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  • Eugene Adkins 6:54 am on May 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    A Verse of Encouragement 

    Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (NKJV)

    How often did David encourage the people to trust God? Sometimes? Every once in a while? When they had no other choice? What about at all times?

    He encouraged them to pour out their heart to God. That’s not something that we can trust just anyone with! Ever poured your heart out to someone only to have them soak it all up and pour it back out to someone else? God won’t do that.

    David encouraged those who are looking for a refuge to stop looking, to start trusting, to start hoping and to start resting in the God of their salvation (vs. 1-2, 6-7).

    What other verses of encouragement (personal or congregational) from the Old Testament or the New Testament can you think of? Feel free to share what you think of.

     

    • D.H. Parker 8:55 am on May 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Deuteronomy 33:26-27a “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

  • John T. Polk II 9:42 am on March 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: American Society, God, , ,   

    The Answer is “God” 

    http://doverchurchofchrist.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Chart-Fruit-of-a-Godless-People.pdf

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:30 am on March 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , God,   

    God is good 

    From today’s QBT: God has room for all. He wants all to enter. “Go out … and urge people to come in, so that my house will be filled.” Lk 14.23 NET

    Luke 14 is today’s Bible reading from the New Testament plan, one chapter per weekday.

    See also United Prayer today. And how about the story and some photos of yesterday’s baptisms here in SJCampos? God is good.

    May your day be blessed.

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  • John Henson 8:36 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    God Can Make You Great! 

    One of the lessons of Gideon in Judges Chapters 6-8 is that God can take a humble person and make someone great.

    In the play, “The Twelfth Night,” William Shakespeare wrote, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” In fact, men are not born great. They may be born with fortunes of money, as John F. Kennedy; or they may achieve fame as did World War II hero Audie Murphy. Greatness is seldom “thrust.” God can take a lowly person and make that one great.

    Gideon was threshing wheat when God brought the news to him that he was a “mighty man of valor,” (Judges 6:11). Gideon was not ruling Israel; he was not in command of the nation’s armies, in fact it is doubtful that Israel had a standing army until after Gideon formed it. He was simply a farmer harvesting a crop.

    It was in obeying God’s commands that Gideon became great.

    Gideon is not the only example of how God took a humble person and made a great one. What about King David? David was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd discounted by his own father from being king, but God chose him (1 Samuel 16:11-13). God chose David to achieve a stature few men ever reach.

    What about Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, wrongly accused by Potiphar but rose to become a mighty man in his own right, second only to Pharaoh. God made Joseph mighty.

    It is clear from the scriptures that God takes humble people and makes them great. He can take you and make something great, too.

    Do you think you’re too old, or too insignificant, or too uneducated to make a difference in God’s kingdom and the world? Think again. If God can take these people and make them great, then he can make you great! You’re not too old. You’re not too infirm. You’re not too poor. You’re not too ugly.

    All we need to remember is to see ourselves as God sees us. He thinks you’re pretty good material. How do I know?

    Simple. He bought you with his son’s blood.

     

    • Barbara Oliver 10:29 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you, John, for such wonderful encouragement.

  • John T. Polk II 11:58 pm on February 13, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    Love Is Forever 

    This Power Point Sermon will be found under “2012 Power Points” on the website: doverchurchofchrist.info

     

  • John Henson 2:06 pm on January 31, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    A Good Idea 

    One of the great things about Jeremiah is how the Lord God instructed him to deliver lessons using everyday things.

    An example of this is Jeremiah 13. God asks Jeremiah to buy and bury a linen loincloth, remove it from its pit and show how useless it had become. By its continued sin, Judah has become useless to God. Judah had been God’s possession to show his glory, but now it had become spoiled.

    God then asks Jeremiah to tell them, “Every jug is to be filed with wine,” (Jeremiah 13:12 NASB). Judah smirked back saying, “Tell us something we don’t know.” The figure was designed to show how Judah was like stumbling, bumbling drunks who didn’t realize how foolish they were.

    God tells Judah, “’Thus says the LORD, ”Behold I am about fill all the inhabitants of this land ― the priests, the prophets and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem ― with drunkenness! I will dash them against each other both the fathers and the sons together,’ declares the LORD,” (Jeremiah 13:13-14a NASB).

    The same can be true of us if we become useless, and are not glorifying God, sharing his gospel and have turned a blind eye to sin.

    God gives all a chance to repent. Here’s a good idea: let’s take that opportunity and obey God today.

     

  • Richard Mansel 11:24 am on January 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , God   

    Why Won’t God Help Us? 

    Actually the answers to our problems do not exist within mankind. Only in Christ can we find what we seek as human beings. Sin will continue to be here and everything that comes with it (1 Peter 5:8). We cannot stop it no matter what we do. All we can do is give ourselves to the Lord, so He can help us deal with them (Romans 5:6-11; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 22:16).

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:29 am on November 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    John's open door 

    God opens the door to John to show what he is doing in the world. http://wp.me/pbYlo-19K Today’s devotional thought over on my blog.

     

  • John Henson 12:35 pm on November 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    Don’t Be Fooled 

    “Don’t be fooled,” advertisers say. Don’t be taken by charlatans selling a discounted product. It may promise to be as good as the name brand, but it will never measure up!

    Judah had become ensnared by false gods that promised peace and plenty in the days of Jeremiah. They had become fooled into thinking that because the temple was still standing that God would not see how they had devoted themselves to wood and stone.

    So God said, “Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie!” (Jeremiah 7:8 NLT). It’s easy to get lulled into thinking something that isn’t true. Think about all those advertisers who sell everything from pet rocks to those longer-lasting light bulbs.

    God continued, “Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?” (Jeremiah 7:9-10 NLT). Judah was wrong if it believed it could disobey God’s word and think it could continue to flourish.

    It’s amazing how the example of Judah is so similar to people in our day. Do we think we can expect the blessings of God to continue while we refuse to bridle our tongues, kill babies, mistreat our neighbors and commit some of the same acts for which God condemned Judah in the Old Testament.

    Don’t be fooled into thinking you will never suffer because religious freedom exists here. Don’t be fooled into thinking people in this country can engage in immoral, detestable behavior and get away with it because no one can threaten the safety of our country. Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and worship other gods and not expect justice?

    Don’t be fooled.

     

    • Ken Mabry 1:30 pm on November 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      America is not Israel. Israel was a type of the Church. America is a secular nation were, even if people do believe in God and the Bible, they do not believe as the Church of Christ which makes them just as bad as people worshiping their football idols or celebrities. I can only do God’s Will myself what the rest of America does is what they do and we’ll suffer anyway because it rains on the just and the unjust till the end of time.

      • John Henson 2:40 pm on November 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Israel showed itself to be every bit as secular as any nation around her. Frankly, I can’t understand what your comment is trying to say.

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:31 am on November 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, , QuickBibleTruths   

    Knowledge of God 

    "The way to knowledge of God is through knowledge of Christ, and the way to knowledge of Christ is by faith in his promises as revealed in the Bible." —Donald Bloesch, Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord, pp. 15-16

    "No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known." John 1:18 NET

    Quick Bible Truths

     

  • John Henson 11:15 am on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    Necessity to Repent 

    God was displeased with Judah because almost everyone believed as long as there was a temple in Jerusalem they could count on the favor of God no matter what they did.

    The Lord commanded Jeremiah to preach a sermon in which he would instruct them otherwise. Jeremiah, by God’s inspiration, said, “Do not trust deceitful words, chanting: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’ Instead, if you really change your ways and your actions, if you act justly toward one another, if you no longer oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow and no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods, bringing harm on yourselves, I will allow you to live in this place, the land I gave to your ancestors long ago and forever,” (Jeremiah 7:4-7 HCSB).

    These people had become unthinking and unfeeling in their relationship with God. They had become repetitive, heartless and unfeeling in their worship. They had taken God for granted, thinking they would always have his favor regardless of their behavior.

    Instead, Jeremiah told them that if they wanted to continue their residence in the land God gave them, they would have to change their ways. They needed to stop bringing trouble and harm on themselves.

    The only way people can understand the need to repent is if they know there is a need. No, the majority of Judah failed to repent; only a remnant of the nation was allowed to return after 70-years captivity. That did not stop God from requiring his preacher and prophet from asking his people to repent and turn to him.

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 11:34 am on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      One of my favorite texts, John. Or should I say anti-favorites? And your topic is so important. We need to hear more and more about the necessity of repentance, true change, turning to the Lord.

      • John Henson 11:53 am on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, brother. I really liked the translation, “Instead, if you really change your ways and action…” is pretty good, I think.

        • J. Randal Matheny 12:09 pm on November 15, 2011 Permalink

          Is good. HCSB has some good turns of phrases. One review I read of the NRSV said it has some really good ones too, in spite of leaning left.

  • John Henson 11:59 am on November 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , footnotes, God,   

    Careful of those Footnotes! 

    Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all spoke of Judah stumbling and falling over God’s word.

    In Jeremiah 6, the prophet told Judah God was about to bring disaster upon his own people because they refused to obey his word (Jeremiah 6:19).

    So, if Judah stumbled because they made the choice to ignore God’s word and refused correction, as Jeremiah says in the aforementioned reference, then why is it there are men who believe in the impossibility of apostasy?

    Yet, one unnamed person, writing a footnote to the “HCSB Apologetics Bible” commenting on Jeremiah 6:19-21 wrote, “If we stumble it is our own fault; if we do not it is because in his mercy God has kept us from unwise choices.”

    So, the reason why we cannot stumble is because God “has kept us away from unwise choices?” Therefore, our path in life is predetermined, is it not? So, if I am saved, I am no longer capable of committing adultery, since God keeps me from making an unwise choice, right?

    Yet, God is not a respecter of persons. The Apostle Peter said, “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him,” (Acts 10:34-35 NET).

    The statement from the human footnote is lost in a helpless contradiction. Either God keeps his chosen people from unwise choices, meaning God is a respecter of persons, or those who fear him and “does what is right is welcomed before him.”

    Was not Judah God’s chosen people? But God did not keep them from unwise choices. He will not keep us from choosing sin, either.

    Careful of those footnotes!

     

    • Ron Thomas 12:04 pm on November 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Just a note – returned from CBI, and John asked about you and also spoke favorably about you.

      • John Henson 12:20 pm on November 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Thank you, brother. We worshiped at Graymere between preaching jobs. The gracious Lord allowed me to sit at the feet of John and Kirk Brothers for about a year, and I needed and appreciated it! It hurt not be be able to go home for CBI, but maybe next year. Thanks for the message, Ron!

        • Ron Thomas 12:30 pm on November 10, 2011 Permalink

          That would be great; I would look forward to it. They have a new young preacher now, about 30-31 years old.

    • johntpolk2 8:01 am on November 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Well put, and thanks for the advice. One must be “on one’s toes” and not get tripped up by “footnotes.” And that’s true, not only in Bible commentaries, but other areas, as well. I have noticed that recorded music may have worse lyrics than what is printed for that recording, and that a video may give an entirely different interpretation to the words of a song than the words seem to convey. “Footnotes” are like the “fine print” of a document — worthy of our attention. Thanks for the alert, brother.

    • J. Randal Matheny 1:42 pm on November 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I’m a fan of study Bibles, as I am of one-volume commentaries, but you note rightly and well that the utmost care must be taken. Even the best are susceptible to grave errors.

  • John Henson 11:06 am on October 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    Here’s More Than Hope 

    In John 11:25, Jesus made a simple, yet profound statement.

    “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

    There is so much more than just hope in that statement. There is certitude. Wouldn’t have Job loved to hear that? Job said, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14a). All poor Job could do was hope, yet we have been given a “more sure word of prophecy,” (2 Peter 1:19).

    Take the more sure word of prophecy from Jesus in the New Testament and remember: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. If you have obeyed him, then he is keeping your life hid in God (Colossians 3:3-4). You’re ready.

    If not, then obey the gospel and get ready.

     

  • Richard Mansel 7:22 pm on October 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , shakespeare   

    Without God: “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” There isn’t any point to life without God. We are born into trouble and then we die, never to exist again. If I believed that, I don’t know how I would make it through the day.

    With God, we have everything we could possibly need: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

    Jesus came to bring the abundant life to us all and we should be thrilled (John 10:10). He is the blessing, the gift, given to the world and we must be eternally thankful (John 3:16; John 14:1-6). Without Him, there isn’t anywhere else to go.

     

  • Richard Mansel 9:03 pm on September 3, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , God, ,   

    Satan’s Party 

    Satan wants you drunk on Saturday night, so you won’t remember God on Sunday morning.

     

    • Stevelucas 9:31 pm on September 3, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for reminding us that Satan is on the prowl. Actually, Satan wants much and is always looking for an individual’s susceptibility to that which will draw one away from God. For he is a great respecter of anything which leads one to do that which is contrary to the will of our God. James 1: 11-13; vs12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” How do each of us stack up to the trials of life?

  • John Henson 12:46 pm on September 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: appointment, God,   

    Unto Thee I Pray 

    LIttle is known of John Harrison Tenney, except he was born in 1840 and named after President William H. Harrison. He was a deacon in the Congregational Church in Limebrick, Massachusetts and wrote 30 books and at least 15 hymns.

    But, his hymns are still popular with many people even today. Two favorites of mine are, “Come to Jesus,” and, “Ever Will I Pray.”

    Every day has its appointments dedicated to some special purpose. Some are mundane, but some are extra special. One appointment every faithful Christian should have each morning is with the Lord in prayer.

    The first verse of Tenney’s hymn, “Ever Will I Pray,” is, “Father, in the morning unto thee, I pray. Let thy lovingkindness keep me through this day. I will pray, I will pray; ever will I pray. Morning, noon and evening unto thee, I pray.”

    How many times do we start the day with prayer? The Lord God should be the first person we address when we arise, thankful that he provided a night of rest and peace for sound sleep. Our prayer should include invoking God’s blessing for the tasks ahead of us, and for the challenges we may face.

    Tom Moore wrote, “Meeting with God is not an appointment on a clock, but an appointment in your heart.”

    Don’t forget to keep your most important appointment of the day: prayer.

     

     

  • John Henson 11:57 am on August 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    NEVER Give Up 

    As Job sat in the junkyard scraping his boils with a broken piece of pottery, he was confused and afraid.

    His friend, Eliphaz, told Job he had once been the encourager and the strengthener of others, but now, “the shoe was on the other foot,” (Job 4:5).

    It was probably the case (as it is for many, many others) that Job thought he knew his “destiny” in this world (Job 4:6). He thought how his life was going to turn out. Truth was, he didn’t know that at all.

    We don’t know that, either, contrary to what the world wants us to believe.

    The world has a way of convincing us (especially if we’re older or infirm) that achievement and life are over. It is the young who have a future. It is the young who still have possibilities in life, the world says.

    The truth is, God is not finished with us until we draw the final breath. He’s not ready to abandon hope for us and neither should we.

    Wayne Jackson wrote, “Only in eternity will we be able to see how Jehovah has worked his marvelous plan. Truly, the final day of history will be a time of the ‘revelation of the righteous judgment of God,’” (Rom. 2:5).

    Don’t listen to the world. It isn’t time to give up, yet.

     

  • John Henson 4:21 pm on August 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    God Is Already There 

    God allowed the exile of the people of Judah to Babylon with a desire to teach them he expected better of them than the idolatry and base lack of respect he had seen.

    It was always God’s intention to have a remnant of his people return because he had plans for them. Ultimately, the remnant would return to their homes and, having learned the hard lessons of exile, they would learn to serve God anew as God intended.

    In the prophets, the Lord God repeatedly reassured his people. In one passage, God said, “Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any,” (Isaiah 44:8 ESV).

    When the exile finally came, people were terrified by what they saw and were afraid of what their captors would do to them, yet God continued to reassure his people. He said, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11).

    It’s easy to be afraid of the unknown. The future seems so uncertain, especially in these difficult times. Whenever we’re tempted to fear, we should remember the God of heaven is with us and wants us to understand he’s on our side.

    It is written, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”(Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV).

    Those who have obeyed God and live their lives in Christ should have no fear of the future. God is already there.

     

    • Mike Riley 4:53 pm on August 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Another good article, John! We don’t know what the future holds, but we know “Who” holds the future (Psalm 41:13; Psalm 106:48).

  • John Henson 2:00 pm on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , ,   

    God Compliments 

    While preparing for the first lesson in our study of the book of Job, I was struck by the compliment God paid Job.

    God said,  “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8 ESV). Note the four component compliments God gives here.

    He says, “there is none like him on the earth.” That’s quite a commendation. Of course the reason why there was none like him is because he was someone who avoided sin and stayed away from evil. Those are the things important to God. Job’s wealth didn’t induce this from God, neither was it Job’s position, but his faithfulness to and love of God.

    Job, God said, is a “blameless and upright man.” The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon defines “blameless” as “complete, morally innocent, having integrity.” I love the integumentary system of the body — the skin. It separates us from the environment and protects us from all the little bugs out there that would like to infect us. Job’s integrity separated him from all the evil in the world. He maintained his separation from it, just as our skin separates us from the world.

    God said Job fears him. Such is high praise for a man. Job was not sinless, but he loved God enough to keep himself from getting entangled in the lusts of this world. How many others can say they’ve never been overcome by the allure of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes or the pride of life (1  John 2:15f)?

    Job, according to God, was a man who turned away from evil. What a wonderful idea, and how seldom is it practiced in this world? If more people would just use their feet to take them away from the temptations of this life, more would be able to prevent sin.

    Probably the highest praise God gave Job was the compliment of allowing him to suffer. This is a tough idea for some to comprehend, but when God tests our faith, he does so with suffering. In so doing is he not announcing his trust in our ability to pass the test? And, if we don’t, God is still there to pick us up and help us learn, isn’t he?

     

     

    • Mike Riley 2:14 pm on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Good points as always, John! I’m reminded that Joseph used his feet to quickly escape from Potiphar’s wife: http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.6.Potiphars_Wife.htm

      With regard to God testing our faith by allowing us to suffer, I guess he must really love me! :)

    • Rick Kelley 2:18 pm on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      A tough perspective for sure, but one worth embracing. Good words.

    • John Henson 2:18 pm on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I was always taught my father loved me because he gave me things I liked. God loves us more by giving us suffering, something we don’t like and don’t want, but because of the good it can do.

      • Mike Riley 3:59 pm on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Suffering does one of two things. It can either turn us from God, or it can help us to rely on God instead of ourselves. It’s our choice!

  • Richard Mansel 7:53 pm on June 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , , ,   

    God in the Flesh 

    On Sunday morning, I will be speaking on “God in the Flesh” from John 1:1-5,14. What a powerful and challenging topic! It is difficult to explain the unexplainable.

    Without faith, how can we understand what it means to be God and man at the same time? Our text is so powerful that we can spend a lot of time on the subject. I plan a two-part series, trying to help my audience understand this difficult subject.

    John’s gospel is not a biography but a treatise to prove the premise in John 1:1-5.14. John’s prologue is so overwhelming that no human being could ever live up to it. John spends the rest of the book laying out evidence to prove his case. Everything in this book is designed to illustrate his point. It comes to fruition when Thomas cries, “My Lord and My God!” in John 20:28.

    What is the best way for you to explain what it means for Jesus to be God and man?

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 8:48 pm on June 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      All the illustrations I’ve heard for the incarnation (as well as the God who is three in one) seem to fall flat. Most likely the people who created them felt it, also, but they are attempts, at least, to help us understand the deep things of God. God bless you tomorrow as you speak his word on this most precious topic.

  • John Henson 1:43 pm on June 4, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God,   

    Trust God’s Wisdom 

    Whenever the temptation comes for me to trust my own knowledge rather than God’s, I read Isaiah 40:12-15.

    In this passage, God reminds Judah its supposed power during its recent encounter with the Assyrians was not what saw them through. Instead, it was God’s wisdom and power, requested by King Hezekiah who became humbled when faced with the prospect of losing his kingdom.

    God reminded his people he is the creator. We need to remember this, too. It isn’t the thinking of man who brought about the creation of the world. It was the wisdom and power of God. Pitiful man will never sit in the seat of Creator God, though man wants to sit there very much.

    Who gives God instruction? Not man. It is not within man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Left to its own wisdom and devices, Judah would have made an ineffective alliance with Egypt, who had no intention of facing the Assyrians in Jerusalem!

    God says, “Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales, (Isaiah 40:15 NET). The nations that worried Judah so were nothing. They were an insignificant threat from God’s perspective. We should remember God’s perspective and make it our own.

     

    • Mike Riley 6:33 am on June 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Great advice, John! Without God, we are absolutely nothing. He doesn’t need a thing from us (Acts 17:24-25).

  • Stephen R. Bradd 9:53 pm on May 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Daddy, , God   

    Daddy, Father, & God 

    I never cease to be amazed at how children learn and put concepts together (sometimes incorrectly).

    Our third son, Abram, is about to turn 3 years old. A couple mornings ago he came up to me at breakfast and called me “God.” I’ve been called the devil before (seriously), but this was new. I quickly corrected my son and tried to figure out where this thought had originated. He resisted my correction initially (which is typical for him) and called me “God” again a couple more times. Finally, I figured out the root of the misconception (I think).

    We often begin our meal prayers to God with “Father.” Abram recently learned that I am his “father.” I can’t remember the context but recently I had told him I was his father and he retorted (as only a 2-year-old can) with: “You’re not the father, you’re the daddy!” Perhaps he finally figured out that I am the father–which, to his way of thinking, meant I must also be “God,” too!

    I think he’s got it straight now, but only time will tell! :)

    P.S. Recalling this event reminded me of Abram’s first prayer before a meal (probably around his 2nd birthday): “Father. Food. Amen.” It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

     

    • Chad Dollahite 7:58 am on May 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I love it…children are so precious, and those moments are definitely priceless! I keep wishing I had written all those times down, so I could remember them all. Sometimes funny, sometimes spiritually profound…truly “out of the mouth of babes thou hast perfected praise”!

  • John Henson 1:25 pm on April 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God,   

    Do Not Be Afraid 

    “For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve  came to me and said,  ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you,’” (Acts 27:23, 24 NET).

    Just before these verses, Paul told his shipmates, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss,” (Acts 27:21 NKJV).

    The centurion leading this journey trusted the advice of seafaring men, rather than the inspired apostle. The Bible also said, “the majority advised to set sail from there also,” (Acts 27:12). There is a “double whammy.” The centurion allowed himself to be convinced by those “wise” sailors and the majority.

    Sometimes we allow ourselves to become convinced the same way. We must not! We must trust in the living God who knows more than mere men!

    The passage also teaches that, for those who believe in God, every journey (even though tempest-tossed) will have a good ending. “Do not be afraid, Paul,” the angel said. We must never be afraid nor should we worry what might happen.

    The apostles in a boat on the stormy sea of Galilee were afraid and worried. What did Jesus tell them? “But he said to them, ‘Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was dead calm,” (Matthew 8:26 NET).

    We must learn to trust that God knows all things and has everything well in hand. We must not fear. Remember, “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:13).

     

  • Richard Mansel 8:28 am on April 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, , ,   

    Satan’s Version of Unity 

    Don Blackwell shared this photo on Facebook. It is indicative of the mindset of the religious world in our age. Satan has taken division and dressed it up in a disguise so that it appears to the uninitiated as unity. To those who accept this lie, they appear comfy and warm in their delusion. So much so, that when those who see through the ruse, warn them of the dangers, they are called haters, mockers and dividers.

    The division monster dressed as unity is therefore more popular than the true unity described in Scripture and the Lord weeps at our ignorance. Meanwhile,  Satan foments the lie and more sheep are led to their slaughter.

    Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

    1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

    Ephesians 4:4, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”

    When will we learn?

     

  • John Henson 8:10 am on April 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    The Love of God 

    The lyrics for the hymn entitled, “The Love of God,” was written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917 on a day when he turned his attention to an expression of God’s love.

    Lehman, sitting on a lemon box pushed against a wall, picked up a scrap of paper and modeled the hymn after an old Jewish poem. He said he had seen it penciled on the wall of a room in an asylum. Evidently the patient, Lehman said, must have written the verse in one of his more lucid moments.

    “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;
    The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
    God gave His Son to win;
    His erring child He reconciled,
    And pardoned from his sin.

    Refrain

    O love of God, how rich and pure!
    How measureless and strong!
    It shall forevermore endure
    The saints’ and angels’ song.”

    The love of God is seen in its greatest, finest and purest expression in the sacrifice of his son, Jesus, on the cross for the sins of all people.

    The Apostle John wrote, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” (1 John 4:10). Paul penned, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8).

    It is in Jesus dying on the cross for us ― all of us ― that God’s pure love is seen best.

     

  • John Henson 9:20 am on April 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, lovingkindness,   

    Thankful for his lovingkindness 

    More than once in my life has rebellion against God kept me from understanding the truth.

    Although my father was a preacher for churches of Christ, and although he taught the scriptures well to all his children, there was always the temptation to rebel and throw off God’s rule in my life. I knew what the scriptures said. I just acted as though there was no God and that there was no rule.

    My consolation is that God never abandoned me or threw me aside when I was like the Apostle Peter and said, “not so, Lord.” Peter did that at least twice, once in Matthew 16:22, shortly after he confessed that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus said that he would have to go to Jerusalem, suffer and be killed and rise again. Peter said, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you,” (Matthew 16:22 ESV).

    He did it again in Acts 10 when he told the Lord he would never eat the things Jesus had commanded him (Acts 10:14). “Not so, Lord,” he told the king. But the Lord did not discard Peter and he never threw me over while in my disobedience.

    God be thanked and praised for his patience with the disobedient. As the psalmist wrote, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11-12 NASU).

     

    • Bernard Barton 9:38 am on April 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I didn’t have a father who was a Christian let alone a preacher, but I acrtually found the Lord in the Military and became very active in the church and now I am a preacher for the lord’s church
      So if you had a father who was a preacher, then you had the world-not all of us were as fortunate to have good parents growing up but we are still responsible for our own lives

  • Richard Mansel 1:46 pm on April 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God,   

    Perspectives on Providence 

    God is able to work in our lives in ways that are beyond our capabilities to understand. Through providence, God acts in this world to accomplish his will. He is always moving forward with his plans (Revelation 4-5).

    When providence is in motion, we cannot see it working around us because God’s worktable is larger than the universe. We just know he is still there for us (Hebrews13:5). We have to trust that he is involved and always good (Hebrews 11:6; Titus 1:2; 1 John 1:5).

    We need to step back and consider some important thoughts on providence, so we will not be disappointed and allow Satan to turn us against God.

    First, God never promised us that the Christian life would be painless (Matthew 6:34). We will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12) and suffer continual spiritual attacks (1 Peter 5:8). The presence of providence does not negate these facts. He did not take away his Son’s suffering because of God’s overall plan.

    (More …)

     

    • Mike Riley 3:46 pm on April 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      As always, great points, brother Richard! Trusting the Lord is the key (Proverbs 3:5-6).

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:39 am on March 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , ,   

    Daily Nudge: God’s name in prayer 

    Which of God’s names or titles do you use most in your prayers? Yesterday, in the NT reading we’re following, I was noticing the titles used in that prayer for courage near the end of Acts 5.

    Think over your public and private prayers. What does this choice of preferred terms say about your view of and need for God?

    I do hope you’ll reply, for this promises to furnish some interesting perspectives.

     

  • Richard Mansel 11:39 am on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, ,   

    Love and Commitment 

    The website For Christian Girls is featuring a new article written by a High School Sophomore on God’s love and what it means to us as His children. I hope you will read what this young person has to say.

    Love is one of the greatest of motivators and it should perpetually loom before our eyes to keep us focused.

    In a fleshly sense, love is a fickle, selfish emotion. However, in God’s eyes, love is action and commitment (1  Corinthians  13:4-8). Jesus told us that if we loved Him, we would obey Him (John 14:15).

    In our own relationships, love is always action and should reign supreme. In a marriage, we  must always have scales ready to weigh our small arguments and disagreements against a lifetime together. They are all minuscule against the years we have entrusted to us. Commitment means that we persevere no matter what comes against us. We stand strong against the waves of pain, heartache and troubles in this world. Clasping our hands, we walk through them all together.

    Let us always remember these noble goals and we will truly understand “until death do we part.”

     

    • Mike Riley 1:34 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      A good article and good thoughts by a high school sophomore. May God provide us with many more such spiritually-minded individuals!

  • Mike Riley 2:23 pm on March 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: awesome, God, handiwork, , made, , , , wonderful   

    What Feature Of Creation? 

    There are too many features to list. Can’t focus on just one. The oceans, the heavens, the moon and the stars all show God’s handiwork (Psalm 19:1): http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2011/01/14/the-awesome-ruler-of-sea-and-sky/

    We ourselves are a part of God’s handiwork (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) for we (like the hummingbird) are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14): http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/03/15/the-amazing-hummingbird/

    No question about it – our God is indeed awesome! http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2008/07/25/our-awesome-god/

     

  • Richard Mansel 2:04 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: bread, God, matthew 6:11. prayer   

    Prayer and Work 

    “Each day we must work as well as pray for food, since without God we can do nothing and without our effort and collaboration God will do nothing” [Harold Fowler].

    “Too often we claim to be ‘rich, increased in goods and have need of nothing’ when in reality we have to knock at the Father’s door for even a crust of bread” [Harold Fowler].

    That puts Matthew 6:11 into a righteous perspective.

     

  • Ron Thomas 7:44 am on January 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , , pocketbook,   

    A Great Way 

    If there is a great way to determine how religious a man is, just check his pocketbook. In Acts 19, Demetrius was a religious man, but his religion was of the “green” sort. In today’s world, many express a degree of devotion to God, but when the pocketbook is affected, that religious “devotion” wanes a bit!

    Our jobs, we are told time and again, are necessary. With these jobs we can provide the necessary things of life. That is what they thought in Jeremiah’s day as well (Jeremiah 44:15-19). Yes, this a a great way to test certain things, such as one’s religious devotion to the Lord. That “fork in the road” becomes a clearer path to take when one’s devotion is to the material of this world.

    Another great way to test one’s religious devotion is to educate him in spiritual things (teachings) that are beyond this world. What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

     

  • Ed Boggess 8:25 am on December 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , Zacharias   

    Silent before Him – JAM 

    Zacharias, a priest after the order of Abijah, finally reached the time for his service in the temple. For weeks, months and years he had awaited this high and honorable privilege. His unique service involved burning the incense. The hour had arrived and he entered the Holy Place. Multitudes of onlookers were gathered praying during the hour of incense. Zacharias soon realized he was not alone. An angel of the Lord appeared. He was standing on the right side of the altar. Zacharias was afraid. In all his dreams of what this day would hold, he never imagined anything close to what was about to happen. The angel announced that Zacharias’ prayer had been heard. It was a prayer that he and Elizabeth had prayed for decades, but had for years no longer prayed, because of their advanced ages. It was a request for a baby. The angel declared that Elizabeth would bear a son John, that this son was to be  Nazirite for life, and that this son was to go forth in the spirit of Elijah performing the will of God. Zacharias spoke up and admitted his doubt. The angel, Gabriel, consequently, told the priest he would remain silent until the fulfillment of this announced birth because he did not believe. When Zacharias returned outside, he was mute and remained so until the eighth day after John’s birth.

    Why didn’t Zacharias believe? Why did he have doubts? After all, it was an angel that appeared and announced the birth. It was exactly what they had prayed for fervently. It was the time for the fulfillment of OT prophecies to be realized. He was a good man with a good heart, but he doubted. I doubt sometimes. I can understand Zacharias. But I also understand how nine+ months of silence helped him overcome his doubts. So on the 8th day after John’s birth, the day the baby’s name was conferred, his tongue was loosed and the first thing he uttered was praise to God. When I doubt, what I need is silence, time to think, time to meditate and grasp the goodness, the love, the grace, and the majesty of God.

     

    • Mike Riley 10:44 am on December 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Great point, Ed! Yes, we definitely need the time to think, meditate, and grasp the goodness, love, grace, and majesty of God.

  • J. Randal Matheny 2:45 pm on December 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , ,   

    Satan is not a one-talent tempter. Nor does he make one-time attempts. He never sleeps. He studies his prey with intense dedication. He knows our weaknesses and our weak moments. His wiliness merits our best attention.

    All that can be said of Satan, for ill, can be said, and much more, of the Lord, for good. The Lord is not a sleepy guardian. His eye is always on his people. He knows our weaknesses and our weak moments. He knows us thoroughly, for he made us. He gives us every advantage, every resource, every escape from the evil one. His sovereignty merits our humble submission and willing obedience.

     

    • Chad Dollahite 2:49 pm on December 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Reminds me of Psalm 121:2-3: “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
      3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.” As the old saying goes, for the faithful Christian, “Sleep peacefully, for God is awake!”

  • John Henson 10:46 am on December 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    Think on things above 

    One of our greatest opportunities each day is to think about things from God’s perspective, to develop thinking things as God would.

    The Apostle Paul wrote, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” (Colossians 3:1-3 ESV).

    “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” This may be easy to say, hard to do, some think. Things on the earth force their reality upon us. But the realities of God and heaven are just as true and have even more force.

    If we want heaven to be our eternal home, then we should cultivate spiritual thinking and make spiritual things the most important things in our lives. If we start thinking of things above we will:

    1.    Place real treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

    2.    Build a surer, more permanent foundation for our lives (Matthew 7:24-27).

    3.    Lay a secure hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12).

    4.    Help ourselves to avoid Satan’s call to sin. Higher thoughts take us away from the base thoughts where sin lies (Proverbs 15:14).

    5.    Always have an attitude of submission where true salvation is (Romans 12:3).

    Seek those things that are above. Set your minds your minds on things that are above. That is surely good advice for the child of God.

     

  • Mike Riley 9:57 am on December 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: absolute, , constantly, count, God, , , , , whim   

    God Is The God Of Absolutes 

    In response to today’s nudge regarding the character of God, I am posting an article entitled, “The God Of Absolutes”: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/11/30/the-god-of-absolutes/.

    Even though the thoughts and whims of man are constantly changing, God’s promises do not change (Hebrews 6:10-20). We can count on Him to be with us in every situation and trial that we face (Psalm 23:4; cf. Isaiah 43:1-2).

    “Time is filled with swift transition; Naught of earth unmoved can stand; Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand”: http://www.paradisepbc.org/singing/Hold%20to%20Gods%20Unchanging%20Hand.mp3

     

  • Ed Boggess 8:45 am on December 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , ,   

    God thoughts – that is what I have especially in early morning. I have a daily routine that involves visiting the hot tub at 5:15 AM. It is still dark and out in the country where I am far removed from city lights, the stars light up the sky and sing praise to God. Daily I am reminded of the vastness of space and the greatness of God. I am astounded to think of the interest God has in mankind, in me. It provides an excellent backdrop for prayer and meditation.

     

  • Ed Boggess 6:59 am on December 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , views   

    How do you see God? – JAM 

    How you see God makes a difference in what you think about justice, morality, war, disasters, science and even economics. If you see God as remote and distant, as 24% of Americans do, you will not pray for God’s help since as you see it God doesn’t involve Himself with such petty affairs as man’s problems. If you see God as primarily benevolent, as 22% do, you may be tempted to disallow His condemnation of immorality and believe He winks at sin. If you see God as primarily authoritarian, you may believe that He watches us at every moment so as to catch us in disobedience. What we need is a balanced biblical view of God. God is merciful and gracious, forgiving sin to those who turn from it but will by no means clear the impenitent. This is Just-A-Minute with Ed Boggess

     

    • Stanley Adams 10:56 am on December 9, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I see God in many ways. The Creation, Humankind and the Scriptures. Creation is beautiful and yet it often has evil associated with it, there are storms that kill people, the weather even makes me able to work or not work as I have a good case of rheumatism (fibromyalgia they call it now) and degenerative arthritis. The Creation does not tell us all about God, it only tells us that in this world, we have the best of all possible worlds for the purpose of its Creator.

      Humans are the most evil in the creation. They have the power of speech and action that often works against even the elect of God. We may have great friendships but only discover that whom you may think is a friend to you only “knives you in the back”. Members of the church of our Lord are not immune to this evil. Humankind is flawed, although made in the image of God, sin as corrupted the good that it once had.

      The Scriptures are the revelation of God to help correct the flaws of all mankind. We find our salvation in them, and the way by which we may live day to day and still be in the race no matter what our personal issues may be-entire book of 2 Corinthians and Job. We read them for in them we think we find salvation, the Lord said: it is true for us but not for Pharisees.

      My comments for today

      Thank you

      Stanley Adams

  • Ed Boggess 9:26 am on December 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, ,   

    How do you view God? – JAM 

    A survey published in October analyzing how Americans view God divided public perception into four groups. 28% see God as an authoritative God, one that requires obedience to His will. 22% see God as a benevolent God, one eager to forgive and help mankind. 21% see God as a critical God, one that allows injustice to continue now but keeping an account of it to settle later. 24% see God as distant and remote, having created all things but inactive since then. As I see it, there is truth in the first three. God is anxious to forgive and save, yet expects us to do His will. And there are some things that will have to wait til the Judgment Day to be settled. This is Just-A-Minute with Ed Boggess

     

  • John Henson 10:17 am on December 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , God   

    Daily Bible Study — Revelation 11 

    George Frideric Handel was born February 23, 1685 in Germany, but he spent the majority of his life in England.

    In his lifetime, Handel eloquently composed 42 operas; 29 oratorios; 16 organ concerti; over 120 cantatas, trios, and duets; and numerous arias, chamber music pieces, odes, and serenatas. Of his over 200 masterpieces, the most famous piece is the Messiah, which features the Hallelujah Chorus.

    The lyrics in the Hallelujah Chorus are derived from three passages of the New Testament, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:16, and Revelation 11:15. It is this last biblical reference that is the centerpiece of the entire 11th chapter of the book.

    Many people believe the two witnesses of the chapter mirror with the woman in the wilderness of Revelation 12 and that both represent the church. The witnesses are killed and their bodies are displayed for the satisfaction of evil entities. The witnesses, however, are resurrected, giving rise to the hymn of praise in verse 15 that Handel used.

    The church may be down and out, but it can never be killed. God rules the world, not man. As Paul wrote the preacher Timothy, “he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen,” (1 Timothy 6:15-16 ESV).

     

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