodestly, dancing, and drinking alcohol until you can’t even remember what you did the night before – or the week before when you were celebrating the birth of Jesus.

    I don’t mean to be negative about the holidays, but I pray for all people to think about their words and their actions all year long. Think about Jesus every day of your life, because without Him your life is without hope.

    Jesus is the reason for every day of my life. Won’t you consider honoring and following Him in your life?

 
- Donna Faughn is the wife and mother of preachers and is a frequent speaker at women’s events. She is a member of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  She may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org


The Song of Songs


By Donna Faughn

 

    We have known it was coming. As our Tuesday afternoon Ladies’ class has traveled through the Bible in chronological order for the last 14 years, we have known that the Song of Solomon was coming up. Last Tuesday was the day that I introduced the book, and we began a study of it on Tuesday of this week.

    There have been comments made over the years about dreading to get to this book and how hard it will be to teach. We have even joked about feeling like illness was coming on the closer we got to the Song of Songs.

    As I have devoted more time to study, I almost feel ashamed of how I dreaded teaching a portion of the Bible. It’s hard, and it takes lots of time and effort to understand what God wants us to know when we study this book.

    May I share with you some of the thoughts I have had as I studied?

    Our world has and continues to present to us a skewed view of the beautiful relationship that God intended for us to have as man and woman. Part of the reason we dread reading and studying the Song of Solomon is because we have fallen under the influence of how our world views men and women. Often when the world thinks about a woman’s beauty, it only considers what she looks like on the outside and how much of that she can display to all who want to see it. Not much thought is given to what is on the inside – her thoughts and feelings.

    This book is contained in the Holy Bible and has a purpose. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he gives us the reason that the Song of Solomon is important for us to read and understand: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Paul also wrote in his second letter to Timothy these words: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Tim. 3:16). While the book may be hard to understand, it has a purpose and God intended for it to be instruction for us today.

    That leads me to my final thought. There is an enormous need for those of us who are married and have children, to protect them from the world’s view of sexuality, and teach them the beauty of God’s intended plan for a man and a woman. There is no better textbook than the Song of Solomon.

    Is the book difficult? Yes. Is it sometimes hard to understand? Yes. Is it sometimes embarrassing? Only if you fail to see the beauty of what God intended for a loving relationship to be between a man and a woman as they court one another and later marry.

    How many marriages would last for a lifetime if this teaching had been hidden in the hearts of our young adults?

    Take time to read this beautiful song.

 
- Donna Faughn is the wife and mother of preachers and is a frequent speaker at women’s events. She is a member of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  She may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org


It Was Only a Nickel


By Donna Faughn

 

    When I was growing up as a little girl, we lived next door to my paternal grandparents. Those were much simpler times and life seemed easier. We lived within one block of a small ice cream stand that could actually be seen from my grandparent’s porch. A small ice cream cone cost 5 cents – one nickel! (I know some of you are thinking of just how old I am!)

    On one particularly hot summer day, my grandpa was sitting out on the front porch and I decided to ask him if I could have a nickel to get an ice cream cone. He reached into his pocket and held out a nickel to me, but before he let me take it from him, he said these words: “Don’t ride your bicycle to the ice cream stand.” No explanation, just don’t do it.

    Well, as children are prone to do, I thought I knew better than he did. I thought if I rode my bike I could get back home more quickly before the ice cream melted. So I disobeyed him and rode my bike, never giving a thought to the fact that he could see me disobeying.

    I rode to the stand. I got my ice cream cone. I started riding home on the sidewalk, but when I came to the curb to cross the street, my bike went off the curb…and you guessed it…my ice cream bounced out of the cone and onto the concrete.

    Never being one who gives up easily on what she wants, I went back to grandpa and asked for another nickel. I can still hear his answer inside my head. “You disobeyed me, and you cannot have another nickel.” I cried and pleaded that it was only a nickel, but the answer was still no.

    Many years have come and gone, but I still remember the lesson I learned that day about obeying your parents and grandparents. He knew more than I did because he had lived more of life. In my childlike wisdom I couldn’t see what might happen if I disobeyed. I thought I knew an easier way, a better way, a quicker way. I was wrong.

    I tell you this story today as a reminder to parents and grandparents to stand up for teaching obedience to your children and grandchildren. We live in a world which has placed children in charge in many instances, even though they have not had the experience to know how to handle certain things in life.

    Teach them to respect you and your word. Let them know that you always have their best interest at heart even if they can’t understand it at the moment. Don’t try to meet their every desire. That just isn’t realistic in life and the sooner they learn that, the better off they will be.

    It was only a nickel, but it taught me a great lesson in life.

 

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you,

that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you…” Deut. 5:16

 
- Donna Faughn is the wife and mother of preachers and is a frequent speaker at women’s events. She is a member of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  She may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org


Taste Your Talk; Tame Your Tone


By Donna Faughn

 

    Many years ago I developed a lesson to present at a Ladies’ Day entitled “Ten Commandments for Christian Women.” I used it multiple times at different places and it was almost always well received.  Obviously, it was not all-inclusive because the Bible contains many commandments for both men and women.  I simply selected 10 that I thought would be most helpful to women in particular.

    The title of this post contains two of those commandments given by God. Oh, He doesn’t say them exactly like that, but he does teach the principle. I selected these two to write about in this post because of what I’m hearing (or reading) from Christian women. Election season is not known for being a time when people taste their talk or tame their tone!

    I also am NOT saying that we should sit quietly by and never express our opinions concerning those running for public offices whether it be local, state, or national in scope. As citizens of this country, we should be concerned with who our leaders will be. However, we need to realize that how we say what we say can damage our influence on others.

    Concerning talking to others vocally, we need to think about how our words taste as they exit our mouths. Would they be considered bitter, or sour, or foul tasting, or would they be sweet, mellow, or pleasant?

    Colossians 4 is a great place to learn about tasting our talk. It begins with verse two, but for my emphasis, I want to zero in on verse 6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (emphasis added).

    James 3 has another interesting lesson about our tongues. It teaches us that the tongue can direct (vs 3,4); it can destroy (vs 5,6); and it can delight (vs.9a, 10a). The text continues with these words: “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

    We really need to learn how to taste our talk, especially when we are discussing current events.

    But what about how we say certain things? I’m talking about the tone in which we say things. Do we really realize that the tone we use when speaking can change the way it is taken? We’ve all heard examples of the same words being said in different tones of voice, and depending on the tone, an entirely different message is received.

    I often think of Jesus when He was tempted by the devil following Jesus’ lengthy fast. I imagine Satan using a condescending tone as he tempts our Lord, but I doubt that the answers Jesus gave were said with any tone but quiet “matter of factness “ (if that’s a word). He depended on the word of God when he said “it is written…” Even in Matthew’s account (Matt. 4:1-11), when Jesus told Satan to “Be gone,” I doubt that those words were spoken harshly. I can hear a calm answer clearly spoken. His tone would not cause a dispute.

    Now when I think of the tone I sometimes use, I wonder what message I am sending.

    We need to learn to tame our tone.

    But we need to consider one last line of communication which we deal with on a daily basis. Our words go out over the internet daily, and because the recipients can’t hear how we are saying those words, or see our facial expressions, or see our body language, we must be extremely careful about the words we use online. Derogatory pictures or memes, accompanied by our comments, can be very damaging to our example as Christians. We simply must taste our talk and tame our tone!

    When you express your opinion face to face or online, be sure you check your words and your tone.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Prov. 25:11)

 
- Donna Faughn is the wife and mother of preachers and is a frequent speaker at women’s events. She is a member of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  She may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org


A Beautiful Marriage


By Donna Faughn

 

    After more than fifty-four years of marriage, it only makes sense that we did something right in selecting a mate for life. Now, granted, I have known several people who have remained married for many years who really don’t seem to like each other, but remain married for a variety of reasons. This, however, is not usually the norm in marriages with longevity.

    Sadly, in today’s world people spend more time looking at the outside of a person and make that their deciding factor in whether or not they want to spend time with them. And even more sadly, they often use those people for their own gratification. This is far removed from what God’s word teaches about relationships in life.

    I believe there are two main ingredients in a marriage that lasts a lifetime and I was reminded of them the other day in my Bible study. I’m going to talk about them in reverse order of how they appeared in that text.

    The first is friendship. A good healthy relationship with someone of the opposite sex should always begin with friendship. Spending time with the person you consider to be your friend is a great way to grow a relationship. You begin by enjoying talking with this person and learning about them and their life. You look forward to spending time with them, and most importantly, you learn that you can depend on them and share your joys and your sorrows. This is the foundation for a beautiful marriage.

    From this comes the second ingredient for a beautiful marriage – love. You begin to develop a deeper feeling for that person, and you begin to look at each other in a different way. You find yourself wanting to be with him/her as often as you can. There is an attraction that is different, as God intended for it to be. In God’s word this is described as agape love – that self giving sacrificial kind of love. You want what is best for him/her and he/she wants what is best for you. When both friends feel this attraction, your conversations deepen and love begins to grow into a different type of relationship. This lays the groundwork for a successful marriage. I love him/her enough that I always want what is best for him/her, including purity in the relationship. On your wedding day you want to present yourself to your mate as one who wants to spend a lifetime together.

    I love the lyrics to an old song: Grow old along with me/ The best is yet to be./ When our time has come/ We will be as one – God bless our love/ God bless our love. Verse 3 of this song has these beautiful lyrics: Grow old along with me/ Whatever fate decrees/ We will see it through/ For our love is true – God bless our love, God bless our love.

    Oh, the passage I was studying comes from the Song of Solomon. We skim over it in our study sometimes, or get embarrassed when we have to teach it, but a deep dive into this book gives us a clearer understanding of what marriage should look like.

    “This is my beloved and this is my friend” (Song 5:16c)

    This post came from this beautiful line and the margin of my Bible now has this formula:

(Agape) Love + Friendship (companionship, loyalty, commitment, trust) = great marriage

    I know many of our readers are already married or single, so a post like this may not seem as important to you.  May I say that you couldn’t be more wrong. You know young people who need to be taught this formula found in God’s word. It is a great source for teaching young women and young men what courting and marriage should be like. It is invaluable for those who are considering marriage. Take time to read it, study it, and enjoy what God intended to be the beauty of courtship and marriage.

 
- Donna Faughn is the wife and mother of preachers and is a frequent speaker at women’s events. She is a member of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  She may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org


Sunday, January 5, 2025

A Man Called of God

By Ronald Bartanen


    “By faith Abraham, when he was called obeyed; and he went out” (Hebrews 11:8). No Old Testament person is more significant than faithful Abraham, a man honored by the adherents to the world’s three most prominent religions”” Christian, Jewish and Islam.

    He is the one Old Testament saint most often referred to in the New Testament. Paul spoke of him as “the father of all them that believe who walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” (Romans 4:11-12). Verses 17 and 18 thus speak of him as “a father of many nations.” He was truly a man called of God, who was willing to step out in faith and obey God.

    Among the promises God gave to Abraham was, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). That promised seed or descendant is Jesus (Galatians 3:16). Only in Christ do we obtain the blessing conferred upon this man of faith. When called by the gospel of Christ (2 Thess. 2:14), would you show the same type of faith exhibited by Abraham to obey that call



- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com



Grace Has Appeared

By Ronald Bartanen

“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).
    To a world enveloped in spiritual darkness grace appeared for all to see two thousand years ago.  That grace was embodied in Christ, the prophesied “Sun of righteousness” that would “arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2).  Malachi’s promise for His appearing was “to them that look for Him.”  There were those in Judea, at the coming of Christ, who “looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 3:8).  They were those who were spiritually awake, even in the world of darkness, knowledgeable of the messianic prophecies of His coming, awaiting the rising “Sun of righteousness.”  The world had the natural law, with some inherent knowledge of right and wrong, and the Jews were further blessed with God’s Law through Moses, but law only exposed the fact that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  What was needed was grace—the unmerited favor of God, secured for man by Christ, As Malachi said, He would arise “with healing in His wings.”  His righteousness would be imputed to the unrighteous through His sacrifice at Calvary.  The apostle Paul spoke of his grace: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:24-25).  The full realization of this righteousness came as penitent believers were “buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). 
    The word grace speaks of the unmerited favor of God, as bestowed through Christ alone.  The most unworthy among us, has access to the worthiness of Christ, the sinless Son of God.  There is no quality even in the best of men and women that would lay claim to heaven.  In Rom. 3:19 Paul declared “all the world” to be “guilty before God”.  Before the bar of justice, all stand condemned if it were not for the grace of God through Christ. This grace “appeared.”  It was not man’s doing, but God’s.  The grace appeared in God sending Christ His Son to be man’s redeemer.  “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). 
    Paul, in writing to Titus, reminded him that not only did grace appear in the coming of Christ, but also that the redeemed can look again with expectation for “the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.”  He who came once will come again.  That is the believer’s “blessed hope.”  As iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold (Matt. 24:12),,Christ’s true followers shall, by His grace, “endure unto the end (v. 13),” looking for His glorious appearing.”  The fruit of this faith is the denial in our lives of “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” as the passage in Titus indicates.  The appearing of the grace of God establishes not only a new relationship with God, but also a new life, characterized by the words “soberly, righteously and godly.”  In this spiritually darkened world of ungodliness, are you looking for and preparing for His appearing—the second arising of “the Sun of righteousness”? 


 
- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com


The Road into Love and Patience

By Ron Bartanen


“The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

    Have you ever found yourself in unfamiliar territory, unsure of what road to turn on to get to your desired destination? If so, join the crowd.  While it is disturbing to be in such a predicament, it is tragic to be spiritually confused, uncertain of what lies ahead.  This can be the plight even of Christians who have begun the journey on the Christian Way, as indicated by Paul in writing to the believers in Thessalonica whom he has commended for their “faith and patience” while enduring persecution (1:4).  

    While Paul is obviously not denying their love for God, or their patient endurance, yet he saw the need to desire for them divine direction into both.  Were they not already in the love of God and patience? Yes, and no.  To illustrate, a man may take a plane from London to New York City, and may phone his family, informing them that he is now in the United States.  However, as a Midwesterner I would say he needs to leave NYC, and go on into the United States because there’s a lot more to see than what NYC can offer.  When we come in to the love of God, we do not stop our journey.  It’s then just begun.

    How extensive is the love of God? One of our songs expresses it in these words: “The love of God is greater far,/Than tongue or pen can ever tell:/It goes beyond the highest star,/And reaches to the lowest hell.:”  In the storms of life, God would direct us into the sanctuary of His love.

    Likewise, the “patient waiting for Christ” does not end when one rises from the waters of baptism.  We do not sit down, gazing into the clouds as we await His return for us.  Jesus warns His followers to not be found sleeping at His coming (Matt. 24:36), but faithful in watching and praying, even as tribulation in the world worsens, saying, “Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). 

    The road into the love of God and the patient waiting for Christ will not end until that day we stand in His presence.  Are you letting Him lead you into His love and steadfast patience? 



- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com


I Shall Not Want

By Ron Bartanen


    The twenty third Psalm is more than a funeral recitation! In beautiful poetic symbolism David thrills our hearts with this psalm of life. All of life finds its perfect fulfillment in the love of the Shepherd of the sheep. But, while David certainly sang this psalm from personal experience, the grand significance of the Shepherd Psalm awaited the personal appearance of the Good Shepherd. With love for His sheep He would give His life in their behalf and gather them into one fold (John 10:1-16). With what infinite care the beneficent Shepherd sees to the needs of each Sheep! The feeblest among the flock are known of “that great Shepherd of the sheep”, and they know Him and hear His voice (John 10:3, 4, 14).

    “The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.” To the world, this may be great poetry, but the significance is lost. We live in a wanting society. “I want…” is quickly formed in a young child’s vocabulary. From cradle to cemetery a man’s history is composed of his wants and his efforts to fulfill these desires. He wants life’s physical necessities: security, love, recognition, appreciation, pleasure and as many luxuries as he can afford. Millions of dollars are spent annually to encourage us to want.  Every form of mass communication has been utilized to bombard us with word-signals designed to whet our obsession for getting things. The “have-nots” are convinced that the abundant life has passed them by unless they are able to get what others have, by whatever means they can. The “haves” are not content with what they have, but mortgage their future to obtain more.

    But what of the sheep? They are to be the Shepherd’s “want-not” society, uninfluenced by the cravings of the godless culture in which they live (Rom. 12:2).  How tragic that this is so seldom the case. The Apostle Paul, who himself had fed upon the green pastures and learned therein “to be content” (Phil. 4:11) gives the assurance that “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (v. 19). Our “needs” may not be as numerous as we might imagine. Could we be content if they were narrowed down to the category of “food and raiment” (1 Tim. 6:8)? Would we equate as “great gain” godliness with these necessities (v. 6)? The world’s mad quest for things and more things is inappropriate for the sheep under the watchful, loving care of the Shepherd, who, having given Himself for us, would also “freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:38). His was no empty campaign promise when He assured us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). 

    Do not think, however, that the Good Shepherd sets a meager table for His sheep.  One spoke of himself “as having nothing and yet “possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10b).  He feeds us in lush pastures on higher hills. Would we learn that to truly feast in the kingdom of God will woo our hearts from the weedy pastures in the wilderness. A story is told of a poor country preacher who accepted an invitation to visit a friend in downtown New York City. One afternoon was spent in window shopping with his friend along the avenue, surveying the fashionable elegance on display.  Later, in his room, he was overheard praying, “Lord, I thank Thee I didn’t want a thing I saw!”

    “The LORD is my shepherd”—His green pastures are sufficient.  “I shall not want” any other.


 
- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com


The Most Influential Person

By Ron Bartanen


   Through The course of history there have been many who have affected civilization both for the good and the bad.  But, without question, the One who has had the greatest positive influence has been Jesus Christ.  A few years ago a poll was taken by the cable TV network, A&E, of numerous politicians, scholars and theologians, asking them to name the 100 most influential people.  As reported, Johann Gutenberg was deemed the most influential person of the past 1000 years.  Society was changed forever by his invention of the moveable-type printing press in the fifteenth century.  Others who have dramatically impacted history would have to credit Gutenberg for enabling them to do so.

   It is interesting to note Gutenberg’s primary motivation in producing this revolutionary invention. While others have used it for other purposes, his main objective was to be able to make the word of God and the gospel of Christ available to all.  Note the following quotations from Gutenberg:

   “God suffers in the multitude of souls whom His holy word cannot reach.  Religious truth is imprisoned in a small number of manuscript books, which confine, instead of spreading, the public treasure.  Let us break the seal which seals up holy things, and give wings to truth, in order that she may go and win every soul that comes into this world, by her word, no longer written at great expense by a hand easily translated but multiplied like the wind by an untiring machine.”

   “Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall soon flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His word.  A spring of pure truth shall flow from it; like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men.”

   The first book to come off his printing press was a three-volume Latin version of the Bible, completed in 1455.  What a debt of gratitude we owe to the Lord for using this humble man in Mainz, Germany in this manner.  


 
-Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com