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  • TFRStaff 3:10 pm on April 3, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love   

    How love grows within us (Doug Kashorek) 

    “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” Ephesians 4:2.

    We’ve explored why the greatest of gifts God gave us is love. Now we must see how love grows within us as a fruit of the Spirit. All around the North Country, we’ll soon see trees in full blossom. It will be many months, though, until itinerants will fill totes with apples. The same goes for the fruits of the Spirit. That’s why we are to be humble, gentle, and patient with others–bearing with one another in love. ‘Bearing with one another’ implies a perseverance that has built up over time. I still remember tearing up the day I’d read a former student whom I’d had years earlier was hurt in a motorcycle wreck. Though he had made my first year of teaching a true trial by fire, I had worked with him a lot … and, I guess, grown to love him – enough so that the mention of his name made the decade disappear. I suppose that that was the love of the father, who, filled with compassion, ran to his son. While we are the prodigal in that parable and not to be the older brother, the fruit of love growing in us is to be like his for others that we need to bear with.

    How’s the fruit of love growing within you?

    Doug Kashorek

    Plattsburgh church of Christ

    http://www.plattsburghchurch.com

    author of Kin of Cain

    a Christian historical fantasy

    http://www.douglaskashorek.com

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:19 am on March 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , great treasure, love, , religious persecution, ,   

    Psalm 119:161-168 Shin God’s Awesome Word 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Psalm 119:161-168 Shin                                 God’s Awesome Word

    Verses 161-165 show what effect God’s awesome Word has;

    Verses 166-168 show what a soul does who sees how awesome God’s Word is.

    Verses 161-165: (Verse 161) Those in authority may persecute a believer “without a cause,” otherwise known as religious persecution. The “higher ups” may include governments, judges, presidents, dictators, teachers, professors, or bosses, but the heart that “stands in awe of” God’s “word” cannot be downcast. (Verse 162) The believer “rejoices” (delights, thrills) in God’s Word, as if finding “great treasure.” Solomon used this point: “My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you” (Proverbs 7:1). Jesus used this point: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). (Verse 163) When we “love” God’s “law” (which truthfully points to the straightway), then we “hate and abhor lying,” whether it comes through hypocrisy, false doctrines, lack of integrity, business, politics or conversation. (Verse 164) “Seven times a day” doesn’t refer to a specific number, but symbolizes how completely one is willing to “praise” God because of His “righteous judgments” (all His decisions are absolutely right!). (Verse 165) Those who love God’s “law” (as in verse 163) have “great peace” (serenity, calmness, Philippians 4:6-7) and “nothing” can make them “stumble.” “I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble” (Proverbs 4:11-12).

    Verses 166-168: (Verse 166) Because of the awesome contents of God’s Word, we know we are able to “do” His “commandments,” and “hope for” His “salvation.” (Verse 167) God’s “testimonies” (history of His dealing with man) make it plain that what He expects of us is do-able, and loveable. God’s awesome Word demonstrates His love for us, and can produce love from us in return. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9). This is between “my soul” and God because His Word does open heart surgery (Hebrews 4:12). (Verse 168) God’s “precepts” highlight what is right, His “testimonies” show that He has always been right, therefore we may safely place our lives in His hands. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:22 am on March 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , love, , , persecutors, , , ,   

    Psalm 119:153-160 Resh “Considerate Faith” 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Psalm 119:153-160  Resh                              “Considerate Faith”

    Verses 153-155 appeal for God to consider a believers’ personal effort;

    Verses 156-158 appeal for God to recognize a believer’s personal devotion;

    Verses 159-160 appeal for God to see a believer’s personal heart.

    Verses 153-155: (Verse 153) God is considerate (Nehemiah 9:32-33). “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not  render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11-12) God “considers” both the obedient and the disobedient. God considers the “affliction” of one who does “not forget” His “law” (words pointing the straight path), and “delivers.” (Verse 154) Believers who sin (1 John 1:6-2:3) must have representation before God, Who will “redeem” (apply the price for) and “revive” (refresh, renew the effort) them. (Verse 155) “Statutes” (words tracing out right) keep clear who is “wicked,” because they do not seek them, but the “righteous” are mindful of them. “Salvation” is kept far from “the wicked” (Mark 16:15-16).

    Verses 156-158: (Verse 156) God is the Father of “mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3) which motivate Christians to become living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). His “mercies” (plural) are both “Great” (in forgiving the penitent) and “tender” (in helping the penitent), and Christians should imbed these (Colossians 4:12). (Verse 157) Christians cannot expect the same from “the wicked,” who become “persecutors” (with verbal taunting, physical abuse, or social ostracizing) and “enemies” (adversaries like Satan). “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:3-5). (Verse 158) Those who “do not keep” God’s Word become “treacherous” (and should be avoided, Ephesians 5:11-13) and are “disgusted” (abhorred, loathed, like Lot, 2 Peter 2:7-8) by the faithful.

    Verses 159-160: (Verse 159) While God is “considering” wicked hearts, His “precepts” (words that highlight what’s right) also “revive” a loving heart with His “lovingkindness.” “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). (Verse 160) Total confidence in God is produced by studying “the entirety” of God’s Word, for it is always “truth” and “every one” of His “judgments” are right, “forever.”

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 6:11 am on March 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Jer 9.23-24 is one of my favorite passages and makes a great commentary here on this section of Psa 119.

      V. 156 is fascinating in NET: “Your compassion is great, O Lord. Revive me, as you typically do!” (See the site for the reason behind the translation choice; what is often translation “laws” here is apparently “customs.”) The rendering is not only a testimony to our frequent need, but to God’s faithful and loving work, which must often be repeated in us.

      • John T. Polk II 10:00 am on March 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Several “standard” translations use the word “law” for this Hebrew word, so I based my comments upon this English word, which includes “requirement” in its intent. “Custom” can include the idea of an “option, or choice” and weakens the force of the original.

        • J. Randal Matheny 10:19 am on March 27, 2013 Permalink

          I went looking some more. It’s the Hebrew word mishpat, often translated “justice,” but with a wide semantic field, sometimes “mode of life,” “practice” or “procedure” in NASB. So one could go either way, I reckon.

    • John T. Polk II 3:23 pm on March 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Randal,
      My reply was based upon Psalm 119:153, not the verse 156 you were dealing with. I apologize for not catching this with another “proofing.” I was dealing with “torah” you were commenting on “mishpat,” and there is a distinction. Thanks for your review and observation.

  • J. Randal Matheny 2:43 pm on March 25, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Tenderness towards immorality 

    Cheney did it, now Portman, other politicians as well. A child announces he’s homosexual, and the parent suddenly finds compassion in his heart to accept and approve of the new status. Such tenderness towards immorality happens in many a family. Parents often accept adultery after their children shack up. This is just one example of worldliness in the church that I take a shot at in my editorial today over on Forthright Magazine.

    • Doesn’t it thrill you to hear of others studying the Bible with the lost? I heard it three times yesterday. Already I heard it once today, also, from a sister in Christ, in Qatar, reaching out to Brazilians who are looking for a church. She and others are worshiping in a home. Pray they may have good success.

    • It’s one thing to insist on the old paths, which we do, and quite another to recycle old sermons and classes to the point that no new insights are allowed to seep through. It’s hard to know if there’s laziness involved, or pandering to the brethren, or a confusion as to what faithfulness to the Lord’s teaching is.

    • The GOP and conservatives within and without are mired in discussions about rebranding and rebuilding the party. They want to win the hearts of a greater percentage of the American populace, but many disagree how to go about it. I don’t know much about politics. I find it almost as confusing as the study of economics. But I do know slightly more about the Bible and outreach. Not much, but a bit. We need such a discussion about how to win more people to and with the gospel of Christ. Some are still in 1611 mode, which won’t go far in 2013 to reach the lost. (Am I on my soapbox again?)

    • Speaking of conservatives, Bill O’Reilly will speak at a Faulkner Univ. fundraiser in Sept. I’ve never seen the point behind inviting such people, but I understand that the masses love big names and pay to rub elbows with them. As far as I know, all the so-called Christian colleges do this. At what point, however, do we give in to the society or hold to a higher standard? For what in the world does a Christian have to do with the likes of O’Reilly or Rice or their ilk? (Am I in the kickative mood today?)

    • Many versions have an almost deterministic rendering of Pro 20.24. An example is NASB: “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?” One might read this to mean that, since God has already chosen what’s going to happen to you, there’s no use in trying to figure it all out. (The CEV has exactly this idea. It’s hard to know if it or the EXP is worse here.) So the NLT rendering caught my attention, and I used it today for QBT: (More …)

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:33 am on March 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , love, , redeem, , , ,   

    Psalm 119:129-136 Pe Why The Word Is Wonderful 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Psalm 119:129-136  Pe                                 Why The Word Is Wonderful

    Verses 129-131 give admiration for God’s Word;

    Verses 132-135 make humble requests for God’s help;

    Verse 136 shows concern for those who haven’t appreciated God’s Word.

    Verses 129-131: (Verse 129) God’s “testimonies” (words describing and manifesting God’s character) are “wonderful” (wonder-full, brilliant, captivating), therefore “my soul keeps them.” We are drawn to that which fascinates us: Moses to a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3); Jesus’ power over afflictions (Matthew 15:29-38); multitude on Pentecost hearing Jesus preached in their own languages by the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 2:1-11); the man born lame “walking, leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:1-11); Peter’s vision of life without prejudice (Acts 10:9-17). Our rapt attention should be centered in God’s Word. (Verse 130) The Bible is the gradual unfolding of the revelation of God. A light turned on in the darkness draws attention not to the light, but to what can now be seen. There is no surprise, therefore, when Scripture’s “light” enters the darkened soul, and gives “understanding to the simple.” (Verse 131) A soul struggling to be free from the entanglements of sin, trying to be distant from temptations, fighting the influence of ungodliness, “pants” (gasps, gulps) for God’s “commandments” (words authorizing the path to follow).

    Verses 132-135: Having expressed how much God’s Word means, it is appropriate to ask for help from God. It is in His Word we learn that: (Verse 132) He looks mercifully as His “custom is toward those who love” His “name.” God’s habit is always to be merciful to lovers of His name. (Verse 133) His Word “directs” (guides, leads) our “steps,” so that “iniquity” (having no right value) has no “dominion” over us. Obeying God’s Word does not keep on from single sins, but from sinful practices becoming habitual, the thoughts of Jesus (John 8:34) and John (1 John 3:4-8). (Verse 134) He “redeems” (frees, ransoms) the obedient “from the oppression” that comes from “man,” so that we “may keep Your precepts” (words highlighting what is right). Jesus Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). (Verse 135) Since “God is light” (1 John 1:5) He brightens the way of all who are willing to be taught His “statutes” (words marking the right and the wrong way).

    Verse 136: The Word of God is so full of wonder, the obedient weep because the God of love, mercy, salvation, and comfort is ignored by those who need Him most; and because the souls yet burdened down with the toils, tears, troubles, and terrors of sin haven’t seen the wonders of The Word, The God, The Christ. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) for you and me, and so should every Christian.

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:47 am on March 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , double-minded, , , , love, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 119:113-120 Samek The Certainty of the Word 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Psalm 119:113-120  Samek                  The Certainty of the Word

    Verses 113-114 tell why God is our choice;

    Verse 115 tells which direction we are going;

    Verses 116-117 describe how God helps;

    Verses 118-119 show how certain God is of the outcome;

    Verse 120 describes how this certainty should affect us.

    Verses 113-114: (Verse 113) “The double-minded” are people who are torn between two opinions, skeptical of truth, and can’t decide which to follow. Elijah, the prophet, called for people to make up their minds: “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). Faith is to be “with no doubting,” or else we are “a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8). To love God’s “law” (words that make straight) means we have made a definite decision. (Verse 114) God’s “word” (what God actually has said) keeps our “hope” alive, so that we know God is our “hiding place” and our “shield.”

    Verse 115: Once we have decided whose “commandments” (authoritative orders) we “will keep,” it is easier to reject the “evil doers.” Jesus will, on the Judgment Day, say these very words (Matthew 7:21-23).

    Verses 116-117: (Verse 116) We need to be upheld (propped up) by God’s “word,” “that I may live” (the believer knows life begins with faith) without “shame” (timidity). “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). (Verse 117) We need for God to “hold [us] up” (above evil) that we may be “safe.” But this requires “observing” God’s “statutes” (words marking out proper conduct) “continually” (cannot dismiss it from thought).

    Verses 118-119: (Verse 118) God has made His decision, not about individual names, but of whoever follows “deceit” and “falsehood.” They have made a definite decision to “stray” from God’s “statutes,” and God has decided He will “reject” them “all.” (Verse 119) God definitely will “put away all the wicked of the earth” (which He has before, in Noah’s day, Genesis 6:5-7), as if they were “dross” (rejected impurities of melted metal, Ezekiel 22:18-22). The obedient believer decides to “love” God’s “testimonies” (words proving God’s character to be true) because His decision is final.

    Verse 120: This verse glimpses into the Judgment Day, as described by the Apostle Paul: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

    Thought: Every believer should be certain in knowing what way to go, and what way God will reject. “Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?” (Proverbs 22:20-21)

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version,  unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:08 am on March 18, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , hate every false way, love, , , refrain from sin,   

    Psalm 119:97-104 Mem What “I Have” From The Word 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Psalm 119:97-104 Mem                         What “I Have” From The Word

    Verse 97 expresses total devotion to God’s Word;

    Verses 98-102 give advantages from learning God’s Word;

    Verses 103-104 show the blessings keep coming.

    Verse 97: The love of our life cannot be shunted aside.  “Oh, how I love” (the extent of love); God’s “law” (words showing the right way)—object of love; it has become our “meditation” (main thought)—evidence of love. The “love of the truth” saves our soul (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

    Verses 98-102: (Verse 98) God’s “commandments” (words to obey) “make me wiser than my enemies” because obeying God shows a greater grasp of what life should be. (Verse 99) “Meditating” (thinking through) upon God’s “testimonies” (words witnessing God’s character) gives more “understanding” (practical explanation) than “all my teachers.” Jesus had it (Luke 2:41-47). Teachers may convey information; God’s Word explains how that impacts our own hearts. (Verse 100) God’s “precepts” (instructions to govern conduct) can guide us better than “ancients” (older people) can with their experiences. We may learn from others’ mistakes, but God’s Word can help us see those mistakes coming up in our lives. (Verse 101) To “keep” (obey) God’s “word” (expressions of His Will), we steer clear away from “every evil way.” “I have restrained” shows that it is a personal decision of will to avoid sin, hence, John wrote: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18). (Verse 102) God’s “judgments” (decisions about right and wrong) are so impressive, that one who loves them would not want to depart from them. “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2).

    Verses 103-104: (Verse 103) To know, understand, and obey God’s Word, is to know, understand, and accept the sweetest flavor that can be given to a life. It’s sweeter to a soul than honey is to the mouth! (Verse 104) It is through (and only through) God’s “precepts” (words that point out, highlight, the right way) we gain “understanding” (a grasp of life, breath, all things), and that no “false way” is for good. One cannot love God’s Word without hating everything that would adversely affect that love.

    Thought: By thoroughly immersing oneself into the Word of God (the Bible), one has more: understanding than one’s enemies, teachers, or elders; control over sin(s); and the greatest happiness life can give. Nothing known to mankind offers better.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:35 am on March 15, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Great Commandment, , Lawyer, love, ,   

    Simple Answer to a Complex Question 

    “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked [Jesus] a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”” (Matthew 22:35-36)

    Imagine how depth that conversation could’ve gotten. On one side you have a lawyer (“expert”) of the Law and on the other side you have the author of it! But the man wasn’t given a complicated answer. In reality he was given an extremely simple answer. So what command was this lawyer told was the greatest off all? The answer was love.

    “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

    Although their subject was wrong, the Beatles had the right answer with their song, “All You Need Is Love.” When all the religious complications are said and thoroughly mixed, tangled and tied, the simple answer to following God always has been and always will be loving him. God himself can be a complex subject, and there are times when spiritual topics can become complex as well, but the path that leads to God, although it may be difficult to follow at times, will always be lit with love proceeding from him, but to follow it we must be willing to walk on, in and according to it by the love that proceeds from us.

    “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7)

     

    • John Henson 11:39 am on March 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Let’s put this one in the bulletin, too. Great job!

      • Eugene Adkins 6:13 am on March 19, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, John. I appreciate that. I preached a sermon on this topic last Sunday night and it was received well too.

  • Eugene Adkins 6:58 am on March 6, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , love, , The Gospel of Christ, The Love of Jesus, Unconditional Love   

    Don’t Doubt The Unconditional Love of God 

    God’s love for mankind is unconditional. Many have a hard time believing and understanding this because of the truthful concepts such as universal justice, judgment and hell.

    For some religions, a God who loves all, both friend and foe, is about as foreign and even abrasive as chewing on sand! Their religion won’t allow them to love others the way God loves the world because of how they perceive the enemies of God and how they perceive the love of God. Their religion won’t allow them to love others the way God loves the world because of how they perceive themselves – and in that, this said self-perception, there is a great danger even to God’s people…think Pharisees for a moment.

    One can be an enemy of God but still be loved by God. How is this possible one may ask? I ask how is not possible? Besides the expressly stated examples of Matthew 5:44-45 and Romans 11:28, if God does not love his enemy then how could his enemy ever become his friend? For if there is no love at all on God’s behalf for his enemy, they would forever remain his enemy with no hope of peace, atonement or reconciliation.

    Every Christian who has ever lived was at one time or another an enemy of God (Romans 5:8-10). This may offend some sensibilities, but to say otherwise is an offence to the cross. And the cross proves God’s love for his enemies. This as well may offend some sensibilities, but to say otherwise is an offence to the cross. For in the cross, God was reconciling the world, his very own enemies, to himself (Colossians 1:20-21, Ephesians 2:16-17). This in fact is the very reason why the cross was such an offensive stumbling block to some – because the love of God doesn’t exist to satisfy our standards, and thank God it doesn’t (1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Peter 2:5-10). God’s love satisfies his own standard, for any other standard would fall far short of reconciling any of his enemies.

    Understanding the difference between unconditional love and unconditional salvation is essential. Two things can look similar, but what they’re made of and what they cost can be something far different. One covered the price of sin that we could not pay through the atoning blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23) while the other will cost us our most valuable possession (Matthew 16:26).

    Does God love the sinner? Does God want the best for those who want the worst? Does God love his enemies in ways that are unconditional? Through Christianity the answer to these questions is closed with a biblical, scriptural and joyful “yes!” But whether or not we love God is a more open-ended question that we must answer for our self.

    “This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people. It isn’t often that someone will die for a righteous person, though maybe someone might dare to die for a good person. But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us. So, now that we have been made righteous by his blood, we can be even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. If we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son while we were still enemies, now that we have been reconciled, how much more certain is it that we will be saved by his life?” (Romans 5:5-10 – CEB)

     

  • TFRStaff 6:11 am on February 19, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Hugh’s News & Views (Jesus Knows Me) 

    hugh’s news & Views

    JESUS KNOWS ME, THIS I LOVE

    Last week we wrote under the caption “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know,” the title of a well-known Christian hymn. It expresses both a simple and a deeply profound truth that lies at the heart of the gospel. However, the inverse of that title is also true: Jesus knows me, this I love. It is about this great biblical truth that I wish to write today.

    In the beautiful parable of The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16), Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (verse 14). Later He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (verse 27, emphasis in the preceding verses mine). What reassuring words these are! It is very true that God wants us to know Him and that we must know Him if we are to experience eternal life with Him. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). But how comforting and encouraging it is to know that God and Christ know us!

    In his letter to the churches of Galatia (part of the modern-day country of Turkey), the apostle Paul reminded his readers (many of whom had been heathen idolaters) of both their past and their present. In an interesting and significant turn of phrases Paul writes, “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those who by nature are not gods. But now that you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements to which you desire again to be in bondage” (Galatians 4:8-9)? These Galatian Christians were on the verge of becoming “fallen from grace” (5:4). In his fervent appeal to them to remain faithful to the gospel, Paul reminds them of their present exalted spiritual state: they know God and, better still, God knows them! Why should they forfeit that relationship? Why should we forfeit such a relationship? Jesus knows me, this I love!

    Writing to a young preacher by the name of Timothy, Paul affirmed, “Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’ ” (II Timothy 2:19). This great text clearly affirms that the Lord knows the identity of His people, all of those who truly belong to Him, but it also gives the blessed assurance that the Lord knows His people, that He loves and cares for those who are His own.

    Peter wrote to Christians: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:9-10).

    On the other hand, it is unspeakably sad to realize that many who profess to know God and claim to be known by Him will be lost on the day of judgment. Listen to Christ as He comes to the climax of His great Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonderful works in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work iniquity’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23).

    Do you know the Lord? Does the Lord know you? Can you truthfully say, “Jesus knows me, this I love”? What blessed assurance for those who can say it and know that it is true.

    Hugh Fulford

    February 19, 2013

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:43 am on February 7, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , love, ,   

    Head Knowledge VS Heart Feelings? 

    To justify their beliefs people try to make the mind and the heart get into a spiritual fight. You begin to talk to them about what the word of God teaches concerning salvation and other issues but when they don’t like what they hear or see, they quickly turn and say, “You are teaching that God’s word is written only in biblical text and can only be known through reading of that text” or something else to that effect. They attempt to say that one’s heart (which can be thoroughly confused) knows better than what one plainly reads with the eyes (which can be rightly divided through study – 2 Timothy 2:15).

    Now I will be first to say that God’s word simply memorized does an individual no good! The devil quoted scripture to Jesus after all. And Jesus quoted previously recorded scripture when He condemned those who were near to God with words on the lip but far away in the heart in Mark 7:6-8. So, God’s word must be planted within our heart just as the parable of the sower teaches in Luke 8. But what people who rely upon the “heart overruling the mind” miss in that parable (and the rest of God’s word) is that it is the word of God that stirs/begins the growth process in the heart. The heart can have good soil, which is essential, but good soil doesn’t produce seed or a crop by itself - it allows the seed to grow to produce the crop. In Mark 7 it was the emotions of the people in their hard hearts that steered them away from keeping God’s word in their heart. If we want to please God we must do so by allowing His word to get our hearts and minds on the same page.

    People who rely solely upon emotions for a right relationship with God are trusting the weight of their soul to an undependable structure. Paul said in Romans 10:1-3, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (emphasis mine). The Jewish people had a heart for God, but their heart lacked a proper knowledge of God! Now how were they missing God’s righteousness? They were missing God’s righteousness because they rejected the knowledge of Jesus and His Gospel. In the same letter to the church at Rome, Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17 – emphasis mine). If you, through faith, desire to do God’s righteousness in the heart, it will be because you have been exposed to it through His word (Romans 10:17).

    Topics like this are frustrating because when a person reads about God putting His law into our hearts (Hebrews 8:10) they try to use that as a justification to avoid what the word teaches and that just simply is not true. God desires that we allow His law to grow continually in our hearts, but sadly, what people miss is that before that can happen we must learn what the law says to begin with! That’s why the very next verse (8:11) in Hebrews says, “And there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest” meaning that, unlike the previous covenant that people were a part of simply by being born (Hebrews 8:9), God’s law and covenant with the church is entered into when a person is born again into it through the new birth that comes from hearing the gospel, believing the gospel and obeying the gospel (John 3:3-5, Acts 18:8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

    When one rejects the knowledge of God’s word for the “knowledge/emotions” of one’s own heart they are following the same path that God warned His people about in Hosea 4:6 when He said, ”My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.”

    Head knowledge and heart feelings are not meant to be enemies when it comes to God’s word. There is no way to be saved other than by believing the gospel with our heart (Romans 10:9-10), but our heart must be taught what to believe (Romans 10:14-15). Salvation isn’t about a fight between our heart and mind, it’s about stopping our fight against God and submitting to His revealed will so we can reveal His will in us (Romans 12:1-2).

    “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)       

     

  • Ron Thomas 7:00 am on February 6, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love   

    REVIEW OF LOVE 

    Last Sunday’s lesson on LOVE was very well received; I thought a reminder of what we talked about would be good.

    (1) Misconceptions with regard to what love is needs to be removed. If we use the standard that society puts forth to understand love, we are sure to not understand as we ought to. As a noun it means a strong affection toward something or someone. As a verb it means to hold dear, desire actively (Webster’s, pp. 1086-1087). We get the idea, but there is still no clarity; it is a bit vague.

    (2) The idea of love needs to be understood from a godly perspective. Using John 3:16 as the point of reference, we understand that God’s love toward man was seen in Jesus; he came to instruct us to deny ungodliness and to live life thinking clearly and righteously. Thus, love is not defined by anything earthly, but by God. Love is an action; an action that seeks that which is good for man.

    (3) The source of Christian love is found in God. Since man has had much difficulty is defining love, it is clear that whatever he offers will be inadequate. Since man’s creation he has learned exceptionally well how to corrupt what God made pure. God is love and we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:16-19, NKJV).

    (4) What it means to love. This is where the application can be difficult. Our difficulty is in why we don’t always exhibit it. We wish we could be like Him and never fail to administer love. He always knows when to show it and even how. We, on the other hand, fail continually. The two great commands are to love God and love one’s neighbor as self (Matthew 22:34-40). It might be a struggle implementing love the proper way, but let us not grow weary to doing that which we ought.

     

  • TFRStaff 7:42 am on February 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Jeremiah Tries To Save His People 

    This month has been about courageous love. We have tried to connect the fact that when we love, we are compelled to have the courage to risk ourselves for the benefit of those we love.

    Christ’s entire ministry was conducted with the risk (certainty in His case) that his loving but courageously firm actions would lead to his death. That death was for the world, yet would only spiritually benefit the few who would take advantage of it.

    Our text for today is Jeremiah 36:1-32. God had warned Jeremiah that his work and teaching would not be well received. In Jeremiah 1:10 that he would root out, pull down, destroy and throw down before he could build up and plant. Knowing his work would not be well received, the Lord told him in Jeremiah 1:16 to “gird up thy loins, speak what I command thee and be not dismayed at their faces…”

    There was no question about the courage of Jeremiah as he carried out the work of the Lord which led to his imprisonment (Jer. 37:4), his forced removal from Jerusalem and some scholars say that he died at the hands of his brethren.

    What I am interested in is the love of Jeremiah for these people who treated him so badly.

    As his love led him to pray on their behalf, God told him not to pray for this people (Jer. 14:11). As he sent the scroll to be read that would send him to prison, his thought was that it might bring them to repentance (Jer. 1:7).

    Brothers and sisters, courageous love does the difficult work of the Lord with the prayer and hope that it will bring men to repentance. Whether we are teaching the lost, restoring the erring or disciplining the rebellious, our love and courage go together.

    Mike Glenn

     

  • Eugene Adkins 2:42 pm on January 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Gennesaret, Gospel according to Mark, , , Lessons for the church, love, Nazareth   

    There Was No Love at Home for Jesus! 

    Mark 6 begins and ends in an interesting way. These verses are like polar opposites of each other in their description of the reaction and feelings people had toward Jesus. Think about these verses with me for a moment.

    The chapter begins with Jesus only being able to heal a few people in his own neck-of-the-woods in Nazareth. This wasn’t due to a lack of interest or ability on Jesus’ part. It was due to a lack of interest on the people’s part. The people had heard about what Jesus was doing, and they had even heard his teaching with their own ears in their own synagogue, but all they could see was a carpenter, a son of Mary and a brother to siblings who, no doubt in their opinion, were no better than Jesus, religiously speaking. They were offended by this blue-collar preacher! To describe their reaction, the Bible in Basic English translates the commonly used word ”offended” as ”bitter.” They were bitter toward Jesus because this small town man had no proper right to be such a big deal throughout all Judea. They had no love for Jesus, and Jesus’ response to this is interesting. He summed up their treatment of him by saying:

    “…A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4 – NKJV)

    The chapter ends with Jesus coming ashore in a different “section of the woods.” It only took a trip of about 15 miles down the road to Gennesaret for Jesus to be received with a different type of reaction from the people. Jesus was treated like an outcast in his hometown of Nazareth, but while Jesus was in Gennesaret he was treated as if he “had never left.” Instead of being bitter toward Jesus these people were beside themselves in a good way. In Nazareth, no one knew Jesus for who he really was, but in Gennesaret the people recognized Jesus as soon as he got out of the boat. In Nazareth, the hot topic was derogatory rumors, while in Gennesaret the exciting word about Jesus’ arrival spread like wildfire. Jesus got nothing but grief in the synagogues in Nazareth, but in Gennesaret people were joyfully eager to meet him in the marketplaces. In Nazareth, people ran from Jesus, but in Gennesaret people ran to Jesus. Only a few people were healed by Jesus’ hands in Nazareth due to unbelief, but in Gennesaret there were people being healed simply by touching the hem of his robe. Listen to how the scene throughout Gennesaret was described:

    “Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.” (Mark 6:56 - NKJV)

    Jesus was the same person at the end of the chapter that he was in the beginning of the chapter, so what gives? What gave was love. There was no love in the ole’ hometown of Nazareth. There was no heart at home for Jesus. The people he grew up around and the people who grew older around him took Jesus for granted, and there are some big lessons in that for the church! I don’t want to make a stretch out of the application, but I must ask, “Is it possible for people outside of the church to have a stronger desire to meet Jesus than people inside of the church?” I must ask, “Is it possible that those who have grown older in the church have failed to grow up in the church?” I must ask, “Is it possible to neglect the “touch of Jesus” while others are more than happy to touch the “border of his garments”?” I must ask, “Is it possible for the church to have no love at home for Jesus?” I could ask more questions, but I think the answers to these should suffice! And lest you think that people in the church can’t be guilty of these things, I would encourage you to read Revelation 2:1-5.

    Let us learn the lesson of how Nazareth and Gennesaret treated Jesus. Let us not be guilty of thinking that we know Jesus in a way that keeps us from knowing Jesus in his way. Let us not be guilty of ignoring his word or the help he can offer. Let us not be guilty of having no love for Jesus in the place where love for him should be found the most – at home in his church.

    “Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.“” (Mark 3:31-35)

     

  • TFRStaff 10:11 am on January 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Courageous Abigail 

    The story of Abigail recorded in 1 Samuel 25:1-44 is shared with many children because of her courage and loyalty to her husband. I think that there might be one or two items we can learn about courageous love from this event.

    • Love is not always about a good feeling, but it is always about commitment. Apparently, Nabal was not a man who evoked good feelings toward himself from others. It seems that he was crude, self-centered, and inhospitable. Yet, Abigail, as his wife, kept her commitment to his well-being. Courageous love reaches out and is persistent in striving to do the best even when the recipient of that love does nothing to deserve such care or compassion.

    • A second thing we learn here is that courageous love acts without hesitation. When we have chosen to love, that commitment becomes part of us. Our mind, emotions, and body, without a second thought, move to perform whatever action is needed. Jesus died for us in anticipation of the our salvation (Heb. 12:2-3).

    • A third lesson is that courageous love does not consider self when others have a need. Abigail had no certainty that David would respond graciously to her pleas. She was willing to sacrifice herself in her efforts. When we act with such love to defend God’s people, or to teach the lost, we do not know the reaction we may receive. But we are willing to accept the possible consequences in order to achieve the right. Jesus taught this very idea in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:10-12).

    Let’s each of determine to have courageous love. The wounds from a friend are true and faithful.

    Sent by email today from Mike Glenn, in his series for youth

     

    • John T. Polk II 11:05 am on January 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      A question: How do such a wonderful woman (beautiful inside and out) become married to such a rotten fellow? I will accept co-authorship with anyone who has the answer in writing a book explaining this. This should put all men who are married to wonderful Christian wives on notice to ask the question: Is it I?

  • Eugene Adkins 6:31 am on December 14, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , love, ,   

    Happy 54th to My In-Laws and to Their Example 

    My in-laws have been like, acted like and felt like my parents in many more ways more than one. They have filled a big spot and have been a huge influence for good in my life for about the last 15 years of my life. The influence for good hasn’t stopped at 15 years…it keeps going! One reason is because they have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary together! My wife and I have quite a way to go before we catch up to that number, but because of their example we want too. The amazing thing is that while this anniversary is absolutely wonderful, among the peers of their generation it isn’t exactly rare!

    I fear that while the life expectancy of my generation is expected to grow past my in-laws’ due to medical advancements, and other reasons, the fact of the matter is that anniversaries won’t be as commonplace among my peers. My generation has been raised by the “flower power” generation to believe that marriage is a come and go relationship rather than a leave and cleave relationship.

    My generation as a whole has traded homes for houses! My generation  as a whole has traded holy matrimony for happy musings! My generation as a whole has traded a lawfully wedded husband and wife for unlawfully wedded husbands and wives! My generation as a whole is in the hole when it comes to appreciating the value of marriage. What kind of generation will this generation raise???

    My prayer is that my generation will continue to see the beauty of marriages that last beyond the “joys” of life by being a part of each other’s “joy” in life. And on top of that, my prayer is that the great generation of mighty marriages will explain to my generation that a lasting marriage is built with hard work and love and not flat-screen TVs, credit card debt, a closet full of shoes and the newest model of vehicle off of the assembly line every two years…please remind us that marriages are built with an abundance of love and not an abundance of stuff!

    Now let me finish where I started – Happy Fifty-Fourth Anniversary Albert and Christine, I love you both!

    “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

     

  • TFRStaff 7:28 pm on December 1, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: example of Christ, love, Roy Davison   

    “Love one another as I have loved you”: Roy Davison 

    “Love one another as I have loved you.” With these words of Christ as theme, another lesson in the series on love can be found at this address:

    http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/050-AsILovedYou.html

    http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/050-GelijkIkU.html

    May the Lord bless you.
    Roy

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:32 am on October 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , love, , unconditional salvation   

    Understanding What’s Unconditional When it Comes to God 

    Mention unconditional and God in the same sentence and many in the religious world attempt to tie the two together through the word salvation. Yet, study the word of God and this principle cannot be shown.

    So what is unconditional when it comes to God and mankind? It’s the love of God toward sinners.

    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (there’s the unconditional love), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (there’s the conditional salvation).” (John 3:16)

    Conditional salvation does not mean a person earns his or her salvation, but it does mean there are responsibilities that the love of God requires.

    “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, NKJV) Again there’s the unconditional love of God! But some may say, “There’s no conditional salvation there, so salvation must be unconditional!” If a person backs up just a few verses they will read, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we havepeace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2, NKJV) See how simple it is to see something when we look at all of God’s scripture instead of making individual verses stand alone.

    The unconditional love of God gives humanity something to celebrate – a Creator that has expressed the fullest form of love toward fallen men and women (John 15:12-14). The conditional salvation by faith toward God gives humanity something to seriously consider – a salvation that requires faith and a willingness to change in light of the love that God has shown through Jesus (Acts 17:30-31).

    Unconditional salvation is a pipe dream, but unconditional love that leads towards salvation is a dream come true; and may God help us to help more people understand the difference between the two.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:28 am on September 17, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love, ,   

    Road Sign 

    Here’s what’s on our road sign at Keltonburg right now:

    Love is the Cure for the Sicknesses of the World

    Scripture Connection:

    “Which of these three men, in your opinion, was neighbour to the man who came into the hands of thieves? And he said, The one who had mercy on him. And Jesus said, Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:36-37 - BBE)

     

  • John Henson 11:08 am on September 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love   

    God Will Take Care of You 

    Walter Martin was to preach at a church near Lestershire, N.Y., but was concerned his sick wife, Civilla, needed his care.

    The couple’s son asked his father, “Don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, that he will take care of mother?” Walter kept his preaching appointment, and when he returned home found his wife feeling better and that she had written a hymn.

    “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;

    Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you!

    God will take care of you. Thro’ every day, O’er all the way;

    He will take care of you, God will take care of you.”

    Civilla had heard what her son had said and wrote the words to “God Will Take Care of You.” Walter, who was also musically trained, wrote the melody.

    There is a scene in heaven of God’s care for his people. In Revelation 7:13 there is a picture of the redeemed who had suffered through tribulation on earth and are now in the care of their heavenly Father.

    “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of them shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,” (Revelation 7:16-17 KJV).

    God is taking care of them in this passage just as he always had. This is the lesson we should heed. God is taking care of us now, and he always will. And, God will take care of you in the future. His people have nothing to worry whatever may happen.

    When dark days come and we need to be lifted up, let us remember that our God continually looks after us and cares for us. Our God will never stop loving us. Even at the hour of our departure from this earth, his care will continue eternally.

     

  • John Henson 4:05 pm on July 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Independence, love   

    Thank God for His Love, Too 

    While you’re enjoying fried chicken or steak cooked in honor of the birth of the United States, think for a moment of the eternal love God showed his people.

    God preserved Israel from the sword of Egypt. Remember: Israel was in a foreign land. It was in bondage. Israel was separated from its land; the Promised Land had not yet been revealed to Israel. It was separated by a desert, the Desert of Sinai and the vast Eastern Desert. And, Israel’s return was not by its own might, but by the might of God who brought the plagues upon Egypt and parted the Red Sea.

    God preserved Judah from the sword of Babylon. Remember: Judah was in a foreign land, Babylon. It was in bondage. Israel was separated from its land, Palestine. It was separated by a vast distance, most of it desert. And, the return of a remnant of Judah was not by its own power, but by the power of God’s providence in giving Babylon into the hand of Cyrus, the Medo-Persian king.

    God, by his eternal love, preserved us from sin and death: you and me. We were in a foreign land, the land of sin. We were in bondage to sin―captive to it. We were separated from our rightful place: by the side of God who created us and thrown by our own actions into the wilderness of sin. Our return is not by our own might, but by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8f).

    Those who are New Testament Christians know these things to be true. Shouldn’t we be thankful, then, not only for this country of freedom, but also for the freedom from sin that God gave us by the son of his love (John 3:16)?

    Don’t forget to give thanks to God for his eternal love on this Independence Day.

     

  • Ed Boggess 8:24 am on May 14, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , love,   

    Jesus replied to his disciples, “For you always have the poor with you” Mt 26:11. That certainly seems to be the case in America today. Although it could be argued that even the poorest in America is wealthy compared to others elsewhere, I choose to keep it within the confines of the USA. I just read that one out of five families owes more on credit cards, medical bills, student loans and unsecured debt than they have in savings coming out of the recent economic downturn. Nearly one in four families has no savings at all! This says to me that there are a lot of our fellow-citizens hurting financially. When Jesus made the statement referenced, he was not encouraging a baize attitude to those who are struggling. Compassion demands empathy and love calls for a helping hand. Jesus was shutting the mouths of those who murmured. Please don’t get the wrong idea. I am not arguing for supporting those who refuse to work. But I am encouraging that we have a sense of understanding for others who struggle, whether through no fault of their own or the result of poor choices (who hasn’t made many of whose?). Love demands no less.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:28 pm on May 5, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , love,   

    Who’s the Crazy One? 

    My wife left this message for me on my dry erase board: “My husband thinks I’m crazy…But I’m not the one who married me!”

    “And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”” (Genesis 2:18- NKJV)

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:53 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love   

    Faith Old, Evil Bold, Love Cold 

    As Jesus gave His disciples a private enlightening lesson on what would become a publicly dark time in Jerusalem’s future He said, ”Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:11-14, NKJV)

    What Jesus warned His people about then is something that the church must still keep in mind today as it can still sadly be seen to some extent in the lives of many former brothers and sisters in Christ. When the faith becomes old in our heart, the evil will grow bold and push out the love that we are called to have for each other.

    Faith Old, Evil Bold, Love Cold – It will get us somewhere, but it won’t take us to the end that Jesus talked about.

    “And as you have made your souls clean, being ruled by what is true, and loving one another without deceit, see that your love is warm and from the heart:” (1 Peter 1:22, BBE)

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 8:21 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Is that your original phrase in the title? Good one!

      • Eugene Adkins 8:28 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        To the best of my knowledge it is an “original thought” if such exists. :)

        When I think of sayings like that I write them down on a dry erase board on my wall for later use in articles and sermons and stuff. It’s been up there for a while so I decided to do something with it.

        Thanks for the encouragment, Randal.

        • J. Randal Matheny 8:31 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink

          Tremendous! Very cool.

        • Eugene Adkins 8:36 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink

          When you look at those verses, the three points are almost literally spelled out. Feel more than free to use it my friend in any way you wish. The scriptures gave me the idea anyways so I don’t exactly think I can put one of those c’s with a circle around it on there. :)

        • J. Randal Matheny 8:52 pm on April 10, 2012 Permalink

          If I can remember, maybe I can fit that into a poem. Tomorrow. I’m calling it quits for the night. Have a great one!

  • Ron Thomas 8:00 am on March 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love   

    Interfaith Discussion (2) 

    In the last essay we talked about having clarity of understanding with regard to love. Love seeks to do that which is good to and for man, and we used John 3:16 to help us understand that clarity. In this essay we want to answer the questions that have been posed by those seeking an interfaith understanding in how people are healed in a world of divisiveness and confusion. Those questions are:

    http://etsop95.wordpress.com/

     

  • Ron Thomas 8:19 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love   

    Interfaith Discussion (1) 

    In our local newspaper (Mattoon-Charleston News-Gazette) there is a news brief/advertisement for an interfaith discussion in regard to the power of faith to heal. This sounds pleasant, but I have heard such nebulous titles before and have noticed there is a continuation of such topics in a nebulous sort of answering. The questions posed and to be addressed on this occasion are the following:

    1. What kind of love has the power to heal us – mind, body, and spirit?
    2. What did Jesus teach about the power of love to heal?
    3. How have you seen love heal tough issues in human experience – bodily, emotionally, socially, politically?
    4. How do we welcome more of the healing power of love into our lives on a daily basis?
    5. What if we are unwilling or unable to love others or open up to the power of love to heal?

    I desire, in this essay, to address these questions. First, however, there needs to be clarity of understanding with the use of the word “love.” Exactly what does one mean when the word “love” is used in a sentence? If we use the standard of God to help us understand love, then we have a starting point to address the questions. Let us use John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” The word “love” means what in this passage? If we use the English dictionary we come away with this understanding (when used in the noun form): a strong affection for another, a warm attachment, an object of attachment, devotion, and finally, unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another (there are actually nine definitions, but only the first four did I make use of).[1] Will this give us clarity of understanding? If we apply the first three English ideas of love to John 3:16, we can say that it helps, but I don’t think clarity is in view. We still don’t know what love means, we only know that the Lord has an attachment to His creation.

    If we make use of the fourth definition, however, and couple this with a dictionary based on New Testament Greek we learn this: “A biblical definition of love starts with God, never us…”[2] Using this as our starting point we learn that God always manifests His love toward man by seeking that which is good for man. What does that mean when we say that God seeks man’s good? When we read John 3:16 we learn that God manifested His love toward man by seeking that which is good for man; He sent His Son to teach us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world (Titus 2:11-12).

    Note the clarity of understanding. We know that love is more than an attachment, warm affection, and even devotion. We now understand that love acts in a particular way, and is not necessarily tied to affection or emotion (though it can be).

    Without this starting point there is no solution to the problems of our world, and neither is there a substantive answer to the various questions that are asked (and we will answer in our next post).

    [1] Merriam Webster’s Deluxe Dictionary, Tenth Collegiate Edition, Readers Digest Edition, 1998, p. 1086

    [2] Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Zondervan, 2006, p. 427

     

    • Weylan Deaver 8:58 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      “A biblical definition of love starts with God, never us…” — that makes perfect sense. And if a thing be rightly defined in reference to its source, then you could not define humanity without reference to God, either.

  • John Henson 10:29 am on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , love, mom   

    The Mom Who Loved 

    Part of the story of Stephanie Decker, and of us. Here: http://foolforhim.wordpress.com/

     

  • John T. Polk II 10:56 am on February 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love   

    Love Is Forever 

    Power Point charts are available at: http://doverchurchofchrist.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Feb12.swf

     

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

    Love Is Forever 

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

     

  • Glenda Williams 1:31 pm on September 1, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , love   

    Diane Grantham leads Bible study at nursing home 

    “She goes about doing good,” could easily be said about Diane Grantham, a member of the Geneva church.

    Residents at the local nursing home know and love Diane because she visits regularly. Always with a smile and a kind word, she does go about doing good. Often she will pick up some nice gift with a certain resident in mind. She gets great pleasure from making one of her beloved friends smile.

    Recently one of the patients at the Geneva Nursing Home suggested to Diane that she should teach a ladies Bible class at the home. With her positive attitude, and love of teaching, she took the necessary steps to secure a time slot on the monthly calendar. She was given one Monday night a month. Recently she taught her first class with a total of six in attendance.

    Diane taught the gospel to one of the female residents recently. Due to her size and being an amputee, she was baptized in a local swimming pool in her wheelchair. Diane’s love for the Lord is ever shining in all walks of her life. May her example encourage others to go and do likewise.

     

    • Joy 7:28 am on March 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I have thought of having a Bible Study in our local nursing home. I teach 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School and would like to use that lesson if you think it would be appropriate. Perhaps a 30 minute time slot including some hymns before and after, and maybe even have popcorn or some small snack. Do you think this would be appropriate. Meet either weekly or monthly.

      • Glenda Williams 9:18 am on March 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Hi Joy, How encouraging to read your thoughts. I certainly think you could use the 3rd and 4th grade material for a spin off, but you will have “hungry for the Word” adults who will be looking for adult lessons. You will know how to meet their needs, I’m certain. The songs before and after the lesson are a wonderful idea, and of course, a prayer. I’m thinking even prayer requests. Imagine what that would mean to them to have a personal prayer request fulfilled. The popcorn, or other food, I would not do at all. You never know about diabetics, choking, etc., etc., that you can get into in a situation like that. Nothing could be sweeter than personal contact, singing praises to the Lord, studying His word, and then personal interaction with them when the class is over. It makes me want to do it, too! Let me know how your plans go. God bless you in all you do for good.
        Glenda

  • TFRStaff 5:59 am on June 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , love   

    TFT: Heartprints 

    Whatever our hands touch…
    We leave fingerprints.
    On walls, on furniture,
    On door knobs, dishes and books.
    Smudges, showing we were there!

    Oh, Lord, please,
    Wherever I go today…
    Help me leave Heartprints…
    Heartprints of compassion,
    Understanding and love.
    Heartprints of kindness
    And genuine concern.

    I shall go out today…
    To leave Heartprints…
    And if some one should say…
    “I felt your touch!”
    May that one feeling be…
    Your loving touch, Lord,
    Through me!

    May my heart touch my lonely neighbor, with a smile,
    A worried mother, with peace,
    A runaway child, with safety,
    A homeless person, with warmth,
    And my dear friends, with love.

    My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, (Prov 7:1-4)

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn Hitchcock

     

  • Larry Miles 9:39 am on May 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Love In Action 

    There are countless instances in God’s Word where the words on our title have application. Many of God’s servants in the past and many today fit the bill. Christianity is a religion of action. Since we have “been raised with Christ,” we are to live our lives daily for Him!

    We read about such an individual in Paul’s Epistle to Philemon. In Philemon 1:5 we have these words: “hearing of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.” Paul is commending Philemon for living out his faith.

    As is the case, Philemon’s genuine love and faith in and towards the Lord Jesus resulted in his love for others. (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:6 and 1 John 3:14). Some other instances of hearing about the love and service of believers in the New Testament is found in 2 John 1:4 and 3 John 1:3-4

    In Philemon 6, as a result of his love and faith in and for Jesus, Philemon shares his faith. He becomes a “doer as well as a hearer” of God’s Word (James 1:22). Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep on (keep on keeping) My commandments.” (John 14:15).

    This results in a life where one’s faith rubs off on those around him. Folks see you serving God and knowing that it is real for you can motivate others to seek to serve Jesus more and more.

    It can result in striving to reach the lost and strengthening  the saved. It will motivate us to help the lost find their way out of the “kingdom of darkness and be conveyed to the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

    You can, like Philemon, have a joy in your life because of the love you show, first of all to Christ, and then to others.

    -Larry Miles May 18, 2011

     

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

    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.

     

  • Richard Mansel 8:47 am on April 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love,   

    Love and Obedience 

    Love and obedience are inextricably linked and any doctrine that tries to separate them is dangerous. I discuss in my article today why this is true and what they say about our relationship to the Lord.

    Some think today that if love and obedience are combined, it is a denial of the grace of God. We have to depend completely on Him for everything. Obedience would then constitute meritorious religion. This doctrine is proof that they do not understand God’s will.

    It is interesting that 1 John discusses love and obedience more than any book of the New Testament. If they cannot be combined, then 1 John must be removed from the canon.

    What thoughts do you have on love and obedience?

    Oh, and I hope you will read my article. :)

     

  • Richard Mansel 9:58 pm on April 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love, ,   

    Racism: Standing Above the Culture 

    I k new a Christian man years ago that actually made the argument that it was fine for the races to be together in heaven, but in the  South, they were to be strictly separated. What a ridiculous idea! Read his letter and my thoughts on this very anti-Christian mindset.

     

    • johntpolk2 8:30 am on April 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Richard,
      Well done! Peter, a follower of Christ, kept his old prejudices, and needed rebuke. Do you think this echoed with his own rebuke of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8? Peter could rebuke the sorcerer for keeping his pre-conversion arrogance (and rightly so!), but become hypocritical in his own view of Gentiles. Question: does being a hypocrite disqualify a person from being an apostle? preacher? elder? Christian? My point is, we seem too quick to “pare down” the church, when condemnation, repentance, forgiveness should be our “pattern.” It certainly was so between Paul and Peter. AND Paul did not become Peter’s enemy because he told him the truth (Galatians 4:16). Maybe these thoughts are helpful, but yours certainly are. God bless you.

  • Ron Thomas 3:17 am on March 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , love   

    Showing Much Love 

    One of the great teaching methods of the Lord was in the use of parables. In Matthew 13, the apostle decided to group many of the parables of the Lord together. In the teachings of our Lord, He made a comment that penetrates even the hardest of hearts and frightens it so. “Hearing you will hear and not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive.” This frightens many because they wonder if they are exactly in that spot. Who would these people be, and who would be guilty of such things? Well, apart from the majority of the people who exist today, take note of what Ezekiel said (by the Lord’s authority), “So my people crowd in to hear what you have to say, but they don’t do what you tell them to do. Loving words are on their lips, but they continue their greedy ways” (Ezekiel 33:31, GNB). “Going to church” is on the outside, what is on the inside?

     

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

    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!

  • Richard Hill 10:03 pm on February 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love,   

    Got Love? 

    Love covers a multitude of sins. Let the chips on our shoulders fall where they may.

     

  • John T. Polk II 1:17 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: love, ,   

    “True Love” 

    While counterfeit religion gives us a “St. Valentine’s Day;” and worships the mythical pagan gods of “Lupercus,” protector of shepherds and flocks, or “Cupid” (later substituted with the Roman Catholic “Valentine”); and offers commercialized gifts of flowers, candy, or jewelry; I think of Dorwin Stoddard. Dorwin and Mavy were childhood sweethearts who in time married others, but when their respective mates died, they retired back to Tucson, Arizona, re-kindled their romance, and married. As Christians who worshiped with the Mountain Avenue church of Christ, they were beloved.

    At a public gathering in Tucson, on January 8, 2011, Jared Loughner, whose works were evil (1 John 3:12), opened fire on the crowd killing 6 and wounding 13. Knowing that Ephesians 5:25 said: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” in a split-second, Dorwin threw himself down on top of Mavy. She was shot 3 times in the leg and he was shot in the head. She survived, he did not. It was not the 17 heart stents that had kept Dorwin alive for 76 years, but his deep, abiding love for Jesus Christ, and Mavy. Mavy will recover from the gunshots and live out her life knowing she has been supremely loved by 2 men, Jesus Christ and Dorwin Stoddard, both of whom gave their lives for her.

    While Harlotwood propaganda continues to demean men (with endless “crotchshots,” humiliation, and stupidity) and inflate women’s individuality (fictionalizing them as men’s equals, superiors, or complete without men), suddenly God has thrust into the spotlight a couple who had it right. Mavy was a “helper comparable” to Dorwin (Genesis 2:18), and he loved his wife as his own body (Ephesians 5:28). Here was a husband who so loved his own wife as himself, and a wife who respected her husband (Ephesians 5:33), that he willingly gave his life to keep the best part of him alive.

    Do what you wish on February 14, but I think The Day For Love occurred on 1/8/11, when a true “saint” demonstrated before the world what Jesus Christ did for the whole world centuries ago. Indeed, “precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Thank God for Dorwin Stoddard.

     

  • Richard Mansel 5:52 am on January 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , love,   

    What Does it Mean to Love Our Enemies? 

    Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging things God has asked of us. What does it mean and not mean? Today, I have an examination of this important command.

     

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