Updates from June, 2012 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Chad Dollahite 1:58 pm on June 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end…” 

    I have posted very little here at TFR of late, & I am sorry for that.  Along with the usual “busy-ness” that comes with summer, my family & I have gone through the gamut of emotions over the past several weeks.  I was asked by the elders of the Bremen Church of Christ in Bremen, GA to come & work with the congregation there as the preacher.  We had a good work going on with the congregation in Childersburg, AL, but, upon further investigation, it became clear that an open door was before us to do even more in the kingdom; such being the case, we accepted the invitation from the Bremen elders.

    On Monday, June25, we packed a moving truck to the hilt & made the trip to Bremen.  After unpacking & settling in just a bit, we traveled back to Childersburg (about an hour-and-a-half drive) Wednesday night for our final assembly there (at least as the local preacher).  It was very emotional, & we bid a very sad farewell to the brethren there.

    This Sunday, Lord willing, we will officially begin the work here in Bremen.  I hope to be a bit more active here in The Fellowship Room once I’m settled into a daily routine.  I appreciate all the fellows here who always keep continuous posts on here; I enjoy being here to read & learn from others, if nothing else!

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 2:03 pm on June 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Chad, we’ve missed not reading your posts. Can understand the crunch on time with your move. May the Lord bless your new service with the Bremen congregation.

      Side note: I think it was in Bremen that we stopped for lunch on our way to visit Richard M.’s congregation on our penultimate visit to the US.

      • Chad Dollahite 4:17 pm on June 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, brother…I’m hoping to get back into a regular routine on here. I don’t handle change well, so maybe I can get on here more as a coping mechanism until I adjust! I sure wish I could’ve seen you when you were in the States…I’ve appreciated you for the past few years, and it would be great to meet you in person sometime. One day!

        • J. Randal Matheny 8:23 am on July 2, 2012 Permalink

          Writing and sharing is a great way to cope, I find. Perhaps the Lord will yet provide us opportunity to meet before the Day.

        • J. Randal Matheny 8:25 am on July 2, 2012 Permalink

          I should have said that we missed reading your posts. No opposite meaning intended from my misstatement. :)

        • Chad Dollahite 2:09 pm on July 7, 2012 Permalink

          I knew what you meant, brother. I don’t think I mentioned in my post, but July 1 (last Sunday) was my first day, then we left Sunday night late to go up near Ocoee, TN for a week of Bible camp that I’d already committed to. We are now back in Bremen for today and tomorrow, then we leave Monday for the 2nd week of camp. Of course, when I committed to these, I had no idea I’d just have finished moving and be starting a new work, but oh, well…such is life. It’s been a tiring few weeks, but Bible camp is always fun and uplifting!

        • J. Randal Matheny 6:30 pm on July 8, 2012 Permalink

          Sounds like you need sideboards for that full plate! God bless your efforts at camp, and give you a breather before long.

  • Richard Hill 7:31 am on June 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 35 

    Day 35

    Galatians 3 & 4

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Richard Hill 7:14 am on June 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 34 

    Day 34

    Galatians 1 & 2

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

    https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Galatians+1

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:36 am on June 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Precious Lord Stand by Me From the Cradle to the Grave 

    Here’s a sermon outline for Psalm 71. These are only “bare bone” points, but if you take them and read the Psalm you’ll see that there are wonderful little nuggets of preaching points and truth all through out it.

    Verses 1-4: Please Stay With Me

    Verses 5-8: People Can Tell You’re With Me

    Verses 9-12: I Don’t Know What I’ll Do If You’re Not With Me

    Verses 13-18: I Will Tell Others That You Are With Me

    Verses 19-21: Be With Me Through The Highs And Lows

    Verses 22-24: Thank You For Being With Me

    I wrote the “main points” from the point of view of the writer speaking toward God. To me personally, verses 13-21 are a very rich place in the Psalm with multiple points within them that can apply to various areas of life. Not to mention, if you use the song that I referenced in the post title, it will fit wonderfully! I hope you find this useful for personal study or for public use.

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:16 am on June 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Ezra 1 

    1. While Jerusalem was threatened by Babylon for a number of years the false prophets proclaimed that Jerusalem would not fall, and the Lord’s temple would continue to stand. A good many years later, when Cyrus was king over the Medes and Persians, those inhabitants of Jerusalem and the surrounding area of Judah who desired to go back to their home land was given permission. Cyrus was a king of a different sort, historians tell us. This we can see even in the biblical text when we read “the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” (1:1). The benevolence the Persian king had shown to the Israelites was also an act of generosity he had shown to all those of his empire that he recently conquered.
    2. Application: Yamauchi said about the Persian kings: “We know that the Persian kings paid close heed to prophecies…” Interesting, isn’t it? Heathen kings, such as Cyrus, paid closer attention to what Jeremiah (Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) said than the nation to whom these prophets were sent.
     

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:40 pm on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: squeamishness,   

    Inspiration and squeamishness 

    Fixed a problem on the FMag site, with blank space at the top. Thanks to Eddie Watkins of Preachers Files for his guidance.

    • Have been sending out a lot of invites to Facebook pages for FPress, Quick Bible Truths, my author page, and others. You’ve probably been invited. Or will be. Hurry over and “Like” them now before you get the invite.

    • Inspiration (that humanly debatable kind, not the unquestionably divine stamp on Scripture) struck in the midst of reassembling our Brazilian life: a blog post giving my take on SCOTUS’s support for ObamaCare, a travel tip and missions option for booking airfare, two items (by others) to BNc, most notably, a book review of an impressive conversion story.

    • Then, there were the usual FB posts, comments, a QBT on God’s Wrath, and not a few likes, tweets, recommendations, and other signs of mental life.

    • Now to get back to writing the Daily Bible Devotionals. That remains.

    • The Missus and I interrupted a movie tonight. I’m squeamish about certain things, and this dealt with one of those.

    • Some things I’m not squeamish about (speaking vaguely, for obvious reasons), but I seldom talk about them to avoid offending others’ sensibilities. Other things I belabor, and people probably think I ought to be squeamish, or more guarded, about them. This is probably not making sense, so let’s move on.

    • If anybody finds a digital voice recorder out there, it’s probably mine. Unless it’s hidden in some of our stuff still. I hope I didn’t leave it behind. Like I did my cap, Father’s Day gift. That was cool.

     

  • Richard Hill 10:37 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 33 

    Day 33

    Mark 14 – 16

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Ron Thomas 9:23 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: take a stand   

    Taking a stand is not easy, but from Daniel 3 a few ideas may come to mind to help. http://etsop95.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/take-the-stand/

     

  • TFRStaff 8:46 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    EDIFIER: What to do about sin in our life? 

    What should we do about SIN in our life? You DO have sin in your life because the bible says that we all sin and come short of the glory of God. ROM. 3:23.

    In fact, the bible says that if we deny that we are sinners, we are liars and the truth is not in us. 1 JOHN 1:8.

    However, the fact that we have sin in our life does not mean that we are left in a hopeless condition and must constantly bear the guilt of our sin.

    There are various ways that men try to deal with sin.

    • Some people try to DENY their sin and pretend that they are not guilty. But, the scriptures above and many others clearly refute those claims. We must accept the fact that we do sin.
    • Others try to HIDE their sin. It cannot be done. Numbers 32:23 informs us that our sins will find us out.
    • We simply need to CONFESS our sins to God and REPENT of them. Then, we are told that we will be forgiven of those sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. We should be so thankful that God is not only willing to forgive our sins but is anxious to do so.

    Do you have sin in your life that you continue to carry about in your life? Why don’t you go to God in prayer and confess those sins and ask for His forgiveness? Then, you can rest in peace that you are not guilty of that sin anymore. The guilt has been removed through the blood of Christ.

    TRUST GOD! MARCH ON TO VICTORY BY FOLLOWING HIS LEADERSHIP!

    With Much Love,

    Ted & Barbara

    If you know of someone else that might benefit from it, send us their address and we will add them.

    THE EDIFIER

    I Corinthians 14:26

    “Let all things be done unto edifying”

    An E-Letter from Ted and Barbara Knight to EDIFY our Brothers and Sisters in Romania

    June 28, 2012

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:05 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Here’s a Few Randomly Ordered Thoughts 

    I’m going to “borrow” one of Randal’s post themes to share a few thoughts with you this morning:

    I have bought my last bag of Oreo’s! Don’t know why? Google “Oreo and Controversy” and you’ll probably find out real quick. I’ll do just fine with the generic version of the cookie.

    A young man came walking through the county I live in the other day while carrying a cross (on wheels of course). He had decided to walk from Texas to Washington D.C. to draw attention to the nation’s behavior and to raise money for missions that were important to him. The local radio station caught up with him to ask him what was going on. In the interview he said when he got to D.C. that he was going to hold a prayer service and pray that the nation’s leaders would listen with their heart and make the right choices. I’m not knocking the young man’s intentions, there are several things admirable about them, but the whole reason that America is suffering from some of the problems we have is that our leaders are already listening with their own hearts instead of listening to God’s word! (see also 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Daniel 5:18-28 and Proverbs 13:34)

    I love being a father. My first child has taught me two things. Lesson One: I can understand how some parents could want to have 7 children! Lesson Two: I can understand how some parents could want to stop at one! :)

    I saw a story about a couple who tore down a $4.2 million mansion just so they could have a better view! I don’t know about you, but it sounds like they’re doing better than all right in this economy. I can think of a Bible verse or two that describes the foolishness of such behavior too.

    Want to know a simple way to make your wife smile guys? Put supper up in the fridge when they cooked enough for leftovers on purpose, but they’ve forgotten about it because they’re doing “little things” like bathing and dressing and feeding and putting your child to bed. She got up this morning and remembered that she didn’t put up the food, only to find that “super-man” had saved her day. Maybe I should have referred to myself as “supper-man” instead. I love being married. My wife and her family have helped me in ways that I can’t even explain.

    I’ll be back with a sermon outline for Psalm 71 in my next post. It’ll be the ”bare bones” but I promise it’ll help you preach the text (one worth preaching I might add) without a problem.

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 8:10 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Your two fatherly lessons were worth a good laugh. So true. I joke around saying I’m proud of my kids, when I’m not wanting to choke them. :)

  • Ron Thomas 5:12 am on June 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    2 Chronicles 36 

    1. The ESV delineates the chapter into three sections; most appropriate, I think. 1) Judah’s decline (36:1-16). Four kings are mentioned in this longest section of the chapter; they are Jehoahaz, Eliakim (Jehoiakim), Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.  2) Jerusalem captured and burned (36:1721). Egypt was a player of the “Middle East Stage”, but soon was supplanted by Babylon, and it was Babylon who took Jerusalem to its lowest point.  3) The proclamation of Cyrus (36:22-23). After the Lord gave the land rest for 70 years there was a new king and a new empire that encouraged all captive people to return to their homeland.
    2. Application: The message is the same throughout Chronicles: If one does not return to the Lord, then the life of a great many people will pay a seriously physical price. If they are so fortunate to escape with their lives, then in poverty and captivity they will live. With all that destruction the Lord still gave the people hope through His prophet Jeremiah. It was a tough lesson to experience and learn from, but as a nation they learned!
     

  • Weylan Deaver 4:36 pm on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Here’s my daughter’s (Lacey’s) latest blog piece: “UnaPEELing Apples” http://ivorykeys94.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/unapeeling-apples/

     

    • Richard Hill 9:48 pm on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Very well done! With Lacey’s permission I would like to include this in our bulletin.

      • ivorykeys94 11:09 pm on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Yes, that would be absolutely fine! Thanks so much for your consideration! :)
        Lacey

  • J. Randal Matheny 10:50 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    My end may be near 

    The server that hosts many of our sites (FMag, BNc, my weblog, etc.) has again blocked my Internet provider. For about the third time. Getting this unstuck proves to be a challenge.

    • Blocking an Internet provider is like this: One person hacks or does something foul on the Internet, so the provider he uses gets blocked, along with all the people that use that provider. That’s the moral equivalent to when a 25-year-old steals something, you put half the 20-30 year olds in jail for it. How’s that for logic? Or am I missing something?

    • I regularly help Brazilians, and others, connect around the world. This time, a Brazilian sister from another state going to spend a year in France. Apparently, no churches meet where she will be, so I pray she can find spiritual strength during this time.

    • Pãozinhos and tea for breakfast. Ah! the small pleasures of life. Another is sleeping in one’s own bed. Truly, no place like home, be it ever so humble.

    • At supper, The Missus said it seemed like something was missing. (That something was The Maiden, who, if you’ve not heard by now, we left in the US.) I told her to consider it an extended date. Reckon that’ll work? Doesn’t that appeal to feminine need for romanticism?

    • Since The Missus had her shoes on already, she went to buy bread this morning, and I put on the water for tea. She said there was Earl Grey, and when I saw a new box of it on the table, I opened it and used that. She returned and said there was a box in the cabinet already opened. As she came toward me with hands in that choking position. Now, I appeal to all men everywhere: Was I not justified in opening the Earl Grey on the table?

    • I told y’all to pray for me as we came back to an empty nest. I may not last the week before The Missus does away with me.

     

  • TFRStaff 9:55 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    TFT: Never put a kindness off 

    NEVER put a kindness off,
    Never wait to say
    The word of praise or sympathy
    Which someone needs today.
    Lest suddenly it prove too late
    For anything but ruing
    The helpful, thoughtful things
    You never got around to DOING.

    —Elizabeth Ellen Long

    Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

  • TFRStaff 9:39 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    A Matter of Fellowship 

    Fellowship is a big issue in the church today. In fact, it has always been an issue even before the church was established. The Israelites were called to be separate from everyone else. Solomon said as much in 1 Kings 8:53:

    “For thou didst separate them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah.”

    Today God’s children seem to have an ever increasing desire to welcome all who claim to believe in Him. However, fellowship is a spiritual blessing that belongs only to those who are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We can know for certain who is to be in our spiritual fellowship by simply reading passages such as 2 John 9-11:

    “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.”

    It is evident that to enjoy the fellowship of God and other Christians, one must be obedient to the word of God. And since every single denomination teaches a different doctrine, they obviously cannot be in fellowship with each other because only one can be right, if at all. The prophet Amos spelled this out very clearly when he wrote “Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?” (Amos 3:3) The solution is to be a part of the church that Jesus died for. Only those in Christ, buried with Him in baptism (Romans 6:4) and do more than just say they believe (Matthew 7:21) can enjoy the fellowship of other Christians. That is not to say that non-church members cannot be our friends but for certain we cannot join with them in religious service.

    In Christ, Steve Preston

    Sign up for BibleTalk, short messages from

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  • Richard Hill 7:24 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 32 

    Day 32

    Mark 12 & 13

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

    https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Mark+12

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:50 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    “Proverbs Are The Piths” (6) 

    Proverbs 2:20-22 culminates with the reason why Solomon’s children should take heed to the warning that wisdom will not just fall into their lap; to the message of where wisdom, knowledge and understanding originates from; to his admonition that there are people out there who do not have our best interest in mind; and that love is more than what meets the eye.

    Solomon’s culmination is simple - the Promised Land has One Path! (see also Matthew 7:14 and John 14:6)

    Verse 20 – Multiple paths in life, but only two destinations? We better believe it. We better heed it. We better perceive it. If not we’ll rob ourselves by exchanging the pleasures of sin for a season for affliction that comes afterwords.

    Verse 21 – Character counts! Relationships count! Mentalities count! Passion counts! Humility counts! Mercy counts! Salvation is real and we can count on it!

    Verse 22 – Evil will be pulled up by what? First comes the mowing down, then comes the pulling up of the roots. If we want to completely get rid of something, we have to get rid of the roots. Solomon is teaching his son that one day God will do a lot of weeding; so we must strive to bear the fruit of the upright and blameless, or there will be no distinction between us and the weed!

    Proverbs 2 could be summed up in 10 words: Wisdom gives salvation – sin gives death – BE SMART Solomon says.

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:09 am on June 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    2 Chronicles 35 

    1. Josiah, God’s great restoration king, was a man of great piety, but as his life was nearing to a particular point in a contest with Egypt, he chose to not hear what the Lord said and, consequently, it cost him his life. Apart from that, in his devotion he called upon the people to serve the Lord in the great Passover feast – and the people did. Unfortunately, however, when Egypt was presenting itself against Babylon, Josiah wanted to intercept Egypt, but the Lord exhorted him to not do so. Josiah did not listen (35:20-27).
    2. Application: Great kings are men of the same weaknesses as any other person. David illustrated this as well as Solomon and Hezekiah. Thus, we should not be surprised when Josiah illustrated it also. That said, however, whatever weakness there may have been there was much to be said about these devoted kings to the Lord’s way. You also have weaknesses; let us not accentuate our weakness, but let not lose sight as we move forward to the Lord (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2).
     

  • J. Randal Matheny 4:40 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Notes on a mostly smooth journey 

    On occasion we bump into people we know at big airports like DFW, as we did today. Barbara Leite and her two girls were traveling to visit in-laws in Brazil, were on the same plane as we were. Barbara is the daughter of veteran missionaries Bryan and Jacqueline Bost. There’s just something warm and pleasant about seeing familiar faces in places like airports, bumping into friends along your journey.

    • The first time that happened to me, as I recall, was in 1978 or ’79. I was returning to the US from a campaign in Brazil, my first or second there (here), I’m not sure, but I think it was the second. Howard Norton and I wound up on the same plane and were able to sit together. That visit was important for me as he encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree and get some experience before moving to the mission field.

    • I took Howard’s advice. It was sound counsel for me.

    • Our plane last night hit an air pocket and dropped suddenly. A young man was making his way down the aisle, from the bathroom perhaps, when it happened. After the drop, he ran, literally, to his seat. The turbulence set the whole plane a-chatter. But before and after that one drop, the flight was smooth.

    • That happened, too, on my very first international flight, from JFK in New York to London, in 1976, when the A Cappella Singers of FHU headed to Europe for a campaign and tour. It was a prolonged drop, frightening. I seem to remember one or more persons bumping their heads on the ceiling. Right off, I was convinced of the need to remain belted in when seated.

    • On the domestic leg from Nashville to DFW, I can’t but overhear a conversation directly behind me between an older gentleman and a woman. He asks what her husband does for a living. Cost accounting, I think, was the answer. He asked her what that was. She didn’t know. I thought that was sad, that a wife didn’t know what her husband did to provide her and her children a living.

    • I’m grateful to God and thankful to my wife that she participates in what I do.

    • I often complain of Brazilian red tape, so I feel obligated to mention one less document needed. In the São Paulo airport this morning, I asked about the paper to fill out for customs. I was told that, if one had nothing to declare, no paper was necessary. You just walk right through. (Of course, an official sits watching passengers leave and can pull anyone over to examine bags.) Now that’s progress!

     

    • John Henson 7:10 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I’m thankful for the work you and your wife and family are doing and how you’ve continued it in the same way Paul did in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.

      • J. Randal Matheny 7:13 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, John. We certainly don’t come close to saint Paul’s knees, but we’re glad to do our little bit in the kingdom, thankful the Lord makes room for little folk like us.

  • Richard Hill 7:32 am on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 31 

    Day 31

    Mark 10 & 11

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:49 am on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    “Proverbs Are The Piths” (5) 

    The book of Proverbs shows itself to be an equal opportunity defender in 2:16-19. Not only will God’s word protect young people from “slick talking men” – it will protect them from “slick talking women” too!

    Verse 16- Solomon tells his son that the pretty young from down the street has grown to be trouble in the neighborhood. While the word “strange” (KJV and others) can refer to a foreigner, it can also refer to someone who has become “estranged” from a covenant or lifestyle. She wasn’t leaving; she was already gone. This is the exact reason we find the words of verse 17.

    Verse 17- She was raised to know and do better! While this can’t be said for every person, it can be said for her. In all likelihood, verse 17 indicates not only the abandonment of her God (covenant), but also the betrayal of her husband (companion of youth). So Solomon says beware my son, she knows the right words (vs.16), but she doesn’t have the right heart!

    Verse 18-19 – It’s a one street with a dead-end sign. Solomon introduces a topic that every young man must be warned about – the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. It’s a big warning about a little bit of sex and it won’t be the last time these wise words are given to this naive young man. One can almost hear Solomon saying, “Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

    There’s no doubt in my mind that Solomon understood how easily temptation could overtake a young person through lust. He knew everyone is only young once, but Solomon never once minced his words to his children in the book of Proverbs - sin leads to death every time no matter how pretty it may be!

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:06 am on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    2 Chronicles 34 

    1. Josiah was now king in Judah; his desire was to serve the Lord and lead a nation, albeit a rather small nation at this point, but he desired to lead a nation in restoration. To add to that restoration spirit was the location of a precious item that all-too-many people did not regard as precious. The book of the Lord’s law was found, and when the king heard he desired to hear from the Lord. The Lord was pleased with the king, but told the king that what was planned against Jerusalem and Judah was not going to be thwarted, though the king would be fortunate enough to not have to experience it.
    2. Application: In this chapter we learn that God is not exclusive in whom He uses to serve His purposes. God used the prophetess, Huldah, to communicate to the king the forthcoming news (it is worth notice that she was a contemporary with God’s prophet Jeremiah, (cf. 35:25)). The significance in this regards itself with who did the choosing: it was the Lord. Way too many times people choose within themselves the Lord’s choice (or at least they think they do); in other words, since one has a strong compunction to serve the Lord in a particular capacity, than it must be the case the Lord did the choosing. This is a false approach, and this is demonstrated by the explicit teachings of the New Testament.
     

  • TFRStaff 9:13 am on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Life’s purpose 

    The main article in The Southwesterner is especially good. It merits our careful reading. Jack P. Lewis once said that if you’re going to be a biblical scholar, you can’t read comic books. Or something to that effect. His point was that we can’t waste our time in frivolous pursuits and be good servants in the kingdom.

    SW 6-24-12.pdf

     

  • Richard Hill 7:19 am on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 30 

    Day 30

    Mark 8 & 9

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

    https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Mark+8

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:59 am on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    “Proverbs Are The Piths” (4) 

    Proverbs 2:10-15 reminds me very much of Matthew 10:16.

    Solomon is warning his children that everyone they meet won’t be interested in their well-being. If they don’t keep on their toes, they’ll soon be walking a path that needs to be less traveled. These admonitions are still as valuable today as the day they were given.

    Verse 10 – The realization of the blessings in verses 11-12 are based upon the condition of this verse. “When wisdom enters…when knowledge is pleasant to the soul…” then a heads up will be given when sneaky characters come our way.

    Verse 11 - Listen to God and we can better know when we hear garbage and foolishness and sin that harms the body, soul and spirit! If it doesn’t pass the sniff test, it doesn’t pass the test! This is the essence of discretion and understanding.

    Verse 12 – Why are wisdom and knowledge essential? They can help keep young people from slipping on the words of the “slick talking men” who prey on them.

    Verse 13-15 – Think the base characteristics of people have changed? Think again! The same promises to lure the young people of yesterday are still used as bait today. And everyday someone puts down their better judgment to take a little nibble, only to find the hook of wickedness set firmly in their heart.

    There are wolves on every corner, so Solomon is urging his young sheep to carry a ready stick!

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 7:04 am on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I’m writing an article for my daughter, whom we will leave in the US today. I like this. Good reminder.

      • Eugene Adkins 4:54 pm on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hope and pray all goes well with your daughter…and with you my friend :)

      • Eugene Adkins 4:58 pm on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        btw, excellent job with your article on Forthright! Can only imagine the emotions you’re feeling. God bless, brother.

        • J. Randal Matheny 4:15 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink

          Thanks, Eugene! Yes, quite a mix of emotions. I told The Missus to think of it as our being on an extended date, romantic-like.

  • Ron Thomas 5:02 am on June 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    2 Chronicles 33 

    1. There is now another remarkable transition from the great and godly king Hezekiah to his wicked and vile son Manasseh. Manasseh, however, was not but a youth when he became king (33:1), and it is likely that he was led around by those who did not have the purest of motives and neither did they have the interest of Judah in mind. Having been influenced in this direction the Lord set His course on and against Judah. Manasseh took note of his sin, confessed it to the Lord, and the Lord reestablished his monarchy. While Manasseh was an evil king he died a righteous king because “he humbled himself greatly before the God of his father” (33:12). Manasseh’s son, however, was not so virtuous, and because of this lack of virtue the Lord was against him, and so were some of the people of Judah – for they assassinated him (33:21-25).
    2. Application: Manasseh suffered great humiliation in being carted off to Babylon, but having reached the pit of the valley he carved out for himself, Manasseh “came to himself,” and because he did the Lord heard his prayer. No matter how far one travels when on a spiritual path away from God, if the heart is truly penitent, there is no distance too great for the Lord that he can’t bring the penitent one back to a state of favor. There is encouragement in this.
     

  • Richard Hill 7:18 am on June 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 29 

    Day 29

    Mark 6 & 7

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Richard Hill 7:25 am on June 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 28 

    Day 28

    Mark 4 & 5 

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

    https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Mark+4

     

  • TFRStaff 8:19 am on June 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Noah’s Diligence In Many Things 

    In Genesis 6 is the record of Noah’s work before the flood. Noah’s life showed diligence in many areas, just like our lives must show diligence in many areas.

    We are not told anything about him previous to the record in Genesis, but there are some things we can know by implication. Verse 8 says that Noah found “grace” in the eyes of the Lord. God’s grace couples His mercy with His favor. So we know that Noah was diligent in faith because faith has always been the requirement to give man access to God’s favor (Rom. 5:1-3).

    We also know that Noah was diligent in listening to God. Two things stand out here. Noah’s immediate and continuous work to build the ark (diligence) and the fact that faith comes by hearing the word of God. We know that Noah followed what God said because Gen. 7:1 says that God found Noah righteous before him. The record also says that Noah “walked with God” in Gen. 6:9. Each of these characteristics above depict the character of diligence.

    But the depth of Noah’s diligence in impressed upon us in the actual building of the ark. He may have worked at it for 120 years depending on whether or not there is a big time gap between Genesis 6:3 and 6:13. One of the primary parts of diligence before God is doing exactly what God says. I am relatively certain there were more details to the instructions Noah received as you have probably considered yourself. We can properly assume that Noah followed every instruction to the letter just as he did those which are revealed to us.

    Brothers and sisters, wouldn’t it be great if our own diligence would bring the above description of our life.

    • Found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
    • Just before God
    • Walked with God
    • Did according to all that God commanded
    • Righteous before God.

    Let’s keep on keeping on.

    Mike Glenn

     

  • Richard Hill 7:23 am on June 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 27 

    Day 27

    Mark 1 – 3 

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:49 am on June 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Banking, , , , ,   

    “Proverbs are the Piths” (3) 

    Proverbs 2:6-9 packs a punch when it comes to the unique source of wisdom that the Bible contains.

    The Bank of Wisdom located in Heaven is a bank that is too big to fail for several reasons!

    1 – It receives its funds from the mouth of God (vs.6). Where does all wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from? Solomon says it comes from the mouth of God. Wisdom is literally God breathed! Hmmm…haven’t I read about something else being God-breathed before? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

    2 – God makes the deposits (vs.7). He is literally the storehouse/a bank of wisdom whose account never runs dry. The more you study His word, the more “funds” we find! Many will never “withdrawal from this free account” because they fail to understand its value (1 Corinthians 2).

    3 – God protects the account Himself (vs. 7b-8). He is His own FDIC guarantee! He is the shield, the guardian and the one who preserves and protects the value of godly wisdom from the ever-increasing (inflationary one might say) ignorance and stubbornness of mankind’s hearts and minds toward the word of God.

    4 – The investment in the bank of wisdom pays out great interest (vs. 9). In fact, Solomon tells his son that it’s in his own best interest to keep this account open! It pays out righteousness, justice and equity because it leads the investor to every good path in life. Why do men and women suffer evil, ignorance, injustice and heartache? Because we don’t listen to our Creator, and we try to make our ”bank account and paths” in life work out (Jeremiah 10:23). The problem is that we always end up broke spiritually!

    God pays the price and He makes the investments that we can’t afford, and may we have the wisdom it takes to recognize it (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).

    Brothers, that’ll preach if you add a little more meat to the bones; you can bank on it.

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:26 am on June 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    2 Chronicles 32 

    1. Having done all that they did, the Scriptures speaks of Hezekiah “acts of faithfulness” (32:1, ESV) as something that was a major contribution to the Lord’s protective wall around the king and his subjects. Assyria made their way to the land of Judah; already having carted off into exile those of Samaria, now Assyria threatens Jerusalem. Hezekiah, however, finds strength in God and encourages the people (32:1-8). Assyria has heard this before and they dismiss anything and everything Judah king has to say to the contrary (32:9-19). One thing the Assyrians seemed to have lost sight of was the fact that Israel’s God was the Almighty. Though warning was given by the Lord to them, the Assyrians still dismissed it – to their destruction (32:20-23). Hezekiah was a great king, but great kings are also mortal men of weakness, and Hezekiah was not immune to such (32:24-33).
    2. Application: It is well know that when the forces of evil surrounded Elisha and his servant that Elisha encouraged his servant with the immortal words, “for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16, KJV). Though Elisha is better known for using these words, it was also Hezekiah who used the same (32:7). And just as with Elisha it was with Hezekiah, these words were not just uttered, but believed. It may be difficult for us to appreciate those words to the degree that both men of God did, but they are true just the same. Whole we may not experience the physical relief Elisha and Hezekiah experienced, as the Lord Jesus was relieved we will also be.
     

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:33 pm on June 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Bible instruction, , ,   

    How to help people forsake sin 

    On Wednesday night I got some ideas from a text used only briefly by the teacher. Jotted down a six-point outline of how to help people abandon sin. The audience was Israel, the speaker, Samuel, in 1Sam 12.20-25.

    Sorry, but it came out in Portuguese, and I posted it on our Brazilian church site. Maybe sometime I’ll get it into English, but if not, it’s well worth your attempting one of those horrid translators. That’s how much I liked it. Yeah, even if it was mine.

    OK, I ran it through the translator and it was decent. I cleaned it up just for you, so here’s how, following Samuel’s sermon, to help people forsake sin and follow the Lord.

    • Give people who live in sin a vision of repentance (20-21). You can turn from sin and succeed in the rejection of transgression.
    • Emphasize God’s faithfulness (22). His faithfulness inspires in us the same.
    • Make continuous prayer for the people (23). The apostles joined prayer and ministry of the Word (Acts 6.4).
    • Provide instruction in the good and right way of God (23). People do not know by instinct what is right.
    • Remind people of what God has done (24). Today, his action is focused on Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
    • Give warning about the consequences of persisting in sin (25). Sin destroys!
     

  • Richard Hill 8:27 am on June 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 26 

    Day 26

    2 Peter

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:45 am on June 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    “Proverbs are the Piths” (2) 

    Here’s what we can glean from Proverbs 2:1-5: Ask and You Shall Receive But Wisdom Will Not Just Fall Into Our Lap

    Look at the instructions Solomon gives to his children when it comes to getting wisdom, understanding and knowledge for a moment:

    In verse one he instructs his son to “receive” (lay hold of, carry along, capture/seize) his words and to “hide” them (store them up as treasure) within himself.

    In verse 2 he tells him to “incline” (be attentive) with his ear and to “apply” (to stretch out, turn toward) his heart to understanding.

    In verse 3 he tells him to “cry out” (call out, proclaim – do the exact opposite of 1:24-26) for knowledge or discernment and also to ”lift up his voice” (to give to, bestow, designate) for understanding.

    In verse 4 he tells him to ”seek” (to desire, request, or even demand) for wisdom like precious metal and to “search” (make thorough effort) for wisdom as he would for hidden treasures.

    After doing all of these things, Solomon says in verse 5, “THEN“ his son would understand the fear of God and find the knowledge from God he needs.

    The point of these 5 verses is that the reason so many don’t understand God’s word and will in and for his or her life is because they don’t want too! They are not asking for it (James 1:5) and they are not working for it (Proverbs 2:1-5). The wisdom that God is willing to share will not just fall into our lap; if you think it will, then go back and read Solomon’s instructions to his son again. The wisdom of God comes from dedicated humility (think of Solomon’s request for wisdom) and from diligent study (2 Timothy 2:15).

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:22 am on June 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    2 Chronicles 30-31 

    1. The Passover was a significant festival in Israel’s history. The nation, however, had corrupted their ways and, consequently, that which was observed was necessarily as prescribed by the Lord; nevertheless, the Passover was not honored as intensely since the days of Solomon (30:26). Hezekiah, Judah’s king, was devoted to the Lord more than any since David (perhaps more); he desired to restore the great festival and its significance to the people; while a few mocked, a great many engaged in the celebration. The Lord was pleased with the offerings submitted to His holy name.
    2. In his continuation of expressing his devotion to the Lord in these religious restoration events Adam Clarke said this about the chapter (as a summary): The people destroy all traces of idolatry throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh (31:1). Hezekiah reforms the state of religion in general; and the tithes are brought in from all quarters, and proper officers set over them (31:2-13). They bring to also the freewill-offerings, and regulate the priests and Levites and their families, according to their genealogies (31:14-19). Hezekiah does everything in sincerity and truth, and is prosperous (31:20, 21).
    3. Application: The Passover celebration, it will be noted, was not during the prescribed month of the year (30:2). Still, though not during the prescribed month, it was received by the Lord God. Does this give people living under the authority of the New Testament to alter what the Lord has prescribed? The answer is no for at least two reasons; first, the Lord gave authorization in His word concerning such occasions (Numbers 9:6-13); second, Hezekiah appealed to the Lord for acceptance and the Lord heard and answered that prayer (30:18-20). Unless we have a direct answer from the Lord God our good intention might result in bad consequences.
     

  • Richard Mansel 8:57 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ,   

    All Worry is Sin? 

    I was doing research for a sermon and came across a book by John Haggai called, “How to Win over Worry.”

    John Haggai says, “Worry is a sin. It is always a sin.”

    How can someone make such an unqualified statement? Blanket statements are often true and false. The former will benefit the reader while the latter will chase away the skeptic. We must be careful to delineate truth so we have a chance to win all of our readers.

    Worry is defined as uneasiness or anxiety. How can we say those two words are unqualified sins? Maybe Haggai has a different definition of worry. If so, he should have said so. In being precise, we must define terms so everyone understands the premise.

    John Haggai says, “Worry is distrust in the truthfulness of God and worry is detrimental to the temple of God.”

    Haggai is exactly correct. However, the definition above is more expansive than that. We must always realize that God is with us and that He is our Lord and Provider.

    “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

    If we see anyone or anything else as our source of safety, answers or salvation, we have violated God’s will.

    Uneasiness and anxiety, to an extent, are natural consequences of the human condition. A child will trust his father completely but will still tremble as he leaps off the pier into his father’s arms.

    We know that the Lord will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), but we are still frightened when our car breaks down in the woods or we find ourselves lost in the concrete jungle at night. It is impossible to banish all of this from our minds and hearts.

    It is dangerous to teach that ALL worry is sin because it places an impossible burden on the hearer. When the widow goes out that week and someone steals her car and she loses her job and can’t pay the utility bill or mortgage, would we all not feel uneasy or anxious if we were in her shoes?

    Faith in God is required (Hebrews 11:6). It is the only hope we have to survive in this cruel world. We must trust God completely. Yet, we retain our humanity and denying that is folly and to our listeners, disaster.

    Let us always take the time to qualify our statements and be as precise as possible so our readers or listeners will continue to listen.

     

    • Tim Archer 9:33 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I agree. There is a type of “worry” that isn’t sinful, like what Paul said: “And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28) That type of concern is natural. At the same time, we need to teach a real dependence on God.

    • Richard Parsons 11:36 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      It is natural to be concerned or to “worry” about some of the situations that we must face. We get into trouble when the “worry” leads us to test God or it leads us away from Him. These situations should motivate us to move even closer to God.

    • Eugene Adkins 4:50 pm on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I do not believe that Paul sinned when he said, “I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” (2 Corinthians 2:13).

      It sure sounds like he was worried to me.

  • Richard Hill 7:11 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply  

    100 Days of Scripture – Day 25 

    Day 25

    1 Peter 3 – 5

    http://stoneofcompetence.blogspot.com/

    Read or listen at:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/

    Another site for reading and study:

    https://net.bible.org/#!bible/1+Peter+3

     

  • Larry Miles 7:10 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,   

    “Renewing Your Mind Spiritually” eBook available as ePub 

    my e-book has been OK ed for distribution from Barnes and Noble in the epub (Nook) format — please click on the link below for more info

    Renewing Your Mind Spiritually” (Devotional Articles by Larry Miles) -

    I hope you will check it out. Please pray that it can be used, along with the Kindle version through Amazon, to help Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.


     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:46 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,   

    “Proverbs are the Piths” (1) 

    Here’s a short outline for Proverbs 1…it’ll preach if you know what I mean!

    I gave it the title: Meet Ms.Wisdom and the Listening Band

    Listen To This and Win – vs. 1-7

    Listen to Your Parents – vs. 8-9

    Do Not listen to Sinful Friends – vs. 10-19

    Listen to Ms.Wisdom – vs. 20-27

    Don’t End Up Wishing You Had Listened – vs. 28-33

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 7:47 am on June 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Looks like a great chiasmus to me, Eugene! The central element would therefore be the main point, receive the emphasis. I like it!

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